AUS: The Oracle has spoken — 'Abbott deserves to win'
"Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has brought the coalition back from the dead and deserves to win Saturday's election, former prime minister John Howard says. More than 14 million registered voters have begun to attend polling places around the country to choose the next government." The choice seems to be between dumb and dumber.
AUS: Greens will work with election winner, says Brown
"The Greens are tipped to increase their Senate numbers to take the balance of power. Greens leader Bob Brown says if so, they will act responsibly. "Whether it's an Abbott government or a Gillard government we will work with that government, that's what the people will have voted for," he said."
AUS: Voting underway in closest election in 50 years
"Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has cast his vote, along with millions of other voters, in an election tipped to be the closest in almost 50 years. Election-day polls show the result is in the balance, but the momentum is with the Coalition and Mr Abbott has again vowed to campaign until the close of polls tonight."
INDIA: Opposition to changes 'undermining legal right to keep and bear arms'
"Mr Digvijay Singh, who is the patron-in-chief of the National Association for Gun Rights India, led a delegation of MPs belonging to Congress, BJP and SP, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to oppose changes in the gun laws. In a memorandum to the prime minister, the group alleged that in the guise of moving a minor amendment to the Arms Act, ostensibly to make police verification mandatory and creating a database, the home ministry was planning changes on other important aspects of the law with the “goal of undermining every citizen’s legal right to keep and bear arms”.
Election 2010: The Greens threat to prosperity
"There seems to be widespread disenchantment with both major political parties. Pundits bemoan the lack of vision and blandness of the current campaigns while voters are expressing their displeasure by threatening to support minor parties. We even have a former federal Labor leader advocating for an informal vote on Saturday 21 August, while talking up the policy agenda of the Greens. It’s an astounding position for anyone who has bothered to examine the Greens’ platform."
Election 2010: Australians deserve much better
"On Saturday Australians cast their votes for the party they hope will lead the nation most effectively over the next three years. It's hardly a prospect to set the blood racing. Just faint hope and no certainty. This has been the worst federal election campaign in memory. Neither Julia Gillard, who will have been Prime Minister for 58 days, nor Tony Abbott, who won a party spill by one vote just six months earlier, has shown the leadership to energise Australia."
Election 2010: Sex Party takes anti-spin position
Fiona Patten, the party's leader, said phrases like "stop the boats", "moving forward", "great big new tax" and "yes we will" were a blatant attempt to brainwash voters. "At the core of the appalling sloganeering has been an assumption on both sides of politics that the Australian .people needed to be brainwashed," she said." A CLASSmate recently contacted them asking what their firearms policy was and providing resources and references: This is the reply he received:"...look, leave this with me. Obviously everyone is absolutely flat out with election stuff at the moment. But after the election I will pass all this information on to our committee. If would be great if you could pass on the references & resources also after the election." In other words; You caught us unawares - come back later. Submitted by KJ.
US: Australian election a fight to the finish
"If you think politics is a bare knuckles sport in this country, try Australia, where the brawling inside the major parties can be more intense than the contests between them. This weekend's national elections are proving the point again. The two major party leaders both reached their positions stepping over the political corpses of their immediate predecessors."
Election 2010: Polls forecast cliff-hanger election result
"Labor has lost its lead in the election campaign, with voters shifting towards the Coalition to split support 50-50. As Julia Gillard warned yesterday that the 2010 election would be "a real cliffhanger", and Tony Abbott vowed to campaign non-stop for 36 hours to capitalise on a late shift to the Coalition, the latest Newspoll surveys show the election is in the balance." RELATED: Leaders in last-gasp bid. . .
UK: Falkland Islands veteran refused firearms licence
"A Falklands veteran has accused North Wales Police of jeopardising his pest control business by limiting the terms of his gun licences. Alan Bennett, a weapons expert who served 25 years with the Welsh Guards, claims to need high-calibre rifles to stalk prey that range from deer to predators of rare birds. But the retired Welsh Guards Warrant Officer – a former shooting range safety officer – has seen successive applications rejected."
VIC: Top cop expects gun crime to rise with population
"The Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland says he expects a rise in gun crime and shootings as Melbourne's population continues to increase. Mr Overland says he believes the state's gun control measures are adequate. But he says a swelling population is largely to blame for events such as those seen in recent days."
Election 2010: Voters power is immense. . .
"Most European states have proportional representation in place, including English-speaking countries such as Ireland and Malta. So have New Zealand and South Africa. The model should also represent a common purpose instead of the meaningless adversarialism that characterises electoral and political systems. At this year's Liberal party launch, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott devoted 75 per cent of his time rubbishing the other party. Isn't it high time that Australia changes course?"
