Goat Friday
image source nasa
The above image is of a group of galaxies catalogued as HCG 87, lying about 400 million light years away in the constellation Capricornus (the Goat, folks).
These can be seen today pretty much exactly as they were on 26 January 1788.
Sadly, that’s about the extent of the thematic link to our Australia Day holiday of this week’s Goat Friday post. I mean, I’m sorry, folks, but I just couldn’t find a worthwhile goat-related image that would do honour to our National Day.
And in goat-related news, the outlook is even worse. Google News Search just seems to regularly throw up this sort of thing. I shudder to report yet another sorry tale of goat abuse.
In the Republic of Malawi, a ‘boy’ of 19 has been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with hard labour for “sleeping” with a she-goat.
Leaving aside the sordid details of the case — and let’s please do — it’s notable that such an offence in Malawi carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. And moreover...
During the hearing of the case Prosecutor Patrick Chipote told the court that offences of such nature were rampant despite the fact that animals are not given a chance to complain anywhere...
Despite the fact? Despite???
Well anway, clearly the Malawian Government must immediately establish a complaints mechanism for the victims of such crimes.
posted by Jacob A. Stam at 1/26/2007 12:27:00 AM
2 Comments:
Certainly a sad and sorry tail Jacob!(Kath shakes head)
On a brighter note though, HCG87 is sure impressive eh?
400 million light years away... amazing!
Errr, I've spent a life time joking about people "having the goat photo's in their office drawer".
Well, no more!
I always thought this was a myth.
I always thought that singling out the goat for such *ficticious* pics, was specist, or random.
Live and learn.
And yes, it is indeed the goaty time of the year. Happy birthday to all Capricorns out there.
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