mikkey

Can you provide any prove that locals caught with drugs are treated differently from westerners? Bet you can't. Locals get alos arrested and convicted - you might just not read about it. Big claims - no proof. Rubbish - utter rubbish. BTW millions of westerners visit Malaysia, Singapore and Bali every year. How many arrested for drugs? A couple of handful. Why that? I spend a lot of time in SEA countries - actually just been in Singapore. Always have a good time - I don't do or traffic drugs - so nothing to worry about. I think people in these countries can feel blessed being spared your visit... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Indonesian/Malysian/Singaporian laws are very similar. As the PM of Australia said, if you take drugs to these countries - well you are on your own. As for the initial post - utter and complete rubbish. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I provided a link to the study. If you have some point you want to make, do your own homework, and then be out with it. You have an obsession with the UK and try constantly to link this with your domestic gun debate in the US. Really can not understand why you do that. You have also several times been exposed of dodgy stats and claims regarding crime and violence in the UK and elsewhere. Maybe you should try to get out of the US and spend some time in the UK or Australia and see for you own eyes. In regard to this “study” – we have seen a lot of crap with these in the past. From my own experience staying in the UK a lot – I can only say that I always found it relatively save – e.g. more save in the inner city of London then in inner urban areas of the US – but always was careful in regard to Pubs and Clubs. Has to do with that some Brits like to drink quite heavily and there is a tendency for more “brawls” then I have seen in other places – but this is a completely subjective view. One thing that is important to remember is that there is a big difference between being punched by a drunken Brit and being shot. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Well, you might want to visit Australia then....(or read up on modern Australian society) --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

It was not just directed to you. John Rich for example constantly comments on other countries gun laws but has no idea. And in regard to you I just refer to the stuff you post in relation to the middle east. I find this weird. Firstly if anything can be "learned" from "gun free" countries - it would tend to support the pro gun control side of the argument - no matter how much the NRA and John Rich try to spin it. Secondly - I actually don't think that the situation in UK, Europe, Australia and NZ can be used in your gun debate for some of the following reason: 1) We don't have the same "history" and culture with guns 2) In modern times we never had the amount of guns in circulation you have - which means that increased restrictions are not faced with the same issues it would in the US. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

It would be nice if you guys would stick with your domestic gun debate. Firstly - you display very litlte knowledge about other countries and cultures and secondly - you will have to live with that most industrialised "western" countries have strict gun laws and that the overwhelming majority in these countries support these laws. And btw most of us don't give a rats ass if guns are legal or not in the US. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

What a load of rubbish. Try checking the crime stats in regard to how many times guns are used in crimes compared to other countries. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just a few points for you to think about: 1) Most people in the Middle East are Muslims. Actually most victims of terrorism in Iraq are Muslims. So... the statement: Most terrorists are Muslims is like saying most murderers in the US are Christians. 2) There was no terrorism in Iraq prior to the Invasion. Saddam is/was a bad MoFu - but was invading Iraq the right strategy? And don't tell me it's part of "the war on terror" - Iraq had very little to do with Al Qaeda - if that was the purpose the US should have invaded Saudi Arabia instead. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Agree, knowing the skydiving scene down here I don't think "abuse" would happen at a DZ here. It might be a attack somewhere not skydiving related (during a night out?). Very little help in your posts to find some info for you and might infer something sinister about the "scene" down here which probably is not justified. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

From your posts it is very clear that you a) have very limited knowledge and b) are using a mental autopilot run by your prejudices. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

You might want to post this in the general skydiving forum where more Ossies who come to this site might see it. Gives you a better chance of someone who might have info seeing it. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Well, hard to say. Imagine the US unifying with Mexico and having to pay to bring their infrastructure and economy up to US standards... the effort required in Germany would be similar in relative terms. You forgot about Denmark - very strong economy, low unemployment, high taxes, welfare state. Don't understand why its matter that these countries have small populations. They just show that you can gave "social democratic" / welfare societies that actually have good economies and are successful. Does not mean you have to like their system (I did not when I lived there) - but it illustrates that having a much more "social" system does not alway imply a bad economy and low living standards. The UK has also a good economy and has been run by a Labor goverment for many years. Well Australia can not be accused of being "socialist" but has many more social programs and greater public access to health care and eductaion then the US. We have a public health system not so different from Canada and we have cheap regulated prescription drugs. So.... you don't have to be a socialist country to have public health care system. Actually I would warn against calling the European systems for "socialist" in the "old" sense. Most of them are more "social democratic" third way type of societies. They have structural problems - but so has the US. I don't believe there are "ideal" systems. Every type of society has its advantages and its problems. What you prefer is up to you. But I would suggest to study the differences with an open mind - everybody can learn from each others experience... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

