Hello O Sung Wu,

I'm coming in a bit late into this discussion so I've been
trying to do some catching up and research into the subject.
My mind's having difficulty trying to grasp the complexity
of the problem. In one article that I read - they emphasised
that - " To ensure Australia has effective legal and institutional
capacities for preventing, detecting, exposing,
and remedying official corruption at all levels of
government we do have anti - corruption
agencies." We're told that these agencies are part of Australia's
national integrity system.

Which made sense. However they they listed all the problems
that these agencies face - including defining the legal meaning of
"corruption." All this did my head in.

Too much to take in, in one go. However, I am interested in the
opinions of others - and I shall keep on reading what you and they have to say.

Interesting topic.

Hi there FOXY...

I'm positively delighted to hear from you once more FOXY, especially after so long an absence ! Have you been unwell, or on holidays perhaps, or what ?

I've been very concerned about your non-attendance for so long now, to such an extent I decided to introduce a specific Topic herein, where I'd expressed my profound concern, that we (all male contributors), had somehow lost our three most valued, erudite and elegant ladies (your good self, POIROT & SUSEONLINE) from OLO and this Forum !

Due in part to my own poor and unacceptable etiquette, as well as displays of inferior and inadequate conduct, and in some instances, intemperate language employed by some males, who seek to authoritatively, and forcefully, articulate their own opinion(s) on this Site!

For my part FOXY, please accept my most humble apologies, with a guarantee that I'll endeavor to try infinitely harder, to 'clean up' my own act, as it were.

Apropos your comments on corruption too? Well I've not really allowed your opinion and views to fully resonate with me at this time, I'm sorry? And in my own defence, I'm so very very pleased to see your epithet (FOXY) once more, take pride of place, at the very head of your worthy commentary FOXY ! Welcome back, we all missed you so very much indeed.

welcome back Foxy ( I say that sincerley). Your absence could of contributed to the ushering in of the Trump era. Interesting times and we need you to give balance to some of us red necks or conseratives or whatever else people label us.

Dear O Sung Wu,

You don't owe me any apologies my dear friend.
You've never said or done anything to ever hurt anyone.
On the contrary. I feel so humbled by your kind words
and your support over these many years. Thank You.

My absence was mainly as a result of my own health issues, and
the addition of my mother's health issues. She's in a
dementia wing of a nursing home (where I volunteer),
and she was in and out of hospital as a result of several
falls and bleeding on her brain. I ended up not coping
very well at one stage, (I had a meltdown) and hence my absence.

I missed you very much, and I am glad to be back.
The forum has kept me sane and I am grateful to all the many
friends I have made.
Bless you all.

Dear runner,

Thank You for your kind words as well.
During my difficult times I found solace in prayer.
Marianne Williamson once wrote -

"No conventional therapy can release us from a deep and
abiding psychic pain. Through prayer we find what we
cannot find elsewhere: a peace that is not of this world."

Prayer helped me during some hard times. Watching your
mum deteriorate was hard. However, she's slowly making
progress. That's what can happen with dementia. Each day is
different.

Dear runner,

You have a good heart.

Hi there FOXY...

I won't unnecessarily dwell upon your prolonged absence nor the reason(s) why ? Suffice to say, it's absolutely fantastic to have you back again, if for no other reason that you have that incredible ability to calm a quarrelsome discussion and; to keep us troublesome males in some semblance of order. Just a quick word about your dear Mum - I can only hope she obtains the peace she seeks, and has frequent moments of lucidity and recognition, of all her family members FOXY.

And is it necessary to again remind all you lovely ladies and gentlemen, of the provisions of S.9(b) of the 'Forum Participant's Act 1997' prohibiting anyone from having a 'meltdown' on penalty of 'shouting drinks all round' having had, on reasonable grounds, said 'meltdown' ?

Now if only we could encourage the other two ladies, Poirot and SUSEONLINE, to return to our humble fold, than all would be well. FOXY would you have any particular leverage, to encourage these two lovely ladies back?