Discussion Random Discussion

[gringo2011]

What about the Bolter? His impassioned defense of Pell left me flummoxed. He even stated Pell had been "wrongly convicted".

The Pell Cheer squad has been active for years. Miranda Devine, Bolter, Howard and John Silvester, to name but a few. What's in it for them, other than protecting a cornerstone of the conservative establishment?

I had the misfortune of dealing with Pell when advocating on behalf of several victims of sexual abuse. What a creature. Dismissive, arrogant, abusive and completely lacking in empathy and compassion. A stone cold psychopath.

How anyone could defend him beggars belief. At least the advertisers on the Bolt report withdrew their commercials and the attendant revenue from his program. That's the only thing that will resonate with Pell's defenders.

If you have Netflix watch the Keepers, it's a documentary series about a murdered nun in Baltimore. It's amazing how much effort the Catholic Church put in to denying justice and mirrors the way people like Pell worked to keep victims from accessing anything beneficial to their mental heath or admitting any guilt that could cost the church money or credibility.

 

[VDS66]

What about the Bolter? His impassioned defense of Pell left me flummoxed. He even stated Pell had been "wrongly convicted".

The Pell Cheer squad has been active for years. Miranda Devine, Bolter, Howard and John Silvester, to name but a few. What's in it for them, other than protecting a cornerstone of the conservative establishment?

I had the misfortune of dealing with Pell when advocating on behalf of several victims of sexual abuse. What a creature. Dismissive, arrogant, abusive and completely lacking in empathy and compassion. A stone cold psychopath.

How anyone could defend him beggars belief. At least the advertisers on the Bolt report withdrew their commercials and the attendant revenue from his program. That's the only thing that will resonate with Pell's defenders.

Let's not forget our famous GG appointed by Mr Sheen.

Irrespective of Pell's conviction, how can they defend such institutions that cover up their dirt?

I'm Catholic / Agnostic and the mere fact that an organisation that represents Jesus or a politician who claims to be a good solid citizen (or any other person of faith for that matter) can condone bigotry, discrimination and inhumane treatment of "God's children" is abhorrent and the height of hypocrisy.

If Jesus was around today, I reckon he would hangbhis head in shame.

 

[VDS66]

If you have Netflix watch the Keepers, it's a documentary series about a murdered nun in Baltimore. It's amazing how much effort the Catholic Church put in to denying justice and mirrors the way people like Pell worked to keep victims from accessing anything beneficial to their mental heath or admitting any guilt that could cost the church money or credibility.

Just saying to my wife before... It's all about the Vatican protecting it's wealth.

 

[By a Point]

to me, there is a real chance that Pell was wrongly convicted of something he may have done, but I also think he was probably guilty of somehting and also was culpable of not handling errant priests appropriately and handled the 'Melboure solution' so badly that he deserves a stretch. As a Catholic, he should relish the chance to be punished for his sins.

 

[Sir Skid]

Well its good you're back home George Pell.
Now rot in Jail where you belong.

 

[CursingFijian]

As one of the people who posed the question about Stuv having strikes let me play Devil's advocate here.

My understanding is that a player under an injury cloud or medically ruled out for physical reasons (calf, broken bone, concussed etc) is still inside the reach of the AFL/ASADA testing sphere. A player who has stepped away from the game due to mental illness is not & they will be tested and re-enter that sphere upon their return to the club for training.

The theory then is that drug use is common among AFL players and that taking leave for 'mental issues' is their way of removing themselves from the testing pool in order to detox, clean up and avoid a positive return.

Very few people (inc myself) have actually accused Jack Steven of taking drugs. Let's make that clear. The timing is simply terrible given our former coach has just raised this exact scenario and was followed up by our (arguably) greatest ever player and captain saying that the drugs issue is "out of control" because the players can get away with it.

So the questions being asked are: "Does Jack Steven have any strikes against his name under the AFL illicit drug policy? Was anyone in the club aware of any testing being done in the lead up to round 1?". That there is no transparency on this speaks more about how the AFL handles the issue than Jack personally. Unfortunately as fans we are given the choice to either take it at face value and believe St Kilda/Jack Steven is beyond reproach OR ask the harder questions of the club/player when the media clearly wont.

