Shadow, I did see a press interview where the NT opposition leader Michael Gunner admitted, and was profoundly sorry for the short comings of the previous Labor administration, There is no question that culpability extends well back.
What the CLP introduced when it came to office was a stronger reinforcement of a already get tough policy on juvenile offenders in general. When the politician talks tough and simplistically tells all "I'll kick ass", (figuratively speaking), its popular with those baying for blood and its a vote winner. That was part of the CLP platform. The problem with this simplistic tough talk is it can send a sometimes unintended mixed message to those on the front line, that 'kick ass' is what the politicians in power want, and approve of. That may partly explain why violence became, or was extended to many of those guards in the detention centers. Simply seeing their actions as obeying the instructions of their political masters.

Poirot,

I note that you slyly omitted OSW's abuse of me. You are really pathetic. And, by the way, I don't care whether you go or stay. You are a write-off either way.

Paul,

The connection you are trying to draw is extremely tenuous, especially as the abuse went back far beyond the statement, with some of the reports and videos I believe dating back as far as 2010. So the question as to the timing is still unanswered.

Secondly, having read articles by ex prison guards in these youth detention centres, it is clear that many of these children are extremely violent and unpredictable, and prison guards are regularly assaulted, injured and spat on. In the picture where the youth is restrained with a hood, the hood in question is not a blindfold, but to prevent spitting which is a health hazard for the guards.

Many of these kids have severe mental and drug problems, and with many in the NT are suffering from Foetal alcohol syndrome with severe cognitive problems and impulse control and are not only a danger to themselves, but to anyone they come in contact with.

Dear Poirot, Foxy and Suseonline,

I'm wondering why you let these three amigos in particular get to you. The only reason I ever read their posts is when you have referred to them in your own.

otb, ttfn, and runner are pretty easily pigeonholed and I personally tag them as; probably divorced misogynist, classical small man syndrome, and highly sexual repressed individual, in that order.

Nothing they have written has dissuaded me from that view. They will of course have done the same for others which is fine and once that understanding is reached there is little more to be said.

runner is permanently on the religious 'roids' while ttfn's attempted head kicking of o sung wu and Is mise shows a temperament that brooks no criticism.

otb is the most insidious as he tends to dial it back when challenged just to approach things from a different angle but all with the same agenda, lame psychological abuse.

One of the great features in Reddit is to put a poster on ignore. You still see the rest of the thread but without their contributions being shown. OLO could benefit from such a service.

For the moment ignoring, not only not responding but not reading anything they write, is the next best thing.

Except of course when you feel a little bored and in need of some sport ;)

Well, I'm back. The tests have been done - now
I'll wait for the results.

I've been reading some of your comments and the advice
given and it does make sense not to read or respond to
comments that are upsetting. But sometimes that is
difficult for me to do. I believe that most people are basically
good and there are reasons if they behave badly. I realise
that there are some bad people - but at times they can surprise
us.

What I don't like is the recent fear spreading that seems to
be becoming more popular.

Dearest Foxy,

I'm glad you're back, we all need your wise and compassionate leavening to our acerbic ravings. I don't know what you mean by 'fear spreading' though.

Steele,

None of us agree 100 % with each other, except perhaps between your colleagues. I'm probably closest to OnTheBeach, but I'm sure I've got stuck into him for some trivial difference.

On OLO, we can't actually hurt each other. If somebody really gets to me (which is quite often), I just go off and have a couple of reds. Occasionally, a good cry. But I learn from almost everyone. That's how discussion should be. Thank you and your colleagues.

Cheers,

Joe