Blooper or bad parenting?

Commercial radio 'shock' jock Kyle Sandilands is back in the headlines today after an incident during a live show this morning. The radio show's 'lie detector' segment calls for parents to hook their children up to a lie detector and quiz them on topics which they obviously can't lie about, live on air.

A mother daughter pair signed up for the segment, although the daughter sounds like she didn't want to be there in the first place. The mother then quizzes her daughter on wagging school and then her sexual experiences. At this point the daughter clearly states that she has told her mother the story and after slight hesitation exclaims she was raped when she was 12. Of course this took both the DJs and the mother by surprise.

But the situation escalated when Kyle followed up the statement with another question about the incident being the girl's only sexual relation. For most people this is the biggest scandal. But, the mother who then freely admits knowing about her daughter's rape had no hesitation in asking her daughter a sexual experience related question. Which in my eyes is pretty insensitive and stupid.

Honestly though; is this an issue of reaction, or simply a situation where a mother should have known better than to:

a) publicly ask her daughter about her sexual relations (knowing she's been raped);

b) put her daughter on a lie detector test on radio in the first place; and

c) admit to not helping her daughter get counselling following the rape.

I think everyone should carefully consider what happened on the show and then decide what the real shock is...blooper or bad parenting?

Also making news today - some justice! John Caratozzolo was jailed for 15 years (minimum 10) today for the murder of Zhongjun Cao early last year in Melbourne. Dr. Cao was walking home when he was attached by the group who appeared to beat him to death for fun.

On a more inspirational note, miniature ponies are now being used across the USA to act as guide-animals for the blind. According to reports the ponies have much longer life spans and are far more stable for people with mobility issues.

Loving:

(Writing with a freshly sharpened pencil.)

(NYC memories.)

Oh Wow...lovely...

Loving:



(Cassie from Skins; brutally honest, concerning, weird but...lovely. Cassie: "In some ways I love everything. It’s less…less of a thing than like, less distinct, less particular. I like things that I like, but I love everything. There’s more choice in like, because even the worse things have things to love in them.")

It's nakey time...

The world's greatest news story surfaced today. Farmers in India have asked their unmarried daughters to plow parched fields wearing nothing but their birthday suits in hopes it will embarrass the weather gods and bring some badly needed monsoon rains. Awkward......but hilarious (and hopefully successful).

On home soil, our PM has called for young people to accept whatever job they can get. While the economy smooths out its 'bumps' Gen Y is being told to be less snobby about work choices and be grateful for any job offer. Would you like fries with that?

Virgin Blue has hit it's own speed bump today when one of its planes lost a wheel while taxiing in Melbourne. A spokesperson has confirmed the aircraft has been fixed and the rest of the fleet checked for similar issues. According to the company it was 'fortunate' the incident occurred on the ground and not mid-flight which would have led to the loss of an aircraft. I would imagine happy hour prices will be quite lovely to Melbourne this week; although I would take a helmet should any freak wheels fly from the sky.

Unfortunately Russia has this week said no deal to anymore Kangaroo meat imports sparking concern about a jump in growth of skippy numbers. According to reports Russia took almost 70% of Australia's kangaroo meat exports and culling quotas will not longer be achievable.

Loving:

(Mid afternoon red apples)

Amber and blue

Loving:

(GC sunsets)

Authority in question

I am furious. Like, deeply, blood boiling, mind racingly furious.

Why?

Dangerous Liaisons.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission has set out the results of it's Operation Capri in a report entitled Dangerous Liaisons. But the report details narrate more like a cheap soap opera than reality, throwing into question the legitimacy of our authorities.

The facts state that 25 policemen are described to have been paying convicted criminal (murder, rape) Lee Henderson in return for information. Furthermore other prisoners have been taken on excursion for ruthless romps, illicit injections and fancy feasts; all presumably on our tax dollars.

With little real repercussions or hype the report appears to have sunk into the background of the media's attention and therefore little notice has been taken by the public. We can't ignore the gravity of the issue at hand; when a society has little faith in its authority, those installed to retain security and peace, it is almost surely heading towards demise.

Loving:

( Luna Lovegood in HP's latest movie. "A Wrackspurt - they're invisible, they float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy," she said. "I thought I felt one zooming around in here." PS. Sick head wear Luns)

(David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu in Australia)

Agromeglia is a real disease

Tanya Angus has a tumour. A tumour which causes her to grow, grow and grow. Apparently unable to be stopped by the modern medical world, Tanya has now reached a mammoth 198cm height supporting a 215kg weight. Wrapped around her carotid artery, the tumour was responsible for the continued overproduction of the growth hormone some 12 times beyond the regular level.

And it hasn't been a good news day all 'round. An Adelaide mother has been granted bail after murdering her severely disabled 16-year-old son. She showed remorse in court. North a touch in Newcastle, a suspected scoundrel allegedly hid in his roof after police found bomb making equipment and suss powders in his house. The entire street was put on lock down although neighbours said they were not surprised. NOT COOL AUSTRALIA. (Not cool neighbours?!)

In the US we hear of a five-legged puppy who is stirring up an (p)awful mess. The puppy's owner wants to have the leg surgically removed as it hinders the dog. However, the owner had previously promised the dog to a freak show owner (YES THAT'S A REAL CAREER!) who plans to display the dog on Coney Island. The owner, despite receiving a $1000 deposit, changed their mind following outcry from animal lover. I'm not sure what to be more shocked about. The fact that there is a dog with five legs, or the fact that someone wants to profit from the poor pooch.

& finally, its gr8 2 announce MSN messenger celebr8s its 10th birthday 2day!! Hip hip horrah!

Loving:

(Fraps with friends)

(In the spirit of strange animals - the cabbitus ratis. A lot of people think it's creepy, but I think it's kind of cute. And totally fake.)

Hating:

Commercial call in radio:

Presenter: And tonight we are talking about the worst things you've found in your food....we have (insert bogan name) on the phone. What have you found in your food?

(Insert bogan name): Well, I like, went to KFC the other night and I got one of them box things and it had like chicken wings in it and I found a feather in one of my wings!

Presenter: Oh that's not too bad, at least you know your chicken was fresh...

(Insert bogan name here): Oh my god no way, I could've like gotten swine...i mean like bird flu from it or something.

Total eclipse of...the sun

For those with the swine sniffles - today has been a good day. Just months after H1N1 hit our shores comes the announcement that a swine flu vaccine is just weeks away! Horrah for immunity against the dreaded pig flu. Goodbye awkward isolation and lame jokes! Goodbye!

But it's not goodbye Jackson news, no, instead it's hello scandal. Apparently a front row memorial seat was given to an unidentified male who is now reportedly Jackson's love child. Oops!

Also making headlines; nurses and teachers are the most stressed workers, and a taxi driver has been busted doing naughties (doubles swipes etc) and consequently branded one of Australia's worst taxi drivers.

And abroad; those in Southeast Asia enjoyed the longest total eclipse of the century and got to don some pretty stupid looking eye wear. I say that mainly because I am jealous I missed the whole shindig.

Loving:

('umerous but shockingly honest)

(Karl Lagerfeld, being the killer-designer that he is, created these bad boys for the runway early 09. Now you can crash your scooter in style!)