One of the depressing trends in modern life is the way in which political figures use the politics of fear to garner support for legislation which degrades our rights and our liberties.
I live in South Australia, and here the Premier (equivalent to a US state governor, although he models his government on New Labour), one Mike Rann, has ordered his ministers to come up with new legislation to curb the rights of bikie gang members to work in certain industries.
In South Australia a couple of small groups of motorcycle gangs have become noted for their involvement in drug dealing and other forms of organised crime. You’d have to look hard to notice them, though. Although South Australians love their motorcycles, I can’t recall seeing anyone from these “bikie gangs”.
Be that as it may, the powers that be have determined that they are a threat to the good folk of South Australia. And, as the powers that be are wont to do, they are arming themselves with legal clubs. The gist of the legislation is:
the aim is to ensure that people associated with bikie gangs and organised crime can be prevented from holding a security firm licence.
The term ‘bikie gang’ is used loosely. I would be concerned if I was a motorcycle enthusiast to know whether or not innocent social gatherings with fellow devotees were to make one a member of these dreaded ‘bikie gangs’.
Mr Rann gives no comfort:
I’ve made it clear that if it means the new laws must be radical and draconian in nature, then so be it.
So presumably, the civil liberties of people will go by the wayside if that is what it takes. South Australians are going to have their freedom of association challenged, as well as their right to seek employment where they wish, in order to deal with a piddling problem. South Australia’s crime rate is hardly alarming, and what we have here is a politician playing up people’s fears to drive through legislation that is iniquitous.
Hi PALE
Thanks for your reply,
I think the first problem with Christians, and the Church is, the mistaken belief that Jesus teaches us to put up with all crime all cruelty all filth and all sin. and that to accept Jesus as lord, Is ones salvation, no matter of ones attitude. This is what we have been warned against.
The message is to turn from doing the wrong thing, and keep well away from all forms of cruelty, (Sin).
Live animal export is a prime example of our cruel behaviour to the innocent . The same leaders that keep alive barbaric behaviour toward the innocent souls of animals ,we should be caring for. are, the so called educated. They who are taking us in the same direction that of extinction,
The Western quoll, Eastern Quoll,Spotted tail Quoll, Red taik Phaseogale, Numbat,Pig footed Bandicoot,Greater Bilby, Lesser Bilby, Western Barred Bandicoot, Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Desert Bandicoot Cresent Nail-tail Wallaby, Tasmanian Pademelon, Burrowing Bettong Brush tailed Bettong, Desert Rat Kangaroo,Long nosed Potoroo, South Australian Koala,White Footed Rabbit Rat, Lesser stick-nest Rat, Ghost Bat, Kangaroo Island Emus, Spotted Bower Bird, Trout Cod, Murray Crayfish. All gone forever. all in the past two hundred years, this is in Australia alone, since the arrival of Cook.
The following names are found on old maps I have, I have many even older most are written in Latin, Dutch, Arabic, French and Spanish. I have written them as found the names are the names of the Native tribes of America, Most are also extinct , Still more are on the brink. these are just a few.
Matouowe Farini,Canomakers, Horican,Hochelaga, Minnissinch,Tudouffae,Armeomock, Koufes,Matanac,Sen-,neecaas,Konekolay,Tocwoghs,Kuscara, Waoks,Minquaas,Saasquefahanough,Sequins,Nawaas,Horikans,Waanoos,Nahucans Marouiuacs,
Nieuw-Jo-Rack, there are Hundreds.
The Shame belongs to us all, we are Brothers and Sisters, This is a list of Australian Natives that are facing the same extinction many are already gone also
,Allura, Ariman,Bathurst Island, Melvile Island ,Worgait, Warrai,Wulwullam, Mulluk Mulluk,Brinken, Mudburra, Larakic,Kakadu,Kulunglutlji,Umoriu,Geimbio, Koarnbut,Watta Puneitja,Gnornbur,Djauan, Djowei,Mungarai,Yungman,Nullakun,Mara,Yukul, Bilbinga, Umbaia,Nganji, Gnuin, Kallawa,Karawa,Tjingilli,Worgai, Allowiri, Warramiunga, Kaitish,Unmatjera, Aminta, Walpari, and Tasmainian.
It seems like we just don’t care! If I went on with all that we have lost to our lack of concern, the list would go from one nation to the next from one disgrace to another, what of the plant life we have lost? We seem to have no compassion at all for the less fortunate, be they Innocent Animals, or Innocent Humans.
Regards Stephen Istvan Braun