finders keepers

[Fulvio]

Just for the record, I used to be a computer operator with DSS (now Centrelink). One fine day I was the only one on duty at lunchtime. We were printing pension cheques, and all three printers stopped at once. So panic mode to get things rolling again. Throw box of cheques in the first one, hit the go button, ditto for the second... then the 3-part report paper in the third... which weighs about four times more... *CRUNCH*.. Aww faw down, go *BOOM*. And that's how they found me, lying on the floor.

Fast forward 9 years of hell, light duties, hospital stays, etc, and after 35 doctors they found one who took one look at me and without an examination said it was a preexisting condition. That was when the razor gang was doing its thing. So I got put back on full duties and immediately sacked. Sorry, I mean given shyte work and asked nicely to take voluntary redundancy. Same thing really.

Eventually after the whole Newstart dance (like who's going to hire me if I tell the truth? And if I lie I'll get caught), and lots of BS jumping through hoops somebody in the department with half a brain realised DSP was the only solution and made it happen.

So yeah, I think I get pretty much every angle of this. But laws are blunt instruments, ill-suited to microsurgery. There are always unintended consequences, and one of the consequences of OH&S, Insurance, and a myriad regulations at every level is to interfere with our personal freedom of choice in how we live our lives. And that's a bad thing.

Nor is it just clearly dangerous stuff like jumping motorcycles over canyons either. There are places we used to go which are now closed off, there are clubs and activities that have been forced to shut down, there are things you can't do in certain places, at certain times, or at all. All in the name of "safety".

Again, we make our own safety. I'm not talking about coercion. I'm not talking about negligence. I'm talking about informed choices being denied. Life is a terminal disease, and noone has ever escaped the death sentence it imposes. At least we should have the freedom to live it as we choose.

Someone once said that if the automobile were invented today, there is no way it would be allowed to be built. Think about that. That's the kind of unintended consequence the nanny state produces.

[Unicorn]

:yeah_that:

A visual representation of Unicorn's current state .........


Yep ........ one day I'll get there.

[Steveqld]

Just to go a bit more off-topic, this bloke is one who was most grateful for defective workmanship and materials.

From The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Sunday 2 October 1803:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/625802?searchTerm=luker&searchLimits=l-title=3

The bloke "Luker" they mention is the first Constable recorded as dying on duty in Australia.  Didn't waste time in those days.  Sentenced to death on the Friday and taken out for hanging on the Monday.

 SYDNEY.
At half past nine on Monday morning, the   New South WALES Corps got under Arms,   and proceeded to the place of execution, to   which Joseph Samuels and James Hardwicke  were brought, in pursuance of the sentence passed upon them on the preceding Friday.  

Both prisoners conducted themselves with becoming decency ; and when the Reverend Mr. MARSDEN had performed the duties of   his function, and quitted Hardwicke, he turned to Samuels (who being a Jew, was prepared by a person of his own profession) and questioning him on the subject of the murder of Luker, he solemnly declared, that during the interval of his confinement in the cell with Isacc Simmonds, nicknamed Hikey Bull, they in the Hebrew tongue exchanged an oath, by which they bound themselves to secrecy and silence in whatever they might then disclose.

Conjured by that GOD before whom he was shortly to appear, not to advance anything in his latter moments that would en- danger his salvation, he now repeated with an air of firmness what he had before declared ; and appearing deeply imprest with a becoming sense of his approaching end, appealed to Heaven to bear him testimony that Simmonds had, under the influence of the oath by which they were reciprocally bound, acknowledged to him that Luker had accidentally surprised him with the desk belonging to Mary Breeze and that he, in consequence thereof, had " knocked him down, and given him a topper for luck!" adding   at the same time, that if he had not been kept in the dark with respect to the concealment of the money, that had been taken out of it, that catastrophe would never have happened ; but as it was, that he would hang 500 Christians to save himself.  
   
Simmonds, who was purposely brought from Georges Head to witness the awful end of the unhappy culprit, heard what he advinced, and repeatedly endeavoured to check the declaration, which was delivered with mildness and composure, and which, as it appeared wholly untinctured with acrimony, gained credit among the spectators in whose breasts a sentiment of abhorrence was universally awakened.

