Hi Joe,

That all falls under the heading of dysfunctionality, all those issues need to be addressed. Unfortunately youth suicide in the wider community is an alarming problem. I suspect, but have no evidence that kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds, black and white, have a higher rate than the general community. We had an 18 year old male family member commit suicide here in Brisbane earlier this year. All over a relationship breakup with a 16 year old girl.

On the question of remote communities what do you suggest be done. Plenty can point the finger, no saying you are doing that, but offer nothing of a real solution. Just as an example, obviously if alcohol and drugs are a problem, then something has to be done about those vices, but what?

Just on family sex abuse, a friend of ours, yes a public servant, he deals with low income people. He told us sex abuse of young girls in particular, by often mums live in boyfriend, is rife among the houso's he has to deal with. It happens all the time, so he tells us.

SM,

A bit rich coming from you, considering I believe it was you, who reported me to the Moderator a few years back for some minor indiscretion towards you. It led to me copping a suspension then.

As for me to apologise to you, What for? A response to what I consider your lying statement.

Paul,

What causes me to despair is that, quite possibly, there are NO solutions to the problems in remote settlements: if people don't get down on their own problems, then nobody else can do it for them. Nobody.

Unless people grasp their human responsibilities, as long as people in remote 'communities' think they don't have to do anything for themselves and that others have to do it all for them, there are no solutions. It's all down-hill, attrition of populations, drifting to the cities with no skills or literacy or even sufficient English.

I've been racking my brains for forty or more years about this, and I just can't see any hope. Sorry if that's so pessimistic. Maybe, maybe, maybe the only chance is for the next generation of kids who come into the cities, that some of them - at last - get a decent education and can build up their skills and enter Australian society along with everybody else, and starting at the bottom. If they stay on the periphery, then it might be yet another generation away. Or yet another generation.

Meanwhile, amongst the long-term urban population .....

So celebration of Cook is neither here nor there. There are far, far more crucial issues to prepare for. Sorry.

Joe

Foxy,

I don't pretend to be balanced, neither do I puff myself up and give a sanctimonious finger wagging to those on the other side of the political spectrum. At least you have now stopped pretending to have any form of balance.

Paul, to be lying I have to state something that I know is false, and you just proved my point with your Jacinda example which shows that you were the one lying and your statement was the equivalent of "I'm not a racist but..."

As you have committed many abuses against various posters you would need to refresh my memory.

Shadow Minister,

I see there's no point in continuing a conversation with
someone who has made up their mind and is and never will be
flexible in their thinking. Your posting record speaks
for itself. And more finger-pointing - won't solve that.
A closed mind is like a closed book - just a piece of wood.

Nah, can't be bothered communicating with you any more - not worth
it. A total wast of my time. I have better things to do.
I'm sure you'll find plenty of kindred spirits who'll agree
with your thinking and will humour you.
Enjoy your day.

Foxy,

Coming from someone as closed minded and inflexible as you makes me laugh.