Second Class Victim

As much as my firm belief in the equality of the sexes, I can't agree with the Spanish court's recent decision, that the fairer sex should receive a lighter sentence than her counterpart, presuming that they had both committed the same crime. This came about when a woman was charged of violence against her husband. If the blow from her dainty little hand hurt less, she certainly had the same intention to hurt with all her might when she struck out.

According to the Ministry of Justice, only 10% of domestic violence are committed by women (5% only according to the State Observatory of Violence against women). The reason of the court decision is not clear, at least not to me, but it seems to have established that women violators would be given the consideration of being, simply, women. Is this in fact the 'machista' way of saying women are the weaker species?

I don't share the elation of those who applauded such a constitutional resolution because, I think, instead of being effective it would only serve to flare up the polarization between the sexes. A victim is a victim, be it referring to a man or a woman. One as well as the other has the same right of wearing trousers.

What happens if, let's say, for the abandonment of a new born baby, on what could the court base for giving out a lesser penalty to a woman but a heavier one if the evil doer is a man? Doesn't the baby suffer the same degree of harm? Is there such a thing as a lesser death?

Tags:equality,violence,penalty

• Current Mood: blah

Things That Will Destroy Us

** Politics without principle.

** Pleasure without conscience.

** Wealth without work.

** Knowledge without character.

** Business without morality.

** Science without humanity.

** And worship without sacrifice.

 

Mahatma Gandhi

Tag:MahatmaGandhi

• Current Mood: awake

Charm Of A Parrot

There's a talking parrot in the balcony of a house near the cafe I go to most mornings. It always says 'piropo' (Spanish, meaning verbal compliments or flatteries to women) to females passing by, but only if they are wearing coloured clothing, not old ladies from head to toe in black! It did again this morning to me, something new he has learned to say! It somehow reminded me of another parrot who made big news a couple of years ago, in Japan.

The Japanese News Agency Kyodo distributed one of those very brief reports, that took no time at all being reproduced all over the world. The protagonist was a grey parrot that had gone astray. The police of the Japanese province of Chiba captured the fugitive later. As there were no suitable or available prison for a winged prisoner, the parrot was being kept in a veterinary clinic while they tried to decide what to do with it.

Following the normal procedures of any new interns to the clinic, the parrot was immediately given X-ray examination and injections, during all these the parrot won't stop repeating a name Yoshio Nakamura (which later found to be the name of his owner), and another name and a number, which only much later discovered to be the combination of the address, street name and house number, where he escaped from.

As it was not apparent from the beginning, what the parrot was saying had anything to do with the information of his identity, or that of his owner's, it had taken a couple of days before the clinic called the police when they got so irritated by the continuous repetition of the parrot's chanting. The police located Mr. Nakamura at the address given by the parrot and a happy ending of the story. So far all logical.

What's not so logical and often occurs is that most owners of the breed of parrot who process the ability to simulate sounds and learn to speak, would only teacher them to whistle at pretty girls, say flattering words to them; or swearing, or sing the hymn of their favourite football team. Mr. Nakamuro had the foresight to teach the parrot what is the most important. I can only add that he should have also taught the parrot to say the telephone number, the case for the police should have been closed sooner, so would the reunion.

This case managed to capture the world attention only because it was the parrot himself who provided the necessary information. We have always been fascinated by parrots who can speak, it denotes intelligence but, in actual fact, it's only their capacity of memory.

Modern day people let their memory stay idle more and more, relying on machines to do the job. Not too many of us can add up 3 simple digit figures without a calculator. According to the scientifically tested and proven theory, any of our organs not used over a long period of time deteriorates. I think it's about time we go backwards a little and learn to do certain things 'parrot fashioned'.

Tags:intelligence,memory

• Current Mood: accomplished

Fun With Biology Exam

Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam. The last question was, 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk.’ The question was worth 70 points or none at all.

One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. However, he wrote:

1) It is perfect formula for the child.
2) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3) It is always the right temperature.
4) It is inexpensive.
5) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6) It is always available as needed.

And then the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell rang indicating the end of the test, he quickly wrote:

7 ) It comes in two attractive containers and it's high enough off the ground where the cat can't get it.

He got an A.

Tag:mothermilk

• Current Mood: amused

Diagnostic Computer

One day, in line at the works cafeteria, Jack says to Mike behind him, 'My elbow hurts like hell. I suppose I'd better see a doctor!'

'Listen mate; don't waste your time down at the surgery,' Mike replies. 'There's a diagnostic computer at Tesco. Just give it a urine sample and the computer will tell you what's wrong, and what to do about it. It takes ten seconds and only costs five quid ... a lot quicker and better than a doctor and you get Clubcard points'.

So Jack collects a urine sample in a small jar and takes it to Tesco. He deposits five pounds and the computer lights up and asks for the urine sample. He pours the sample into the slot and waits.

Ten seconds later, the computer ejects a printout:

'You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water and avoid heavy activity. It will improve in two weeks'.

That evening while thinking how amazing this new technology was, Jack began wondering if the computer could be fooled.

He mixed some tap water, a stool sample from his dog, urine samples from his wife and daughter, and 'pleasured himself' into the mixture for good measure. Jack hurried back to Tesco, eager to check what would happen. He deposits five pounds, pours in his concoction, and awaits the results with a grin.

The computer prints the following:

1) Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener.
2) Your dog has ringworm. Bathe him with anti-fungal shampoo.
3) Your daughter has a cocaine habit. Get her into rehab.
4) Your wife is pregnant. Twins. They aren't yours. Get a lawyer.
5) And if you don't stop playing with yourself, your elbow will never get better...

Thank you for shopping at Tesco.

Tags:computer,diagnoses

• Current Mood: amused