Graham ,I think I've developed obsessive,compulsive opinion disorder.Does Online Opinion provide special counseling to avert this impulsive,ego centric destructive force?Is there someone I can sue for my own inadaquacies?

Really it is all getting just too out of hand.I mean letting plebs such as myself infleuncing public opinion with few academic qualifications,well there should be a law against it.

Merry Christmas to all.Remember no one has the monopoly on truth or wisdom,even with all the qualifications in the world,since you'll never really know what it's like, unless you've been there.

Arjay, I echo your sentiments, and feel that we now have a support network of obsessive compulsive opinionators - OCO'S. (well at least 2 of us) If I do not get my hit of reading, writing and generally voicing out into cyber space, that I am not a complete person. Is this malady curable? Are we the chosen? Are we cast forever into the chasm of voice and echo? Have I the right to voice, without necessary qualifications? Oh dear, Sneek, please pass the merlot, I may even be daring, throw caution to the wind, with a hit from the past, a nice cool Harvey Wallbanger.
Do we have to put on a toff voice at this party? Strewth!
Anyone wishing to join the OCO's please hold your hand up, as long as you can still type with one hand that is.
Thank you Arjay, I do not feel so alone.

To Arjay,Tinkerbell1952; I think we all suffer from the above affliction, however this is part of a true democracy, where informed people discuss the issues of the day, in a passionate way. It is difficult to remember my bottom line, when I visit this plsce, which is " The opposite of the 'Right' in politics is 'Left' not 'Wrong'. People can have differing opinions, and still be correct as offten, and wrong as often, because we are falible human beings. We can still be Christians, jewish, ,muslims, buddists etc, whether left or right, and are still able to be worthwhile human beings." I am so passionate in my beliefs, that I tend to get a bit carried away, which probably happens to a lot of us. This makes me act first and think about the consquence later, in some cases, however does not change the gravity of my opinion, only the way I may express it, if I had the chance to do so again, sadly once you have pushed the 'post' button, it is too late, so my New Year's resolution will be "try to concerntrate, before posting" which for me is a little difficult, as I have illness to contend with. Tinkerbell1952, I love your humor "do I have a fan club?" if you are a fan, it could very well could be a misjudgement, as I am no different to anyone else, and also enjoy your 'posts' and those of Aaron,hedgehog and many others, I do have a "sic em" approach, have had all my life, I am just pleased that you find it enjoyable. Remember, I would have nothing to "sic" if it weren't for posters like the usual suspect, so you could also thank her/him for providing material for me to attack, I think despite our differences, we are one big happy family, with all of us relying on our friends and foes, and I look forward to future interaction with glee. Thank You one and all for your company, it is a pleasureable experience.

Gidday to all!

Three cheers to Graham for his astute analysis of OLO readers/posters.

As I suspected, there are a lot more readers than posters - c'mon people don't be shy, stop the voyeurism and join in the bun fight - it can be fun.

As Arjay and Tinks have observed, it is addictive. Count me in as an OCO. Tried to stop it (previous incarnation as Trinity). Couldn't give up the habit - there are worse addictions though and I can state that I have given up on those - pretty much.

For the record, am 52, female, currently between jobs (gives me a significant perspective on IR changes), believe in live and let live and reside in cedar shack (with great view) in ranges outside Melbourne.

Enough personal info - pass me a chardy Sneekee!

Cheers

Bronwyn

You wrote; “I'm assuming your conservation passion has come before your compassion on this one.” I can understand why you may think that, but it is not the case.

I would love to discuss the issue with you, but let’s get off this thread. I have put up a post already to initiate debate, under;
‘Opening Australia’s borders’ by Tiziana Torresi (4/11/2005).

What a read, so much good stuff both in Graham's article and in most of the posts that followed. Is there any known treatment for OCO - I want to avoid it like the plague.

Bronwyn, I'm not convinced that anonimity makes a giant level of difference to peoples rudeness on this site. I've seen some of the rudest posters put links through to sites which identify them and some who stay anomous seem to try fairly hard to be polite. In my case I'm a single dad who may have to deal with C$A or the family law system again one day and who does not to be marked out for special attention by staff in either of those systems. I work for a Qld Government owned company and ocasionally comment on the dishonesty of the Government (within the limits of our code of conduct) and don't want to get sacked because someone in George St does not like something I've said.

There are posters on this site I would like the opportunity to get to know, people who I have a lot of respect for and others I find kind of creepy who I really don't want knowing how to contact me directly. Interestingly some of the posters who I have developed the most respect for are nominally on the other side of the political fence from me.

Graham, thanks again for your efforts. This site and the forum has become an important part of my life. A place to talk about important issues in a safe manner with people who I might not otherwise know and who want to talk about those same issues. A place where my understanding is challenged (sometimes in a constructive manner) and where I think I am growing.

R0bert