Mount Gambier Community Forum

Mount Gambier Community Forum » Recent Topics http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Mount Gambier community forum hosted by The Border Watch en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:35:49 +0000 Editor on "Forum suspension" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/67#post-363 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:25:25 +0000 Editor 363@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ As mentioned in <a href="http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/7#post-362">announcements</a>: Yours truly, the moderator of this forum and comments on The Border Watch website, will be on holiday until January 27. This forum will be suspended and comment moderation on the news website may be slower than usual during that time. There will also be fewer posts published. Normal news service will resume at the end of January. Editor on "Current notices" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/7#post-8 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:14:50 +0000 Editor 8@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Saturday, July 4, 2009 This forum replaces the previous version at <a href="http://www.borderwatch.com.au/forum">http://www.borderwatch.com.au/forum</a>. That site will remain visible for a short time only. This new forum uses software that integrates with the main <a href="http://www.borderwatch.com.au">Border Watch</a> website. Visitors need to <a href="http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/register.php?">register</a> to make comments. Unfortunately, due to a database error, two people who registered yesterday will need to do so again. Editor on "Faith" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/58#post-260 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:03:32 +0000 Editor 260@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ A forum post for discussion about faith, prompted by <a href="http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/4785">this post</a> on The Border Watch website. Editor on "Online social network for Mount Gambier" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/66#post-348 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:21:32 +0000 Editor 348@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I encourage readers and posters here to visit <a href="http://mountgambier.ning.com/">http://mountgambier.ning.com/</a> and register. This forum will be closed on January 9, 2010. The new site offers a more relaxed format and more features without the limitations of being under the umbrella of a commercial enterprise. The other site is purely a personal initiative, unrelated to The Border Watch. The Border Watch news site will continue. Anonymous on "Parents with Children First........and Last" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/61#post-277 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:09:28 +0000 Anonymous 277@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I still have a problem with the numbers of single fit men arriving in the NorthWest. .No one from a terrorist nation should be allowed in. If they don’t like it there, then change it themselves and don’t hide here while we interfere to change it for them. ( For what exactly is for another time and place). Running away and bringing their ideology says a great deal about them. Is this being used for the opportunity for infiltration of another kind? Having lived and worked in the region, it is a very much hand to mouth that produces nothing except the merest existence and for Afghanistan, relies upon the patronage of the local chiefdoms who trickle down the wealth from the narco economy, a large part of which is supported by the drug dealers of Australia.What else could one buy from Afghanistan? Used Russian AK47's? grenade launchers? more heroin? It is worth repeating that we do not, but we should, enforce the understanding and compliance with our language and laws instead of allowing cultural sensitivities to slow down integration. Government literature to inform in 12 languages is supporting cultural mental ghettos. We are one nation with one flag and one language and integration is seriously retarded where language is delayed in any way.. Anonymous on "Guilty but mentally ill" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/34#post-115 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:15:27 +0000 Anonymous 115@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ How do you feel about the insanity defense? The guilty but mentally ill principle (GBMI) allows an accused person to be found legally guilty of a crime. This allows maximizing the chances of incarceration, while at the same time allowing psychiatric judgement on how to deal with a convicted person, if he or she is considered mentally ill when the crime was committed. Noted Psychiatrist Thomas S Szasz famously wrote: "By codifying acts of violence as expressions of mental illness, we neatly rid ourselves of the task of dealing with criminal offences as more or less rational goal-directed acts, no different in principle than other forms of conduct". ( Szazs, 1963, p141) Critics of the GMBI verdict may well argue against the insanity defense because it generally requires applying an abstract principle to specific life situations. There is an important difference between insanity and mental illness or defect. A person can be diagnosed as mentally ill, and yet be held responsible for a crime. Insanity is a legal concept, not a psychiatric concept. Anonymous on "A Human Rights Act For Australia" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/35#post-127 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:17:22 +0000 Anonymous 127@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I was fortunate enough to have the following published as a guest comment article, 'Human Rights Act to keep government accountable', in The Border Watch on Friday 21 August 2009: <blockquote>During 2009 there has been