I had to laugh at this one. I have problems with the whole concept of underage sex when the consenting parties are physically equipped to do what they do. Romeo and Juliet, if they had survived, would have potentially faced jail for their romance under modern laws. And we all know that underage kids do it, and no-one, including the police, does anything about it, as long as there is no inequality in the power of the parties.
But what about animals? Does the law have a role peering into the bedrooms of our pets? The Greens obviously think so. Lee Rhiannon is concerned that an “under age” elephant has got pregnant in Taronga Park Zoo.
“It’s obviously difficult to stop animals mating, particularly when they’re the size of elephants,” she says.
Obviously!
February 13, 2008 | Graham
Underage Elephant?
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I can hear it now from the head elephant. “Read my lips, I did not have sexual relations with that elephant, Miss Jumbo”.
Comment by Ian Mott — February 15, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
It is a rediculous reaction from Lee because when it comes to animal behaviour, so much more of it is based on evolution than on social mores as compared to humans, even with animals in captivity. The reference to Romeo and Juliet sums this up perfectly.
Lee was concerned about the fact that the female elephant is too young to be 100% confident that she will survive pregnancy/birthing. Whether she dies or not it will be part of an evolutionary process that be far more ‘significant’ (for want of a better phrase) than any social mores real or imagined.
Just had a thought from the blue: Graham, are libertarians moral relativists?
Comment by Benno — February 17, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Yet another pathetic attempt to portray the Greens as a bunch of loons.
The elephant’s pregnancy was also criticised by the RSPCA. Shall we all have a laugh at them too?
Comment by Pangur Ban — February 20, 2008 @ 8:39 am
I’d missed the RSPCA. Yes, let’s have a laugh at them too. Lee’s problem isn’t that she is Green, just well off the beam!
Comment by Graham Young — February 20, 2008 @ 10:05 am
RSPCA are full of loons and Lee is guilty of not thinking critically on this one occaision.
Comment by Benno — February 22, 2008 @ 2:33 pm