Good Riddance to 2008.

It's been a traumatic year worldwide. Earthquakes, floods, wars, financial panic ...

Here in S.A, the xenophobic attacks, horrific crime against women and children, the collapse of a President, and the terrible tragedies of the Zimbabwean people, to mention a few of the woes. Whatever the police may say, the battle against crime is not being won.

On the bright side, we seem to have a better government for the time being, although it's marking time until the next elections.

Foundations have certainly been shaken up, including with the American Presidential elections. Next year will be an interesting and challenging time, but I hope that it'll be a time of solutions.

I certainly won't hold onto 2008 with any degree of sentimentality.

Death Penalty Poll

www.eighty20.co.za is a "South African Database Consumer Portal (that) provides online access to current statistics in the South African market". (One can subscribe to it to receive a fact a day via email).

Below is the 'Fact-a-Day' received on 03 October 2008:

This week's Fact-a-Day theme: Battle of the sexes
79% of South African men agree with the statement 'The death penalty should be reinstated in South Africa for serious crimes like murder and rape'. 83% of women also agree. (AMPS 2008RA)

I would fall into that category - particularly with regard to the horrific child rape statistics and the apparent relish with which rapes are committed as a matter of course during household burglaries. Rapists seem to have a blatant lack of fear of any consequences - for good reason in this country.

How do you feel about it?