The first thing he did after the stitches were removed was CHAIN SMOKE.
As an ex smoker i'm more impressed by the length of nicotine self deprivation than the minor irritation caused by a few stitches.
Seriously, after the described whipping, wouldn't the scars lend weight to his argument rather than self mutilation akin to the afore-posted whirling dervish.
Yeah, we need those in the country, come one come all, send us your poor, your needy, your flagellators, your zealots, your darners.
First impressions...
