Litespeed

He has been convicted, twice, that makes him guilty, period. Until a high court decides otherwise he is guilty. That is the legal standing. Please do not equate the wired in comment of a paedophile and that of homosexuals. That is, even if unintended, offensive to homosexuals. And should never, ever be in the same sentence. There is no correlation with a persons gender preference sexually and this abhorrent crime. Women can also be paedophiles. To be a paedophile is a choice that they act on, it is not inherent in their makeup biologically. Even if they may have a preference, it is something they are fully aware of as immoral and illegal. It is no more baked in at birth than raping an adult of any sex. We don't accept that rapists have no choice but to act on their impulses, because they are born that way. To rape is the ultimate of violence against a person whether a child or adult. It is a crime of at best sociopathy but often psychopathy, they just happen to choose the most vulnerable which are children. As far as sentencing goes, you fail to see the other important reason why we goal criminals and that is the requirement of deterrence for the rest of society. It ensures others know it will be punished if they do the same. That has always been a fundamental part of the criminal justice system. As far as ability to be rehabilitated, it is possible but only when it is for a person that truly accepts the ramifications of their actions and has genuine remorse. In cases like these that is generally when the age difference is not great- ie a older teen and a younger person who was consenting but because of the legal requirement to be 16 years and older, and therefore unable to legally consent. That used to be called statutory rape. That is not relevant in this case at all and in particular because Pell was in a position of power over the child. No amount of perceived consent is any possible mitigating factor in such cases of inherent power imbalance. Not that any consent was given anyway. I would be extremely surprised if the case is heard and even more so if he is successful on appeal. The jury found the victim a entirely credible witness. The appeal judges were not in the court so their ability to judge his credibility is very limited. The appeal of the jury's verdict is rare unless fundamental issues of fairness made the judgement unsound. This normally relates to mistakes by a judge not jury. No criticism of the judge was found warranted. I would think the personal views and bias rather than legal ones led to the other justice dissenting in his judgement. Credibility is a subjective issue. The other Justices had no such concerns and were unequivocal in their view the victim was credible and truthful. The other grounds for appeal were thrown out by all three. This is not a case that can win on a minor technicality. Until proven otherwise he is guilty under the law and deserves no compassion or leniency merely because his legal team will not accept the verdict. If Pell had been remorseful and plead guilty at the first opportunity, then he would have deserved a similar sentence. He did not and should be there for a very long time.

So a country with considerable experience in nuclear, builds a new plant that is already deemed will be the most expensive power in history and needs a government indemnity for any damage and locked in prices that are massively overpriced for decades. And needs the government to cover the finance costs if it fails. Estimated to cost power users over 80 billion pounds more than other power prices at today's costs. Prices that will only go down for renewables in the future, so that cost is very optimistic. Brilliant. Is this what you want Bruce? You can bet we would do a much worse deal than even that.

What does it take to convince you Bruce? Every study demonstrates solar is by far the cheapest power even with storage added when compared to any new coal or gas or nuclear. And will only get cheaper. That is why business with no subsidy is pouring billions into it. Follow the money if you refuse to accept science and economics. You know humans need oxygen to breath or do you dispute that as well?

Ah bloody Lego.... I discovered some in the bathroom as i stepped out of the shower but a large copy version with holes in the top of each round bits. My softened foot got eight deep holes when I stood on it. Oh the pain, oh the language. I bleed everywhere. That night I collected all said killer fake Lego and with a beer in hand burnt the evil stuff in a fire. Mecchano then became the choice and far safer.

Angus Taylor, Matt Canavan and Scomo. The three horsemen of the Apocalypse.

I had the LeMans which was like a BMW of the era which I also owned were extremely tough mechanically. Both did 200,000 km plus with minimal attention bar normal services which are very simple at home. The desmo was a specialist job, often and expensive. Most if my mates ran big desmo or pantah engines. None got much past 40,000 kms without major work. Rebuild prices even when friends with a ducati specialist Gowanlochs made the eyes water. The one that made a valiant effort to kill me was a concourse quality Pantah 600, and was a extremely well sorted machine rebuilt by the Sydney experts only 3,000 kms earlier. It was never riding super hard and at the time I was cruising on the way to the Philip Island. The group had sped ahead, I in deference to my friends machine was taking it easy. Its rear rod split, impacted the crankcase, shattered and destroyed the gearbox. The classic leg out of bed syndrome. So unfortunately no ability to use the clutch to unlock the rear wheel. I survived but mechanically the machine was a complete write off. I managed to stay upright, which was amazing in hindsight. Then spent a few hours on the grass watching the stars and relaxing with a medicinal herb. My devastated mate returned after finding I was not at the next planned stop. He was on his other identical but silver Ducati. It was a very sad night and a show winner was no more. I do like Ducatis but am wary. I agree with Nev, they look great, sound great and are stable at speed. But absolutely hate rough roads and dirt invites a easy fall. The Guzzi and BMW had no such problems and made excellent fast touring machines. Note the Guzzi had Laverda adjustable bars and a different seat to make it comfortable. My Brothers le mans was stock bar a better standard style seat and was very hard on the wrists and bum. Not a touring machine except for masochist's.

I would like to take a moment to thank Ian for allowing us this site. We learn a lot about people by their comments.

