Madness, bt.
How about a round of cheers from Buffistas as a reward?
Flaming angels!!!* And believe me, sj, I am right there with you. I bought a Living Social coupon for 20 yoga sessions a month or two ago, and haven't used any of them yet. And I know it would help with my joint pain, which is pretty out of control right now. Hmm, how often are you wanting to go to the gym? Maybe we could encourage/be accountable to each other?
* Oh right, that was Natter.
eta and she's off! Go sj, you can do it!
damn, billytea. I wonder if anyone has been prosecuted under that law recently. Is it like the FL law against cohabitation where no one has been brought up on charges recently?
damn, billytea. I wonder if anyone has been prosecuted under that law recently. Is it like the FL law against cohabitation where no one has been brought up on charges recently?
No, there have been charges under these laws. They've also been brought against married people who've shacked up with someone else - also defined as bigamy. This arrangement is becoming more common. However, Wallybee's cousin isn't quite square in the sights of the justice system. As I understand it, the reason for this kind of crackdown is twofold. First, there is concern about the rapidly changing social mores of Chinese culture (as the country becomes more prosperous); but the other driver is indicated by this quote from an official:
"We should not fail to see that there are some people who, when they become rich and powerful, become subjected to the obsolete and decadent ways of thinking of the feudalist society in the past. They have also become subjected to the invasion of the decadent way of thinking and living of the Western world, for example there are some problems such as a second wife or a third wife or a concubine."
China experiences tens of thousands of incidents of civil unrest each year. One thing that gets the Chinese people going is perceived injustice. That covers a wide array of problems, including rapidly rising income inequality, high-handed behaviour by the newly wealthy and/or well-connected - and above all, corruption. The Communist Party can hardly wage a credible war against corruption. Instead, it goes after the occasional sacrificial official or businessperson and proclaims them to be an isolated case of a decadent individual.
To make a good scapegoat, the person has to embody China's rising social injustices, which means they need to be seen to have enriched themselves under the new order. Then, the government gets to moralise against them and the average citizen can join in being appalled at their profligate, entitled lifestyle.
In a nutshell, Wallybee's cousin isn't rich enough to make a good scapegoat. (He isn't rich at all.) I think it's unlikely the courts will go after him without some other impetus. ...His wife's family, on the other hand,
is
well off. If they want to pursue the matter, then he could be in trouble.
DRAMA.
bt, under Chinese law, can the parents of the wife sue the poor parents of the son? That would be the worst outcome, IMHO, to cause more trouble than shame for his innocent parents. Speaking of innocent, what's likely to become of the baby?
bt, under Chinese law, can the parents of the wife sue the poor parents of the son? That would be the worst outcome, IMHO, to cause more trouble than shame for his innocent parents. Speaking of innocent, what's likely to become of the baby?
I don't know. I suspect a suit against the parents would be somewhat tenuous, as they had no idea their son was pulling any of this until last month. I don't know what will happen with the baby. It's entirely conceivable that WB's aunt and uncle will have to take care of it.
Wow, do I feel for WB's aunt and uncle - that's a lot to have to (potentially) deal with through no fault of their own. Yikes.
man, no shit. The situation is pretty fucked up in any country, but China adds new layers of legal jeopardy too!
I worked out for 45 minutes and then tried to figure out if I could use any of the bikes or glider machines. Sadly, the answer was no.
Smonster, I would love to be your work out encouragement buddy! No flaming angels for me though. That picture creeped me out.
45 minute workout is great!
Drama indeed! I am grateful that I am free to be a decadent individual without too much legal drama involved. Now to actually find the time to be decadent.
I only had to ask someone to help me with the equipment once, and you know what? The world did not end. Someone had left 20 lb weights oln a bar that I needed to move down so that I could do push ups.