"Well, it didn't take long for the usual prejudice-mongers to come out of the woodwork. Of course their comments speak volumes about themselves."

I was just thinking the same,Chris. Of the first five posts, two were appreciative. One was an offer of possible financial assistance. And two took the opportunity to unfairly categorise others.

Just for the record, I'm male, I live in Western Australia, I use my real name, I'm a long time member of the Greens [but don't try to categorise me because of this], I'm 71, I'm self-employed and my income is revealed only to those govt depts which legally require to know it.

OLO should consider sponsoring a big get together - one in each capital city maybe. What a hoot!

A BBQ perhaps. We could toss few ideas around over a sizzling hot plate.

Or a meal in a rezroh might be a better idea - I of course would sip chardonnay and finish the meal off with a latte' (sipped too).

The left would chatter away, quietly, as most fear getting rounded up under the sedition laws. Those of the right would engage in a robust exchange of views.

OLO might need to subsidise the meal a bit though as some of us might be effected by the new IR legislation.

The rezroh would need a menu that accommodates the vegans who would come and be able to serve kosher and halal foods.

You could recognise us lefties as we'd all be pretentiously reading copies of the Gaurdian, the SMH, The Age or possibly the New Yorker - all at the same time

We could arrange to have tables with a multicultural mix and then a few others set aside for the various races; white, hispanic, african etc - redneck could advise us on the safest kind of arrangement in order that a riot does not break out.

Alternatively we could be seated by the labels we apply to one another - we could be seated by classification, academics (say it with a sneer) social engineers (ditto), weak politicians, loony leftists, bleeding hearts,rabid right wingers, fascist and neo nazis ( they could sit together a bit further to the right), feminists and god botherers - the rest could be seated at a table for miscallaneous posters; there would of course be some over lapping of groups but people could move around. It would be encouraged in fact.

The loony left could sit with the bleeding hearts for a while and the RRW could have dessert with the neo nazis for example. Other more radical mixing would be done with caution.

I am up for it! who's with me?

Graham, I am 50 years old, and it is the first time I have had something to thank a Liberal for, OLO. Most of us realise when someone of the opposing team critisise us, to not take it personally. I have had some terrific debates here, and really love the interaction of ideas. We gain something from each other in this forum, we read expressions of others that change our own way of thinking ever so slightly, I think it is a great medium to get things off your chest, knowing that some will agree, and some will disagree, but best of all you will find communication, something sadly lacking in the 21st century, with our busy lifestyles, some of us work shiftwork, others are self employed, and executives, or small business people, or ordinary employees, we can all learn something from our participation here, I know I have, I have some really strong views, and have learnt to tone down the insults, and concerntrate on persurasion, and rational agruement. My apologies to anyone I have previously upset, I will do my best to not repeat my past mistakes. I really enjoy most posts, whether I agree with them or not, we live in a democracy, and should be proud that we do, as this forum would not exist in a different system, Merry Christmas to Graham, and to all, please have a safe and happy Christmas, look forward to reading your posts in the future, all our views are important.

hey sneeky, i'll be up for that.

now the big question.......

halal?

Graham wrote: "I’m speculating, but I suspect that men predominate in the older age groups partly because they might be likely to be still working and therefore have more easy access to computers and the ’net. For the oldest group the issue might be resistance to the technology from older women. This could be another area for research into the digital divide."
Jennifer comments: I'm speculating, but I reckon the average older woman is too busy doing the shopping, washing the dishes, cleaning the house, cooking the meals, buying the Christmas presents, looking after the grandchildren (and husband) and just can't find time for OLO. In contrast the husband has time to read The Age, SMH, Australian and OLO and post a few comments

Sneeky, I would love to attend. Where is the parteeeee to be held? Though Victoria has a lesser amount of posters..wonder why that is? Any plans on mixing the eating halfway through the event? Now, THAT WOULD be fun! My choice of food is any good nosh without fruit added to it (pet hate - oops some of my personal likes showing?) I do not like latte, prefer very strong coffee, love everything strong flavoured - hmm maybe something there for the psyches (not psychos) out there. By the way, I am 53 young, a bit of a groover from way back, with strong opinions and a laugh that can be heard across a crowded table. Femme too.
Note how the love mode is happening here people? - I give it approximately 2 hours for the soot to fall from the chimney. This is fun though, and I appreciate the report. Good work.
Shonga, Sneek, Bronwyn, Mahatma, Bushbred to name a few, I love your posts and your passions, keep posting!
p.s. Shonga, I immediately say ~Sic em Rex~ soon as I see your name on a post, you have become a favourite of mine. Do you have a fan club yet? Shonga for PM!