a National Human Rights Consultation throughout Australia to gauge community views and opinions on the possible establishment of a Human Rights Act. I support the establishment of such a Human Rights Act and I will outline its advantages and address common concerns raised about such an Act. A Human Rights Act is a law which seeks to protect inherent and fundamental human rights. Such rights which would commonly be agreed upon are freedom of the press, speech, religion, association and so on. Currently in Australia, except for a constitutional prohibition on a state religion, we have no nation-wide legislation that enumerates these rights. All other Western nations have human rights legislation. This leaves the Australian people in a vulnerable position, subject to the whims of politicians. There are many models for how an Act would work. I will describe the most common. Any person who believes that their rights enshrined in the Act have been infringed, is able to take the government to court. If the court rules that a law violates the Human Rights Act, the court may issue a Declaration of Incompatibility, which declares that the law violates one or more of the rights outlined in the Act. Doesn’t this allow un-elected judges to overrule elected politicians? No. A Human Rights Act is NOT the same as the American Bill of Rights; it does not allow the judiciary to overrule Parliament. In most systems, a Declaration of Incompatibility requires that Parliament amend the contested law within a set time period, often 90 days, to bring it into compatibility with the Human Rights Act. Alternatively, the Parliament can issue its own Declaration of Incompatability. This states that the law violates human rights, but the government believes there are valid reasons (ie national security or public order, etc) for doing so. If the Human Rights Act can be overruled then what is its use? The key virtue of a Human Rights Act is that it confronts politicians with the human rights implications of their policies. No longer can they deny that violations of rights occur or hope that they ‘fly under the radar’. There are times when individual rights must take a back-seat to other concerns; however, a Human Rights Act enables us to recognise when this occurs and to publicly debate the merits of such policies. Whenever governments wish to dispense with our rights, they must be prepared to face intense scrutiny.</blockquote> What are your views and opinions on this issue? Editor on "Hospital car park" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/14#post-25 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:58:12 +0000 Editor 25@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ <img src="http://mlp8wa.blu.livefilestore.com/y1ptJYnQtBSMKdPe-7stDXJpmYh46Gu55wlY5qhQmsEwEm8uvyDh6_S5EdqUKqIw9z8xUoMmWzRLbrfCsN-ejLbHg/cars.jpg"> A significant lack of car parking spaces at Mount Gambier Hospital is a continuing headache for the city's residents and a solution must be quickly found. While people can safely park on grass areas in summer, it is a joke to expect people to park in quagmires in the heart of winter. We cannot expect old, frail or ill people to trudge through muddy and soggy surfaces from their cars or even walk across from Allison Street. People who are anxious to see loved ones taken to hospital also should not be forced to drive around in circles trying to find that elusive carpark. The hospital is the largest in country South Australia and it should be provided with appropriate parking spaces. Anonymous on "When the terms & conditions of life gets too complicated" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/62#post-279 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:31:36 +0000 Anonymous 279@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Living alone has taught me independence, never having to say you are sorry, and to never depend on others, never letting others know when you feel your control is going down the toilet, and having to ask for help, especially if it is going to come at personal cost, or out of a sense of duty from another person. You may be wondering why I am having a weird moment and am posting my ramblings. I have never been one to procrastinate about feeling ill, so please forgive any self indulgence. Actually I am taking some sickies! I have felt like crap for a awhile now and recently got to feel really crook. A visit to the GP yesterday with my tail of horrendous headaches and vomiting ( me, the bucket & the loo, have been through some killer moments together). Some blood work was ordered, an injection and a prescription for antibiotics, pain killers, and maxolon to kill my nausea. My GP said he would call me if my blood tests were a problem. He called early this morning, but I missed the first two calls because I was busy with my head in the bucket! I returned his call and he sounded worried and said it might be good to go to hospital. I was feeling like crap and declined the offer. He called back this afternoon to tell me some more blood results had become available. Again he sounded concerned saying it was possible my illness may be meningitis. I can tell you that really did nothing to thrill me and quite frankly I would just rather sink a bit further into my pillow and shut the world out. My GP is a great guy and he gets bonus points for trying to talk me into a hospital bed. Just thinking hospital does dramatic things to my psyche. It represents losing personal power, dependency, weakness, and frailty. My worst fear is a vegetative state. Being a tidy person, I like fast and fatal...no loose ends. I held back my real truth about my resistance to a hospital bed, I am financially embarrassed because I have blown mega bucks on taxis recently due to my feeling like crap, I have no one to sort my stuff, the bills have to be paid....and the biggie is I am not into heroic medicine, because I have been there, done that. Anyway I did not want this to be a general rant but I am not looking too far ahead, tomorrow I