Bruce, How is it possible you see a man who was the 3rd most powerful man in the richest church on the planet as the underdog? How is getting him to pay $100 k and even smaller sentence fair? Damages are a civil court matter and should never be a consideration of sentencing. That thinking of yours means the rich get to pay their way out of goal. The damage is lifelong and worth millions. The church have spent millions defending the barstard. And he is the chief who covered up all the other priests crimes. They have spent hundreds of millions in lawyers hiding their crimes across the country. Once again you are claiming that its society's fault for the shame felt by the child. No it is not. The shame and mental torment is from been abused by a church power that tells you no one will believe you. And a church that did everything to cover up the abuse and let the offenders go to another school and keep doing it. They even had cops in pockets. That is not a function of society at large but the church and its leaders, which was him. Where is this society that wouldn't make a big deal of raping a child? How can you possibly say you feel sorry for Pell because he is convicted but you feel he is guilty? I am having a great deal of trouble as a human, a father and a former Catholic understanding how you can think these things.

What's wrong with filling up a bottle at a tap and taking it with you? Virtually free, esp. If you use a public tap or servo or neighbour or even your home one. Sorry old mate, your argument is full of holes.

Sharks are endangered for most species and though hardy animals should not be feed poison. Even a croc would spit him out.

Spacey I think you are " taking the piss". Who would pay $6 a bottle for water? At that price it is cheaper to drink local champagnes. Last time I checked my toilet, and it was flushed it did not use bottled water. I know see your problem, you should use water from a invention called a tap.

Until it self destructs as you arrive at the corner.

Norfolk island would definitely be too nice. A cage in the desert might suffice.

Spacey I agree, His sentence should be appealed as manifestly inadequate. He should get the max sentence and if that means he dies there, it is a good day. He should also not be in protection in jail, with all his mates he protected. Let him stay in general down in a supermax and see him feel justice. He has gods protections after all.

Spacey, What is it with your obsession with nuclear? We would need one just to power the desal plant to provide the freshwater needed to cool the nuclear plant. Seems pretty self defeating and would make it the most expensive water and power ever created. Why not just mine asteroids to get the water? About as useful. We do not need to desalinate water, we need to stop wasting water on stupid things like cotton when people can't get water to drink or grow food. And the amount used by coal mining is obscene. Even simply recycling water and stopping industry from polluting the rainwater that falls, would solve our water needs. But no that would be sensible to collect the water that comes from the sky. But I get a feeling you like global warming as you might get a banana crop.

Yes, they sound good but not as good as a Guzzi Le mans with reverse cones. That can wake the dead and make em dance the jig. And from experience the Ducati sound on the over run can be followed by the sound of complete engine and gearbox destruction. And naturally the slightly quieter scream in the helmet as the rear locks up as a corner approaches. I missed the oncoming truck by inches and the bike was only a good frame and bodywork. The owner was devastated, he had just had it restored. A very sad indictment on 80's Ducatis

Bruce, How can you possibly think that naming, shaming and possible Loss of a job can be considered punishment? They are merely the normal response of the public to those who are found to be unethical or immoral. It should never be considered the punishment. Additionally he has no shame. To rape anyone is a crime if extreme physical and mental violence and must be treated as such. To rape a child and one you have power over is the most henious crime bar murder. If not many in his case would simply keep offending and not care what society thinks. The need for a priest to be celibate has absolutely no bearing at all nor the shame felt by a victim. They do not contribute to the crime at all to reduce his responsibility or the vile crimes he committed. I fear given your comments and previously in the thread, you are blaming the victims and make excuses for the perpetrator. You have repeatedly given the impression he is hard done by. That I find abhorrent.

Bruce there is a massive difference between a nuclear powered war ship coming for a short visit and building one at broken hill. The US has over 60 years of proven success in the field of navy nuclear power, but they are not perfect. The Russians have proved they can not be trusted with the tech and regularly have accidents that they refuse to admit. Putting a nuclear powerplant in Broken Hill would be a massive cost and water waste for the cooling needs. Besides the fact it is not needed there.

Labor seem to think they lost because they were too far from the LNP crap. No, because they were too much like the LNP. And too chicken to stand up. Now they are just yes men for the LNP

Try telling the poor kid whose life has been wrecked or the other child who took his own life from the torment. 2 and half years is pittance, he should have gotten 10 at least. You rape a child in a position of authority and the punishment should be harsh. Puritanical? How is that? Or is it because he is a high power in the Vatican? Or it was a boy not girl? Or do you think because it happened over 10 years ago, that standards were different?

Thankfully he has next to no chance. The real issue he will fight is the jury believed the truth of the poor bugger that was raped. The court can not review the jury. So no issue. Let him rot

Best for a car is a old Alfa V6 echoing of canyon walls.

So once again we are going on another adventure of confected sabre rattling in the middle east. We are sending a warship to keep open the Hormuz strait. For oil once again, to protect our oil supply they say. But only Boris and Donnie are joining, not the countries who export the oil or those that use it. Iran has been quite rightly annoyed at constant sanctions even when they do everything asked of them by the UN. They will only get more peeved and I expect the US will engineer a bay of Tomkin lie to start a war this time. And Scomo will happily jump and join in the killing. Quick, look over there, its a bad guy.....

Chief petty officer also did the same. Penis to testicles...... They measured all the way to Surrey. His ex wife's bedroom dresser.

Making special laws and special classes of offence with draconian penalties to stop dissent and protest is the realm of a police state of dictatorship. We already have sufficient laws to deal with this issues and it is merely a case of crushing any dissent. The same goes with special laws for farmers. It is already punishable with trespass. Special laws for special groups makes them above all others when it comes to law. So much for democracy and the blindness of justice. We are also actively trying to jail whistleblowers and journalists. Is this the new Stalin state? Australia, from convicts to a police state.