Honour?

Like many, I suppose, I have been keeping an eye on the story of [Mukhtar Mai](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukhtaran_Bibi) while quietly seething with rage.

It’s a agonisingly repulsive story, with many an attempted corruption of Justice, with the victim being hounded as if she was the perpetrator of the crime, which more-and-more seems like an attempt to cover up the sodomising of her brother more than any other purported reason.

It is with this in mind, then, that I read [this story](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4656245.stm) of another case with a dreadfully similar feel. From the article:

> Human rights group say hundreds of women are raped or killed every year in so-called “honour” attacks.

_Honour?_ Do these cretins actually _know_ what _honour_ means? And, just in case any of them ever read this, here is a clue: It is **not** abusing those weaker than yourself!

I wouldn’t have thought that such a difficult concept, but here’s [dictionary.com's](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=honour) definition:

> honour
>
> n 1: the state of being honored [syn: honor, laurels] [ant: dishonor]
>
> 2: a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction; “an award for bravery” [syn: award, accolade, honor, laurels]
>
> 3: the quality of being honorable and having a good name; “a man of honor” [syn: honor] [ant: dishonor]
>
> 4: a woman’s virtue or chastity [syn: honor, purity]
>
> v 1: bestow honor or rewards upon; “Today we honor our soldiers”; “The scout was rewarded for courageus action” [syn: honor, reward] [ant: dishonor]
>
> 2: show respect towards; “honor your parents!” [syn: respect, honor, abide by, observe] [ant: disrespect]
>
> 3: accept as pay; “we honor checks and drafts” [syn: honor] [ant: dishonor]

Nope, sorry. Didn’t see anything about gang-rapes in there… Quite the opposite in fact.

Telling proof that [not all males are men](http://damn.org.za/blog/mans-manifesto/)…