Dear Mr Tapp,

As I've stated to you before - it's
always a good idea to be informed on the
issues and you can only do that by
checking more than one source. Otherwise
you may well get only a very narrow
biased point of view of limited information
not giving you the full picture.

Also so called "facts" in politics can be
interpreted differently - depending on
whose point of view is being presented.

We do agree on Question Time however...

It was formerly a democratic safeguard, now
a rancorous farce. Questions on notice are
defensively answered by public servants.
Questions without notice receive irrelevant
rambling and propagandist replies.
Governments also use up the time with
Dorothy Dixers where sycophantic and ambitious
backbenchers ask questions for which the Minister
has a well prepared answer boasting about his own
and his government's brilliance.

As for gender not mattering on this Forum. I fully
agree. It shouldn't!

Gender shouldn't matter.

Bear in mind though that most women and men, especially young women and men, would see the 'f' wars (and I don't mean fcuk) that are waged on some sites as the useless, boring, spiteful, time-wasting, energy-draining and needlessly conflict-generating parlour games of geriatric Greer clones and dinosaurs who have nothing more creative to do with their time.

The 'f' word definitely puts women and men off contributing (except for the habitual devotees) and so would the cat calls of racist, xenophobe, homophobe and other labels that are instantly applied to muzzle anyone who has the temerity to ask the 'wrong' question or appears to disagrees with the pack.

Of course none of that happens on OLO, which is fortunate because there is gold among that brown stuff. Ahem, on OLO the 'brown' stuff is fertile soil, not the other disagreeable stuff found on other forums.

Thanks for the kind words Foxy and We are Unique.

I have learnt my lesson now, but that doesn't mean I have given up or that I won't disagree with someone in the future!

I hope we continue to have a good mix of both genders on this forum, as it often makes for the most spirited conversations!

I've often wondered whether the more obnoxious and ill mannered posters would be so, if they were required to use their real names.
Anonymity is often a wonderful aid to courage, isn't it?
Peter Grim-ley

Grim:"I've often wondered whether the more obnoxious and ill mannered posters would be so, if they were required to use their real names."

I'd not be posting about my Family Law experience because to do so would be a breach of the Act (S 121) while discussion of my Child Support Agency experiences would be in breach of THAT Act (S 172) as they would by necessity identify other participants.

Anoymity is sometimes a wonderful aid to getting at the truth in a society muzzled by laws designed to "protect", that are actually used to hide misfeasance on the part of Gevernment Departments. Whistleblower laws ensure anonymity for very good reason.

Of course, if you get a warm inner glow out of being so "brave" as to use your real name, you go for your life. Personally, I couldn't give two hoots if your real name is Pete Grimley or Bleat Dimly, your words are all I have to know you by and that seems fair enough.

Anti is right on this one IMO.

If I were to use my real name in talking about experiences working with government I would be arrested for breaching the APS Code of Conduct and lose Security Clearance status.

Even whistleblower legislation only protects disclosures made within appropriately designated authorities, not if one were to reveal sensitive or embarrassing information to the media or to the Opposition. This has not changed with the change of government although FOI laws have improved (on paper) and Conclusive Certificates were repealed under The Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Act 2009.

Public servants must be obedient and loyal to their department and if you are career driven you must basically keep your mouth shut while the empire builders and political animals manipulate their way to the top.

There are many good people working in the APS but fear is what traps most people into keeping quiet.

I am getting off track, but it would be mad to use one's real name on a public forum given some of the problems people have had with revealing email addresses and many people are listed in white pages.