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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alexandra_k on December 15, 2014, at 16:10:03
Are you okay? I expect you probably are, but I'll feel better if you can post something or email me or txt me, or whatever.
The tv channels over here were doing live streaming of the hostage thing...
I remember we went there.
I guess the place will never be the same again.
I saw how there was a 'go with a brown person to work' thing... Nice way of telling people not to be seen in public without white Australian friends.
:(
Are you okay?
Posted by ClearSkies on December 15, 2014, at 16:14:15
In reply to Damos, posted by alexandra_k on December 15, 2014, at 16:10:03
I am concerned about you too. Please wave a stick in the air, and tell us you did.
Posted by alexandra_k on December 15, 2014, at 16:33:28
In reply to Damos, posted by alexandra_k on December 15, 2014, at 16:10:03
I always wondered what a 'terrorist' was supposed to be. I mean... As opposed to what?
I think I get it, now, from the live coverage. In the early stages they weren't sure whether it was a 'terrorist attack' as opposed to an 'isolated individual incident'. Elaborating... They weren't sure whether it was highly organized (with there being plans for other individuals doing similar things at other strategic points around the city etc).
But it was an isolated individual who was known to be an extremist.
I see.
It did get me thinking... If you had an organised group who did similar things at the same time at different places... In Sydney.. Or Australia... Or around the world...
Is it a 'terrorist' as opposed to 'we are losing the war' when it isn't a government group in charge of the military / militant operation?
I still feel like I don't quite understand...
I mean... Of course in a way it is incomprehensible... But in another way I think I'm missing something that most people get...
And when a military group tortures people... Are they terrorists? I don't understand.
What if there was an Australian person who visited Iran or wherever for whatever reason... And then they wanted to leave in order to return for Australia and join the Australian military troops... And the Iranian government took away their passport and refused to allow them to leave the country in order to prevent their going to fight on behalf of opposition?
Is that fair?
Might they be reduced to doing what they can from WITHIN?
I say this because NZ has tightened it's laws... And prevented people from leaving who were leaving with the intention of fighting on behalf of whoever (Sorry, I don't even know who the relevant opposition is supposed to be). I don't understand this... Seems to me that if they want to go and fight best we can do is let them go and not give them entry back. Otherwise seems to me fairly obvious they will hate us from within... Which is probably more dangerous for us...
Posted by alexandra_k on December 16, 2014, at 1:11:33
In reply to Re: Damos, posted by alexandra_k on December 15, 2014, at 16:33:28
i'm sorry. that last post was pretty crap of me. i misunderstood the i'll ride with you thing...
sydney feels pretty far away from me, truth be told. i'm trying to think about how i'd feel it it was someplace closer... campus here, even. i'm sorry.
Posted by Damos on December 16, 2014, at 14:09:12
In reply to Damos, posted by alexandra_k on December 15, 2014, at 16:10:03
Hiya,
Yeah I'm okay, still on jury duty so locked away safe from harm. Weird though as up until August I was working a couple of days a week just a bit further up Martin Place across from the Reserve Bank, so was kinda a worried if any of my colleagues were caught up in it (fortunately there are none that I know of)
I remember, it's one of my happiest and most treasured memories. The only reason this location was chosen is that it is right across the road from the TV studio - so ensured maximum coverage. But yeah, will change the place forever in many peoples minds and who knows what will happen there when it is all over.
It's hard to put a label on this guy, though 'terrorist' in the traditional sense probably wouldn't be my first choice. He's got a long history with police and was out on bail at the time. He used to send vile letters to the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq amongst other things.
Hey ClearSkies, yes I know, I'm nothing if not slack. Glad to see the weather is improving though ;-)
Posted by alexandra_k on December 18, 2014, at 18:22:48
In reply to Re: Damos, posted by Damos on December 16, 2014, at 14:09:12
hey. it was great to hear from you. as i said, i did worry that you might have been in there when i heard the situation unfolding... wasn't sure where the courthouse was in relation to it etc...
i've been really amazed at the majority public reaction. or... what seems to be of it, anyway. what i've seen. people seem... mostly... really determined to see this as an act from an isolated individual rather than feeling paranoid / concerned about people on grounds of their dress or their ethnicity or whatever... it seems to have brought the community together, mostly. i was walking around auckland... could have been my imagination... but people seemed... quieter... and more pleasant than usual. people seemed determined to go to a cafe and have coffee etc... maybe i'm projecting... but yeah... i feel sad for the people who lost their life. and for those who cared for them. makes it a horrible time of year for them, indeed.
This is the end of the thread.
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