You are kidding, of course, spindoc.

>>The topic is challenging and it is one that many are not capable of addressing<<

What exactly is "challenging" about it for you? In what way do you feel "challenged"? Why do you find yourself incapable of addressing it?

The topic is of absolute zero interest to the majority of healthy, well-balanced individuals, whether or not they fancy snuggling up to their favourite goat.

It may be that Aunt Ethel has never given it a passing thought in her eighty years on the planet, has a nervous giggle at the thought of her dog's wet tongue, then goes off to the kitchen to make the tea. But I suspect, from the comments that kicked off this thread, that most of us view it with mild amusement, no more.

Although it is just possible that there may be some folk who are secretly horrified at the thought of such depravity, and wonder to themselves, why should this be? What is it about sex with animals that revolts me so much? No doubt they would find an article such as this usefully thought-provoking. Just as, it would appear, do you.

But even you would have to admit, when you look back through the offerings from this particular ex-journalist, that their theme is pretty obvious and consistent. She selects as her topic something either mildly salacious (Natalie Portman "flicking the bean"; the history of vibrators) or mildly controversial (St Kilda Schoolgirl; employing nannies), and presents them under the guise of being "edgy", when in fact their sheer pointlessness indicates little more than some mild exploitation of her readership.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, of course, it is practically the entire job description of a feature journalist.

Especially when she can provoke exactly the reaction from you that she clearly has.

A mayor was showing some guests around his village. He takes them to the top of the local lookout. "See that bridge over there?", he points. "I built that bridge, but do they call me Andre the Bridge Builder? No."

"See that shipyard over there? I was the foreman of that shipyard for 15 years, but do they call me Andre the Boat Builder? No.

"See that town hall? I was mayor of this village for 20 years, but do they call me Andre the Mayor? No.

"But just shag ONE goat...."

Yep Pericles, you got it in one,

<< The topic is of absolute zero interest to the majority of healthy, well-balanced individuals>>

Says who precisely? Oh I forgot, you do. I think I’ll think for myself if that’s OK with you.

So the majority (says who and by what measure?) have absolutely zero interest, (says who and by what measure?) and anyone who has an interest is what? Oh yes, not well balanced!

I think we get it. It is the criteria of Pericles the Great that determines what is or is not of interest! Thanks, I’ll remember that when I vote for you.

The rest of your hissy fit is about who? Oh yes I forgot. It’s about denigration of the person who wrote the article. No need to read this article or respond to it because Pericles says so.

That brings us back to your cat I think? Or at least with your relationship with non sentient life forms. There are currently 4.2M biological life forms on our planet, you are in for a very busy time.

What is it about you that makes you “Pericles the Magnificent” who speaks for the entire planet?

I was thinking that you were just another self opinionated toady, then I thought no, he’s just another self opinionated toady.

Many thanks for directives on what we should or should not read or think, now where have I heard that before? Please advise Kim Young Pericles that we prefer to think for ourselves.

How’s the cat doing? Do you feed it first or do you tease it with the prospect of food before you go for the “encounter”

"How can an animal consent? "

Well, if you want to run with the consent argument, what pet has given consent ? let alone the cow in the burger pattie in a Big Mac.

To me the more egregious "crimes against animals" I can think of is locking an animal up so it can't roam, imagine, if you will a bird. What a thing ... being born with wings to be able to fly the skies and being confined to some small cage in someone's house/backyard ?

Then lets discuss peoples pet Cats killing billions of other small animals and animal species being decimated by human activity, entire species ! and yet people are worried about some farmer having intercourse with a cow ?

What a strange World we live in.

It is probably a reflection of the breakdown in human relationships in our society.Some people have more trust and love for their pets than their own families.

I think that this is a sign of our total social decay.

Gosh, isn't it tres 'Progressive' to be so accepting, encouraging even, of 'love' with animals? Next, "Why shouldn't a woman marry her lesbian Labradoodle". "If you don't want to marry your dog you don't have to, so shut your face".

If only Jerry Springer knew what opportunities for shows diversity and a spin of Greens/Labor government have brought in Australia. Australia is now so very 'evolved'.

One can only wonder what new pathogens will jump species to become serious zoonotic diseases in humans. It doesn't have to be an obvious one, close relationship between animals and then to a human as a result of the most intimate relationship imaginable. Is bird flu so easily forgotten? Like other bugs that become so dangerous in humans, bird flu is still about and like the others, it does evolve.

Sex with animals is immoral and illegal. It should stay that way. Next article.