I think many women's rape stories get twisted by others no matter what they do. Not being believed would be the worst. - katie
Last week, when the criminal record of Meagher's killer was made public, everyone seemed amazed person like him could be out of prison. While I was disgusted he was free, I wasn't surprised and it's because of attitudes like the ones Tracey describes. As a society we place blame on the victims of sexual assault, and therefore mitigate the responsibility of the attacker. There is some underlying idea that men are unable (or unwilling) to control themselves, which is rather insulting to the vast majority of men who do act decently. As I was buying my morning coffee today I was scanning the front of the paper and read the story of Milne's arrest for rape. The barista noticed and I said it was interesting the arrest had happened so long after the crime. The barista asked what did the girl expect, going back to some guy's hotel room. You hear stuff like this whenever these topics come up. Having no desire to start a fight with a virtual stranger I just replied that I had had people I didn't really know sleep at my house in the past and not once did I find it necessary to rape them. I will be buying my coffee elsewhere in the future. - kage
Thank you Germaine for the article. I do not need to be persuaded to vote for the PM and not just because she is a woman, but because she is a leader, a leader under extremely difficult and distressing circumstances; a leader with vision; sometimes having to compromise and take a smaller step forward than envisaged, however, any step forward in policy and reform is a step in the right direction. I try to use my voice against shock jocks on stations I despise, just to get up their noses, and get totally put down and ridiculed when objecting to their tactics, BUT Germaine YOU have a voice and a voice to be listened to. Please use YOUR VOICE as well as your writing skills to spread this message. - Vickie
Sometimes I just want to give up and call everyone who does not get how wrong such assaults are pigs. - ro.watson
Given that i wish to see the continuation of carbon pricing and allied green policies, the roll out of the (real) NBN, the funding of the NDIS and the Gonski education reforms, i have no hesitation in voting Labor on September 14th. I will be extremely happy to see PM Gillard retain her position. - sally b
Show me your policies Tony Abbott. I judge Gillard on her strengths already, not as some putative enduring barricade against the shock jocks here or there, Germaine. - ro.watson
This is so much like my own story. I have so much trouble getting people to understand, even 6 years after separation that he will always be the father of my kids, that he is deserving of respect, even if he has not been the best husband, that I cannot live with him, I do not feel romantic any more but I want him to be the best person he can be because my kids love him and he is their hero, no matter what I say. And I worry so much about the kids and I hope they don't grow up without the skills for a beautiful relationship. So I hope all goes well. I look forward to seeing how you manage. - Bron
But to vote for someone just because they are a woman is as flawed as voting for someone just because they are a man. The key point in Germaine's article for me was that we need to start focusing on policies and not personalities. - Pea
The best way to defeat this disgusting attack on Julia Gillard is to support her re-election. If she were to succeed in being re-elected it would send a powerful message to her bigoted detractors. Would certainly put a lot of twisted bitter people back in their proper place. - JohnB
I'm a big fan of classical music and rap, maybe it's because i'm from the ipod generation but i don't see why it has to be one or the other. I totally understand not liking rap, but that doesn't mean it has no value. Maybe it's unfair to specifically target Mandy's article, because this is one of many articles reinforce a myopic view of misogyny in music by specifically using rap as an example when it is in all genres, but i felt the readership of the hoopla is intelligent and considered enough to consider my point, which is the double standard when it comes to criticism of misogyny in music. Rap is a genre created by black people and has clear connotations towards it, and this article isn't without context. I realise it was unintentional but it reinforces negative stereotypes about rap, and by extentsion black culture. One doesn't have to mention race for it still to be relevant to the discussion. I am in complete agreement with her otherwise. Anyway I feel i've made my case and it's for others to judge whether i'm right or not. I don't want to continue this because i don't want to diminish the point of this article, which is that we as a society don't take rape a tenth as seriously as we should. That i'm sure is something that you and i can agree on Tony. - Ash

Categories: Art, Things We Love [Online]

BLAME IT ON THE RAIN

By Hayley Gleeson

August 7, 2012

…But not if you’re in Portugal!

A colourful installation of umbrellas has been spotted hanging above some streets in Águeda, Portugal.

Hundreds of coloured umbrellas can be seen hanging between buildings and laneways, casting pretty sunlight and shadows onto the people below.

It seems very little is known about the artist or the meaning behind the project, but in the meantime, it’s proving hugely popular with locals and tourists alike.

Via Bored Panda.

BLAME IT ON THE RAIN

…But not if you’re in Portugal!

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BLAME IT ON THE RAIN

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