The man with the child in his eyes

This time, I'm not talking about Michael Jackson.

I know, I know, you can't keep up. I'm writing this blog faster than you can read it - it's like when I first started, but don't worry, I'll slow down again soon.

As promised yesterday, today we will be examining the definitions of paedophilia. There may be an online-type vigilante rant, but hopefully not to the extent as happened in Southampton a few years ago. Some of you may remember that a female child-doctor had all the windows broken in her house because the mob believed that she was a 'paediatrician'.

So what's been happening is that recently we had a new guy start work. Not an altogether strange occurence, as this seems to happen all the time. Unfortunately, what did happen is that the new guy (who for legal reasons we will not call Martin) decided to inform his new colleagues that he was 'in a little bit of legal trouble'.

Personally I didn't really take any notice as this is always happening, until it came to light (and there's only one possible source of this - him) that he was being charged with the rape of a 13 year old girl.

Sick. Fucking. Bastard.

Of course, he is innocent until proven guilty, but he has discussed it with a number of members of staff - with an apparent lack of shame - with a wide range of varying reasons. Oddly, none of these have flown particularly well, and most of the people in the company want to kick the poo out of him, before waving goodbye in the courtroom so he can find out over the next couple of years exactly what she felt like.

This, whilst interesting and disgusting, surprisingly started an argument between my beloved and I. Nothing serious I hasten to add, but it made me think about various peoples takes on kiddy-molesting.

When I discussed it with Emilie, I felt sure that she would have the same feeling as me about it. I feel that yes, he is innocent until proven guilty, but I can't help looking at the guy and thinking 'You filthy little bastard' every time. You see, his story is that he had had a few drinks at a party and this girl got into bed with him. He thought it was his girlfriend, so he proceeded to - well I don't want to say that, you get the idea. Just where exactly was his girlfriend while this was going on?

Anyway, Emilie pointed out to me that there are a lot of young girls out there who like this sort of thing and won't take no for an answer. Personally, I never met any of these girls when I was younger, unfortunately (or possibly fortunately). The thing is I can't envision a 13 year old girl who would be stronger than a 30 year old man (yup) so that he couldn't stop her. And just how the hell do you mistake someone for your girlfriend? Sounds all too suspicious to me.

However, Emilie also mentioned to me about someone she works with (a woman) who has a 14 year old daughter. Apparently this girl is seeing a 29 year old guy, and the parents happily allow them to have sex in their house! I mean what the hell is that about???? There is a law for a reason - to protect minors - and suddenly parents are allowing it to happen? I have met this girl - and she was pretty shy and reserved and it just stinks far to much for me to consider.

When we have a little girl, she's not allowed out the house until she's 18. No, 21. I know how guys think. I'll let you know what happens at work as soon as I find out.

Window to my brain

Can someone explain to me exactly how the Amazon "I know your head better than you do" recommendation system works?

Over the last year or so, I have used Amazon a few times, but mostly in the US and in France. My Amazon.co.uk purchases consist of a Green Day CD, Freelancer for the PC, and a Good Charlotte DVD (a gift for my nephew). So exactly how did they come up with the following recommendations, and more accurately, how the hell do they know that that's what I would like? Because if I have to be honest, they were annoyingly spot-on.

1. Team America - World Police
2. Star Wars Trilogy - Episodes IV-VI
3. School of Rock
4. Battlestar Galactica
5. Red Dwarf. Only Series 6, peculiarly. However, it was always one of my favourites.

It's just spooky, really spooky.

Other than that, I've had a quite interesting couple of weeks, so fasten your seatbelts and prepare yourselves for another mamoth Ribby post.

Obviously after we came back off holiday I haven't really posted, but there was one thing that happened while we were just still on holiday and I forgot to mention.

Terrorism.

A pretty big thing at the moment with what has happened in the UK, and of course the Nazi-type tactics of the TSA(Gestapo unit) in the US. Or so you would think. We were waiting at the check in line at Washington Dulles airport (for trivia fans you can note that this was the originating airport for one of the 9/11 flights), so as you can imagine, the security there is pretty tight.

While standing there, Mrs Ribby pointed out a bag to me that was on its own with no-one near it. You never know how to react in this situation, but seeing as I had been talking to the American lady next to me about the attacks in London I felt I had to do something. I asked the nearby shoppers if it was their bag, and all of them said no. Then I called over a United member of staff checking tickets, explained that it was an unattended bag and could she please call security immediately. She didn't do this.

She asked all the people in the line if it was their bag. Of course they all said no, as I had already asked them, but this just increased the anxiety of the people waiting. I then asked her again if she would please call security to sort this out properly, but she didn't. Eventually, after she had queried everyone within a 50-foot radius, a coloured gentleman came forward.

He didn't, however, claim it as his bag. He said it "looked like one of his" and he "thought it was his but couldn't be sure". Now other customers in the line are asking the girl to call security. The guy decides the 'easiest' way to decide that the bag is his is to open it up and look inside. Smooth move, Sherlock. Yes it was his bag. But he wasn't certain. All the staff cared about was getting this sorted quickly. I understand that terrorism is about disrupting the way of life - but too many people have died through not wanting to 'cause a fuss'. Here's news to you - we don't care. Call security. Be safe.

And a note to the nice lady I was talking to, who gallantly hid behind me when the chap opened the bag - if it was a bomb, it would have still taken out both of your arse-cheeks.

This blog is getting interesting and alive again - tomorrow we will be talking about what constitutes paedophilia (relevant subject at work at the moment)