am not prepared for. Anonymous on "40 years since the giant leap ." http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/21#post-47 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:50:24 +0000 Anonymous 47@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I was not quite old enough to appreciate the first moon landing. I do now , however. What an achievement. This is the sort of greatness that humanity should aspire towards. Let's go back. Anonymous on "Pearl Harbour Dec 7" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/65#post-288 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:10:26 +0000 Anonymous 288@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I waited to see if there would be any remembrance of that historical act of treachery in the media yesterday, the Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour Hawaii. For those not old enough to have endured the heavy gut feeling when such news iss broadcast let me recreate my own.. The following has been published a few times and appears in <a href="http://www.pointofviewSA.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.pointofviewSA.wordpress.com</a>. THE AMERICAN "The soft complacency of the American Dream was sorely shaken by the treachery of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour that changed the character of America forever. No longer the generous, trusting, help everyone nation – more so now and with greater intensity as a result of the treachery repeated on 9/11. In some respects I suppose American foreign policy can be understood but not condoned. What pushed Japan to launch its SE Asia Co- Prosperity Plan by a military strike against an unsuspecting nation in the quiet of a Sunday morning might be considered similar to the US action in Iraq, which has cost the Bush Administration the respect for the character of America built by Roosevelt – together with thousands of young lives. But now there is new and unconventional force hiding in the shadow of normality that cuts the throats of its victims and rejoices over the killing of innocents – who then blow themselves up in the process believing that they dwell forever in Paradise for having done so. Vigilance, is a small price to pay for the freedoms that thousands of our young have died to win.for Australia. Recent events in Victoria and NSW clearly show that the enemy is already here" Anonymous on "FamiliesSA and the Victims of Booze and Drugs" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/64#post-287 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:39:43 +0000 Anonymous 287@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ It comes as no surprise that the headlines read,"Drug and Alcohol Abuse putting More Kids into State Care", " More than 20,000 calls the Drug Help Line", " One in 5 Road Deaths Drug Related " and the social sabotage continues to expand. .Latest figures to the end of June show there were 2111 children under care and protection court orders, an 8.6 per cent rise on the previous year's 1943. I care enough to raise this issue for 2010. A growing number of children are being removed from their families and put into state care by the Court because of drug and alcohol abuse among parents and the record clearly shows that with the level of more abuse in Sate care, children are being confined by the Court to a fate as bad, if not worse that the one removed.. Well, what can one expect with the Report to Parliament of FamiliesSA which suggests it is a dysfunctional organisation with a culture of bullies from the very top who appear to have neither the morality, life experience or the talent to administer a duty of care to our most vulnerable.. Quoting the Menda City Monitor, one would have to reflect whether the judiciary really cares to know about it or cares to prevent the second level of abuse in State care The damage has not been stopped by a Court Order to remove the children into State care, however well intended the Law, indeed, the record is quite the opposite. The death of that 9 year old boy from the neglect of drug addict parents while under the watch of the present Minister continues to stress me because, sadly, I am, (we are), powerless.to have done anything to avert the tragedy . I hope that changes in 2010 and power is restored to the community.. Editor on "FAQ" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/3#post-3 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:21:20 +0000 Editor 3@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ 1) What is this forum? It's a place for people in Mount Gambier and district to discuss issues. The focus is on matters of local interest. 2) What are the rules? Be respectful, observe relevant laws and focus on issues of local interest. Read the terms of service. 3) Do I have to register? Anyone can read all the posts. Registered users can write replies. 4) Can new topics be created? Approved members can create topics. Email or PM the administrator (editor@borderwatch.com.au) to have your membership upgraded or to suggest a topic. 5) Can my posts be edited or deleted? Yes, at the editor's discretion. 6) How do I get a picture with my profile? Register here, then visit <a href="http://www.gravatar.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.gravatar.com</a> and upload an image using the same email address. 