Nice Knowing You Melbourne!

[unfrufru]

i don;t know if this belongs here or on the smacktard thread,


how to combat terrorists by steve bracks - mention a list of viable targets

<SPAN class=headline>[quote]
'Event city' has plenty of targets
Kimina Lyall
September 13, 2005


MELBOURNE has worked hard to secure an international profile as what Premier Steve Bracks calls an "event city".

<SPAN class=bodytext>So if it does become a target for terrorists, there will be no shortage of potential danger zones.

"We're a city that has big international events, whether it's the (Formula One) Grand Prix, the Australian Open, the Spring Racing Carnival, other one-off big events like the Commonwealth Games," Mr Bracks said yesterday.

But these events, which attract international audiences, are not high-profile in the parts of the world where al-Qa'ida terrorists are believed to be hiding.

Assistant police commissioner Kieran Walshe suggested yesterday that a much-publicised court case against accused terrorist Joseph Terrance Thomas, 32, might have made Melbourne a target.



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[Laurenandë]

Originally Posted by Renee

weird Danish video-thing

what might that be? like those ones in new zealand that link all the shopping centres that everyone calls b2b (bogan2bogan)?

[Alisso]

As much as Federation Square is like a giant geometric wart on the face of a much beloved city, it does contain some great paintings that I'd be sorry to see go.

[circus_kid]

The danish video thing hasn't worked for weeks. Boo. In fact, i think its barely been on since Com Fest.

Glad someone else was excited by it though.

[odtriple]

Yeah it's never working when I go there :-(

I was excited by it too - I love Denmark!

[Spawn of Satan]

Originally Posted by Alisso

As much as Federation Square is like a giant geometric wart on the face of a much beloved city, it does contain some great paintings that I'd be sorry to see go.

yeah, it's got some great Arthur Boyd works there that this world would be at a great loss without, mind you I'd love to see sydney nolans ned kelly collection go up in flames.

[Renee_Turner]

Originally Posted by circus_kid

Glad someone else was excited by it though.

I think every time I made the walk stumble from the tent back to Swanston Street I stopped to look/wave. No-one waved back.

[unfrufru]

going by an article in SMH this morning, this 'threat' of terrorism was sparked by alleged terroristy people filming places in melbourne. sucked in still.

cept i think the whole things a load of bullshit just so howard can scare people into accepting the new terrorism laws

[Mythor]

Oh, I think they do have credible intelligence regarding a threat, because Beazley and Co. aren't calling bullshit on it.

But I think the only reason they've said anything to the public is to try and convince people the new laws are vital. I mean, the information they've given out is so tremendously vague - they don't even say what state? - that it's kind of a case of... So, should we panic? Or what?

[Renee_Turner]

No, be alert, not alarmed.

[Alisso]

I'll laugh a lot of the people filming turn out to be student film-makers doing their end-of-semester assignments...or something along those lines.

I don't see the point in announcing they have intelligence, and then not saying what it is. Surely by holding back they're giving the terrorists even more power? If there's anything that promots fear, it's knowing you're at risk but not knowing how...actually, on those grounds, can we arrest the Howard government under their own new anti-terror laws?

Seriously, though, isn't telling everyone what you've found out about the terrorist plans the best way to stop them from being able to carry out their plans? Although I suppose if they don't have a lot of info, they're better not saying anything till they can catch the terrorists...but I still don't think what they've told the public is going to do anything but worry people.

[Mythor]

The only reason I can think of for not giving us details is because they don't know who is planning whatever it is. But if they don't know who is planning it, how will new laws help them to know? I can't think of any way they could help detect someone.
If they already know who is planning something, for god's sake go arrest them. No Judge is going to grant bail to a terrorist if they're up on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. Problem solved?

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Mythor

Oh, I think they do have credible intelligence regarding a threat, because Beazley and Co. aren't calling bullshit on it.

I'm sure they get intelligence of varying levels of severity regarding threats within Australia every week. If John Dubya simply dragged up the most serious-looking report he could find and presented it to Kim it would be a very brave move for Kim to dismiss it. I'm not saying that that's what happened, but it seems possible, and Kim isn't exactly renowned for taking brave positions at odds with John Dubya.

[Mif]

Sadly the opposition is in a very tight spot... if they call Howards bluff and something happens, Howard will become some kind of deity. If they don't call Howards bluff and nothing happens, everyone continues to believe the opposition are weak.

But Myth, you're absolutely right. As far as I can see, unless the Government is able to provide some specific information about the threat, then it's completely useless to tell the public... "Somewhere, at some time, something may or may not happen and it may or may not be devastating and kill people"... Thanks John "Nostrodamus" Howard.

Sorry people, you're only option is to book a flight out of this threatened country.

[Alisso]

Originally Posted by Mif

Sorry people, you're only option is to book a flight out of this threatened country.

And hope it's not the one with a bomb on it, or that is destined to be flown into a major building *g*


Good luck finding a not threatened country, too *G*