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Or the Brethren nut jobs insisting they can't vote but campaigning for the LNP

Question: If Sovereign Citizens do not accept the system of government and laws created by those governments, how can they use the legal system based on those laws to seek redress for alleged wrongs?

On our morning walk, we had a close look at the Young Endeavour. We had a long chat with the Captain. The people in the rigging were doing an exercise where they practised rescuing someone injured in the rigging. The Captain told us all about the "Young Endeavour" program, where they take 24 young people between 16 and 24, and teach them all the skills required to sail this ship. We found this chat to be quite uplifting. Under the scheme, 24 to 30 "youth crew" (aged between 16 and 23) join a voyage to supplement the 9-10 naval personnel from the Mine Warfare, Hydrographic and Patrol Boat Force, which Young Endeavour is attached to.[2][3][6][7] Over 500 youth crew per year participate in the scheme, and are selected for the voyages by a biannual ballot.[6] Each voyage typically lasts ten to eleven days, during which the youth crew rotate through most roles aboard the ship, stand watches, and help with Young Endeavour's operation.[6] Near the end of the voyage, the crew undergoes "command day": a 24-hour period in which the ship is entirely under control of the youth crew.[5] As part of most voyages, the combined crew takes a group of special needs youth on a half-day sail.[6] Between the scheme's inception in 1988 and mid-2018, over 13,500 youth have participated in voyages, while another 11,500 special needs youth have been involved in half-day sails.[6] The vessel is at sea for approximately 240 days per year.[7]

I don’t think there is a terrorism gene, but there is a lot of hatred and belief in martyrdom amount some groups of people. I saw a reporter one time interviewing kids in Palestine, asking them during a street soccer game would they play with kids from the other side. Their answers were unanimous that no they would kill them violently given the chance. What hope for peace is there when this shit keeps going on. Racism in our own country is a bit like this (without the extreme violence part), I come across a lot of older people who hate black fellas for no other reason than they were taught to. Younger people seem to be a bit more accepting of different people and cultures. If all the shite in other countries that people escape from was left there and we all just treated each other with a bit of respect as a society it would be a good outcome.

Grays Auctions, the huge online auction house, that sells anything and everything from table decorations through to cars and massive earthmovers, has been placed into administration, after being fined a record $10M - after the ACCC found Grays had sold at least 750 cars to auction buyers with false and misleading descriptions. In addition, Grays are obliged to offer redress to the affected car buyers. Grays Auctions was founded in 1922 as a family business by the Gray family, and ran onsite auctions, up until around 2000, when it commenced an online auction website. Grays entered the big time when Geoff K. Gray sold 25% of the company to a fund management company, Caledonia (Private) Investments, in 2011. In 2014, Caledonia purchased the remaining 75% of Grays Auctions, and backdoor listed the company on the ASX. However, in 2017, a Fleet Management company named Eclipx purchased the whole of Grays Auctions from Caledonia, and Grays was delisted. Then, in a quick turnaround, in 2019, Eclipx sold Grays again, to another private venture capitalist, Quadrant Private Equity. Eclipx took a major haircut in the deal, buying Grays for $179M, and then selling it to Quadrant for $60M. Eclipx claimed Grays was an "underperforming asset", but a large part of the problem would have been people with no auction skills, trying to run an auction house. Quadrant tried to relist Grays on the ASX again in 2021, but pulled the float deal before it was all finalised. I'll wager there was an inadequate level of monies forthcoming to support the float, as rumours persisted of Grays under-performance. Then the ACCC dropped a bomb on Grays, with the $10M fine, and the orders to redress the buyers losses. Quadrant took a massive haircut on Grays this week, selling Grays to Slatterys Auctions for just $2M. So much for good corporate management. Part of the sale deal was that Slatterys Auctions would pay Grays $10M fine. I don't know if that is actually going to happen. Slatterys is only a modest-sized family auction business - but apparently a fairly successful one. Slatterys have undergone a lot of expansion in recent years, expanding into divisions in nearly every State, from their home town of Newcastle, NSW. Slatterys have promptly placed Grays into administration straight after the sale, as the company is effectively insolvent. That means a lot of Grays creditors are now going to take a massive haircut. Those creditors must range across a wide spectrum, from suppliers to contractors to financiers. It appears Quadrant still have an outstanding debt to financiers from the Grays purchase deal, which debt apparently runs to $145M. Westpac is their major financier. All in all, this whole sorry saga can only be sheeted home to mismanagement by the corporate whizz-kids. Grays charge sellers anything up to 30% commission to sell items through them, and charge buyers up to 25% buyers premium - meaning Grays make a motza, coming and going. I can't really see how they could lose so much money over such a long period of time, especially with the level of trading that Grays do. They sell thousands of cars a month and also sell virtually shiploads of Chinese-sourced products, from household items to a range of industrial products. Grays also operate auctions for a Qld-based company called Excavation Equipment, who import shiploads of Chinese industrial equipment. I don't know how Grays insolvency is going to affect Excavation Equipment, only time will tell, of course. https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/grays-to-redress-consumers-and-pay-10-million-in-penalties-for-misleading-descriptions-of-cars-for-sale-by-auction https://www.itnews.com.au/news/axe-swings-after-179m-grays-online-buy-blows-up-525037 https://www.drive.com.au/news/grays-online-enters-administration-days-after-sale-to-slattery-auctions/

