I am somewhat partial to a bit of Johnny Cougar, or John Cougar Mellancamp, or John Mellancamp, or whatever the blue blazes he wants to call himself these days. Hell, in my second novel 'Abernethy' I even had the protagonist's parents' backstory being they met at one of his concerts. Some of his earlier hits are on my iPod. What I am not partial to is his song 'Small Town'. This is seriously one of the most pointless, shit-boring songs I've ever heard. It goes nowhere, and tells a story nobody cares about. The narrator just goes on that he was born in a small town, he lives there, he'll probably die there (of boredom, from the sounds of it), he taught the fear of Jesus there, and his job provides little opportunity. If it wasn't for the rather contented sounding delivery, I'd think he was the 'hero' of one of Bruce Springsteen's more depressing working class ballads. Worst thing is, it was on the radio when I was driving home from work today, and now the aggravating song is stuck in my head.
Now, those of you who have had a perusal of my third book, 'Silver Studs and Sabre Teeth' will know from my author bio that (and yes, I know I often refer to it when posting here), my background is in criminal law. I had actually considered undergoing a Diploma of Law, but the call of the Writing Siren was too seductive, and held my heart. Now, because of this background, I am pretty well qualified to give what's commonly referred to as an informed opinion on the subject that's been clogging my media feed since yesterday afternoon, and that of course, dear blog-browser, is the Tostee verdict. Let me give it to you in a nutshell: Gable Tostee (a man with a degree of Aspergers, not a roof design) had an unsuccessful Tinder date (when your date ends up deceased, it's not a good evening). He was charged in relation to this death, had a trial in the Queensland Supreme Court, and yesterday afternoon a jury of twelve men and women good and true returned their verdict: not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter. Tostee (who has changed his name) is now a free man. Look, I don't know if he 'did it' or not, but the evidence is that he did NOT, and furthermore, I'd rather see a guilty man walk than an innocent man go to gaol.
The verdict, which was reached by the jury who were appraised of all the relevant evidence and the judge's rulings on points of law, has aggrieved some of the hoi polloi. To the aggrieved, I say this: eat a bowl of dicks.
I sat reading some of the comments, and thought to myself, 'Great steaming shitballs, what a bunch of stupid people are out there!', and being unable to help myself (well maybe I COULD help myself, but chose not to), argued with some of them. I now repeat my points. For the benefit of the infuriated woman who insisted the Crown appeal this verdict: I am pretty sure the Queensland DPP cannot appeal a not guilty verdict delivered by a jury, so suck it up, buttercup. To the woman who cited the Gittany case in her cruddy argument and told me she had better things to do than argue with someone who was misinformed: Bitch, please. Stop stealing my script, ie, YOU'RE the one who's misinformed, not me. Particularly if you'd cite a completely unrelated case with unrelated circumstances and unrelated, oh, EVERYTHING!!! To the woman who told me to butt out of an argument I commented on and go paint my nails: It was a public forum and I was entitled to comment, particularly as I pointed out Tostee has been charged, tried and acquitted on evidence and law. As for painting my nails, I cannot be arsed.
Oh, and Channel 7 Sunrise, what is to be served by running a story about Tostee's criminal record, which is in the past and totally irrelevant to the case of which he has just been acquitted? You are behaving like utter grubs.
Oh well, must away. Things to do, groceries to buy.
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