Alert level to high stunt
"I want to stress that this does not mean that a terror attack is imminent," the PMsays.
"We have no specific intelligence of particular plots."
I look forward to hearing an apology by Senator Sue Lines (Labor) for this comment in light of what is happening today. Taken from the SMH last month.
"The Abbott Government is being accused of using terrorism fears to distract Australians from its contentious budget.
In recent weeks the Coalition has outlined new measures to crack down on extremist threats, including legislative changes to target Australians who travel overseas to fight with terrorist organisations.
Labor senator Sue Lines says the Government seems determined to only talk about terrorism and not its tough budget cuts.
"It's [the Government] hyping it up, it's invented the term Team Australia - you're either in the team or you're out of the team," she said.
"And it's looking for opportunities in the media and elsewhere to try and scare the Australian public and to distract everyone from the budget."
I think you would have to be pretty naieve to think that Abbott/Hockey and Co were NOT doing everything possible to distract attention to their budget which has all the public appeal of a soiled nappy left in the sun.
The fact that an actual terrorist incident has popped up in the news doesnt make senator Lines comment less pertinent.
Yes - the arrest of 15 people in a plot to behead Aussies at random is an obvious Abbot stunt.
What'll he pull next - an alien landing on U;luru to distract the loonies from the budget ?
The hatred of our PM knows no bounds...unbelievable!
They still haven't got over loosing in a landslide and recording their lowest vote ever.
of course their mantra was Abbotts unelectable.
Crikey paywall
Australia's intelligence and law enforcement agencies appeared unhampered in preparing and carrying out a vast array of anti-terrorism raids overnight and this morning, allegedly in part to disrupt a plot to kill a random member of the public. The lack of data retention laws, the dearth of "special intelligence operation" powers for ASIO and apparent limitations on ASIO's ability to access whole computer networks in order to target one person's computer don't appear to have been a problem in Sydney and Brisbane.
However, the chances of having any sort of intelligent debate about the need for new powers for security agencies will recede further amid the tabloid headlines about terrorism even if, as with Mohamed Haneef, the allegations of security agencies turn out to be wrong or wildly overblown. The review conducted into the government's first set of national security reform proposals by the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and released yesterday will likely disappear without trace, despite the important issues it has raised.
I take no notice of Crikey...a left wing rag.
I wouldnt even call it rag - more like used toilet paper.
The pedant in me prompts me to point out that Crikey is web based delivery , no paper.
Virtual crap
Like I said yesterday a dog born in stable does not become a horse and a baby born to ethnics in Australia may never get Australian values and our way of life. Beware of the evil fanatics within and the teachings of their insane priests.
We all heard the news luckily this time the be-headings were halted.....maybe tomorrow we will not be as lucky.
Agreed - just like the the scots will never be English . You cant breed class.
Have you ever been to UK?
I doubt it.........you were dragged up here probably in Kings Cross from an unknown pair of druggies
Ahh Davey a dog cannot mate with a horse and produce offspring. Your analogy is rubbish whichever way you look at it. Abetz has no Australian values I presume. What about Abbott as well ? Gillard , Mirabella and a host of other pollies born overseas. Even yourself according to your stable fable are not possessing Australian values. That is not not my opinion by the way , quite the opposite but thats what you are saying.
Geo you are too stupid to grasp the meaning of my comments.
I'm talking about values and place not genes
More times than you ever will haggis breath.
15 times in the last 3 years
usually stay at the Cumberland near marble Arch
In Marsfield female forencics officers wearing hijabs joined the raids at a number of addresses. Are they a threat to the community? I am in agreement with whatever security measures are taken to protect Australians, but getting into an almighty panic as some are on this forum only serves to spread the hysteria like a virus.
One of the greatest threats to our national security is loose talk that demonises entire communities based on their faiths or ethnicity. I see a lot of loose talk by some characters on this forum.
http://theconversation.com/what-raising-australias-terrorism-alert-to-high-would-mean-for-you-31510
Questions are being asked by forum members..how would you feel if it was a member of your family attacked in the most horrific way..silly question.. anyone would be devastated..but we have to put our trust in our security people that they have a handle on it. Not having some wild kangaroos jumping up and down and causing even more panic. In my opinion our terrorism alert should have been heightened a long time ago.
What we don't need is people spewing their hatred everywhere and thus inciting violence in a section of the community that's already volatile. Words can have a very damaging effect and like the link that I have put up, I would advise people to mind what they say. Remember the old adage...Give a dog a bad name and it might just live up to it.
In my opinion a bit of blind panic will do the communty good, we do have a tendency to sit back and wait to see what eventuates, this may open the eyes of average people to see what is actually happening. It is not a pretty picture in some cases, to our usual way of life. Those that come here of their own free will, and not happy, can always use their free will and return to their 'paradise',
Yea Seth
Words of wisdom as usual Seth
Just pleased you and I are not in Sydney or Brisbane.
Fleur :)
I think the hatred on this Forum is between Labor And Liberal supporters.
There is no hatred - only pity
As I understood it, ASIO and the FP are purportedly above politics.
To be efficient and impartial, these organisations would have to be.
Most thoughtful people would recognise the truth of Ambrose Bierce's observations - especially as they relate to politics in this country.
"Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage"
We are not served well by our political masters; any talent is noted by its complete absence.
Spot on Twila.
SD
What a shame we don't have playwrights in the mould of Sophocles who wrote savage satires on the politics of the period. As we also know, his characters were adorned with enormous penises.
So much could be "said" ...
Twila,
I think some of our representitives may be endowed with two such members as you certainly could not be that silly from playing with one.
Take it easy.
SD
"Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage"
Do you really think this is the case in general in Australia .
What private advantage do you see Abott seeking for instance .
Frankly I think you are both indulging in a little elite sophistry .
Pete I would imagine the answer to the definition of a politition {politics} could be in the personna of 'Palmer''
No Seth he is just a cheap con man .
To me politics has to be rooted in a philosophy and then becomes through compromise the art of the possible..,
it is not pure otherwise there would be no result ..,
Pete,
Undoubtedly there are a few who enter politics for the right reasons, but even they have to compromise their beliefs and principles if they want to retain their positions. Also, whilst financial benefit goes with the position, it seems that the benefits gained exceed the talents and contributions made to society.
The electorate are correct to have a certain cynicism. Politicians in general are not held in great esteem ... possibly at a far lower level than used car salesmen.
We certainly don't have any politicians as the level of statesmen.
I think, unfortunately, that most have the will to power - and this is a grave flaw.
Pete, do you believe that politics follows the ideals you suggest?
Perhaps we would be better off with a meritocracy.
SD
I have sent you a PM.
Strange things are happening ....
Sophocles used the phalluses (expressive) in a way to also make a political statement ensuring the audience was left with no allusions as to his message.
Pete,
A little elite sophistry ?
Sounds like an affliction of the lower scrotum.
Please explain.
SD
Why does it need explaining you are an intelligent man , who with Twila and Seth and Solly and a few have my respect on the subject of politics ..,
Des Traction
Clarke and Dawe
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-18/clarke-and-dawe-mr-desmond-traction-fear/5753062
Cannot see why the Taxpayer has to support these individuals for 25 years - maybe it is time the Death Penalty was re-introduced.
I heard an outcry from a Muslim woman on TV that what Asio and police did was unfair to the Muslim wife children and family and that Muslims would be viewed with suspicion because of these arrests. ???
What is the Police and ASIO supposed to wait till the terrorist crimes are comitted ???