Dear Loudmouth,

As I stated in my first post - FGM is illegal in
Australia and for good reasons. I have Googled the
subject and the medical reasons for why both Australian and
NZ gynecologists and obstetricians are so opposed to this
cultural practice. Hopefully as Banjo pointed out -
the latest case that will go before the courts
may help to alleviate this problem. Perhaps with time, as
new cultures become more adjusted to our way of life -
this nasty habit may eventually be stamped out altogether.

Dear Poirot,

I just finished watching Agatha Christie's, "Evil Under
The Sun," on GEM, starring Peter Ustinov as Hercule
Poirot, co-starring Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, and a fantastic
cast. The ladies costumes (sigh) were wonderful.
I think that I was born in the wrong era. Oh to have the money
to indulge my fantasies. Put on the Ritz (on somebody else's
credit card). I couldn't help thinking is Poirot watching
this film?

Dear Belly,

I was not suggesting that Joe (Loudmoth) was not entitled
to his opinion. Merely not to using personal insults as
part of his response. That applies to all of us, of course.

Lexi nothing can change my good thoughts about you.
I am quite sure and able to handle it, that you too are concerned about my posting style.
However I am aware of my abruptness and content with it.
I write as I think and talk, not to impress, Joe is one , or has been , of the more balanced posters here.
A thing less common than it once was.
In the pure poison of this heated hung Parliament, fed by a media content to adopt a very low standard of reporting, some are growing less anchored to the civility we once had in this country.
I am sometimes rude, but prover-cation demands men be men, not walk away.
Of late the anti, not constructed, Labor stuff is plain silly, the expectation that Abbott ,without policy's, is a God in waiting equally so.
Constructive discussion is getting harder.
My politics is getting a bashing,even from me, but it is my way of fighting against my night mare my fear and my certainty.
Gillard cannot do other than destroy my party for at least a decade IF SHE STAYS!
For caring enough to say it now, not when standing broken hearted in our rubble? I will take the ill feeling .

Good afternoon to you Lexi...

You're always the voice of reason, commonsense, and impartiality. And I for one find it so very refreshing, in this topsy turvey world we all have to live (together) in.

Notwithstanding, I suspect our political views probably differ appreciably. However, you possess an intellect that allows you to put your view(s) in such a way, irrespective of how strongly one might disagree, never could most take offense at the way you express that view LEXI.

I do enjoy reading your contributions too. And in doing so, I continually marvel at the adroit methods you employ of imparting your opinions, seemingly without generating a multitude of 'threads' exuding hostility and belligerence, the sort of response that seems to come my way, all too frequently.

Anyway, I've said my piece LEXI. Particularly after you demonstrated your skilled 'peacemaker' role herein.

Thus, I'll bid you all, a good afternoon.

And a good evening to you BELLY...

Again, I thank you for your moral support, I really do. Sometimes I let my emotions surface, and at aged seventy I should have far more sense.

When I see what's happening to our country (I'm not speaking of any political issue), to the Aussie culture, some of the practices that prima facia, are quite foreign to our way of life -

I do really worry for the future. What's going to become of my kids (grown up now, fortunately), my grand children, my friend's and their family, our whole way of life that most of us now enjoy.

Anyway BELLY my friend, I'm sure my concerns are similar to yours. And similar to just about everybody on this Forum. We may possess differing views and opinions, but essentially, we're all basically the same.

So I dunno what the future has for us all ? We can but only hope.

Speak with you again soon BELLY, and thanks again for your support.

Lexi,

I think I was born in the wrong era too. I have quite a penchant for the early to mid 20th century.

I've seen that film, which is very well done for that genre - although, I have to say, I prefer David Suchet playing moi.

(sorry for the deviation, Banjo)

Piorot,
No sweat, I intend watching Agatha Christie later tonight. I find most commercial TV utter rubbish. I could challenge most on how quick i can mute advertisments. I did notice that the ABC news carried the FGM prosecutions far longer than the commercial channels.

Will try to follow the cases, the WA case is interesting in that the parents are alleged to have sent, or taken, the girl to Bali for the FGM.

It is utterly beyond my comprehension how anyone could inflict this pain and suffering on little girls with the object of dening them pleasure from sex later in life. I fervently hope the prosecuters have done their job and the court outcome is good.