Page 86 - The Circle of Life

Denmark I understand has a list of 7000 approved names and very strict rules

against idiotic parents who go outside the list. The same with Iceland who looks
out for potential embarrassment for the child and will not approve any name not
written in the Icelandic alphabet. I know that the long haired liberals will feel

this is unjustified and blah blah blah on human rights but really, if the name will

condemn your child to a life of misery and humiliation how can you not expect
the law to stop you? Be sensible.

* My own (Afrikaans) name which is not on my books caused me many fist
fights at school and I am not so sure that it was a good thing either. I have a lot

of sympathy with a Boy called Sue as in the song. None of my children, born or
yet to be born will have my Afrikaner name so it will die with me which is an

excellent idea. I made myself that promise one afternoon behind the bicycle
shed where we used to settle differences on names with a few straight lefts and

solid roundhouse hook in emergencies. A well-aimed kick in the shins (well,
wherever you could make contact to be honest) also gave you the tactical

advantage in such circumstances. The things you learn on a rugby field are truly
marvellous. Of course I never attacked my dad.

The rule of thumb is a legal myth

Why any man would want to offer violence to his wife I would not know and it is
one of those things which make me reach for my shotgun. Interestingly though

the so called "rule of the thumb" never existed in English or any other law I

know off.

You would have heard that it is often said that a husband could legally give his

wife a good walloping (another word would be flogging) as long as he does not
use a stick or cane thicker than his thumb. The myth (for that is what it is) does

not say how many strokes or where on the body which is strange for the law is
usually very specific on such matters. For instance in the days when women

were still flogged they were very specific that a pregnant woman may not be
flogged until she delivered. Nor may the child be used as a human shield and the

lashes only on the back or buttocks depending what was used. Reversely
floggings had to be done as quickly after the sentencing as possible to prevent

mental anguish (very ironic I say). It was reduced from the cat of nine tails,

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