Two items in The Age today caught my attention – and made me wonder if I am going mad.

A magistrate was reprimanded for commenting on the dangers faced by ‘swingers’.  (The common law has a doctrine of voluntary assumption of risk.)  At the instigation of a complainant, the Judicial Commission of Victoria reprimanded the magistrate for comments that were ‘stereotyping, offensive and unnecessarily critical of the parties’ lifestyle choices.’  She was guilty of ‘victim blaming’.  We were solemnly assured that her honour had reviewed the material on the JVC website and had agreed to attend a JVC program in the next twelve months.

An immense structure is being put up at the White House with a Star Spangled arch and seating for thousands for a UFC program scheduled for the 80^th birthday of Donald Trump.

Either would take the breath away of Nero or Orwell.  Each reminds me of a remark by a Law Lord about a case involving a cartoon of an amateur golfer with a bar of Fry’s Chocolate hanging out of his pocket – ‘Another case of the toll levied on distinction for the delectation of vulgarity.’

If I were King Emperor for a day, I would ban both swingers and UFC as offensive to humanity.  In the meantime, I will seek an appointment with my GP for one of those tests to see if age has finally sent me crackers.