A very simplistic view. There are lots of reasons for the above, e.g. Germany got its economic spine broken by the cost of re-unification. Have a look at the economic data for the Scandinavian countries in Europe. They have excellent growth, surplus in trade (export more then they import), very high living standards, low unemployment, and are the most "socialist" countries in Europe. They spend the most on public health care and education and have very high taxes. So it is not that simple. You guys love the black and white view - just does not work.. I also don't get it, how you match above numbers with the health care system. The problems in above countries have other reasons (structual) then just the cost of health. I live in Australia which has a strong economy, a conservative government for about the last 10 years, and much less "socialism" then Europe. And guess what, we have a public health care system (with a private top-up option like most countries with mainly public system). These issues are quite complex and from my personal experience of living in a number of countries, I prefer a system with a strong public health care system (not like the US one) with an option to "top up" it wit private health insurance if you can aford it. PS: You might also think about the budget and trade deficits in the US. It is easy to achieve growth on the back of huge deficits in trade and budget, but it will come back to bite you... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

One of the myths perpetuated by the US administration. Many were not arrested “on the battlefield” or even in Afghanistan. Many were arrested in Pakistan and/or based on “intelligence” (tips). Not a nice scenario if you were taken due to mistaken identity or wrong intelligence and you sit and rot in Gitmo for 3 years without any rights….. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

You are assuming. Quite a few people have been picked up who were proven to be completely innocent. There was actually a documented case where an innocent Afghani who was arrested after a "tip" was tortured to death by Americans in a detention facility in Afghanistan. I have no doubt that Hicks actually did wrong, but that does not mean that he has no right to a trial and a fair trial. Seems he is not getting it and this is wrong if you believe in due process and the rule of law.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just shows that you have no respect for due process. A) Read the part of the article wher military prosecutors thought the case againts him (what he was charged with) was "half-arsed". B) The fact that the boss of the prosecutors told them not to worry about evidence, as the tribunal would be stacked to ensure conviction no matter what. Great system. Now, Hicks is a mercenary and was in Bosnia etc. and he was caught in Afghanistan. I have no sympathy for him. However, it seems like he is a "small fish" and they are struggeling to charge him with serious crimes so they are rigging the system instead. I am not supporting Hicks, I am supporting the principle of due process and a fair trial. Holding people without rights for years and years and then rigging a trial to make sure they get convicted... not the type of society I belive in. Sounds more like Iran or North Korea.... comprende? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Well, yes the issue of years and years of detention without trial reminds one of SA under Apartheid. The new issue - that the court is rigged and the evidence so weak that even military prosecutors are upset... well that is more the tradition of Joseph Stalin. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I read this in the local media down here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/war-on-terror/hicks-facing-rigged-trial-say-exprosecutors/2005/08/01/1122748579667.html I find this amazing. So it is OK to have kangaroo courts like in the Soviet Union because there is a “war on terror”. Remind me what we are supposed fight for? Democracy and the rule of law??? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

And I can confirm that both Crocodile and Snake tastes a little like chicken... and I am not an American. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

It is true that in countries with mainly public health service there are "waiting lists" due to bottle neck issues. However, if you top up with private health insurance you can cut the waiting line using a private hospital. Now, what is the situation for somebody without private health insurance in the US? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Let me be clear, my personal position is to NOT want public healthcare. I'm only commenting that private insurance is steadily looking worse in terms of administration of claims (likely due to restrictive policies by the government and some level of showmanship by the companies themselve to maximize profit). Which is a given in my mind for public health care from the get go - public will be the same, likely worse from the start and worsen from there. In addition, I'd predict public would also be more expensive for everyone (except congressmen), and much lower quality (except congressmen). A democracy is only successful until the people start thinking they can vote themselves rich. That's the start of a corrupt form of socialism. I was just making the point that whatever type of public healthcare you have in the States might be screwed, but there are countries who have public health care systems (with a private component for those who wish) where it works quite well and the total cost as % of GDP is lower. Not saying that the US shoudl go down that road, but it could be useful to study the experience other sytems provide. From what I read (and my knowledge of the US system is very limited) it seems that your system as such is not working too well (?).... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just in regard to healthcare. Public health care can work reasonable well. I lived under "medicare" public health care systems in both Europe and here down under. You pay a contribution via your taxes (automatically) and you have the option to "top up" with private health insurance to cover "extras" like dental, physio, chiro etc. etc. and use private hospitals. These system I lived under work quite well ensuring everybody has a reasonable access to free health care. Also the process of just flashing/swiping your medicare card and presto makes the process easier too. Works for me. I remember reading an article that the US health care system is more expensive then the "medicare" public ones. Iif I remember right this amongst other caused by the cost of red tape and administration. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

