Dear Cossomby,

Indeed, pushing unsolicited advertisements at people is a crime.

They have got the concept of freedom upside-down: how could this be called "free" market when you are not free from their harassment even in the privacy of your own home?

A free market is a market which you are free to visit or otherwise and do so WHEN YOU want.

Merchants should be able to freely place their wares on the market and indeed you should be able know what the choice is, but it should be YOU who are looking for their products and services when you want them, not them pushing it on you and invading your privacy. Your home is not a market-place!

Ditto for political parties.

There are plenty of places where one can go and find out about them and their agendas (and OLO is one of them): come elections, I go and check them all carefully, but I do so in my own time and at my own convenience.

The current situation is gloomy and absurd: with commercial operations, the costs of criminal activities are recognised as tax deductions while with political operations, they are financed with our tax money.

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Dear Ttbn,

I have done nothing different to what your ancestors did.

Perhaps with one exception... your ancestors were never invited by the natives, while I was: your stupid government determined (and right they were on that count) that my coming here will benefit them economically. Yes, your outdated culture is dying but like it or not, my settlement here has in several ways improved the average quality of life in Australia.

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Dear Toni,

Good point, but it's easy to tell a recorded message from a real person speaking. Also, Malcolm wouldn't be calling from "overseas", would he?

Yuyutsu,

The government was certainly stupid in inviting you to come; and they continue their stupidity with 200,000 plus illegals annually.

My ancestors got the country ready for johny-come-latelys like you, whose contribributions to the country would be well outweighed by the benefits you have received by living here. Good luck to you, but your criticism of the country that took you in - down to the really, really trivial one about bike helmet - makes you a real pain in the backside, and a really petty person.

There is something painfully ironic about a person complaining about the existence of a compulsory societal membership and statehood that they wouldn't be around to complain about had it not existed.

And on a computer in the comfort of their own home, no less.

Yuyutsu,

If you would prefer to have to look over your shoulder every minute in case someone was about to kill you, or have to continuously contemplate preemptively killing your neighbour simply because they might be considering doing the same to you, then you're living in the wrong era.

Dear Ttbn,

<<The government was certainly stupid in inviting you to come; and they continue their stupidity with 200,000 plus illegals annually.>>

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who is critical of government!

Let me be clear that my criticism is not specific to Australia: they ALL do it, all over the world and usually much worse than Australia. Most states have draconic laws even more restrictive than bike helmets. Where I fled from, riding bicycles is still allowed but other things that we take for granted in Australia, are not. When I oppose nationalism, I oppose ANY nationalism, not particularly the Australian variety. When I tell Cossomby that neither merchants nor politicians have a right to intrude on our homes, that applies globally, not just in Australia. My strict adherence to moral principles is universal and applies to all countries and at all times.

Yuyutsu,

If you have a telephone, it's because you wish to have those family members intrude on you when need be.

Unfortunately, it means that others less welcome will sometimes do the same...but that is what the phone was designed to accomplish - having those at a distance intrude on you.

Regarding bicycle helmets....I surmise that the reason there is legislation to wear them is for the simple fact that it costs a fair bit to patch up broken skulls - or to pay for the care and rehabilitation of riders who become brain damaged as a result of bike mishaps.

Yuyutsu,
Frankly I am a little surprised that you became a citizen and have the right to vote. I had thought you were a citizen of the 'world' and did not think enough of any country to become a citizen.

Even though you complain a lot, Aus must have somethings going for it if you took out citizenship. Place must not be as bad as I thought. Can I stop being concerned for my grandkids?