Hi o sung wu,

You are certainly an "ANGRY OLD MAN". I can understand your propensity towards violence in the first instance. It being possibly brought on by your gung-ho military involment in Vietnam, and then a long career as a "good" officer in the NSW Police Force, more violent behavior.

Like many of the poor unfortunates needlessly dragged into a disgusting war you are bitter because others such as me, were not as easily duped into military involvement. I understand many young men returned with physiological and physical disorders, drug addiction to hard drugs, and personality problems. Few escaped such trauma, I can see you have violent disorder syndrome, have you ever been treated for those kinds of problems.

PAUL1405...

An old man I am; angry not a bit! Why should I be? I've enjoyed a satisfying career, I'm in receipt of a comfortable pension due entirely to my police service. Together with a DVA Pension rated at 100%. This entitlement is due to injuries as a result of war service; it's indexed and non-taxable. FYI. I receive free; Medical, Dental, Optical, and the other ancillary health benefits people need from time to time like Podiatry; & Physiotherapy. I receive (free) mobility aids, a special walking frame, a excellent wheelchair, all through DVA. I get free Hire Car or Taxi service anytime I have to see a Doctor, or Physio or anything to do with my health.

Do I deserve it? No I don't believe I do. But as many others veterans say, including the Department of Veteran's Affairs and it's medical officers, it's an entitlement. Due to my 100% Disability pension.

I'm very very grateful even humbled for all the benefits I receive. Always mindful of the fact, that there are many others of my age, who can barely afford to turn their heater's on to stay warm in winter. Even have a script filled at the Pharmacy. Have to wait in agony until they have enough money to see the Dentist. And yes, I do feel very guilty for all the additional benefits I get when there're so many others, far more deserving then me, are denied those benefits. All because of my military service, and for no other logical reason!

It's for this reason I suppose - When God wants to punish a nation, he sends it's young men to fight in South Vietnam. PAUL1405; when you speak of the Vietnam War, you haven't the slightest idea about any of it - It's so easy to be brave from a distance!

Hi o sung wu,

I believe you are entitled to everything and anything you receive from the state. It is not a case of you receiving too much, more the case of others not being looked after antiquity, cast aside and forgotten. That is wrong and it has happened far too many times.

Finally PAUL1405; W've found some common ground that I can agree with! It's for this reason, when I was in uniform, and worked the truck, our duty was to slowly cruise through all the inner city parks at night. Rarely did we ever have a need to make arrests, in fact we were nick- named the 'Chat' Truck, meaning we spent more time looking after the interests of the old homeless blokes, who nightly occupied the park seats (benches) as their beds, provided it wasn't raining.

We weren't one out either. The Salvo's had a food van, Smith Family another van, and the Sydney City Mission yet another small vehicle, all of whom were in the business of helping Sydney's most neglected aged people - the homeless 'Chats'. The name 'Chat' originated in Long Bay Gaol, meaning these old guys; smelt because of poor hygiene, with filthy old clothes; and were generally 'untouchable' by all; other than the cops, the Charity's, and of course A & E at St Vincent's Hospital. Another feature of their harsh existence, they were generally quite aggressive, and argumentative, with a few of them wanting to take us on - naturally none were ever accommodated, more pitied than ever making us hostile towards them.

Many of these old guys wanted to be arrested, for no other reason, a warm cell and a decent feed. I've never had so much legitimate 'Job Satisfaction' than working the 'Chat' Truck. Not all cops are bad - many of my colleagues volunteered to work the Chat Truck giving away their own food to these poor buggers.

Paul1405,
when the career officers come to your school you could ask them what the job opportunities are in the NP&WS.
Don't follow your peers by stopping everything once you get your BA & join the labor party & become one of those overpaid loathed bureaucrats.
Leaving school now would offer you a more fulfilling life rather than just repeating what others have said before you. Go out & counsel those Dingoes, way more useful.