They have a section in their criminal law that allows a rapist to marry his victim and be absolved of his crime.  This goes back to traditional values about family honour.  In conservative parts of Morocco, it is unacceptable for a woman to lose her virginity before marriage – and the dishonour is hers and her family’s even if she is raped.  How fucked up is that?  Um, what about the rapist scum?

This law has become the subject of protests since 16 year old Amina Filali swallowed rat poison last weekend after being severely beaten during a forced marriage to her rapist. 

A judge can only recommend marriage if all parties involved agree – but activists say pressure is often applied to the victim’s family to avoid a scandal. Ms Filali’s father said that when he reported the rape of his daughter, he was advised of the option to marry by court officials.  Local media reports say that the girl complained to her family about her mistreatment at the hands of the man who raped her – but they disowned her, prompting her to take her own life.  Lovely, really taking care of your child in their time of need!

And what did her Prince Charming of a husband do? Witnesses say he became so outraged when she drank the poison he dragged her down the street by her hair – and she died shortly afterwards.

Defenders of this sort of traditional law will claim that it stems from long held traditional, cultural and/or religious values.  Whoop de doo!  Humans have enjoyed traditions such as cannibalism and human sacrifice over the ages, but even in the most backward societies now, these traditions aren’t practised anymore (I hope so anyway, correct me if I’m wrong).  Such backward practices, and I would add things like honour killings, arranged marriages and female genital mutilation, have deserved for hundreds of years to be consigned to ancient history.

For a modern-ish country like Morocco to allow this sort of thing to continue is a huge smudge on their national status and reputation.  Barbarism needs to be stamped out throughout the world, and I’d like to think Morocco is enlightened enough to do this willingly.

If not, diplomatic and economic sanctions should be used to “encourage” them.

I’m listening to Mick Harvey – Harley Davidson

While he lay on the floor on fire, accomplice Richard Boyce (50) took his car keys and tried to drive off. He was later found by police with blistered hands.  With friends like him, Mr Harper doesn’t need enemies, obviously.

What happened to cause the explosion that did the damage?  Apparently while these bright sparks were stripping copper wire from the transformer, which had 2 11,000 volt cables going into it, Boyce, who claimed some electrical expertise, had drained oil from the conductors to insulate against electrical charges.  Harper at some stage decided he needed a piss, and did so on the transformer.  Bang, sparks fly, set fire to the oil and all hell breaks loose.

Rather unsurprisingly, according to Boyce, the 2 men had gone to the substation to shoot up heroin.  And to rob it to finance their next purchase.

Boyce got 4 years jail for his efforts.  Harper got one year, seemingly because the judge took pity on him because of his injuries.  In the judge’s words:

"You have suffered a punishment, it seems to me, already.

"You were seriously injured and very nearly lost your life and will be permanently disfigured."

I’m listening to Siouxsie And The Banshees – Peek-A-Boo

It’s hardly shocking, or embarrassing to Kevin Rudd.  I actually think he’s quite restrained – a few “fucking dickhead”’s is about as strong as he gets.  This is mild irritation rather than anger or loss of control.  Given Rudd’s reputation for tearing strips off people who displeased him (as opposed to his mild mannered public persona), it’s nothing.

Actually, it rather humanises Rudd, which I think contrasts with Gillard’s public persona, where she comes across as very wooden (which is at odds with what many close to her say about their personal dealings with her).

I’m listening to The Laughing Clowns – Laughing Clowns

The result, boobage overflowing at the top of the dress.  The term “Squoobs” has been coined to describe this, short for “squashed boobs”.  Looks fine to me, but I’d imagine its damn uncomfortable.

And just for good measure, here’s another one of Christina Hendricks.

Is it just me, or is she looking a bit lopsided?

I’m listening to Hunters & Collectors – Tender

The fountain business in Sydney seems to have been, more so than most.

It is alleged that the proprietor of one such business applied a very harsh “no compete” provision on an employee who left the business to set up his own company.  It is alleged in court that Dirk Slotboom was angry at his former colleague, Richard Carruthers, for "stealing" some of his former clients, including the lucrative contract for the City of Sydney council. This contract included the maintenance of such fountains as the water feature next to St Mary’s Cathedral in the Sydney CBD.

