G'day there HENRY L -

An excellent observation, Henry. Indeed Ash BARTY is a disciplined and highly committed young lady who has dedicated herself to tennis and cricket and looks like achieving her very own, self-actualization, in the French Open.

I suspect in Ms. BARTY's case, discipline & commitment alone will not necessarily lead to sports highest accolades? There'd be much more at play here? Bucket loads of talent, a fair bit of luck, and the right sort of (emotional) personality are all essential ingredients to be successful - That's said, I know bugger all about tennis?

But at the very foundation of her success - She would've needed to possess exceptional personal discipline, together with an unshakable personal commitment, against so many classy players, all of whom are hungry for a victory in Paris.

Furthermore, if one needed more legitimate examples of why discipline is so vital, you need to look no further, then the Armed Forces. And that is the reason why our friend and colleague INDIVIDUAL has continuously supported the need for a re-introduction of 'some form' of National Service, a proposition that I fully support, in whatever form it can be achieved.

Some have queried the additional expenditure of such a bold endeavour? Probably very high, I suspect. Nevertheless, sometimes governments must 'bite the bullet' and take the initiative to interdict these awful crimes that are perpetrated against our elderly people. And at the same time, salvage some of our wayward youth who're currently heading towards Long Bay Gaol for many years of room & board.

An AFTERWORD: Violence occasioned against Children; (some Women); and the elderly - means the offender will need protection from other Inmates, for a very, very long time, while in gaol!

Paul,

"What ratio of accidental/murderous/mistaken death to legitimate self defence deaths would you accept as the price to pay for this self defence? One to one, two to one"

That's a very complex question and one that I couldn't answer off hand, but certainly less than the 100% that you and the Greens accept for the victims.

How are you going on who should give up their guns first, so that society may be free of guns entirely?

Civilians, armed services or criminals, we await your wisdom on this.

Belly,

The home invaders are just about through your door, what are you going to do, that axe looks sharp?

Hi, there IS MISE -

In answer to your question, I think most of us 'oldies' would defecate in situ! On the other hand, if a spare S&W mod. 29/4, in .44mag. were close by, I'd suggest the would-be assailant might be the one to defecate! Just a thought is all.

Any unemployed resident in Australia aged between 18-21 should be required to participate in a Community National Service programme for a period of two years. However, if unemployment can be secured during the time of the service the participant can be relieved from the service.
If the employement ceases before the participant's 21st birthday, they are required to resume the service.
University students would br required to participate if they fail to complete the studies' subject. & fail to secure employment by age 28-30. Attending University to avoid NS must be thouroughly scrutinised as need carers.

A NS must particularly focus on hands-on & general physical activities for mental & physical development in order to instill a sense of responsibility that is the least a resident of this Nation must provide for the privilege of enjoying the privilege.

Cost; As much of the cost is already covered by welfare payments, the additional outlays for a NS can be easily recovered by negligible levies to the employed for the piece of mind that many of the young woill be off the streets at night. Police too will save on resourses as will ambulance, Hospitals Salvation Army etc. as will Insurance companies who will be able to reduce premiums as the crime damage is lowered considerably.
Much of the accommodation/food requirements can be met a very reasonable cost by camping facilities in the case of out-of-town activities & which will boost the industries manufacturing the utensils etc.

In-town activities can be accommodated in unused Govt housing which the participants can be made to work on under tradesperson supervision. There is literally no field in which NS participants can not have a go apart of course from specialised industry. Whichever activity they get a go at for say 3-6 months & if the so wish they can stay or move on until they find what they feel or are deemed to show aptitude for.
NS could possibly be a door to small businesses taking on participants for trial etc.
Many participants will cut their teeth in that & develop a better mentality & become decent citizens & go on to enter the workforceA National service must be introduced gradually so as to iron out teething problems on the go rather than hit the ground with a full-blown program that's failed from the start because of unforseen & unintended consequences because of the inevitable sabotage by incompetent Bureaucrats trying to get a slice of the pie.
One thing is certain if nothing similar is done, nothing will get better.

What this govt needs to do is to invite recommendations & ideas from the public via online questionaires & make the ABC do their bit by including the development of a NS in programmes such as Q & A & the 7.30 report as well as other Current Affair programmes.
The Ministers for Community services & their underlings wouldn't be so bored either with a bit of actuall work to be done !

HenryL, Ash Barty would not be contesting the French Tennis Final, she would be off doing Indy's NATIONAL SERVICE! Or would there be exemptions for the gifted, privileged sporty types etc etc!

Ah! Now this universal national service is being linked to unemployment. So if your old man provides you with a job in the family business, then you're no longer considered one of Indy's dill brains, and you're off the hook. And where will they be locked up at night //be off the streets at night// explain that one. Otherwise Indy its a load of drivel.