I honestly hope for the best for Jack. Go back through some of my posts from 2013 and you'll see my mental state was dead set ******. It's no fun at all waking up everyday hating everything but unfortunately these questions were always going to come out as soon as a player/club utters the phrase "Mental Health" break.

We don’t really know what is going on with Jack, other than he is battling some inner demons. There is a very strong inclination to wonder if this is related to substance abuse, especially in the light of Thommo and Roo’s opinions around this scenario.

St Kilda fans would also be susceptible to assuming the worst, so I can understand you wanting to ‘ask the hard questions’. But you may not be delving deep enough. There is one question that nobody is asking; is there a link between Jack Steven’s ‘time away from the game’ and Dan Hannerbery’s hamstring woes?

Let me go on the record and say that I agree with P66’s evaluation. I am of the opinion that there should be a distinction between policing party drugs and performance enhancing drugs in professional sport. I also subscribe to the notion that all drug taking is harmful, even single use, as their is still potential for overdosing from substances that have been prepared in illegal drug laboratories. However, when drug taking becomes chronic it is even more insidious, not just for the drug taker, but every person in his/her life.

Whatever, Jack’s problems are I support the club for supporting him by clearing space in his life to address the issue. I hope that he rebounds quickly to get back to his effervescent best. I hope he knows that my (and maybe many others) admiration for the effort and hard work that he puts in to make himself an outstanding AFL player is undiminished.

I just want Jack to make the right choices that ensure he has a full life beyond the St Kilda Football Club. I want all our players to make good choices, and I hope the club has a clear and present strategy for encouraging our boys to live a life worth living.

 

[Yawkey way]

How come my new phone hasn’t arrived?.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

How come my new phone hasn’t arrived?.

Ring up and ask them.........DOH!!!!

 

[Yawkey way]

Ring up and ask them.........DOH!!!!

They only ever offer it to me when I’m on big footy, has yours come yet??

 

[Drake Huggins]

They only ever offer it to me when I’m on big footy, has yours come yet??

They sent yours to me. It's a beauty and I'm not giving it back. They sent me P66's car prize as well. Everything's coming up Drake!

 

[BigPowerForward]

ATO whistleblower faces six life sentences, roughly the same as Ivan Milat

https://www.smh.com.au/business/sma...y-the-same-as-ivan-milat-20190226-p510d2.html

It is an emotive headline but our laws need fundamental reform if, from a sentencing perspective, an ATO whistle blower's crime attracts a more severe punishment than a rapist or a murderer

St Kilda Police Assault

https://www.theage.com.au/national/...-st-kilda-police-assault-20190227-p510gn.html

What some of these people are accused of doing is despicable, yet none of them will probably serve jail time.
I know a lot of Police Officers and hear their stories. It is a challenging job, but I'm very thankful they are out there.
But oh no, tell a few home truths about the Tax Office and you're going directly to jail champ. Do not pass go.
This kind of behavior is exactly what we should be "throwing the book at" not some Public Servant who brings to light some dodgy practices within the Tax Department.

 

[gringo2011]

St Kilda Police Assault

https://www.theage.com.au/national/...-st-kilda-police-assault-20190227-p510gn.html

What some of these people are accused of doing is despicable, yet none of them will probably serve jail time.
I know a lot of Police Officers and hear their stories. It is a challenging job, but I'm very thankful they are out there.
But oh no, tell a few home truths about the Tax Office and you're going directly to jail champ. Do not pass go.
This kind of behavior is exactly what we should be "throwing the book at" not some Public Servant who brings to light some dodgy practices within the Tax Department.

They have just made a whole lot of laws against whistle blowers where they don't need to even charge you, they can just put you away on a ministers whim. It's complete fascism. They then made it so no politicians can get prosecuted under a corruption watch dog federally as well. It's like a third world dictatorship that kind of thing.

 

[ScrappyDo]

What about the Bolter? His impassioned defense of Pell left me flummoxed. He even stated Pell had been "wrongly convicted".

The Pell Cheer squad has been active for years. Miranda Devine, Bolter, Howard and John Silvester, to name but a few. What's in it for them, other than protecting a cornerstone of the conservative establishment?

