Life's A Beach

Friday, December 16, 2005 is an extremely sad day in Australian life.

Those south of the border, down New South Wales way, people have been told to stay away from the beach this weekend.

PEOPLE are being urged to stay away from beaches in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast at the weekend after police received credible threats of gang violence and riots.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma said police had received intelligence from the public indicating gangs would target Cronulla, Sydney's eastern beaches, Wollongong, Newcastle, and some Central Coast beaches this weekend.

It's an obscenity. Most Australians consider a day at the beach one of the many blessings of living in this country - especially since 85% of us live within 50 kilometres of the sea.

Everyone has the right to enjoy the surf and sand free of harassment.

Cops have a right to do their job to the best of their ability with the respect due to them as officers of the law, as representatives of law-abiding people.

We, Aussies are quite laid-back, we put up with a lot with little complaint (okay some complaint) and little action.

This needs to change is we are to continue enjoying the successful multiracial diversity which is one of Australia's best attributes.

We can all play a role today by demanding more of our elected representatives, by demonstrating our support for police to apply the rule of law for everyone, by holding these so-called leaders to account for tacit support for violence and anarchy perpetuated by their 'community'.

I recommend that, regardless of where we live, that we undertake the following peaceful civil action:

1. Write to each member of Parliament in NSW and tell them that we don't want new laws, we want the adequate enforcement of existing laws applied equally to everyone. Tell the politician that you expect a response and if the response if not forthcoming or is inadequate that they will be punished at the ballot box.

2. Write to the Chief Magistrate of NSW Patricia Staunton to tell her that you don't appreciate revolving door bail procedure for recidivists, nor do you appreciate her magistrates breaking the law and undermining police. Tell her that you expect offending court officers be removed immediately and if she doesn't agree, write to the Attorney General and lobby to have her removed.
If you can't make it to the beach tomorrow and all of this civil minded duty is making you thirsty, join Nick and I for cocktails:

A Day At The Beach
1 1/2 oz light rum
1 1/2 oz coconut rum
3 oz pineapple juice
a dash of grenadine & ice.
Pour both rums in a glass over ice, add pineapple juice and dash of grendine, stir and serve. Add garnish of pineapple if desired.

-- Nora

JF Beck has a great round-up here