Foxy,

If the bills for violence were spread evenly around the instigators of violence the left would bear 99% of the cost.

Secondly, the violence of the protesters is the single best advertisement that MY could get. His visit has been front page news every day that he has been here. The left whinge fascists pulled the same stunts at Trump's gatherings and look how that worked out. It was estimated that he got more than $1bn of free advertising.

If the left whinge Nazi thugs had simply gone home and watched the ABC, Milo would not be the superstar that he is today.

//In the land of the fair go, maybe half of those costs could be billed to the Antifas ?//

Yeah, it would be nice if we could make football hooligans foot the bill for football hooliganism.

And maybe one day we will be able to. But at the moment we can't, so we have an imperfect system in place, whereby if the football (or the cricket, or a popular music group, or MY, or his left-wing equivalent, or whoever) are a commercial enterprise who stand to make a profit from whatever the event is, and their commercial success of said event depends upon, or benefits from the security provided by police officers (who, let's face it, have better things to do with their time - that us taxpayers mostly pay for), then it is reasonable for them to pay for that security just as they would pay for private security. Unless we've decided that actually, there is a such a free lunch - but only if you're an alt-right pin-up boy.

The alternative is socialism.

If Milo was a lefty, would you be so quick to waive his tab? Fair's fair, after all.

//I think Soros should be held just as responsible for the costs of police.//

Yeah, whatever. I'm trying to reduce my intake of nuts, and between Zionist Dave and Op2, I'm going to have to avoid indulging on this occasion.

<<Could you please give an example of something someone might say where you think violence is a justified and reasonable response?>>

I can easily give you two examples.

1. I'm a farmer and I say, "Send the cows off to the slaughterhouse!" The cows are taken away by truck and subsequently killed (which is violent of course), with the final contents very nicely placed in the window of a butchers shop, for many people's enjoyment and consumption.

Personally, that's not something I would take on being vegetarian, I'd rather be a vegetable farmer, but I do accept and respect the choice of the majority of Australians to eat meat - despite the fact there is violence involved, which I disagree with.

a : the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violence

2. Another example is when I was living at home with my parents.

I had received a phone call from the police. I was accused of an action that was false. I found out I had been lied to by a security officer to get my details. Personally I was shocked.

One of my parents had taken in all of the conversation off the other cordless phone in another room. They came out very angry, came very close to my face and said something like: "Did you actually do any of that?"

Out of their complete disrespect towards myself (in terms of thinking I would do something that serious), I simply said: Yes!

I then got a slap across the face.

One may argue I deserved that, but what I said was a joke and my parents response was not something I was expecting to get.

So, make your own judgement. Please note I don't think I'll ever get over that slap across the face. I've probably got permanent facial damage.

//I don't think I'll ever get over that slap across the face. I've probably got permanent facial damage.//

Sometimes people just take things too far:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law

Except in this case, I think we probably can make a judgement without the use of emoticons. 'I've probably got permanent facial damage'. Sounds like something (P)Rick off 'The Young Ones' would say.

If we want to ensure that the costs of having police at these events is paid for in proportion to the actual numbers of protesters from each side, there is but one solution - the protest has to become an all ticket affair.

Each protester must first go onto the ticketek (or other) website to purchase a ticket to the 'event'. The proceeds of the sales go to the police after deductions for ancillary costs of staging the event and supervising the sale. People like Milo could become a profit centre for the various police forces and would be invited back again and again.

The enterprising protest organiser would be able to innovate by selling different classes of tickets. A discounted family ticket so that the kids could see democracy in action. A basic ticket would allow you to stand at the back and wave approved signage displaying your outrage. More expensive tickets would enable the buyer to engage in more direct action - use pepper spray, hit opposition protesters, wack a cop etc. Security would need to monitor this to ensure people didn't over-step their approved allowance - "sorry you only bought a silver class ticket so you'll have to leave the baseball bat at the gate. You can collect it on the way out".

Seems reasonable to me.

Hi Mha,

Perhaps the Antifas could come to an arrangement with the police and purchase a block of 'seats', like companies at the football. [And the Profas as well]. They could then offer concession prices to their most loyal members, perhaps season tickets - with time allowances for any inconvenience like jail. Of course, the police could designate certain areas to be pro- or anti-fascist. Mr Whippy (does he/she still operate ?) could offer discounts on loud-hailers and baseball bats, and maybe star pickets as well. Maybe someone could do face-painting and/or drum practice.

A good time could be had by all. Bring an Esky !

Joe