Church asked for 'annoy' law, says Iemma. No we didn't, says church's youth day chief

[panzerfaust]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Oz)



... The NSW (State in Ozland) government has come under fire for laws introduced to prevent people "causing annoyance" to those taking part in World Youth Day events, and which could be backed with large fines.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma said today the laws were brought in following consultation with the Catholic church and "advice" from the World Youth Day authority...

...(the Church's representative)was also asked what he would consider to be an annoying act, since according to the new regulations a person may be fined $5,500 for causing annoyance at a World Youth Day event...he said said that was up to police...


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/church-denies-asking-for-annoy-law-a-hrefhttpblogssmhcomauurbanjungle200807world-youth-dayhtmlbblogba/2008/07/02/1214950807788.html

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Oz and the UK are perhaps moving even more quickly than the US in the direction of a Police State:

The UK has the greatest number of surveillance cameras per capita of ANY country in the world, and Australia likely has the most restrictions of freedom of speech and assembly of any English-speaking country - and adds more at the drop of a religious request.

The back-story is that the Pope (yes, the same, fresh from his sold-out American Tour) is visiting down-under, and is not likely to be as warmly received there as he was here. The Church is especially concerned as the Pope's visit is being held on World Youth Day - which has lead to all sorts of jokes (see the picture), given The Church's recent (recently *revealed* that is) relationships with Catholic youth.

So far, this has been a century of retrogression in the Rights of Man (not to mention of the rights of non-men, who are the majority of humankind)

Sigh.

[trusty elf]

1. "The Pope touched me down under"

:rofl:

[Esra Star]

2. I think they're are assuming that the "Chaser team" are cooking

something up. They probably are and it will probably be very annoying and embarrassing for Iemma.
If it's up to their usual standard, it will be a hoot.

[Matilda]

3. First, my disclaimer.

I'm a practising Catholic, although I do have considerable issues of concern with the Vatican
hierarchy, not least for their attitude to women, and their appalling mishandling of sexual abuse
by priests. But I'm also a member of a Jesuit parish, and the Jesuits have a fine tradition in
social justice issues, and have never been afraid to go head-to-head with the Vatican over human
rights.

I've been disturbed by the over-zealous authorities who've decided that it's a good thing to uproot
trees, tear down bus shelters, and get rid of gardens that may be in the way of pilgrims walking
to the racecourse to see the Pope - heaven forbid the little dears wouldn't be able to walk to the
venue in a straight line. I definitely don't agree with the granting of extra powers to the police -
giving them any more authority than strictly necessary to deal with real criminals is a huge
mistake, as they invariably abuse it.

But I'm really, seriously angry about threats to my liberties as a citizen of this State, set in
place by a Cardinal with zero people skills and a Premier with an IQ in double digits. Acting
alone, either of them are a menace to society; in tandem, they're a catastrophe.

I really don't think I have any choice but to buy the most annoying t-shirt I can find, and join in
the protest that will invariably occur in the wake of this authoritarian stupidity. Australians
don't take kindly to bullying; something the dim-witted Premier and the dictatorial Cardinal seem
to have forgotten.

[uriel1972]

4. I wonder who gets to define annoying

defamatory and offensive, vilification all of these I understand, but annoying? wtf do they put in the water in NSW. I hope it doesn't flow downstream here

[Matilda]

5. Exactly - one man's meat, etc.

I find Pell annoying, and Iemma is both annoying and offensive to me. So can I ask the police to
arrest them both?

And a big problem is that the implementation of these laws rely on the judgement of the police and
their ability to discern a real threat from an irritation. I don't put much faith in their ability
to make the right call.

[Matilda]

6. Think about this ...

Jesus got right up the noses of the religious leaders in Jerusalem for
exposing their hypocrisy, to the extent that said leaders called on the
Romans, the government of the day, to try him under Roman law and get him
out of their hair.

Sound familiar?