7) How do I send a private message? When logged in, click on messages in the top menu (right-hand side). Select "New PM" in the top menu bar, select a user to receive the message, enter a subject and message, send message. Anonymous on "What next for Malcolm Turnbull? - an interesting article." http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/63#post-280 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:18:16 +0000 Anonymous 280@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Here is a link to an interesting article about the political future of former Federal Liberal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull: <a href="http://www.vexnews.com/news/7524/its-payback-time-why-crossing-malcolm-turnbull-will-be-ugly/" rel="nofollow">http://www.vexnews.com/news/7524/its-payback-time-why-crossing-malcolm-turnbull-will-be-ugly/</a> Particularly interesting is the speculation that Turnbull (along with perhaps a few of his small-l Liberal colleagues) will break away and form a new minor party or that Turnbull might be approached at sometime in the next year or two to be the leader for a resurgent Australian Democrats (the Australian Democrats have apparently been searching around for a while for a high-profile politician who might lead them and re-launch the party). Anonymous on "Numbers - Mathematics of Defeat" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/60#post-274 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:09:34 +0000 Anonymous 274@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Over the past 5 years, an ever increasing waste of revenue from barely 800,000 of the 1.54 million citizrns is a sad reflection on the financial competence of our governance administration. With more than 2000 questions blocked and diverted in the Parliament with further disclosure blocked by the FOI, it is well that all the print media, The Border Watch included, sometimes imperfect, has far more concern for the community than the Government or the elected Opposition. How sad too, that the community has enough reason to distrust this ruling junta for its attitude of disdain while so caught up in protecting their own affairs. Why should the 4 preferred contractors for the jails at Monarto be paid $10 million as conscience money for the Government decision to cancel the project? Why indeed? That they were contemplated at all is an indictment of failure to not only remove the public cost of the consequences of so much social sabotage to justify plan for more jails in the first place, but importantly, failure to recognise the need for community values and rule of law being taught to children before a teen mindset. The $22 million contract for the software system scheduled for completion in 2011 has blown out to $45 million and is not likely to be completed by the contract date. Why indeed, is there no attempts to collect the $174 million of unpaid fines from over 500,000 social delinquents? or $2.9 billion of State revenue "lost from investments" instead of paying the bills, all $10 billion of them, that at last estimate, is costing $1.34 million a day in service costs, beginning with the $2 billion Work Cover fiasco and the $8 billion that does not exist to secure the payments due to the Public Service. The elected Opposition is ineffective and thereby the community is powerless to influence the big decisions, the grandiosities. Hardly a life of duty or an inspiration for the community to re-elect them Truly, the mathematics of defeat Anonymous on "Euthansia" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/59#post-268 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:37 +0000 Anonymous 268@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ The euthanasia bill has again failed to be passed in parliament. It seems personal feelings around a social conscience is more important than those people who have expressed a wish to legally end an intolerable life. I can remember being involved in the care of Janet Mills, a middled aged woman who lived in a country town in South Australia. She made use of the Northern Territory's ROTI Act in January 1997 (the Rights of the Terminally ill Act 1995-) <center>'Janet Mills had a skin cancer that covered her body and gave off a pungent odor. Her face was disfigured by the ravages of her cancer and her pain and suffering were immeasurable. I remember the horror she endured each time her dressings were changed. Open weeping sores, constant irritable scratching, and a lingering smell of infection. Her cancer resisted all conventional treatments and therapies. She was a mother, and had a loving partner. Janet Mills suffered brutal human indignities'. </center> With assistance from Dr Philip Nitschke, Janet Mills died on the 2nd of January 1997, her husband's arms holding her close, one of her two sons nearby. The ROTI Act's definition of terminal illness was "an illness which, in reasonable medical judgement will, in the normal course, without the extraordinary measures or of, treatment unacceptable to the patient, result in the death of the patient". Anonymous on "Radioactive Waste Facility in SA?" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/57#post-258 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:08:03 +0000 Anonymous 258@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I believe very strongly that the proposal must go to a serious planning stage as a necessary prelude to the development of nuclear power. Climate change has taken effect even to the way trees are reacting to it, and coal and oil are shown to be major contributors to the melting of the ice caps raising sea levels - the debate of climate change goes on. But there is another dimension. We should be processing the fuel rods instead of exporting the raw material. The experiences of the past have created a safety regime in the Type 4 generators. Radium Hill and much of the SA outback is radio active including bore water and radio active waste from medical and industrial diagnostics is, or was, stored in the elevator shafts of the hospital and about 30 other locations in Adelaide. While there will still be the vocal objections most are related to events of the past, unwilling to accept the fact of around 600 nuclear power plants operating around the world are and will be consuming the 40% of known deposits of the fuel in SA The world population increasing by another 2.9 billion over the next 40 years is a far greater threat. The U.N. warns of food riots? Imagine that. Anonymous on "Farms for Food or Fuel" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/54#post-242 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:33:04 +0000 Anonymous 242@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ The UN has predicted that by 2050, the world must produce 70% more food to avert a meltdown while I have often guessed at double that as a long time advocate for more research into food crops by scientists and farmers. We must avoid cutting into the forest habitat to produce more with better tolerance to drought and to pests and diseases and less reliance on artificial fertiliser The availability of enough water to finish the crop is another dimension.While population to our North continues its growth by 20 million every 3 months (FAO) who will be more affluent, better educated and will not tolerate a life of stoop labour in the paddy. We need thinkers outside the square to probe the unknown or the untried. All things exist, it just needs someone to find them or the elements to create them The UN (Oct 14) says food production will have to rise by 70 per cent by 2050 if food riots are not to become commonplace. Is the plan to divert fertile farm lands for the production of fuel seriosly flawed?. To divert the food productive lands to such huge demands for fuel threatens the future to increase the risk of riots and worse. To divert the land for biomass fuel estimates as proposed will require such quantities of water as to be unsustainable. The duel purpose, however, must be given more incentive to achieve for small farmer cooperatives to grow and produce their own fuel but this will need a challenge to the excise laws that have their origin when rum was legal tender. Anonymous on "Indoor pool and sports stadium" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/49#post-219 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:41:38 +0000 Anonymous 219@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Mount Gambier is possibly the only city of its size in southern Australia that doesn't have a public heated indoor pool. The city council now has this project on its radar, but should not be expected to fund it alone. The State Government should contribute a substantial sum and now seems a good time to lobby the Liberal and Labor parties, in the lead up to next year's election. Other cities combine an indoor pool with a sports stadium and/or gymnasium. Kalgoorlie has a <a href="http://www.kalbould.wa.gov.au/SectionHome.asp?ID=160&MID=2">fantastic centre</a>, built in 1999. What do others think? Anonymous on "Stilnox is getting a bad image." http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/32#post-100 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:22:29 +0000 Anonymous 100@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ The sleeping tablet commonly known as Stilnox is only available with a medical prescription. This medication is a Non PBS drug (private script). There has been some media beat up and well publisised personal experiences, some quite bizarre, in some consumers of the drug. Doses have been restricted and reduced. This drug may not be for eveyone but I post this in defence of this medication, because it works for me. The effect on me personally is minimal, one I have been accustomed to expecting as a helping sedative, to managing established and chronic, debilitating insomnia. At best my sleep routine is roughly 2-4 hours duration over a 36 hour period. Without the help of Stilnox which I take every night (have been for over 3 years), my life would be unsustainable and impossible to continue. My concern is with all the negative publicity this drug has attracted recently and in the previous couple of years in consumers, and currently people who do not abuse the drug, and experience relief from symptoms. If this medication was to become unavailable to insomnia sufferers, I fear for the wellbeing and welfare of people who like me, have tried everything else and have no options worthy of any consideration, to relieve their relentless and isolating symptoms. Anonymous on "The Cost of Governance and Bridgestone" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/56#post-251 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:09:22 +0000 Anonymous 251@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ A letter to the Treasurer I challenge the Treasurer to tell the truth. There is a $8 billion debt owed to the PS that is on record to be “on track by 2034″ and almost $1.6 billion to Work Cover. Mr. Foley,you have over 8000 Govt cars in your portfolio with 7 accidents a day costing $1.7 million to fix and you recently spent $52 million for the Clipsal/Gerrard property and $6 million each for second hand trams that are less complicated than 270 ton electric dump trucks at $4 million. Furthermore, the whole electric urban transport infrastructure and rolling stock could have been built here in SA at Tonsley. The software system contracted in 2002 for $22 million due for completion in 2011 has blown out to $45 million and is far away from completion. There are 125,000 public servant recipients being paid $285 million a year with hundreds in the "waiting room" for re assignment on full pay for many years yet, your administration added an extra 16,000 plus. Government spending policy has clearly abused the efforts of barely 800,000 residents who, by their personal and corporate effort, provide your revenue. You lost $2.9 billion of it from “investments” instead of paying the bills or completing any of the infrastructure. It is sad that 600 Bridgestone employees lose their job and with it their social inclusion because the company now finds after 44 years that it is too expensive to do business in SA . Anonymous on "The IACC and Obsession with Secrecy" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/52#post-235 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:08:39 +0000 Anonymous 235@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ We have discovered in recent times that the rights of roughly 800,000 citizens who provide the revenue for State Government from their personal and corporate effort are often blatantly abused by those elected into administration of the public domain. The