I had the misfortune of dealing with Pell when advocating on behalf of several victims of sexual abuse. What a creature. Dismissive, arrogant, abusive and completely lacking in empathy and compassion. A stone cold psychopath.

How anyone could defend him beggars belief. At least the advertisers on the Bolt report withdrew their commercials and the attendant revenue from his program. That's the only thing that will resonate with Pell's defenders.

Hopefully he'll get a new perspective on sexual abuse whilst in the pen. I hope he lives to 110yo.

 

[Drake Huggins]

Hopefully he'll get a new perspective on sexual abuse whilst in the pen. I hope he lives to 110yo.

Indeed. He could even officiate at his own wedding to the 150 kg Maori bikie, "Tiny Tim" T' Assman. Problem is, he might enjoy some of the new found attention.

 

[gringo2011]

Indeed. He could even officiate at his own wedding to the 150 kg Maori bikie, "Tiny Tim" T' Assman. Problem is, he might enjoy some of the new found attention.

They will make sure he's in a low security prison where he gets looked after like a prince. They always look after the political classes in a way that makes it less punishing.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Meanwhile some flog from the Victorian government is on the radio , telling me i should keep cool in the hot weather.

Well Shit!!!. I was going to go home and throw my ski parker on and turn up the heating, but thanks to Mr Government man , now i know i shouldn't do that.
( condescending pricks ).

 

[Drake Huggins]

They will make sure he's in a low security prison where he gets looked after like a prince. They always look after the political classes in a way that makes it less punishing.

Indeed. He'll end up in minimum security at Fulham, or worse, he'll get the privileged man's punishment, being house arrest. I think the withdrawal of his bail application is a shrewd tactical move by the defence. He'll do a couple of weeks in remand, then the defence will argue he's already been punished, the conditions are unbearable for a sick old man and that he is in constant danger, blah, blah, blah.......

Somehow I don't think it will wash with the judge who's already indicated a big whack is coming. Pass the popcorn, but you're spot on, gringo. A big test for the system. I fear you may be right.

 

[CursingFijian]

They have just made a whole lot of laws against whistle blowers where they don't need to even charge you, they can just put you away on a ministers whim. It's complete fascism. They then made it so no politicians can get prosecuted under a corruption watch dog federally as well. It's like a third world dictatorship that kind of thing.

I find these developments fascinating in western governments. Politicians are saying that they need to be protected from draconian laws that empower disgruntled government employees with vindictive agendas.

Now Fiji is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But the 2006 coup that occurred there was executed because the head of the military, (Frank Bainimarama) thought government ministers were behaving in a way that was corrupt and contrary to the needs of the people and the country. In the months leading up to the '06 coup the government of the day was preparing a parliamentry bill offering amnesty to previous coup perpetrators (government officials) and financial compensation for coup victims (government officials). Frank Bainimarama publicly declared these laws would be destabilising and warned that the Royal Fiji Military Forces would stop the bill if passed even if it meant getting rid of the government. He delivered on that promise.

Once they assumed power they setup the 'Independent Commission against Corruption' and launched a 'cleanup campaign'. They actually invited whistle blowers to come forward and expose the graft. They undid laws that rigged elections in favor of indigenous Fijians by returning to a one person one vote system. They dis-empowered institutions that were designed to promote the economic interests of indigenous Fijians. They excluded the church from politics by decreeing Fiji a secular state. They passed laws that declare all citizens to be Fijian, a term not previously used to describe ethnic Indians. They abolished the great council of chiefs (which effectively made executive power an inheritance).

Interestingly despite being heavy handed in dealing with individuals and institutions, Frank has has always maintained that the end justified the means as politicians were behaving on the brink of lawlessness. He since gone on to win two elections.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I find these developments fascinating in western governments. Politicians are saying that they need to be protected from draconian laws that empower disgruntled government employees with vindictive agendas.

Now Fiji is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But the 2006 coup that occurred there was executed because the head of the military, (Frank Bainimarama) thought government ministers were behaving in a way that was corrupt and contrary to the needs of the people and the country. In the months leading up to the '06 coup the government of the day was preparing a parliamentry bill offering amnesty to previous coup perpetrators (government officials) and financial compensation for coup victims (government officials). Frank Bainimarama publicly declared these laws would be destabilising and warned that the Royal Fiji Military Forces would stop the bill if passed even if it meant getting rid of the government. He delivered on that promise.