But also think of this - the new powers given to the police are to remain
in force until NOVEMBER 2009! The Pope and the pilgrims will be long
gone - what have Iemma and his misbegotten Cabinet got in store for us
that he's going to need police protection from the citizens of this
state?

[Andrushka]

7. I know some call him "Nazi Pope"

due to his unfortunate past as a lad, but me thinks Iemma has taken it seriously!

Threatening arrest for "causing annoyance"? The Chaser lads badgered Howard for weeks on end on his morning walks the past two years and the worst they got was a barking at by his security detail. Why the new law for the visit of some git in a funny hat who believes in some sky fairy?

[Matilda]

8. Iemma annoys me.

Sartor annoys the hell out of me, and Costa makes me ropeable. I know I'm not alone.

What do we have to do to get them arrested?

[Violet_Crumble]

9. The Pope, Pell, and all those pilgrims annoy me. So why can't I annoy them if I want to?

I'd have been really annoyed if I was flying into Sydney when those planeloads of irksome singing and dancing pilgrims were clogging up the airport. I'm annoyed that this World Youth Day isn't just one annoying day, but something like a week. I'm annoyed that Iemma likes renting out Sydney to whatever big annoying event he can find and he doesn't give a shit how it affects people living there. And telling us we're not allowed to annoy the pilgrims is like waving a red flag in front of a bull for me at least....

World Youth Day gets annoying

Is it too late to move World Youth Day? With the new law outlawing annoyance, you have to wonder if Sydney was ever a great choice as venue. The pilgrims might be happier in Melbourne.

The cops, not to mention assorted firies and other volunteers, will be able to ask you to desist from behaviour that "causes annoyance'' to participants in a World Youth Day event. Think for a moment about who those participants will be. All lovely people, no doubt, but not entirely sympatico with the ethos of this fair city. Think the alcohol thing. The sex thing. (Thank God it's not summer: Bondi Beach would be a nightmare.) The gay thing. Serious potential for annoyance everywhere you look.

Think Bill Henson.

The scope of the new law is huge. Event sites include vast areas of the city, such as Darling Harbour, Centennial Park (no more annoying behaviour in the bushes, please), and the University of Sydney (Annoyance Central). Plus another 41 pages of assorted churches and schools. Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Baulkham Hills, the Croatian Catholic Centre in Blacktown: nowhere will be safe if you're wearing a cheery "So many Christians, so few lions'' T-shirt.

The world has noticed. Yesterday afternoon a Google search on "World Youth Day'' and "annoying'' drew 920 hits in Australia and an annoying 15,300 internationally.

Annoying people has been a great Australian tradition. Indeed, it's been a great Christian tradition. So let's have a competition here. Submit your suggestion for the most creative way to annoy a participant at a World Youth Day Event. T-shirt slogans would be good, but we're open to anything.

http://blogs.smh.com.au/urbanjungle/2008/07/world_youth_day.html

[Matilda]

10. The Federal Court Judges don't share Iemma's view.

"Two student activists have won a court challenge to special World Youth Day laws that allowed police to detain people or fine them $5,500 for annoying or inconveniencing Catholic pilgrims.

No To Pope Coalition members Amber Pike and Rachel Evans took the New South Wales Government to the Federal Court, arguing the laws were unconstitutional because they would make their peaceful protest illegal."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/15/2304138.htm


Of course non-Catholics were always going to be unimpressed by the event, but as a Catholic and a
citizen, I also feel that the infringements on people's right to move freely about the city and to
express their opinions on the event overshadowed any benefits to members of the Catholic Church.
My right to practise my religion is not under threat, but my liberties as a citizen of this state
are. I know a number of Catholics who are hosting visitors, and even they don't agree with the
shutdowns, the increased police powers, nor the now over-turned ban on "annoying" t-shirts, etc.

The enthusiasm with which Iemma has always been ready to give police increased power in the name of
anti-terrorism is nothing more than an attempt to stifle all dissent. NSW has had more than its
fair share of Premiers who were dickheads and/or crooks, but Iemma is the most sinister I can
recall. Behind that stupid face is a truly ugly man.