Sydney has joined many of the great cities in the world in having police on patrols armed with assault rifles.
The Colt M4 that will be issued to 100 officers from the NSW Public Order and Riot Squads is a combat weapon, with an effective range of 600m, firing up to 800 rounds per minute. Standard magazines hold 15 rounds.
At major sporting and cultural events, at railway stations, at places where people congregate en masse, the people of Sydney will soon become accustomed to the presence of heavily armed police.
The situation is similar to that throughout Europe, and Australian tourists have become accustomed to seeing armed troops and police on the streets.
There are arguments against, of course. The Metropolitan Police Service in London, once a group of baton twirling bobbies, armed with whistles who, when encountering a ne’er-do-well were obliged to say, “Stop or I’ll be forced to say stop again.” Now, of course, many are heavily armed with automatic long-arm weapons on patrols of London streets.
The detractors say this has not stopped terrorist events, but this is a failure to appreciate the extent of the terror threat facing the world and how to respond to it.
Full column here.
Strange, Jack. Wandering the back streets of Paris recently I came across squads of about 6 heavily armed blokes here and there, camo uniform, flak jackets, machine guns at the ready sort of thing, and yet strolling along the rather vulnerable (one would have thought) banks iwf the Seine. not a cop in sight!!
Do you speak French Boadicea, helps a lot when there hence my battle some years back. Cheers.
Yeah I do speak French, HB. But I just gave these guys a polite ”bonjour” and went on my way!! They were very intense!
I am resolved to learn some Spanish now – I would love to walk the entire Camino – all 800kms. But I think a bit of Spanish would be helpful for that mission!
Lesson one: Cerveza!
Hola
That was the only word I learnt! IT was useful though!
Could be worse. I’ve been trying to remember the small amount of Russian I learned 30 years ago.
Ha! Toro!
Don’t want to freak the tourists.
You’d have be insane to go swimming there. (Adapted from Irma La Douce)
Give ’em heaps.
Hehe – nice one JB
https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/spanish-for-gringos-level-1-by-william-c-harvey-m-s-9781438075297/#.WT3gt2iGN3g
Starts by telling you all the Spanish words you already know. Bueno!
Got a good app on my phone called Memrise. I’ll give it a go
I grew up in New Zealand where only special duties police were armed. After 28 years here I am still uncomfortable with the sight of police with shooters strapped to their belts. I think that the increase in the number of police with assault rifles is a necessary evil but it ain’t going to make me feel relaxed and comfortable.
Actually I think I would feel a lot more comfortable, UQ. That’s the world we now live in I’m afraid.
Nor me UQ.
I have to say I hate guns, period, but police armed with loaded assault rifles on the streets in this country right now? What will that achieve aside from frightening the general public and very possibly inciting a radicalised terrorist to strike a nation living in a rising state of fear.
If we pulled all our military out of the Middle East & immediately ceased
dropping bombs on thousands of innocent civilians & incarcerated all those loony jihadists on the watch-list, we surely would reduce the threat our government seems hell-bent on reminding us of every waking minute. Over-kill will just up the ante.
Lastly, we’ve all got the freedom to choose to go about our lives in peace as we always have without fear.
If we can’t, then they’ve already succeeded.
Mind you Bella it is very important to keep the masses in fear, we’ll be constantly bombarded with the terrorist threat from now on. In the coming years it will be crucial to have in place draconian measures and a powerful police force to deal with a furious and rebellious population finally realising they have been shafted by the elites who will survive much longer, perhaps indefinitely after most of humanity perishes from starvation.
Prior to that even those further up the totem pole will be infuriated as economic systems collapse and the value of their assets and security evaporate.
The CIA was quite aware of this way back in the eighties when they proposed that climate change was the far greater threat to a stable world.
It wont be many years before inflammatory words like these will be judged to be “terrorism” and punished severely.
Revel in free speech while you can, it’s time is limited.
So! Whop it up ’em. Make ’em take it.
Oh ffs JB, you keep doing a rerun of Soylent Green. And it was in the Seventies, not the Eighties the CIA knew the plot was on.
We’ve now gotten through the noughties, and nearly through the onesies. How’s your Edward G Robinson impersonation coming along?
