Things that make you go.......WTF?

[David]

Tannin and P4S, the thing that confuses me is that most election advertising that I recall from over the years has used rivals' likenesses and names whenever possible (not just photos, but filmed footage). Like, for instance, Labor's anti-Abbott ads this year and the Liberal ads featuring Kevin Rudd. Or, at the Queensland State Election, Katter's creepy, homophobic anti-Newman ad. If the Tasmanian law is indeed reflected federally, then I can only presume that those ads were screened before writs were issues. But it's a fine distinction, no? If manipulation of the public is the issue, why allow political parties to do this at all?

(By the way, the law seems to encompass use of names, too, so the stuff about the manipulative power of photography is more or less irrelevant here.)

Personally, I'm quite happy with, say, protestors holding placards with anti-Abbott slogans at rallies and I'd hate to think that a law like this would criminalise that (it would seem to be a rather significant blow to freedom of speech). Clearly that hasn't happened, though, so this law must only ever be applied in very specific circumstances.

Lest it be unclear, Lambie's "political prisoner" complaint is ridiculous and I have less sympathy for the Palmer brigade than most. But it's the law itself I'm puzzled by here.

[1061]

It is well known here in Thailand that if you want to sell your passport it can be done and then front up to the consulate with a Police report to get a new one. Backpackers do it all the time. I think this little scam will be met with some serious scrutiny in the future.

People wonder why we view some other countries with contempt and would prefer they never immigrate here in any major numbers. This kind of culture is why there is such a gap between 1st and 3rd world countries.

Eh?? The perpertrators selling them are usually from 1st world countries. You seriously don't think anyone would want to escape to a third world country. 60,000 passports were reported stolen last year in Thailand alone. Not surprisingly the highest places were Kao san Road and Phuket, the backpacker hot spots.You are supposed to carry your passport at all times which is of course impractical. I have a laminated reduced copy in my wallet and only take it out if I really need it and then return it safe and sound as soon as I can.

According to the BBC Asia I am watching the idea is to go through a few countries and end up in your country of choice without going through immigration, ie stay in transit. Throw away the stolen passport and claim asylum.

Today I went to open a Thai bank account to enable me to pay the rent fromAustralia and they nearly didn't get it because my passport is nearly 10 years old and the clerk didn't like the photo. I dare say this unfortunate incident will cause more diligence, for a few weeks anyway.

OK try to actually READ what I type not what you want too read.

The system in THAILAND allows this to happen, the backpackers who are usually broke anyways use the system to make cash. This system is not available in 1st world Countries because we have higher standards.
As you say yourself they will tighten up for a FEW WEEKS while over in the 1st world we still hold the security values we changed after 9/11 13 years later ..... 1st world >>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3rd world.

[David]

People wonder why we view some other countries with contempt and would prefer they never immigrate here in any major numbers. This kind of culture is why there is such a gap between 1st and 3rd world countries.

Christ almighty, did you actually write this? I don't even know where to start...

Perhaps first up it's worth pointing out that stuff like this is far more likely to be a symptom of poverty than a cause. As for viewing other countries with contempt, speak for yourself!

[HAL]

Can you remember any time that [quote1061]People wonder why we view some other countries with contempt and would prefer they did it?

[think positive]

[ronrat]

People wonder why we view some other countries with contempt and would prefer they never immigrate here in any major numbers. This kind of culture is why there is such a gap between 1st and 3rd world countries.

Christ almighty, did you actually write this? I don't even know where to start...

Perhaps first up it's worth pointing out that stuff like this is far more likely to be a symptom of poverty than a cause. As for viewing other countries with contempt, speak for yourself!

%$^ me. A backpacker from say Italy is on a gap year and having a great time. He is running out of money. So he sells his passport to say an Iranian in a backpacker area. This gives him enough cash for 3 or 4 weeks and gets his flight changed . Goes to the police station and fills out a report saying his passport was stolen. Police report it, give him a copy and he goes TO HIS NATIONAL EMBASSY and requests a new one. What has thius got to do 3rd world countries, or poverty for that matter. In this case it has nothing to do with the Thais. Or are you saying that backpackers should be barred from migrating.

[David]

Me? I'm not saying anything, other than the fact that I'm astounded by another poster's prejudice.

[Lazza]

Me? I'm not saying anything, other than the fact that I'm astounded by another poster's prejudice.

I have posted here since 2003. The bigotry and prejudice often displayed here by SOME posters does not surprise me at all.... Has always happened.

[1061]

[stui magpie]

^

Well, Joffa doesn't drink and the beer cups at AFL only come in one size.

[ronrat]

Ok, Reality TV has reached a new low. In Thailand at least. The Dance fatoff. Obese contestants are paired with a professional good looking dancer and randomly selected to do a dance routine in garish costumes. Although when selected they we are shown then scoffing down food at a canteen and they do some sort of interview. Then in front of an ausdience and judges they poorly dance and are judged and given a score which is added to the amount of weight they lost during rehearsal and the dance itself. Although the Australian Network is showing the Tassie and SA election borefests.

[Tannin]

Um ... which one was the new low?

[think positive]

Did the amazing race Melbourne today

Have you ever tried to eat wheat bix dry? We had to eat two with no water.

Man that's hard to do!

[ronrat]

[quote="Tannin"]Um ... which one was the new low?[/quote}

I was going to say the SA election but s couple of people stood out as outstanding candisates. The ALP member for the McLaren Vale area was one.Seems a very genuine person. The tassie one was only interesting for the greens Cassie and the libs Senator Abetz having potshots at each other all night . Neither seemed to have a grasp of reality. Lara Giddings speech was pretty good too. Maybe we need a few of these people in Canberra.
But definitely the jelly belly Thai girl doing the splits whilst lying down was pretty ordinary. She could hardly lift her leg.

[David]

Did the amazing race Melbourne today

Have you ever tried to eat wheat bix dry? We had to eat two with no water.

Man that's hard to do!

I have! Not exactly my preference, but I can get them down easily enough.

On an unrelated note, I find it disturbingly easy to go through an entire pack of water crackers in one go...

RR, can't possibly be worse than what gets shown on commercial TV here!