Foxy, Is Mise, we all have much to be afraid of from the MSM - more than any other entity, as they have the influence over a misinformed populace. Politics, agendas, barrows full of idealism and not fact drives what is broadcast and published...it is all about "perception management".

The proliferation of firearms in the Australian environment only became an 'issue' when politicians knee jerk reactions - based on flawed, skewed and 'faulty research' (read: paid for by vested interests) was acted upon. There is at best far too much fact and evidence omitted from the legal proceedings regarding mass shootings, culminating in the Port Arthur Massacre, itself an engineered and concocted event. How many of us today doubt the veracity of the intelligence which led up to the 2nd Gulf War and the War On Terror i.e. WMD's.

In the years I've been posting my opinions here on OLO, there have been some good arguments put up and some really dodgy ones...with links to back it all up. I recently posted some rather conflicting http links on another thread regarding the PAM. I am of the firm belief, having myself personally requested in writing - court documents, forensic reports and such from the Tasmanian DPP when studying law in 2003, that much will never ever see the light of day regarding the terrible incident that was Port Arthur precipitating the Buy Back and current legislation.

It behoves us all to ask, even if at the end of the day Mr Martin Bryant is complicit in any way (which I strongly doubt given his mental capacities and lack of firearms proficiency), the question that no one wants to ask - "Where was justice served ?" I am so glad that at least in Australia we don't have capital punishment at this time in our history. In any fair assessment of the events and reasonable persons mind it was nothing short of a kangaroo court.

I say again: "Perception management" and ask in all humility, "What are the vested interests hoping to achieve ?"

Toni,

Being a product of Academe I never rubbish academics without just cause.

As I understand it, the position of adjunct lecturer, or associate professor, or professor, is unpaid, and often awarded to people with no academic qualifications, as a sort of honorific title. They are not expected to actually do anything. But they have an office, a desk and access to a phone and computer.

Joe

Interesting stuff. Lets look at the facts.

Institutions of Learning do not offer positions to
people lightly. I know. I've worked in universities
for quite a few years. Let's look at Philip Alpers
background and the biography given in the earlier
links provided:

We're told that "Philip Alpers is the Founding Director
of GunPolicy.org - a global project of the Sydney School
of Public Health which compares armed violence, firearm injury
prevention and gun law across 350 jurisdictions world-wide."

"He is Director of the Centre for Armed Violence Reduction
which hosts the Secretariat of the Pacific Small Arms Action
Group (PSAAG.org)."

"He's been accredited to the United Nations Small Arms Programme of
Action since 2001. He participates in the UN process as a
member of the Australian Government Delegation. He's a former
Senior Fellow at the Harvard Inquiry Control Research Center,
Harvard School of Public Health, he presents internationally
and testifies at government hearings on firearm injury
prevention, law and policy. In a previous career in
journalism he hosted two dozen TV documentaries, a weekly prime-
time consumer affairs show and a dozen TV series and programs
for NZ public broadcasters."

"Philip Alpers is recognised among the "Top 100" the most
influential people in armed violence reduction compiled
by the peak international NGO in the field."

Not bad for someone who a few rank as supposedly being
"Unqualified."

There is plenty of dubious 'research' and comments by 'experts' that can prove whatever you want. Quoting back and forth generates plenty of 'citations' that in reality are worth nothing.

To take a parallel to the flawed 'research' put out by 'gun control org' (where 'org' can mean one man or none and no funding, apparently), there is what John Howard called the Black Armband (indigenous) history of Australia, where myths have been generated and even taught in schools and universities(!).

There is a most interesting and relevant OLO article 'Truthiness and factiness', by a real academic that is worth reading.

OLO Article 'Truthiness and factiness'

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=18766