The doctrine of osmosis
PEOPLE should not look askance at this new law that makes it easier for prisoners to be released on medical parole. It's all part of a development in jurisprudence known as the doctrine of osmosis, where South Africa leads the world.
The idea is that, especially for high profile individuals with an important role to play in society, the boundaries between freedom and being in jail should be blurred. The osmosis between the two should be such that it is actually difficult to tell who is in jail and who is not. Furthermore, it barely matters because they carry on much as before.
As a legal academic put it: "Can society afford to lock away a gifted person with leadership qualities simply because he's fallen foul of the law here and there? Look at Bernie Madoff in the US. Okay, he ran a ponzi racket. But the guy has intellect. Can Wall Street operate properly without his contribution? We're in the 21st century, not the 19th. South Africa is leading the way in the doctrine of osmosis."
Others point out that, with prisoners in South Africa already allowed to vote, the doctrine could eventually be developed to a point where it allows for entire governments to be elected to rule from behind bars.
Don't be queasy – we're at the cutting edge!
Collapse all round
IN HIS LATEST grumpy newsletter, investment analyst Dr James Greener laments the intellectual and ethical collapse of modern society, not least in his own financial sector.
"After the dreadfully violent wars and conflicts that dominate the Middle East regions, perhaps the next most significant events to watch are the US presidential elections and the Eurozone financial fandangles. Neither makes any sense to anyone expecting reasonable, logical and civilised behaviour from erstwhile role models for such things.
"Words and concepts like faith and science and honour and debt and promise and trust are being misused and devalued to the point where they convey no meaning.
"Similarly in one recent but small incident in our industry a big cheese has resigned from a well known investment bank with an open letter that spills the beans on the way things sometimes work in some of those businesses.
"Sadly I can confirm that he is not making that stuff up. Greed scores way above integrity with just enough people for the rest of us in or around this industry to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable when we admit what we do."
Read all about it!
SOME headlines gleaned from the newspapers of the US:
· Worker suffers leg pain after crane drops 800-pound ball on his head.
· Bridges help people cross rivers
· City unsure why the sewer smells
· Meeting on open meetings is closed
· Man accused of killing lawyer receives a new attorney
· Puerto Rican teen named mistress of the universe
· County to pay $250 000 to advertise lack of funds
· Meat head resigns
(He was head of the federal agency for meat and poultry inspections)
· Barbershop singers bring joy to school for deaf
· Homicide victims rarely talk to police
· Hospitals resort to hiring doctors
· Man with 8 DUIs blames drinking problem
(DUI: Driving under the influence)
· Nudists fight erection of towers near Wreck Beach
· Parents keep kids home to protest school closure
· Police arrest everyone on February 22nd
· Rally against apathy draws small crowd
· Starvation can lead to health hazards
· The bra celebrates a pair of historic milestones this year
· Total lunar eclipse will be broadcast live on Northwoods Public Radio
· Miracle cure kills fifth patient
Now read on …
YES, THERE are some beauties in the above selection. One of my favourite headlines ever appeared years ago in the News of the World (recently closed by Rupert Murdoch in the phone-hacking scandal). It was in capitals across two pages: "NUDIST CAMP MANAGER FINDS MODEL WIFE NAKED IN BED WITH CHINESE HYPNOTIST FROM CO-OP BACON FACTORY."
Tailpiece
SELF-DEFENCE steps for a woman:
1. Assume a guarded stance as the male approaches.
2. Begin discussing commitment: "I love you. We should move in together. Let's have a baby."
3. Take no further action as male flees in terror.
Last word
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
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