YOUR VIEWS
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WE ARE being told how Queensland will deal with terrorists but most people do not realise this new proposal is aimed at them.
You need to know how the government legally defines a terrorist.
According to the latest edition of the Queensland Anti-Terrorism Act a terrorist act is an action or a threat of action intended to coerce a government or intimidate a section of the public.
As such, consider this scenario. There’s a virus attack on the internet on Friday and all the bank ATMs and credit card transactions have been suspended.
By Monday many people have no money to buy anything and the banks remain closed.
Unbeknown to the public, the banks have taken money out of their customers’ accounts to prop up the organisation and make amends for the bankers’ mismanagement. By Tuesday, you have no food and you join the protests outside government buildings.
Martial law is declared but you and your family have not eaten for four days and are desperate.
Your hunger drives you on until you take the law into your own hands. According to the government you have become a terrorist.
Does the scenario seem too extreme? Think again, this sequence of events has already happened in India, Venezuela, and some other countries. If the dire predictions about this country’s financial status come true we may see this happening here soon.
WHEELS, COOMBABAH
THE political party which promises to build more jails and bring the soft magistrates into line will go a long way to win the next state election.
ROD WATSON, MAIN BEACH
THE story about Damien Rider ( GCB, 15/7) who carried a mattress during the recent Gold Coast Marathon enthused many people.
But little did the average person know the story behind his actions.
The picture of Damien depicted a guy in full control of his life and possibly one who has never had to struggle.
His story is an eye-opener as he relates how he has survived the incredible physical and sexual violence from his mother’s boyfriend when a youngster.
Many in the same situation would have given in and not be with us today.
His amazing achievements consolidate the desire this guy has to overcome emotional and physical pain and, in the process, inspire as many others as he can.
Who wouldn’t believe in this guy? There are 5000 reasons why we all should support this Mattress Man turned Marathon Man.
KEN JOHNSTON, GOLD COAST
THE State and local governments are continually increasing charges on rates, petrol and registrations.
It is about time they started giving us something in return.
Our roads are a mess, we have one of the highest fuel charges and nothing has changed in the services from local government.
To top it all off the southern Gold Coast seems to miss out on any funding. We need change. GORDO C, GOLD COAST