That is not how insurance works. I assume you are talking about 3rd party injury insurance? The premiums paid for insurance are enough to pay out for those injured, plus operating costs, plus a profit for the insurance company. The money you pay in premiums is at least partially expended on those who are injured on the road. If you are injured, you will benefit. If you accidentally injure someone on the road, the insurance should pay, instead of you being sued into oblivion for disabling another motorist or pedestrian. I have never had a car accident and injured someone, but being a rational person, I understand that the possibility exists, no matter how careful I am. I can't fathom what insurance has to do with voting. You really do seem to have a persecution complex. Ummm wouldn't remaining in the system entail being politically engaged? Which politicians? The politicians who conscripted you are long gone. I doubt you would find many politicians who are pro-conscription at this point. There may well be the odd right-wing politician who, every few years, bangs on about bringing back conscription, but I suspect society would not be up for it. Conscription ended 53 years ago. Perhaps it is time to somewhat let go of the past and concentrate on living a happy life. I know of a few people on this forum who were also conscripted, but they don't appear to let it define them or link everything bad in their lives to it.

I wonder how many of them are on social service and rely on Medicare and the public health, education and transport systems.

Q: Why are boobs like Lego? A: They are meant for kids, but men enjoy playing with them.

The W.A. Govt and W.A. Police Force are finally cracking down on these moronic "Sovereign Citizens", who take all their cues from idiotic, moronic Americans, who pursue this dangerous ideological rubbish. The initiative was taken up by the W.A. Police Commissioner, Col Blanch, who organised raids on people identifying as Sovereign Citizens, after the Dezi Freeman murders. Blanch was obviously concerned some of these fruitcakes could follow on from Freemans attack, and put his men in danger. The aim was to find unregistered firearms and illegal ammunition, and improperly stored firearms. The W.A. Police carried out 70 searches at different addresses across suburban Perth and regional towns, and cancelled or suspended 44 firearm licences. Officers also inspected 26 firearm storage units. Police seized 135 firearms in the raids. Naturally, there was a loud response from the Sovereign Citizens local movement, and in something resembling a Monty Python farce, a bunch of so-called "Sovereign Citizen Sheriffs" attempted to arrest Col Blanch, claiming they didn't support him, didn't approve of his appointment, and claiming he had overstepped his authority. Naturally, they got short shrift from the W.A. Police, and the mob were threatened with arrest themselves, if they continued with their farcical move. I think Blanch and Premier Roger Cook are on the right track to flush out the more dangerous members of this group, as some of are quite likely to be as dangerous as Freeman. However, there is a real danger that the WAPOL move could harden the attitude of some of the more diehard members of this group and drive them underground and encourage to join criminal networks to acquire illegal firearms. As always, it's a fine line they have to tread to ensure that the more dangerous individuals of these groups get a spotlight shone on them, as they hold the potential to inflame other members who would perhaps hold moderate views on "Govt tyranny". https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-police-targeted-self-described-sovereign-citizens-but-how-many-are-out-there-20251006-p5n0fc.html

Sadly, GON, it seems to already have claimed a big part of your llife. Life deals us blows at times. But we have to overcome them, dust ourselves down and move forward. Maybe save some of that money you pay in election fines (unless it is the same as it would cost you to get to where you need to vote) to get a little professional help (with an open mind); Often, not much is requied, but, speaking from expiernece, it can make a world of difference. You will never forget, but you can let go to the point it doesn't drive you.

There's no shortage of hypocrisy in their belief system. Same as religious fundamentalists who reject science yet happily use all the things science has made possible, without seeing the irony.

