The first verse of the Australian national anthem at times does not reflect the state of being:
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
“Advance Australia fair!”
A recent spate of violent incidents at the Sydney Mardi Gras has highlighted the use of excessive force by police.
Sydney teen in Mardi Gras ‘brutality’ video speaks out
In recent months, we’ve seen numerous cases of New South Wales (NSW) police misusing violent force, stifling investigation, and colluding to cover up their actions.
Here’s a sampling of recent events:
“NSW coroner calls police thuggish over Taser death”
“Lawyer slams police who tasered 14yo boy”
“Closing Ranks” An episode of 4 Corners: “The story of Adam Salter raises many questions, including the issue of how lethal force is used by police. But perhaps the most profound question it raises is: can the police be trusted to investigate themselves?”
NSW coroner calls police thuggish over Taser death NSW Coroner compared the police who tasered a Brazilian student 14 times to the schoolboy savages in Lord of the Flies but found no grounds for action against them.
theINFP 
Quite shameful and sad that a few thugs in uniform tarnish the professionals who make up the majority of the police force.
I believe this occurs in most countries – does not make it right, but we find thugs everwhere.
Thank you for your comment, I tend to switch off from the stuff that’s going on around me. I felt I needed to say something as my friends have been directly affected.
Makes me want to scream.
Me too!
Love the juxtaposition of the national anthem and the reality of police brutality, Robert. Let us put our energies towards the “fair.” {{{hugs]}} Kozo
Wise words, as always, thank you. {{{hugs}}} Robert
Reblogged this on Family Survival Protocol and commented:
“As long as our social order regards the good of institutions rather than the good of men, so long will there be a vocation for the rebel.”
~Richard Roberts
Solidarity with The People of Australia !
I think it’s so horrible that this happened – not only for the obvious reasons but also because Mardi Gras wouldn’t be able to happen each year if it wasn’t for the thousands of police men and women who protect the parade participants and the audience.
It just takes one idiot to ruin a lot of people’s hard work!
So, I would just like to say: Thank you to the rest of the men and women in blue who made the night the success that it was – it wouldn’t have happened without you.
And to those who provide compassionate community support and march in the parade, thank you for your comment
Welcome 🙂 I volunteered for the event (just for the fun of it) and we really do get it drilled into our heads that the police and security are there to help and the entire city and all of it’s emergency workers are on hand to oversee the safety of the event.
P.S I took a bunch of videos from the night (still uploading more but here’s a few: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTfujPK114nDROjjfFzKkQexE9gmJDhhG ) as well as photographs (go to my blog and click on FB) and should finish writing up the blog post this week if you’re interested!
As an ex Sydney sider, I am saddened to read this. But as a UK citizen now, I am even more distressed to note the complete lack of law and order over here, and the ‘impotence’ of the police as they are not armed, and not allowed to do anything to control riots or loutish behaviour. It leaves me feeling quite unsafe at times……
I apologise for not responding to your comment almost a year ago. The human World is truly a disturbing place. I will check out your blog to see you are going. Robert