Swaziland parliament member Timothy Myeni recently had a lightbulb zinger of an idea to solve his country’s HIV/AIDS problem. He wanted to brand all HIV-positive people on the butt(ox), so that people could physically check their partners to make sure they’re clean before getting down with them. We get that this idea was well-intentioned, but seriously? Branding people. Like cattle? Thank lordy Myeni came to his senses. At a news conference today, he said, “I’m very sorry. If you need me to show a sign of how sorry I am, I’m ready.”

Myeni, we forgive you. But, really, how did this ever sound like an idea people would actually get behind? (Behind, hehe.) Myeni, if you’re out there, next time you’re proposing an idea, why don’t you think about how you’d like to be on the receiving end of it. No one likes being the butt of a joke. Okay, I’ll stop now.

Thousands of German policewomen have received “bulletproof bras.” Basically, they’re just bras that say “Polizei” (police) and don’t have metal parts, which could impale the wearer if hit by a bullet. [Reuters]