The Laws of Unintended Consequences

[Marty_d]

1 hour ago, old man emu said:

I'm astounded by the civil violence in Europe over teh weekend. What is concerning is that all the protests seemed to relate to various components and effects of Cost of Living. Hs this become a common thread across the Globe?

Couple of explainers in ABC today.

 

The rioting in Europe:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-20/europe-protests-explained-as-demonstrations-grow/107285508

 

Broader look by Ian Verrender:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-20/rising-political-cost-of-growing-inequality/107284494

[willedoo]

17 hours ago, Jerry_Atrick said:

But the rhetoric spouted by PHON and latterly some of the LP may, and I stress MAY be the straw that breaks the camel's back for some people that drives them to this sort of crap. The problem for those that spout the crap is that there maybe some equally unhinged on the other side that may be motivated to do the same to them. 

That's drawing a very broad sword Jerry. There's divisive rhetoric spouted across all sections of the political spectrum, from the the left to the right. Best to reserve judgement until more facts are known. Here's an article with a bit of background on the bloke.

 

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/suspect-in-helen-haines-attack-named-20261020-p616zq.html

 

 

[Litespeed]

It is a broad sword, but it is indicative of the level of hate and division that has been shown in Oz politics for many years.

 

We have unfettered Hate speech particulary from many on the right wing side of politics that makes the "other" the enemy and uses violent language against those in the middle and the left.

 

Its not all one sided but the vast majority of appalling speech is coming from the right, esp Hansen and friends.

 

The Libs are certainly not immume- only last week in Parliament a fed WA senior Lib called for Anne Aly and The PM to be "taken to a public square and stoned" she left out to "Death" but the implication was clear. NO consequences, no ban from parliament, and a half apology.

That was over the changes to credit cards fees and bussiness.

 

So , we had a call to violence inside parliament, a society that lets that fly, is one that soon leads to yesterdays horror. The Libs knew what they said and that it is parliamentry priveledged.

 

Last week, we had the One nation cartton attacking Jackie Lambie and making fun of her because she spoke of Vaginal prolapse, a severe condition that effects more than 10% of women and particulary those with lower back injuries. She detailed her experience and the need for greater help and understanding. She bravely used her experience to help society understand this largely ignored medical issue. Hansens response was a disgusting cartoon mocking Lambie and by extenstion any women who suffers from this.  No aplogy, a refusal to change the cartoon and called lambie a sook for not having a sense of humour. Only today after the Haines attack was the cartoon modified.

 

The week before it was a clearly racist AI ad for the Vic election from One Nation.

 

I think in general that Jerry is correct.

[Jerry_Atrick]

I agree with both posts above.. But if not actually, by far the loudest voice is presented by the right - at least in Aus, the USA, and the UK..

 

Scrolling through social media also paints a similar picture.

 

But, yes, it isn't always the right. Sometimes it is the left, or any excuse

Edited 2 hours ago by Jerry_Atrick

[willedoo]

I guess as time goes on, more might be revealed about whether the perpetrator was influenced by one particular group or another. The article mentioned his online posts had changed in recent times from local environmental activism to those of a more political nature, mainly anti U.S. and anti Israel comments over the Gaza war, accusing the government of being US lap dogs and stuff like that. So far his profile places him more on the left side of politics but there's nothing mentioned post 2024, so there could be more to the story. Reading that article it seems that he had mental health issues, but what turned him against a politician that he had previously supported is unknown at this stage. 

[Litespeed]

more on Paulines pathetic cartoons 

 

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-20/hanson-apologises-for-one-nation-cartoon-mocking-lambie/107288602