well, I had a look. The guy is clearly a nut case and why would a news station spend time on him? What do you think Fox' real agenda is by putting this guy on? Have a think.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Sucks big time. Just heard from my sister in law who arrived in London yesterday. Lucky they were still doing breakfast before taking the tube for sightseeing.... Going myself for a visit next month..... hmmm.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Well, I have been doing a little research what other countries are doing: ------------------------------------------------------------ Judges on Australian courts, whether Federal or State, are appointed by the government of the day. While it is true that there has been no concerted or sustained campaign to change the manner in which judges are chosen, it is also true that in recent years there has been some level of dissatisfaction with the way in which judges are chosen and there have been calls for reform to the appointment process. High Court judges are appointed by the Governor-General in Council; other judges by the Governor in Council. In reality of course, the appointments are made by the Federal and State ministries on the recommendation of the Federal and State Attorneys-General. The process of appointing judges to the High Court of Australia is not unique. Indeed, appointment to the superior courts in each of the Australian States and Territories, in Great Britain, Canada and New Zealand is by the government of the day. Further, 'in most jurisdictions where judges are appointed by the Executive, no clear standardised procedures exist beyond statutory requirements of professional qualifications. ----------------------------------------------------------- So in above countries its is clearly the government in power who appoints judges to High/Supreme Court – however those appointments seem far less shrouded in controversy. It might have to do with that the US Supreme Court is more “hands on” /influential on day to day politics? South Africa has a very different system: ------------------------------------------------------------ South Africa has adopted a different model in relation to appointments to its courts, including to the South African Constitutional Court. The South African Constitutional Court consists of a President, a Deputy President and 9 other judges. The President of South Africa appoints the President and Deputy President of the Constitutional Court 'after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of the parties represented in the National Assembly. The South African President also appoints the other judges of the Constitutional Court after consulting the President of the Court and the leaders of the parties represented in the National Assembly. The following procedure must be followed: a. The Judicial Service Commission must prepare a list of nominees with three names more than the number of appointments to be made, and submit the list to the President. b. The President may make appointments from the list, and must advise the Judicial Service Commission, with reasons, if any of the nominees are unacceptable and any appointment remains to be made. c. The Judicial Service Commission must supplement the list with further nominees and the President must make the remaining appointments from the supplemented list. The Judicial Service Commission consists of 23 members as follows: ; three senior judges, including the President of the Constitutional Court ; the Justice Minister ; two barristers, nominated by the Bar ; two solicitors, nominated by the profession ; a legal academic designated by university teachers of law ; six members of the National Assembly (three of whom must be members of the Opposition) ; four permanent delegates of the National Council of Provinces, and ; four persons designated by the President following consultation with leaders of all political parties in the National Assembly. The Judicial Service Commission may determine its own procedures. For example, it conducts interviews with potential candidates for judicial office in public and indeed transcripts of interview are published on the Internet. ------------------------------------------------------- The German system: Das Bundesverfassungsgericht besteht aus sechzehn Richterinnen und Richtern. Die eine Hälfte wählt der Bundestag, die andere der Bundesrat, jeweils mit Zweidrittelmehrheit. Die Amtszeit beträgt zwölf Jahre. Eine Wiederwahl ist ausgeschlossen. Das Gericht entscheidet durch einen Senat oder eine Kammer. Translation: The Constitutional Court consists of 16 judges. Half is elected by the Bundestag (one chamber of Parliament comparable to the Congress) and the other half by the Bundesrat (second Chamber representing the States – comparable to the Senate). The judges can only serve for a maximum of 12 years and not be re-elected. The judges have to be elected by 2/3 rd majority. --------------------------------------------------------- So the process is not apoltical anywhere. However I find there is merit in the more consultative process in South Africa and especially I also like the German system: 1) Limiting the tenure to 12 years prevents some stubborn senile guys to remain on the supreme court beyond his/hers capacity to fulfill the role. 2) Splitting the appointments between the 2 chambers of parliament is not a bad idea 3) I like especially the rule of 2/3 majority for electeion/confirmation. This way you ensure the parties have to compromise and the nominees will not be too political / extremist. I like that. Cheers --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.