Your ability to avoid facing reality by wandering off into a bizarre non sequitur is without equal. Hollywood has a lot to answer for, you remind me off Chauncey Gardner trying to alter his environment with a remote control.
http://www.newsweek.com/hundreds-craters-methane-explosions-seafloor-arctic-norway-russia-619068
Keeping the masses in fear with draconian measures in the coming years you say JB?
No need, your climate alarmists are doing that already with pretty pics of water vapour billowing from chimney stacks me old mate.
If the people were in fear of AGW as they should be, they’d be demonstrating it on the streets.
They are more concerned with the possibility that Jaylene Halfbrain and Roger Snotbox will be eliminated from “Cooking With The Celebrity Idiot”.
Theres a reason for that. People like you!
But lets not fall out over this darling Carl. Let us pray together.
Our Sugar Daddy who art in heaven ,
Mammon be thy name,
Give us our daily dividends,
Until we die,
And f**k the rest.
“If the people were in fear of AGW as they should be, they’d be demonstrating it on the streets” you say JB?
You suggesting hordes of lowbrows taking to our parks and thoroughfares, mindlessly chanting ‘wadda we want?’ while their similarly opinionated climate alarmists drive by in their gas guzzling SUVs?
I think you been watching too much TV.
Let’s face it me old mate, the mob are losing interest.
The “mob” as you dismissively call them are not losing interest, as much as you would wish it be so. They are not as properly informed as they should be in a rational world, but when they do take to the streets you had better keep a low profile. They wont be chanting, they will be crazed with fury, frustration and starvation. I don’t think they will be making much of a distinction between “thick as two bricks” and “deliberately obfuscating.”
http://www.newsweek.com/2014/07/04/how-media-fails-cover-climate-science-256311.html
http://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/planetary-meltdown-from-formerly-frozen-methane-if-you-are-not-alarmed-you-should-be/
“They are not as properly informed as they should be in a rational world” you say JB?
So, the impact of the ‘hot air’ from the messengers is now more important than the alleged effect of the dubious hot air from the chimney stacks.
A curious turn of events indeed. As I said before, the mob has worked it out me old mate.
Carl, that was one of your silliest in a long line of silly posts. You are simply expressing what you hope is true. You are the most magical of magical thinkers.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/greenland-ice-sheet-early-melt-melting-april-record-climate-change-warm-a6984136.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/opinion/climate-change-in-trumps-age-of-ignorance.html?_r=0
Best wishes from your old mate JB, and do stay in touch. You are quite useful.
If only these lone wolf nutters felt the same way, Bella. Sadly, it appears not. I’ll go for the armed guards any day.
Yvonne, just stay within your fearful four walls. The majority of people Do NOT want or believe armed personnel on streets is an improvement. Talk about siege mentality. You have already ceded to the crazies of all varieties.
Well UQ just as well you don’t live in Texas.
https://www.google.com.au/#q=open+carry+texas+images&spf=1497056053971
I think Sid Vicious said it right in the Sex Pistols only gig in Texas – You cowboys are just a bunch of faggots…
Yeehaaah ! Made my day UQ!
No particular reason……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePQ9_re7f1A
As someone who used to go about armed, it’s not an issue for me. When I was home last year I was surprised (but shouldn’t have been) at the number of my family members carrying.
And that’s necessary because????
One brother is a retired cop. One of my nephews is active Special Forces. The rest just need the Second Amendment.
The rest just need the second amendment. So they are fearful, paranoid, insecure , exhibitionist, or all of the above?
Inferiority complex.
My last Christmas shopping expedition to Oxford street (87) before I came out here, military with various pieces of hardware and as usual no bins. We were used to the no bins and I can’t remember batting an eyelid over the military, we weren’t long past the Remembrance Day bombing in NI so I guess the authorities thought we were in for another round from the IRA.
What a to do in the UK, Conservatives creaming the SNP in Scotland, thought the Scots would rather have teeth pulled and tiny majorities in some constituencies, may (scuse pun) be another Con/Lib dem partnership.
It’s lovely chaos, Tracy. I can’t see how a government could be formed or why anyone would want to under the current circumstances. I think they’ll be back at the polls before the year is out.
