Scout, thanks. Sometimes seems like an episode of "Get Smart" around here. Battling the forces of Kaos.

merideth, maybe we could have stopped the riot if BD had withdrawn the call to arms before the riot. I stand corrected.

In my defence I was focussing my efforts on trying to convince Irfan that the issue should be tackled head on by Muslim/middle eastern leaders. In hindsight my suggestion might have just got them bashed by the thugs as well. I had hoped that if a substantial body of community leaders from the muslim/middle eastern community were at the beach making a stand against the gangs it might have had some impact. I think Irfan had already had a gutfull of the constant Muslim bashing and was not real interested, although I disagree with him on this I can understand it if he is somewhat fed up (just as I understand the frustrations of those who have had to put up with intimidation and abuse from the gangs). Pretending that there is no issue is not OK, neither is bashing innocents or provoking mob physical intervation in such a charged environment. There was almost no chance that civil arrests and the like would ever be anything other than an escalation of the problem.

NSW needs a "Fitsgerald enquiry" equivalent which looks at police failure to act to stop the ongoing problem and which does not exempt the government from scrutiny/findings etc. Then you might get somewhere.

R0bert

David,that Aussie with the branch was arrested because Morris Iemma thought he was going to do some branch stacking for Peter Debnam.

You see,only the Labor Party can branch stack,and also it is illegal for Aussies to defend themseleves from Middle Eastern gangs because Morris might lose his seat.

Tell ya what ,he may keep his seat but judging by the way he has handled this mess,he ain't going to Premier after the next election.

Law and order- stuffed
Health- stuffed
Infrastructure-stuffed
Transport- stuffed
Public administration;too many Public servants-stuffed
Highest taxed state- stuffed
Lowest economic growth-stuffed
Businesses;red tape,OH&S,workers comp,home warranty,cover regulation-all stuffed

Aside from new national parks,has someone a positive word?