Where can YOU make your OWN rules and get away with it? (Excluding Trump in the Oval Office). It's a Basic condition of Civilised Society that ALL are bound by rules that Protect us from LAWLESSNESS and CHAOS and KEEP order so that Ordinary people can go about their Lawful business without FEAR. . IF they don't like it HERE Piss off to a better place. Good luck finding it. . Nev

There's lies. Damned lies, and there are statistics. Those figures look like misinterpretation of statistics. For example, 135 firearms were seized. If they were unregistered firearms (most likely), then possession leads to action being taken on the status of the fireams licence. So that woul abccount for many of the 44 licences. Similarly, improper storage could also result in cancellation/suspension. There is no reported data on the number of "unfit person" cancellation/suspension matters. I recently assisted in transporting five registered fireaarms to a gunsmith. I don't have a firearms licence, so, technically I committed an offence buy physically carrying the firearms to and from the car they were carried in. Since I was helping my older sister to carry the firearms to and fro, I suppose I could have used the "reasonable in the circumstances" defence. An aside: As my sister and I were driving from the gunsmith's with the firearms in the boot of the car, we were stopped for RBT. My sister was driving, and her licence was in her bag on the back seat. In a moment of confusion she told the constable , "My licence is in the boot." I yelled out, "Don't look in the boot!", which had the constable laughing. It would have been OK as my sister has a firearms licence and she had all the registration documents in the car with her. Also, each firearm was secured with a trigger guard lock.

I don't think outlawing sov citz is smart. It only helps them confirm their beliefs. Maybe if someone sets up a soverign citizen register, then they can be true to their belief. And we can cancel all priviliges that otherwise come to those who choose to live in accordance with accepted ground rules - such as laws of the country. Cancel all right to drive vehicles, access medicare and social security. If they are not able to provide their own alternative set of rules to live by, then they are regressing back to tribal anarchy which has always ended badly. It currently doesn't work too well in the middle east.

Police stationed adjacent to the borders of our States and Territories are usually sworn in as Special Constables in the other jurisdiction. So that in a pursuit, they can effect an arrest in the other jurisdiction, but have to hand the arrested person over to the local police. For example, NSW Police attached to Queanbeyan, NSW, could easily be involved in a pursuit over the border into the ACT.

The DEATH penalty is STATE SPONSORED MURDER. Plenty of People have been Wrongly convicted and it sets the wrong standard/example. Nev

This isn't a random thought.. but I was in a discussion with someone today about becoming an adopter of a new technology framework over the current widespread frameworks. I made the point it is highly unusual for me to go all in on the first new release of this particular vendor's product, usually preferring to wait a few releases and then only taking it on after it has proved itself and has traction in the market. His response is that we won't be able to find the developers and that we should stick with the tried and tested frameworks. My response was if that were the case, we would all still be on IBM Mainframes writing COBOL, and that as a well paid and experienced/quality developer, he should be able to learn the new framework and start productively developing in a couple of months - and with all that experience avoid the pitfalls of newbies. It sort of backed him into a corner where we were debating the technical merits of the framework. It got me thinking - how much do we hold up progress by hanging onto the old way of doing things? Forgetting the climate change argument, why wouldn't we transition to cleaner energy that would result in cleaner air and less environmental damage*? People argue cost, but if we reduced toxins in the air, which is likely to reduce all sorts of ailments from respiratory issues to cancers resulting in early deaths, how much do we save through a healthier population not dragging down finances for health care, and the opportunity cost lost on related losses from sick leave, loss of economic capacity through early deaths or retirements through ill health, etc. How many times do you see a meme that says something like "out yout hand up if you were slapped as a kid and learned to respect people"? I can recall both my partner and I were heavily influenced by our parents' parenting, which differed substantially. And after a disagreement about how to handle a situation (after it was handled), when my partner was defending her approach based on it was what her mother did in the same situation, I stopped and thought for a minute. "Don't we both complain about how our parents handled situations.. and now we're both applying what we complained about" Of course, parenting that doesn't set boundaries and implement consequences normally results in kids out of control and worse, but studies continually conclude where the boundaries are set in calm and rational ways, and consequences are applied in calm and reasonable/non-violent ways, they have a better outcome than smacking. Of course, in the field of any animal behaviour, there are outliers. I am not saying there is no place for a gentle tap on the wrist.. and I once did grab the boy by the ear when he was being particularly obstinate.. But, geez I felt crap afterwards. Of course, old ways worked then, and many are just as applicable now as they were.. but what if we are less shackled and more open.. how much better would this planet be?

Dead on Arrival, In the early days. The Later ones are too hard to catch. Nev

Saturday was brilliant too, and I took full advantage of it. Lovely ride up to New Norfolk and back via South Hobart and Ferntree. That road is built for bikes. Best ride I've had in years.