Odium and suspicion were attached to Simmonds from the very day on which the dreaded crime was perpetrated, and every eye was fixed in doubt upon his countenance when he assiduously assisted to lower the mangled corpse into the grave : Although from the want of that full and sufficient evidence which the Law requires he had escaped Condemnation, yet he had been arraigned at the arbitrary tribunal of Public Opinion, and most of the spectators had pronounced judgement against him in their hearts. It is not to be wondered then that testimony like the present, proceeding from the lips of a dying man, whose only probable concern it was to ease his burthened conscience in the hour of death, should at once remove all doubt, if such remained, and the feelings of the multitude burst forth into invective.

At about ten the Criminals reascended the cart; and when about to be launched into eternity, a Reprieve for James Hardwicke was received and announced by the Provost Marshal.

Samuells devoted the last awful minute allowed him to the most earnest and fervent prayer ; at length the signal was given, and   the cart drove from under him ; but by the concussion the suspending cord was separated about the centre, and the culprit fell to the ground, on which he remained motionless with his face downwards. The cart returned, and the criminal was supported on each side until another rope was applied in lieu of the former : he was again launched off, but the line unrove, and, continued to flip until   the legs of the sufferer trailed along the ground, the body being only half suspended.      

All that beheld were also moved at his protracted sufferings ; nor did some hesitate to declare that the invisible hand of Providence was at work in the behalf of him who had revealed the circumstances above related. To every appearance lifeless, the body was now raised, and supported on men's shoulders, while the executioner prepared anew the work of death. The body was gently lowered, but when left alone, again fell prostrate to the   earth, this rope having also snapped short,  close to the neck.  

Compassion could no longer bear restraint ;  winged with humanity, the Provost Marshal sped to His EXCELLENCY'S presence, in which the success of his mission overcame him ; A Reprieve was announced---and if Mercy be a fault, it is the dearest attribute of GOD, and surely in Heaven it may find extenuation !

Samuells, when the Provost Marshal arrived with the tidings which diffused gladness throughout every heart, was incapable of participating in the general satisfaction. By what he had endured his reasonable faculties were totally impaired ; and when his nerves recovered somewhat from their feebleness, he uttered many incoherences, and was alone ignorant of what had past. Surgical assistance   has since restored him ; And MAY THE GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF THESE EVENTS DIRECT HIS FUTURE COURSES!  
     
One of the ropes which sever'd at the place of execution on Monday underwent an experiment the same day, from which it would   appear that it had critically been defective in that particular part alone in which it failed. One of the ends being fastened to a beam seven weights were supported by it, each weighing 56lbs ; one of the strands was cut across and afterwards a second; but the   single strand that remained was found sufficient to support the whole weight depending on it.  

[Fulvio]

From The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Sunday 2 October 1803:

My how times have changed... imagine the difference if it happened today.

[robbiegal]

hey guys
some    stories
shows the resilience that some people have
I tips me hat to you fellas xxx robbie

[Steveqld]

From The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Sunday 2 October 1803:

My how times have changed... imagine the difference if it happened today.

Very hard times.  Executions, snake bites without antivenom, drownings because they couldn't swim, indigenous attacks, drunken murders, farming accidents, suicides, unknown diseases, droughts and floods.  It's a wonder we thrived as much as we did.  They must have had a tremendous strength of survival.

The most lashes I've seen imposed was 1000 (I think he only got 1/3 of those because he committed another crime and was sentenced to hang).  That was for a burglary whereas someone else that raped an 8yo girl only received 800.

Ads seeking apprentices aged between 10yrs and 14 yrs to serve an apprenticeship until they reach 17.

I have an interest in early Australian history so it's good to read the contemporary records of Napolean preparing for war, the discovery of koalas, kangaroos and the variety of snakes, stories of pirates , the Bounty, natives in the islands (Tonga) ambushing ships, the order to stop herding stock through the Rocks in Sydney so they set up cattle yards a couple of blocks away (Too many pedestrians in inner Sydney were getting knocked down by the cattle), the best way to revive a drowning victim was to wrap them in blankets, the best way to treat a snakebite was to cut out a circle of skin around the bite with scissors or the like, Bennelong was alive and a famous native combatant, etc

Life was hard for everyone.  No OH&S in those days.

[ausjack]

hey guys
some    stories
shows the resilience that some people have
I tips me hat to you fellas xxx robbie

Thank you RG your a sweetheart :give_rose: It's all good mate I just get down from time to time and mainly at myself for not being able to do much, and need to vent sorry and then think there's FA I can do and I'm still breathing so try and look up :yahoo: just sometimes it's a little hard but with nice people around it makes it easier :friends:
Thanks Steve, cool reading