Newt Gingrich and AlaskaReport.com get today’s prize for this photograph:

For no reason that I can discern, that photograph (which runs without a caption or a credit) accompanies an article about Gingrich lashing out at Gonzales:

Gingrich called the situation a “mess” caused by Gonzales and his staff. “I cannot imagine how he is going to be effective for the rest of this administration,” Gingrich said. “I think the country would be much better served to have a new team at the Justice Department.”

Gingrich has said he will decide later this year whether to seek the he Republican presidential nomination for 2008.

Well, yeah, we get that. What we don’t get is why AlaskaReport.com runs the story alongside a picture of Newt in a yarmulke.

Dark Chocolate, But Not Tea, Takes a Bite Out of Blood Pressure

This gives new meaning to the term “armed to the teeth“:

Later this month, South African women will be able to arm their vaginas with the Rapex device, a product priced at 1 rand (around 7p) and sold over the counter. Shaped like a female condom and worn internally, its hollow interior is lined with 25 razor-sharp teeth, which fasten on to an attacker’s penis if he attempts penetration.

Some people - including women’s campaigners - have criticised the device for being “vengeful”. Well, as its inventor, Sonette Ehlers, has said, it’s “a medieval device for a medieval deed“. If any rapist finds himself hopping with pain as a result - as well as facing the fact that the only way to remove the device is said to be a highly awkward and incriminating hospital visit - that seems just fine to me. Yes, it’s vengeful. Yes, it hurts rapists. Oh well.

I have all sorts of questions, of course. Such as: who will wear this device and under which circumstances? How do you know when to “arm” yourself in advance? How do you prevent women from using the Rapex device as punishment for actions other than rape? (Women are not all saints with perfect judgment; if you find that remark controversial, read another blog).  

Still: I like the idea. Vengeance (within limits) is excellent therapy.

I’m with Jeff Jarvis.

If you’re looking for politesse for the sake of good manners, move on.
This blog is dedicated to the truth as I see it. My intent is to share and to inspire you to think. In service of the truth, I will be as vulgar, offensive, nasty, mean, curt, and blasphemous as I please.

Fuck all the New Puritans. Together, we bloggers and First Amendment absolutists will bury you.