Election 2010: Greens on the run
The Australian Fishing Trade Association has spent half a million dollars on national TV and newspaper ads warning voters about the Greens marine park policy, but The Australian Greens reject claims they will ban recreational fishing as part of their policy. The Greens want a third of marine protected areas to be excluded from fishing. RELATED: Fishing Trade video >>>
CDN: Registry chief bounced out of position
"The head of the Canadian Firearms Program, who is a strong supporter of the long-gun registry, is quietly being bounced out of the position, CBC News has learned. RCMP Chief Supt. Marty Cheliak, director general of the program, is being sent off to French language training after nine months on the job on orders from RCMP Commissioner William Elliott, according to police sources. The Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) oversees the administration of the Firearms Act and regulations. In 2006, the responsibility for the CFP was transferred to the RCMP."
Election 2010: Greens divisions laid bare
"Leaked internal emails have revealed bitter divisions within the Greens over its controversial preferences deal with Labor.
The Age has obtained dozens of emails by senior Greens that also reveal the party has an "attack response group" based in leader Bob Brown's office, which has canvassed using legal threats to "frighten off" critics. The emails, from July 18 to August 2, lay bare the party's divisions after a secret backroom preferences deal with Labor's campaign director Karl Bitar became public at the start of the campaign."
Article will be available free for only a few more days, after that you will have to pay a fee to Fairfax Media to access.
RELATED: The hypocrisy of The Greens
Election 2010: Large poll puts ALP ahead by four seats
"Labor is holding on to a four-seat majority just days out from the federal election, according to the biggest opinion poll undertaken in Australian politics. The JWS Research poll, published by Fairfax's Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, shows if the election was held last weekend, Labor would have lost 15 seats and gained six - a net loss of nine seats."
Election 2010: Dissidents spill the beans on The Greens
"In a massive body blow to the Greens political party, there has been a massive leak of secret internal documents and emails exchanged among the highest-ranking Greens party officials in Victoria and Australia. While insisting to The Age on Saturday that they were “relaxed” over the leaks, (The Greens) are in a state of “paralysis” over the issue, unsure about who is leaking and what they are trying to achieve."
VIC: Bikie anti-fortification laws under discussion
"Victorian Premier John Brumby maintains outlawing bikie gangs is unnecessary in Victoria, but says the government is in discussions with police about new anti-fortification laws. (He) said no decision had been made about the introduction of fortification laws, which would prevent gangs from installing protective barricades around their premises."
Election 2010: Greens side with Coalition on internet filter
"Labor's hopes of getting its internet filter plan through federal parliament look destined to fail, with the Australian Greens calling for a PC-based approach. Greens communications spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam on Monday released the party's cyber safety policy, opposing Labor's mandatory internet service provider (ISP) level filter."
EU: Finland to tighten gun laws
"Finland has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the world but they could be about to get tougher. The government is now hoping that new legislation will halve the number of weapons licenses which are issued."
VIC: Gangland killings spark John Crook's call for more gun control
The President of Gun Control Australia has called for tighter gun laws following the Lygon Street shootings in Melbourne saying the government must stop gun shops from selling handguns and, "If the government does decide to allow pistol clubs, then those guns should only be available from specially selected police stations." READ ALSO: Gun Control Obsession — "John Crook's ideas were always fantastical. . ." We had this story up yesterday, but we thought Mr. Crook's views warranted wider circulation.
Election 2010: But can we believe you, Tony?
"Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says while he greatly admires his former boss John Howard, he won't revive his policies if he wins the federal election."
EIRE: Dublin drug dealer shot dead
"Gardaí have issued a description of the gunman responsible for the fatal shooting in Dublin last night of Finglas man Daniel Gaynor. Mr Gaynor (25) was shot at the junction of Barnamore Crescent and Saint Helena's Road in Finglas at approximately 6.50pm. The dead man was well known to gardaí and served jail terms for drugs offences, firearms offences and intimidation of witnesses."
US: All fired up in Las Vegas
"A trip to the shooting range in the Nevada Desert proved to be good fun, even for a bunch of ‘anti-gun liberals’. . . We arrived at 11am to find that the shooting range was already doing a roaring trade, mostly it seemed from tourists such as ourselves looking for something a bit different to do on their vacation." Submitted by DG.
SA: 15 yo tries to rob "Hungey" Jacks
"A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for trying to rob a fast-food outlet. The Aberfoyle Park boy, 15, was arrested yesterday and police will allege he went to the Blackwood Hungry Jack's on Saturday night about 8pm and threatened staff with what appeared to be a firearm."
VIC: Gangland killings spark call for more gun-control
"The anti-gun lobby is calling for tighter control of firearms in Victoria, after the recent shootings in Melbourne. Three men were shot dead on Friday in separate incidents, while a man was shot in the leg and buttock at Fairfield last night. A 52-year-old man will appear in court today, over the double shooting in Lygon Street in Carlton on Friday afternoon." RELATED: Gun Control Obsession
Election 2010: Garret will stay. . .regardless
"Federal Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett says he will stay on in politics, even if Labor loses the federal election. Mr Garrett said Saturday's August 21 poll would be "very, very tight", but dismissed concern that poor-performing state Labor governments were hurting the party's federal campaign. Prime Minister Julia Gillard admitted in a television interview on Sunday there was "disappointment with the performance of state Labor governments" in some parts of the nation, asking voters to focus on national issues."
