Belly
There is a difference between freedom of speech and using false names "to break the law".
A big Difference. The SMS messages that it’s now claimed was posted are in fact illegal.
Now that is the difference. Laws must apply in Australia to all even forums
If this person wishes to own that racist comment they need to use their own name.
The should not be encouraged or protected by getting away with using a false ID to break the law.
It really IS that simply. I refer you to the Muslim Boy who burned the Australian flag. Just look at the fuss from the public and rightfully so.
This by comparison is worse much worse. It shows the support by people who like to hurt and defame aboriginal people. It is un Australian! Its made by a coward.
The comment is vicious and racist and thank God we have laws in this country to prevent that.
OLO should not be immune from the law or this coward who strikes at aboriginal people too scared to put his or her name to their comment.
I am even more concerned as to how you treat Aboriginal people on the job.
It’s scary to even consider a union official supporting people breaking the law with racist comments.
Real Scar

Twice I wrote out a post it was not rude not unpleasant but I deleted it.
I am no racist my posts surely say that, I have not once in my life sent an sms, see I have no spell check on my phone.
I stand by my quote Wassup posted something I found offensive, but it is a right of free speech.
We learn from the wassups in our life not to hate but why we said sorry and why it is just the beginning.
Above my head is Aboriginal art , it cost too much, I insisted it should paid more than was asked for each bit of it.
Old fashioned as it sounds my union background see,s me say a fair days pay for a fair days work.
My art is a treasure it reminds me my Aboriginal nieces and nephew are too.

PALE, You state “I think it is hopeless. People dont really care for aboriginals or animals… This thread has proved it IMOP.

PALE: My what a broad sweeping statement that is- People dont (sic) really care for aboriginals or animals Exactly what do you mean by all people? All people in the world- universe? All people in Australia? All people on OLO?

Rest assured, there are a great many people out there who do give a damn about the aboriginal people The response to the Sorry speech supports this. Same for animals. They just don’t jump up and down pointing to themselves as the only ones’ who do care and care the most at that.

You state “This thread has proved it IMOP. I really don’t understand why you feel this thread has proved that point. A line was drawn in the sand in no uncertain terms about the comment Wassup made. Yes, it was a poor choice on Wassups part to offer that piece of rancid rubbish and yes it was offensive. Will that person do it ever again? Who knows- hopefully not. However, OLO contributors did speak up and voiced their distaste of the offending comment. What exactly do you want to happen? Maybe flogged and quartered and displayed in the town center? Dragged through court at great expense to all concerned? You can’t change another persons actions and views, only your own- a great life lesson to grasp.

In closing you state “ You’ll be happy to know we are probably leaving OLO,( See after meeting)” PALE please don’t tease like that. However, in the name of fair debate and presenting information on what you do know best – Exporting Animals- that will be sorely missed. I’m sorry to say this, but there are far to many things you contribute that will certainly not be missed. Best of luck.

I think just maybe the thread has progressed as far as it can.
In the time it has ran we did use it to say sorry,almost every one of us.
We did not get into is it enough as deep as we should have but we started.
It is true we think in different ways about this issue, if in 100 years this thread surfaced to be used as a measure of what Australians thought in these historic days I would be happy for all but one of my posts to be reviewed.
That one was deleted, it debated other issues.
I will not again debate those issues.
If the thread continues please let us keep it tightly on subject, as we are in historic times.
As I side issue my e mail in box is often seeing racist soon deleted offensive things even worse than wassups.
Is yours too?
Do we hide from it or admit such things exist?

I've deleted a number of posts. This thread is about relations with indigenous Australians, not the mechanisms of posting on this site. I have had all the to and fro between PALE and various other people. I think I threatened a suspension last time. Well, next person to post on these ancient squabbles will be suspended.