Treasurer is on record as having lost $2.9 billion of revenue from investments. Dean Jaensch, in December 1999 raised the issue of the ethics of secrecy when public money is being used. He wrote," It seems reasonable for private enterprise to use the word to protect from competition, as only the shareholders have that right to know what is going on.. In joint public/private ventures, however, when Government is dancing with private enterprise the public are joint shareholders and thereby have a right to know all the details".. While the Libs have the ICAC on their platform for 2010, one must be quite cybical, and with good reason, to believe that the formation of such a body would be in the community interest. I believe that, from the recent lessons of history, that such a body should be not only the first order of business. That it be established in law within 6 months. That it be composed of 7 members with the Chairman appointed by their own and who has a casting vote. Each of the 7 members to be nominees from the community 90 days before the 2014 election, who must endure the public scrutiny of their personal and orporate/commercial life and who are elected by the community concurrently with the Parliament to hold office for 4 years. In the meantime, perhaps the Libs,with the independents and Nationals preferences might get a pro tem up and running 30 days after 2010. Then the 88 Boards and Authorities that are the instruments of this administration can be replaced by a new transparent system.run by the talent of the Public Service instead of political appointments. I believe the need for the creation of an Independent Anti Corruption Commission has reached a critical point for South Australia. Do you? Anonymous on "The Safety of the Bushfire Bunker" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/55#post-243 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:24:38 +0000 Anonymous 243@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ The wise after the event have started examining the leave or stay dilemma for occupants in a fire of such intensity as to risk everything including lives either way. The fire bunker manufacturers have started to justify an official endorsement of their products and in the process have forgotten the very basic provision for the occupants - that of air.The fire bunker cannot protect the occupants unless it is fitted with a water and compressed air supply for up to six persons including the pets for 40- 50 hours, and adequately insulated for the task. It is on record that during a NSW fire several years ago a woman and her 2 children jumped into the swimming pool but did not survive, not because of drowning but because the fire consumed the oxygen long enough to asphyxiate them. Think about it. Anonymous on "Quirky Questions" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/45#post-179 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:40:50 +0000 Anonymous 179@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ For several years I have owned a book called Quirky Questions by Sandy McCutcheon. Sandy McCutcheon is a well-known Australian journalist, broadcaster and author. The book consists of over 150 'quirky questions' which are aimed at being conversation starters. The questions are very diverse and are on topics such as politics, history, sport, art, the environment, religion and many others. It is with this in mind that I have decided to start this thread on which we can pose questions, dilemmas and 'thought experiments' on a whole manner of 'pop philosophy' topics. Personally I am not enamoured of what might be called 'pure' philosophical conversations, such as 'What is the meaning of life' which have not much connection to reality at all. Instead I prefer thought experiments that posit a real life situation and set out an ethical dilemma to be solved. However, fell free to post any questions you want. Now start firing away with those quirky questions! Anonymous on "Customer service in Mount Gambier" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/53#post-238 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:11:39 +0000 Anonymous 238@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ I think we are pretty lucky living in Mount Gambier where we have really good customer service. Any shop or store you choose to purchase from or browse, there are really great people who are willing to assist you. Grocery shopping has to be our worst nightmare, and with rising food costs it can be an unreal adventure trip guaranteed to ruin your day and turn you into a monster. Even when faced with a huge amount to pay at the checkout, the friendly service you get from people doing a great job (and its not their fault you have spent so much) kind of eases the frustration and pain you have experienced grocery shopping. Now if only Telstra would get their act together with a change of attitude and listen to their customers. I know I am not alone thinking customer service is a non-event at Telstra. Yet we continue to be ripped off and walked all over by the big players doing mean things to their loyal customers, and getting away without any moral sense of responsibility for any causal carnage, or human cost. I wonder how big business can legally get away with appalling conduct and poor customer service. What do others think? Anonymous on "Secure kids with potential" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/51#post-231 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:56:51 +0000 Anonymous 231@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ For all children, stability, security and continuity of relationships and activities such as child care and school are important. Racial and ethnic identity formation is an important developmental task for all children from preschool through to adolescence, and children need to have experiences that promote a healthy sense of self and belonging. Adolescence brings new challenges and opportunities for understanding oneself within our social