Gibo: "Paratroopers undetected would do it"

Would they be dropped from similarly undetected flying saucers?

Indeed. it feels decidedly strange to have Gibo warning me about some kind of brainwashing effect of defence force material, given his tendency toward cosmic conspiracies.

And I don't read defence force promo material. At least the opinions I've set forth have some grounding in reality.

I'd ask you to actually back your claims with something remotely substantial, but I fear the response would direct me toward either the bible, some loopy flying saucer conspiracy, a weird prophetic vision, or some other insane diatribe.

If you can provide any kind of actual evidence on the state of Australia's defence forces (that we're pouring billions into) that isn't the work of a nutbag dogmatist, then by all means, post a link.

You could for instance, discuss the collins class subs, or provide some commentary on the choice of fighter jets by our military.

See now, these Gibo, are valid discussions on our military capability. I'd argue that the fact we're even able to debate the purchase of reasonably high-end military technology shows we at least, have a military on a par with other first world nations.

Your rantings about prophecies about invaders and/or the bible however, are codswallop.

And you've yet to explain how your 'lock and key' style of citizens defence force is different to the army reserve, save for the fact that the army reserve actually has military supervision, but your model appears to lack any kind of central control, meaning that my points about the unknown background of these gun-wielding participants remain quite valid.

Most of you have this all wrong. What is needed is a civil defence force that can act when there is a disaster. A peaceful force well trained.
They should be trained by professional personnel.
They should be ready as a team to move in when necessary to take control and give help and organisation when there is chaos.

I was in the Civil Defence once and took exams as a first class operations officer. We went on training weeks and were trained to evacuate an area. Who is trained to do this? The police will be busy keeping order and stopping looters etc.

Why are so many people gun happy and see this as a military army carrying guns when many disaster need food shelter and movement out of the area.
It takes a great organisation to do this.They must be well trained in the event of future environmental disasters.

CHRISPER and SYBIL.

CHRIS.. Gibo's reference to 'visions' might not be your thing (or mine, though I share his love for the Lord) ..but it doesn't change the rubber meets the road possibility of unrest of a kind which would require considerable citizen mobilization....and that of an armed nature.

I don't know how old you are Chris, but I've actually lived though Melbourne and suburbs on the verge of total meltdown, where the police were incapable of anything except patchwork responses. It was around 1967 when the 'Sharpie' situation was occurring. The police assets were stretched to breaking point. A group of us from RAAF Laverton went into Melbourne to try to assist.. and we spoke the only language 'they' understood. 'force/violence' Those we encountered immediately panicked and fled. The police said "Just leave enough to arrest".

Sybil.... yes, trained people who know how to manage resources etc.. make plans.. all great stuff. But you appear to be assuming that the only threat we might face is natural disaster?

That is only one part of the total picture. If the threat is of a military, terrorist, anarchist nature....then you need more than a civil response.
Gun clubs are ideal as adjuncts to the military response side of things, and a network of trained people, with a command structure would be very helpful during such times.

During Cronulla, I was stunned that the overstretched Police didn't call on the military..specially when they knew there was a convoy of cars heading to Maroubra to wreak havoc.

In East Timor we just had 2 incidents of attacks on high profile people.. and we send in 3 C130s and a ship... yet Cronulla with 5000 people and masses... 1000s more gathering in Lakemba around the mosque.. rabid degenerates yelling "We are going to rape your mothers" on public Tv.. people brandishing illegal weapons in Lakemba on TV..... and our police pretty much cringe in fear and fall apart.
"Don't annoy them or it will get worse" (Radio conversation between police on the night of the pre-revenge attack gathering in Punchbowl park)

Gibo.

"Where there should be a citizens army theres nothing but a few weekend warriors (Army Reserve)...."

I stopped reading there. Educate yourself on what the reserve actually does and read about the people involved, then pass judgement on them.

You're absolutely right Sybil, we need a volunteer group that trains regularly, that can work with professionals, like the police, and can evacuate people, run welfare centres and maybe help search for missing persons. Hey, maybe they even can help with storm damage and flood damage when cyclones hit etc. We'll have to dress them up in brightly coloured clothing of course, to make sure they are visible. They'll need a snappy name too, just to make sure everyone knows what they are doing there, I think the STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE sounds good, what do you think?