After sending several legal letters warning Mr Carruthers off, Mr Slotboom arranged through business associates for his rival to be " bashed" for a fee of $30,000.  Fadi "Ricky" Shamoun allegedly took up the offer and paid Mr Carruthers a visit at home.  During a struggle with Carruthers, Shamoun allegedly stabbed him in the back with a long-bladed knife, killing him.

I suppose that is one way to reduce competition – only problem is it tends to remove yourself as well as your rivals from business.  I imagine its quite hard to run a business like this from a prison cell for the next 20 years or so.

I’m listening to Powderfinger – Wishing On The Same Moon

The boy showed no serious injury from the blow during the game on Friday but had an internal haemorrhage overnight and died in hospital the next day. 

Police are looking for the umpire, who has gone into hiding.

I’m guessing there won’t be any arguing whether you hit the ball or not, or whether the ball pitched in line or anything with this umpire from now on.

I’m listening to The Waifs – Moses And The Lamb

Two men walked into a petrol station near Auckland. One of them went to the pie warmer, picked up several pies and placed one inside his jacket. He then asked the attendant if he could have one pie for free but was told he would have to pay for all of them.   He storms off in a huff, then goes off and talks to his mate in the car outside, and decides he really does want his free pies.  But the attendant has locked the doors of the shop. 

The man returned to the car where he and his friend decided they would find another way to enter the store. They drove the car through the door, one of them picks up his pies off the counter and they do a runner.  A police chase followed, ended with them running over some police road spikes.

Seriously, a service station pie.  These guys have an instant insanity defence.  When has anyone ever had a decent servo pie.  Soggy, lukewarm, meatless, yes, but decent eating, never.

And in related junk food cravings news, also in New Zealand, a man flew into a rage after staff at a Wendy’s restaurant mucked up his order. He allegedly smashed tills, flipped tables and assaulted a police officer who responded to the incident. After being apprehended he was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries he had suffered during the arrest.

This one is more understandable.  I mean who hasn’t felt like throttling the idiot teenager who screws up their order at a takeaway.  I get pissed off with repeating orders twice or more, thinking to myself  “do I not speak English?” or “fuck you, listen” or “maybe if you concentrated on your job you wouldn’t fuck my order up”.

I’m listening to The Living End – Song For The Lonely

It’s been damn hot here, too.

Only one thing wrong with that sign, the beer is XXXX.  But beggars can’t be choosers, so they say.  (also, wouldn’t 0.2 degrees make it more of a beer slushie than a drink?)

A crocodile at a wildlife park in New South Wales, Australia, grabbed a lawnmower from workmen during routine park maintenance and dragged it into his pool.

The five-metre crocodile (his name is Elvis) had charged staff at the Australian Reptile Park at Gosford after they went into its enclosure about 8am today. The men – who used their lawnmowers as a barrier when the crocodile lunged – managed to escape unharmed.

A rescue mission was mounted a few hours later to retrieve the mower, which Elvis had dragged underwater.

I reckon Elvis is being falsely accused over this.  I mean look at his halo, which can be clearly seen in the photo.

And no way would I ever have gone in to rescue the mower.  No matter how distracted the crocodile was.  A long rope and a grappling hook would have had to do the job for me.  Or else Elvis could keep it – he might need to mow the bottom of his pool every now and then.

In March the owners found the dog almost lifeless, in pain and in shock, with De Shields in the garage.  A veterinarian later found traces of asphyxiation, as well as serious injuries to the animal’s rectum and internal organs.

We can all figure out what he did to the dog.  No doubt it involved him getting dog shit on his dick.

The chihuahua was only able to survive thanks to intensive medical care.

De Shields was high on methamphetamine at the time.  He is a long term drug abuser and criminal. In the last 19 to 20 years, he has only been free from jail or monitoring by the authorities for about five months.

He got 10 years jail for rooting the dog.  In an unusual move for an animal cruelty case, De Shields was also required to register as a lifetime sex offender, meaning he will have to wear an electronic surveillance device and keep a distance from schools and other places where children gather.

A chihuahua, really?

Mind you, a cute little puppy was probably an upgrade for De Shields.

I doubt he was likely to get an actual (living) human to ever shag him.