context. developmental shifts in metacognitive and representational capacity that occurs during adolescence promote a more highly differentiated and complex view of the self and others (Harter, 1990; Marsh, 1989; Morretti & Higgins, 1999). Adolescence also introduces a period of significant transition in family and social role expectations, coupled with increases in the range of intimacy of social relationships (Buhrmester & Furman, 1987; Selman, 1980). The cognitive and social transitions of the adolescent period offer opportunities to explore new personal and social roles and to new and complex relationships. Researchers now argue that secure attachment and emotional connectedness with parents facilitate the transition to increased autonomy (Ryan & Lynch, 1989) For example, Grolnick and Ryan (1989) found that autonomous self-regulation in children was related to parental autonomy support - that is, parental encouragement and support in decision making and independent problem solving. They contend that autonomy is facilitated when parents allow children to move towards independence in self-regualtion within a secure and supportive relationship. In summing up, this attachment theory highlights the importance of children having the opportunity to experience and maintain positive realtionships. We develop a 'sense of self' through our relationships with other people, and the immediate caregivers of children play the most imprtant role in helping them develop a sense of themselves. In contrast, a child who experiences inconsistent, unresposnive care giving, can develop an insecure attachment style and have an internal working model that perceives themselves, their environment and others negative and untrustworthy (Berk 2000). Footnote: this is part of an assignment I submitted in my study of developmental psychology. Anonymous on "Alcohol and other drugs" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/24#post-60 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:35:19 +0000 Anonymous 60@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Drug related deaths account for almost one in five deaths among all age groups. In the 15-34 year age group, the rate of drug-caused deaths increases to one in three deaths. Age group differences are important to note: *Tobacco is responsible for the majority of drug-caused deaths in older persons aged 35 years and over (75% of drug deaths in this age group) *Alcohol is responsible for the majority of drug deaths in younger persons aged 15-34 years (60%) *Opiates are responsible for 23% of drug related deaths in the 15-24 age group compared to less than 1% to other drugs, including pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications. Drug use, particularly tobacco and alcohol, is a major factor in over 20% of general hospital admissions in Australia, and in over 20% of general practitioner consultations. Alcohol use is a major factor in marital disharmony, violent crime, chronic invalidity and road accidents. Illegal drug use is associated with poor social functioning and crime. Indirect drug problems are often experienced by the parents, spouse and children of the drug user. Major pathology can develop from tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. The above reference is taken from my research, learning, and experience. I currently hold the following qualifications: Diploma of Counselling and Communication 2006 Certificate in Nutrition 2008 Developmental Psychology - Diploma of Counselling 2009 Certificate IV in Counselling Skills 2009 Editor on "Native vegetation clearing" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/42#post-175 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:29:51 +0000 Editor 175@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ Native vegetation clearing became a taboo practice about 20 years ago. The Victorian bushfires have put it back on the agenda. The Victorian and South Australian Governments have accepted the Royal Commission recommendations to allow clearing around dwellings and to streamline approval processes elsewhere. What do readers think? Anonymous on "Does helping, help or hinder?" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/50#post-225 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:57:22 +0000 Anonymous 225@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ What is the use of counselling and psychotherapy? Sometimes I question the efficacy of both helping in general, and different approaches to helping people in distress. Many people are poor problem solvers at the best of times. Often when we are faced with a crisis, any problem-solving ability we may have tends to disappear when we need it most. There are lots of people in society who simply lack "life skills" to manage the problems of everyday living. Back to my opening question - Does helping people really help? Actually, yes it does work even though in many ways it is indirect, and results don't happen fast. The helping process can be an opportunity for a distressed person to be fundamentally part of the process. Helping is about problem management, and it is a useful opportunity for people to learn and develop effective skills. Being a better "decision maker", being responsible for decisions is a powerful tool to have. Everyone is deserving of opportunity, and to find one's way in life. To deny helping other people to help themselves is a missed opportunity to be equal and included in any society. Editor on "Genetically modified crops" http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/topic/47#post-204 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:45:05 +0000 Editor 204@http://www.borderwatch.com.au/talk/ There's an article in The Border Watch <a href="http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/4632">today</a> about chemical company Bayer wanting to extend a GM crops research trial in the South East. South Australia bars the commercial production of GM crops. In Victoria and NSW, commercial GM crops are allowed. What do you think?