Election 2010: Will the Greens hold Australia to ransom?
"It seems likely that Labor will be returned with a reduced majority at the Federal election on Saturday, August 21, 2010. It is also likely that the Greens will hold the balance of power in the Senate, and an outside possibility, the House of Representatives. What is likely to happen should the Greens hold the balance of power?"
Election 2010: Youth vote bleeds from Labor to The Greens
"As in the 2007 poll that shot Kevin Rudd to cult status on the back of T-shirts, the youth vote could make a big impact on August 21. While the Coalition's support from youth has remained fairly stable, latest figures show younger voters, disappointed about climate change and refugee policy, have been abandoning Labor in droves over the past three years. The Greens are largely picking up the slack."
QLD: Film student cops $300 fine for fake gun, fake blood
"A teenager involved in a student film-making project at Brisbane's West End yesterday has been charged with public nuisance after a number of people thought his replica semi-automatic firearm was for real. When he was questioned by officers, he said he was taking part in filming for a Queensland University project." Submitted by IM RELATED: Film student with "hangun" causes panic on Wm. Jolly bridge
NSW: Dob in illegal guns 'before they end up in the hands of criminals'
"NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione . . . wants the public to tip off police about hidden weapons before they end up in the hands of criminals, as incident reports show guns are being used almost every day in drive-by shootings, armed hold-ups and murders. Police data analysed by The Sunday Telegraph reveals that between January 1 and August 15 this year, there were 187 gun crimes in NSW." It may come as a surprise to Commissioner Scipione and The Sunday Fishwrap - the guns are illegal because they are used by criminals who do not bother with either licensing or registration. RELATED: Gun Control Obsession
SA: Gang violence comes to Adelaide
"Shots have been fired into the suburban Adelaide home of a member of the New Boys street gang. A police spokesman said six shots were fired into the Klemzig house just after 9pm (CST) last night. The address is home to a New Boys member being held in custody."
MEX: 23 killed in drug-related violence
"Twenty-three people were killed in about 24 hours in Chihuahua state plagued by drug violence on the US border, authorities said Saturday. Between late Friday and Saturday (local time) 13 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez, across from the US city of El Paso, Texas, Chihuahua state prosecutors said. One of the incidents in which the murders took place involved a car theft, and a couple was killed in a violent assault at a shopping mall, officials said." Chihuahua state is in Mexico, though you wouldn't know that reading this item.
US: Freedom and illusion . . . mostly illusion
"Things were looser then. When I wanted to go shooting, I put my rifle, a nice .22 Marlin with a ten-power Weaver, on my shoulder and walked out the main gate. At the country store outside the gate I’d buy a couple of boxes of long rifles, no questions asked, and away my co-conspirator Rusty and I went to some field or swamp to murder beer cans. Today if a kid of fifteen tried it, six squad cars and a SWAT team (in all likelihood literally) would show up with sirens yowling, the kid’s parents would be jailed, the store closed and its proprietors imprisoned, and the kid subjected to compulsory psychiatric examination. Times change." And not for the better.
Election 2010: Labor fights back in the polls
"With only a week to go until the election, Labor appears to be holding on to a narrow lead as it prepares for a last frenetic few days of campaigning, starting with Julia Gillard's official campaign launch in Brisbane on Monday. The latest Newspoll survey . . . reveals that Queensland remains Labor's weak spot, with swings in marginal electorates since the 2007 election putting up to seven seats at risk on a statewide basis." Labor has preferenced The Greens - that's why you should vote below the line in the senate election. Make your vote count!
NSW: Rhiannon calls for tighter gun laws
July 27, 2010: "A spate of shootings over the past 24 hours in NSW has lead to calls for both federal leaders to back national uniform gun laws. NSW Greens Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon on Tuesday said it was time for tighter gun control laws, with a ban on semi-automatic pistols, following four separate shooting incidents. "The events underline the need for law reform in this area," she said in a statement. "Handguns are the most concealable firearm, which is why they are the weapon of choice in violent robberies."
WI: Eight people die in Jamaican gangland fued
"Gunmen have killed eight people in two brutal shootings in Jamaica's Spanish Town, the tourist island's former capital, which has been the scene of a bloody gang feud. The first attack on Friday targeted a mother, her two daughters aged 21 and 11 and her 16-year-old son. The second involved an elderly man, his son, grandson and a nephew, police said." Jamaica has tighter gun laws than just about anyone, but that doesn't stop criminals from having guns. Why would that be? Oh yes, criminals don't obey the law!
VIC: Chaouk family vows revenge for death of patriarch
"The Chaouk family has vowed revenge for the execution of its patriarch amid fears that a day of bloody shootings in Melbourne could trigger further violence. Macchour Chaouk was gunned down on Friday in the backyard of his fortified home in Melbourne's west by a drive-by shooter. Yesterday afternoon a busy Lygon Street in Carlton was thrown into chaos by the shooting deaths of two men at a pokies venue in an apparently unconnected slaying." - 1408
