(the J is for)

Sometimes an idea or topic gets stuck in my head and keeps popping into my consciousness. Generally they're happy, inane or despicably geeky. However, on occassion, they can be quite dark and I spend a few days with my personal Aunt Irma.

Well, from my profile, you can see that I'm based in Stellenbosch, ZA, as a pseudo-lecturer/full-time student. Recently I've heard of several horrible rapes around here. For some reason, this is the crime I most detest. When I heard one story in particular, I felt a strange urge or need to go out and help the victim. I just wanted to make everything alright for her. Make it better. But I can't.

Now it'd be easy for us to call out for justice; life imprisonment, castration or excution. Yet, (this may come as a surprise) I'm not actually one for capital punishment. In my early years, while viewing a cartoon (I think it was Prince Valiant) Merlin pointed out that it is far better to let a 1000 guilty men go than to punish an innocent - especially when it came to execution. This kinda stuck with me. The oddest things shape you, don't they?