Yea these shows were excellent. The Poms love to laugh at themselves. Mrs Bucket ahem Mrs Bouquet. Also the Good Life. Richard Briers, Peter Bowles & Penelope Keith & Paul Eddington (Yes Minister) were all great from the same era.

Law enforcement needs to concentrate on breaking up youth gangs, this is where all the problems start, from neanderthal tribal alliances. One bad egg gathers a gang around him, pollutes their juvenile thoughtlessness with criminal actions and plans, and it all goes to hell in a handbasket from there. Criminals rarely work on their own, they rely on criminal cohorts to keep them informed, help cover their tracks, and to go on criminal "adventures". Reform starts with juvenile reform camps, sometimes called "boot camps". The juvenile crims need to be taken out of their criminal associate environment, taught self-discipline, taught to avoid criminal urges and taught that they have self-worth. Much criminal juvenile behaviour stems from bullying, low levels of IQ making them prone to criminal behaviour and encouragement to commit crime, and poor parenting. The boot camps need to replace the poor parenting with fair but firm training and activities that occupy their time, teaches them useful skills and which burns up their physical energy. An old farmer told me once, his Dad had a saying, "young men and young horses need to be worked hard!". Juveniles with excessive time on their hands, and no outlet for their energy, is something needs to be addressed. This is where the Police and Citizens clubs used to do good work. The clubs seem to be declining in their activities, no doubt due to overworked and burnt out police officers.

A complete waist of time.

U.S. President Donald Trump has lost out on the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan democratic opposition leader. https://www.newsweek.com/nobel-peace-prize-winner-2025-donald-trump-live-updates-10858264?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1760083758

Bermuda triangle. Although my first thought was "British Aerospace are dumber"

What did you expect when you got back, a bronze statue in town, a house, a car? What about Finland, where EVERYONE must do compulsory conscription and become a reservist. Their attitude is "We'll look after ourselves and not rely on someone else to do it for us." They have a gun ownership similar to America. Universal male conscription is in place, under which all mentally and physically capable men serve for 165, 255, or 347 days, from the year they turn 18 until the year they turn 29. Alternative non-military service for men and voluntary service for women is available. Finland's official policy states that a wartime military strength of 280,000[1] personnel constitutes a sufficient deterrent. The army consists of a highly mobile field army backed up by local defence units. The army defends the national territory and its military strategy employs the use of the heavily forested terrain and numerous lakes to wear down an aggressor, instead of attempting to hold the attacking army on the frontier.Reserve personnel 870,000.

Sure bats are a issue. But at least they don't migrate across the world every year. I worry that avian virus importation from asian wet markets (& labs) is a high risk for major mortality in homo sapiens. My gripe is that DFAT isn't doing enough to stop these undesirable migrants.

That's a lot of haircuts. Maybe they should diversify into hairdressing?

He'll accept the award pot-humosly

They want the Benefits without contributing. The TEST. How would it be it everyone did it?.. Every Country HAS rules and good ones have a process for changing them. You can't JUST MAKE UP your own and expect to get away with it. Nev

Sure and begorrah, the Sgt's name must have been Paddy?

Pete, there's a Chinese mob coming out with a mozzie zapper design, based on lasers and tracking mozzies - but still in the design stage, though. They're still looking for more money, and the sad part is, they're talking about US$600 for the finished item. I'm still relying on lots of hard-working spiders and their industrious web-spinning. I used to knock down their annoying webs, now I'm getting soft and leaving then and walking around them - realising just how many bugs they do catch! https://newatlas.com/around-the-home/photon-matrix-laser-mosquitoes/

You still haven't told me where to buy these. (Not Wuhan)

Some like to get DIRTY, but not that way. Nev

He was embarrassed to mention what happened to his Willie when he broke the hip. You have to read between the lines.

Be careful what you wish for...... But I hope you get some gentle rain. We can easily spare it.

Last visit July 11 according to his profile. I hope he's OK.

Cheaper than Planes. From there to Queenstown is where the weather changes Fast . IF the West is Bad the other side is usually OK and Vise-Versa. Nev

Here's a positive.... After months of grey, wet days of 5 - 10 degrees, Yesterday was a sunny 26 degrees! Thank you Simpson Desert for sending us some warmth!

Once upon a time.

Neither do I think there is a terrorism Gene. HATE is a learned/ Indoctrination thing. Anyone different. TRUMP uses IT to divide America.. Nev

It is ironic, isn't it, that the Allies won WWII largely because of themass production abilities of the USA, and now China is winning WWIII by the same means.

Not much improvement. I've read somewhere that he uses makeup to hide a skin condition. Come to think of it, a guy applying makeup to his face is a bit woke isn't it.

Remember back in the 50s and 60s we accused Japan of that very same thing?