RobG: "TRTL,

Before bandying about the fancy words that make up your “delightfully sanctimonious” drivel, you ought to work on your comprehension. Start by working out the difference between “tow” and “toe”. --

You're kidding me right RobG?
I berate you for taking a sanctimonious attitude towards an old woman's troublemaking, and ask you to take actually address the article, and you come up with what? A typo?

The most amusing part of it is that aside from reinforcing my point, the typo you pulled me up on is actually correct as it stands.
The phrase "toe the line" is accurate, however due to ignorance and misuse, 'tow the line' has become rather common. Go on, google it.

So I suggest that perhaps, you review the meaning of toe and tow yourself - I can assure you, I'm aware of the difference.

But I must thank you - that post gave me quite a chuckle - most probably a sanctimonious chuckle, I'll admit that, but a chuckle all the same.

Getting back to the article - I think articles like this should be more common. Hearing tales of those who buck the system, even just a little, gives us an idea of what the limits of behaviour are, and the current standards of society. It's a good thing this troublemaking granny can still get in to trouble and write these kinds of articles. Lets hope she always can.

it's depressing to hear that being rude to low level civil servants is called "bucking the system". they are just earning a living in the way they have been instructed.

more enlightened, so they think,are those who say "we'll vote john howard out". some enlightenment, it's still the same system, new faces don't change the system. the laboral party still rules.

democracy isn't a change of pollies, it's rule by the people. until you understand that, oz will continue sliding into fascism and no amount of witty remarks to counter clerks will save you.

Interesting article. I recently flew to New Zealand (from Sydney) and had to surrender a tiny metal spanner - its weight was all of 31 grams and it had no sharp edges. It was part of my photographic kit - I use it to tighten the centre column on my tripod. Why did I have to surrender this item? Apparently it was a tool said the security person, who was unable to appreciate the difference between a harmless object and a dangerous tool such as a hammer.

But the most absurd thing was that when I eventually boarded the plane we were all given metal forks to eat our meals with. It would have been impossible for me to do any damage to anything or anybody on the plane with my spanner but if I had been travelling with a group of like-minded conspirators we could have created merry havoc with the forks. A jab in the eye or the back of the hand - you know the sort of thing. Did I feel that the "enhanced" security measures in place at Sydney Airport were making me and the rest of the travelling public any safer? Not at all I'm afraid.

It would appear from events of recent days in Brisbane it is time to ban supermarkets!

Yes, so very well argued Melody.
To quote from another observant commentator on another recent Forum article " ... when the people are sheep, they will be ruled by dogs" !