Rather ironic Corbyn calling for May’s resignation, this is the same bloke that had his bum firmly welded to the opposition bench when his own party wanted him gone.
My son said the Corbyn “victory” reminded him of the Shorten “victory” it saved their proverbial arse to fight another day, especially as their nearest and dearest parliamentary colleagues can’t get rid of them without a hell of a kerfuffle
May has continuously run rings around him in parliament, but he was better on the campaign trail, all the same the electorate has dodged a bullet I’m surprised they even contemplated.
Seems like she will stay on and battle along with minority govt. I can’t see it lasting and gee, there will be some knives out for her. Lynton Crosby also copping a pasting. Labour had a very good ground game, Corbyn was not much better than mediocre but May, well, there are no words for how badly she has performed.
Having a few with the mates and we think the word is – Clintonesque. That was from a Scottish gent after about 6 whiskeys. At least, I think that’s what he said.
But she’s not conceding that, Jack. Tough old duck. Maybe that’s what they need. Be interesting to see who puts their hand up. The Brexit stuff will be even tougher now they know they’re dealing with a weakened Britain.
If you going to be dumb you gotta be tough.
Lynton Crosby…or should that be Sir Lynton Crosby deserves copping a pasting. I had dealings with him during the Shane Stone era of NT Government and to say I was unimpressed with him and his dodgy political tactics would be an understatement
Wonder if those oracles gave May the same advice; “the base doesn’t matter”?
“The UKIP vote has collapsed and you’ll get it ALL.”
Fancy, the old Rebels Human Resources Dept as world’s best practice. But stealing his bike (consider it an application fee) is just plain naughty.
Business as usual Milton
Hard to become a member of a bike club when you don’t have a bike anymore. Good sense of humour those guys, scallywags to the end, haw haw, and practical.
Not hard if you have a lot of money and not much sense I reckon.
Welcome to Northern Ireland eh! Oh well, it only takes one prick to burst your bubble and your innocence is gone. Innocence will get you killed in acivil war. Innocence is overrated.
Only surprised this took so long. Are police permitted to carry their weapons while off duty? (I’m asking about their sidearms here). If not perhaps they should be required to carry them but out of sight. My suggestion would be to arm JPs with concealable weapons so we have a larger armed presence, and it is out of sight. Your suggestion of locking up anyone on a terror watch list is excellent. I can’t see why we haven’t looked at that already.
Off duty, no.
Years ago, I went out with a policeman who came around for dinner one night and he was supposedly off-duty. He dropped his loaded gun….no let me rephrase that, he placed a gun that had been in a holster on his hip, on the table. When I asked if it was loaded, he assured me it was, but that I had nothing to worry about…ho,ho,ho. I stopped seeing him shortly after that, it gave me the heebie jeebies.
An empty gun is just a hammer.
And a gun toter that pulls a stunt like that is just a wanker.
I know a couple of JPs. No thanks. Also means there’d be a gun at every chemist maybe? Or we could all carry them like in Texas. Yee haa. Works well most of the time, as long as we all go to church too. And don’t mind the odd toddler shooting their mom.
Of no consequence but a mild disagreement happening around the coffee table today. Is it more correct English to refer to the term “Prince Harry” as an oxymoron or a misnomer? Anyone? Less polite suggestions should be kept to ones selves.
Just an over-privileged moron will do.
I think Harry is the most human of the lot of them. Rather hunky – although his thing with the movie starlet a bit off-putting.
Quite so! Could be a lack of proper inbreeding do you think?
Oh, JB!
Ahh in every woman there is a little girl who dreams of being rescued by the handsome prince on his shiny white charger and whisked away to the fairy tale castle to live happily ever after.
B. If his name was not Windsor he would be a very junior army officer.
JS……not in this woman. Mind you if Prince William (who s now going bald I note) or Prince Henry/Harry had been around in my day it might have been different. All we had was Prince Charles….one could hardly call him handsome or even mildly interesting and attractive.
One couldn’t compete with the delightfully charming Camilla anyway.
True, JS!
Neither is correct, Jean and I’m not sure that what you mentioned is technically a ‘term’. Was there anyone else besides you at the table?
Seven, but technically not all beside me. If you are not sure if it is a term technically , arguably it is depending on provenance , perhaps you could find out for me?
