Dear Rhian,

Thank You for your comments.

I can't argue with your logic.

o sung wu,

before you go mate, I must let you see this bit about Catholics and Masons.
A good mate of mine was posted to Lidcombe Police Station as a Probationary, under the watchful and helpful eye of the late Frank Peate (another good friend), who was the Crown Sgt in charge at the time.

My mate told me that on his first day the Senior Constable came up to him and said "Are you a Catholic or a Mason?"
A bit put off by this he said "Neither but what's that got to do with things?"
"Oh! Sorry, but we like to know as the Catholics volunteer for duty when the Masonic Ball is on and the Masons return the favour when it's time for the Catholic Ball".

G'day there IS MISE...

Ain't it the truth, the Catholics Vs. The Masons, generally only really evident at the Executive level ? Depending on the proclivities of the Commissioner, as to which organisation flourished - ALLEGEDLY ?

Another similar tale as yours...years ago I was posted from the old CIB to a large station, upon my arrival being shown my desk and locker, I was asked whether I was a Bowler ? It seems the OIC was a very keen Bowls player, therefore 2/3rds of the Station played bowls, and interestingly enough, all belonged to the same club as the boss ?

The club Secretary was so pleased when this bloke was posted to the Station, as it had apparently automatically 'swelled' the numbers of new bowlers, increased business at their little bowling shop, new bowls, shoes, outfits, etc. etc. !

Coppers ah, if they can find an angel, get a toe in, or whatever, they'll sure grasp it. You'd have this 20 year old Probationary Constable swapping his uniform, for his 'whites' or 'creams' going straight from work to the club, all because the Boss had the afternoon off, and was bowling ! Go figure ? And no IS MISE, I never played a game of bowls in my life ! Your tale of Lidcombe Stn. and the various Balls, is typical and not a bad thing either in my humble opinion ? Thank you IS MISE.

Slightly more on-topic, I would suggest, after the murder of more than a hundred people at prayers in Yemen, comes this, courtesy of Boko Haram:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/21/scene-of-slaughter-found-in-nigerian-town-recaptured-from-boko-haram

I'm tempted to keep a close record of all atrocities committed by non-Muslim fundamentalists n the world, week by week, something like this site is already doing:

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

For example, two people were killed this week in Malmo, possibly in gang-related violence. Does two rate as an atrocity ? Or does one have to kill fifty, or eighty, or one hundred ? Like we-all-know-who ?

Joe