Once they assumed power they setup the 'Independent Commission against Corruption' and launched a 'cleanup campaign'. They actually invited whistle blowers to come forward and expose the graft. They undid laws that rigged elections in favor of indigenous Fijians by returning to a one person one vote system. They dis-empowered institutions that were designed to promote the economic interests of indigenous Fijians. They excluded the church from politics by decreeing Fiji a secular state. They passed laws that declare all citizens to be Fijian, a term not previously used to describe ethnic Indians. They abolished the great council of chiefs (which effectively made executive power an inheritance).

Interestingly despite being heavy handed in dealing with individuals and institutions, Frank has has always maintained that the end justified the means as politicians were behaving on the brink of lawlessness. He since gone on to win two elections.

And people in countries like Australia can remember his name because it sounds like Bananarama .

 

[gringo2011]

I find these developments fascinating in western governments. Politicians are saying that they need to be protected from draconian laws that empower disgruntled government employees with vindictive agendas.

Now Fiji is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But the 2006 coup that occurred there was executed because the head of the military, (Frank Bainimarama) thought government ministers were behaving in a way that was corrupt and contrary to the needs of the people and the country. In the months leading up to the '06 coup the government of the day was preparing a parliamentry bill offering amnesty to previous coup perpetrators (government officials) and financial compensation for coup victims (government officials). Frank Bainimarama publicly declared these laws would be destabilising and warned that the Royal Fiji Military Forces would stop the bill if passed even if it meant getting rid of the government. He delivered on that promise.

Once they assumed power they setup the 'Independent Commission against Corruption' and launched a 'cleanup campaign'. They actually invited whistle blowers to come forward and expose the graft. They undid laws that rigged elections in favor of indigenous Fijians by returning to a one person one vote system. They dis-empowered institutions that were designed to promote the economic interests of indigenous Fijians. They excluded the church from politics by decreeing Fiji a secular state. They passed laws that declare all citizens to be Fijian, a term not previously used to describe ethnic Indians. They abolished the great council of chiefs (which effectively made executive power an inheritance).

Interestingly despite being heavy handed in dealing with individuals and institutions, Frank has has always maintained that the end justified the means as politicians were behaving on the brink of lawlessness. He since gone on to win two elections.

I remember hearing an interview with Bob Geldof where he said that he didn't think democracy was always the best system for countries in Africa. He had come around to thinking a benevolent dictator was not always a terrible thing to keep countries on a stable path. He had a list of countries that having been liberated became anarchic disasters with no stability or direction.

Some suggest that people like Saddam Hussain were strong armed in tactics but kept a whole lot of different people in line under one set of laws. Similar to Syria and Libya before they got our help.

Politicians seem to have become a class of greedy kleptocrats all over the world ATM. It's kind of depressing that the people who were attracted to helping create a better world seem to have been scared off by the idiots.

 

[VDS66]

I give you exhibit A: Singapore

 

[VDS66]

 

[Indie Rock]

It’s kind of off topic now but Bill Hicks take on a lot of things, especially religion, makes me laugh:

 

[VDS66]

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I remember hearing an interview with Bob Geldof where he said that he didn't think democracy was always the best system for countries in Africa. He had come around to thinking a benevolent dictator was not always a terrible thing to keep countries on a stable path. He had a list of countries that having been liberated became anarchic disasters with no stability or direction.

Some suggest that people like Saddam Hussain were strong armed in tactics but kept a whole lot of different people in line under one set of laws. Similar to Syria and Libya before they got our help.

Politicians seem to have become a class of greedy kleptocrats all over the world ATM. It's kind of depressing that the people who were attracted to helping create a better world seem to have been scared off by the idiots.

Tito used a heavy fist to keep Hugoslavia together. Didn't it fall apart once he was gone.

But how do you recognise the benevolent dictator and get them into power. Problem is the power mad megalomaniac will be telling everyone he's benevolent right until he gets power.

Even in a democracy i think this happens.
I think Julie Bishop was clearly the best leader for the liberal party, but the power hungry guys were two busy clawing their way to the front of the line.
Bishop isn't that type and probably needed the other libs to recognise her and put her forward.