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July 1, 2008
Australians must be some of the most disgusting, untrustworthy people around.
We're a nation of booze soaked binge drinkers, wobbling around the streets in the wee hours guzzling our alcopops like there's no tomorrow and indulging in alcohol-fuelled violence.
We're obese, fat, lardy, chubby fast food gobblers whose only exercise consists of raising an arm to point the remote at the TV to avoid health warnings.
We're so nicotine addicted that authorities have been forced to ban smoking just about everywhere and frighten us with vivid and gory TV ads and cigarette packet graphics.
And we're so keen on vilifying other people for their religious beliefs that the NSW govt has been forced to give police new (supposedly temporary) powers in case we irritate attendees at World Youth Day. The good people of Camden will be outraged.
Until the end of July it will be illegal to "cause annoyance" to Catholics. Perhaps working on the assumption that the population of Cronulla are busily circulating text messages.
EXTRAORDINARY new powers will allow police to arrest and fine people for "causing annoyance" to World Youth Day participants and permit partial strip searches at hundreds of Sydney sites, beginning today.
The laws, which operate until the end of July, have the potential to make a crime of wearing a T-shirt with a message on it, undertaking a Chaser-style stunt, handing out condoms at protests, riding a skateboard or even playing music, critics say.
The playing music is understandable. After all, music can lead to dancing.
Police and volunteers from the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service will be able to direct people to cease engaging in conduct that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event".
People who fail to comply will be subject to a $5500 fine.
$5500 for being annoying? $5500 for trolling?
More than 500 schools across Sydney and 35 train and bus stations have also been listed as "declared areas". People entering them will be subject to vehicle and baggage searches that require them to remove jackets, gloves, shoes and headwear if requested. "Reasonable force may be used to effect the person's exclusion" if they do not permit the search, the regulations stipulate.
Underwear isn't mentioned, so at least people will still be able to preserve their modesty. Just as well - the last thing you'd want on World Youth Day is a city full of fat, smoking, pissed, naked people roaming the streets.
Headwear eh? I wonder what that's all about?
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If, as from today it is illegal to annoy Catholics, it should be a matter of public disclosure how many of Morris Iemma's cabinet are Catholics.
Could one find oneself jailed for saying something that annoys a minister of the Crown?
We should be told.