What is correct then, technically, Milton?
I wasn’t paying much attention myself but I assume the disagreement was around the idea that his name is Henry and not Harry. I cant think of any other reason for such coarse amused and energetic speculation. I am ashamed of my friends sometimes.
Hardly proper for a Prince to be so misnomed by the seething unwashed masses tho is it? Has there been a King Harold since the Battle of Hastings?
I have dug up a little research material which does not seem to give a clue but here it is for your perusal.
You might notice something I have overlooked?
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=prince+harry+compared+to+james+hewitt&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwii1Ork5rHUAhVTPrwKHTnNAFYQsAQIIw&biw=1314&bih=598
Best wishes,
And give them peasants heaps.
Out of the whole privileged bunch I actually like Harry JB he comes across as pretty grounded considering. The guy is the public face of important charities like the Invictus Games & seems like a regular human being, more to his credit. I also like that he lets loose far more than his brother cos he won’t ever have to worry about being a king.
Cheers, Bella
Agreed, as per my reply to Boady.
Theoretically, and it is my sincere wish, he could become King.
Give ’em heaps.
Need to keep a close watch on the criteria for placing someone on the watch list if it means mandatory and possibly indefinite slammer time.
There is no national list, only groups that are being investigated or watched at some level by state, fed and intelligence levels. What info is shared is the big issue.
Absolutely, co-ordination.
Good read btw, especially Monis getting the flick from the bikies. They must have been bitterly disappointed and betrayed to discover he didn’t have any money after representing himself as a promising prospect. Having his bike nicked wouldn’t have helped his mental state either.
Wanna see how much google knows about you when you’re signed in? https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity
And that’s just the stuff they tell you! Imagine aht the govt get access to
Liked your turn of phrase “the Rebels don’t “do” law enforcement” in the over the wall version!
If the Rebels OMCG don’t “do” law enforcement, I would assume they don’t do much in the way of co-operation either. Seems they made an exception with Monis or Monis reported exactly how the theft went down to the cops. Either way law enforcement had to be well aware he was a loose cannon long before the siege.
No, Bella. True to form they declined to cooperate but provided an account through an intermediary. As for the stolen bike, they knew nothing, of course.
Sadly, Mr Insider, we must accept this change to protect our Society although equally as sadly the Terrorists will most likely find a way around this new order of seeing armed Police etc on our streets, however imho sure beats doing nothing. Interestingly you say the Colt M4 can fire 800 rounds a minute yet the standard magazine holds only 15 rounds? A mere “blip” and you would be out of ammo surely?
The Colt M4 Carbine specs. What a weapon had never even heard of it Mr Insider till I read your blog.
http://tinyurl.com/ydbzkc9c
Henry, google LaRue OBR (Optimized Battle Rifle). Nephew bought himself one as a graduation present from sniper school.
Goodness Dwight I do live a sheltered life. Cheers
Geez things are crook when a sniper has to buy his own rifle.
It’s a “select fire” weapon mostly. Single shot, a three-shot burst, or “rock and roll”.
I gather “rock and roll” translates into meaning it fires every bullet until the magazine is empty?
Why would civilians need that kind of gun Dwight?
Just asking the question….
Bella, civilians can’t get that kind of weapon. If you drop by your local gunshop they only sell the one trigger pull, one bullet models, i.e., semi-auto. And a 5.56 is just a fast .22 caliber.
Full autos have been banned since 1934.
Thank-you Dwight & good.
Don’t imagine I’d ever be dropping by a gun shop though.
The only great thing Howard did as PM was the changes to gun laws in Australia after the Port Arthur tragedy. Thankfully. Can’t see the United ‘From My Cold Dead Hands’ States waking up anytime soon even after that guy murdered the kids at the Elementary school.
Bella
Right Dwight! My gun dealer just plain refused to sell me a 4000 rounds per minute minigun. And I’m itching to shoot a car!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQnU1t7UzgM
And I don’t just want to just shoot a car, I want to really shoot a car.
I believe there’s a place in Vegas that can help you with that JB.
Looks like theres any number of places I can shoot a car with a machine gun Dwight. Aren’t they supposed to banned or something?