Civil liberties, disability and mental health

[Tannin]

[eddiesmith]

It was interesting to hear the Police bloke today actually spoke some sense, instead of the usual crap from Deputy Commissioner Wiggum that we had been getting.

But too often Police have been scared to use their cars to ram other vehicles, but now they feel inclined to run people over.

But the bloke who stomped on his head won't be a police officer for very long you wouldn't think and would be lucky to stay a free man.

[think positive]

Of course I’m inclined to disagree with the suggestion of mandatory imprisonment for drug-related offences.

Sorry, that's not what I meant to suggest at all. I'm talking prison for bad crimes (basically any crime involving significant violence, and selected other crimes of similar gravity), and no discount because you were out of your brain on drugs. Like this ...

"Your Worship, I'm sorry. I wasn't bad, it wasn't my fault, it was the ice I was on that made me do it."

"Prisoner, I don't give a damn if you were hitting up drain cleaner at the time. Or 100% clean. You did what you did and for that the penalty is such-and-such. Drugs or no drugs. Your actions, your responsibility."

Simply using drugs shouldn't be a crime at all. Do what you damn well like in the privacy of your own home, and with due care for the rights of others, notably children. It's your body, if you want to wreck it, that's your right. (Note that this does not allow you to endanger others by, e.g., driving while drunk.)

It's all about requiring people to take responsibility for their own actions. And equally, about helping people, working WITH people to avoid crime in the first place. Carrot and stick. Both are needed.

yes yes yes, braVO,

there is a big difference between self inflicted mental illness, ie alcoholism should be no excuse for mounting a footpath with a 2 tone battering ram and mowing down a bunch of innocents, or even criminals for that matter, and someone who was sadly born with, or developed a mental deficit.

and even so, bipolar is NO EXCUSE for raping, killing, or child abuse.

[David]

[K]

[K]

It was interesting to hear the Police bloke today actually spoke some sense...

But too often Police have been scared to use their cars to ram other vehicles, but now they feel inclined to run people over.

But the bloke who stomped on his head won't be a police officer for very long you wouldn't think and would be lucky to stay a free man.

Police bloke (assume it's the same one) called the mowing down by car "concerning". The rammer has been banned from driving a police vehicle for now. (Presumably that means he has not been stood down with full pay.)

As for "inclined to run people over", maybe they are more inclined for some people than for others.

[Pies4shaw]

Yes, they didn’t run down the stupid anti-lockdown protesters when they had the chance last week. It does seem a bit selective.

[K]

I'm still shocked by the front-page pic of an anti-lockdown protester punching a very small- and young-looking police officer.

Maybe, for their own safety, people with mental health issues should tell police they are anti-lockdown protesters.

................................

Meanwhile, Channel 9 asked the two involved hospitals/health services for comment. One did not respond. The other pointed them to some website that (in Channel 9's opinion) did not have relevance to the issue.

[K]

...
I'm highly critical of the hospital staff too... Why call police? Did health workers think they had him under arrest and he was an escaping prisoner? That sort of attitude is part of the problem. They should not have the power to infringe his civil liberties like that.
....

Nine reports: "The Northern Hospital phoned Victoria Police out of concern for Tim's welfare."


Well, that worked out well, didn't it? "We are mowing you down with our car out of our concern for your welfare."

[K]

Disability care watchdog has issued just one fine despite 8000 complaints

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/fede ... 55w7q.html

"The scandal-plagued disability sector will get $22 billion from the federal government this financial year, but an independent review found the system left vulnerable people open to harm and neglect.

... the solitary $12,000 fine was handed to now-banned provider Integrity Care after its client Ann Marie Smith died in "appalling circumstances" earlier this year.

The South Australian woman, 54, died on April 6 from severe septic shock, organ failure, severe pressure sores, malnutrition and issues connected with her cerebral palsy."


[Does this mean a disabled person's life is valued at $12,000??]

[Tannin]

^ Only if her death gets on national TV.

Ordinary disabled people's lives are worth $4.20. $2.50 if you buy more than three at a time.

[roar]

I'm talking prison for bad crimes (basically any crime involving significant violence, and selected other crimes of similar gravity), and no discount because you were out of your brain on drugs. Like this ...

"Your Worship, I'm sorry. I wasn't bad, it wasn't my fault, it was the ice I was on that made me do it."

"Prisoner, I don't give a damn if you were hitting up drain cleaner at the time. Or 100% clean. You did what you did and for that the penalty is such-and-such. Drugs or no drugs. Your actions, your responsibility."

Simply using drugs shouldn't be a crime at all. Do what you damn well like in the privacy of your own home, and with due care for the rights of others, notably children. It's your body, if you want to wreck it, that's your right. (Note that this does not allow you to endanger others by, e.g., driving while drunk.)

It's all about requiring people to take responsibility for their own actions. And equally, about helping people, working WITH people to avoid crime in the first place. Carrot and stick. Both are needed.

I couldn't agree more, and am constantly annoyed that such a simple, common-sense approach isn't used. Once again, I blame the magistrates for allowing these excuses.

[stui magpie]

^

It should be common sense. If you get caught driving while drunk, or if you hit someone you don't get off by claiming your judgement was impaired by alcohol, it was the alcohol's fault not mine, same should apply for drugs.

You drank the booze, you took the drugs, you get sentenced according to the crime.

[Pies4shaw]

https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/p ... actors.pdf

[eddiesmith]

Yes, they didn’t run down the stupid anti-lockdown protesters when they had the chance last week. It does seem a bit selective.

Not sure police vehicles driving through QVM would be a good look...