The state of [Perth] society

[Nesti]

Okay, I've seen some gross stuff, but this tops all.

Our wheelie bins were emptied earlier this morning. When I went to remove them from the verge and back to the side of the house, the recycling bin had a large black plastic bucket thrown in the bottom...it was full of...ready...sewage!!!

Someone [or animal actually!] has dumped crap in my brand new recycling bin!!! :mad2::mad2::mad2:

The smell was/is atrocious.

I called the council but they have no idea what to do with the bin because it belongs to Perth Waste, but Cleanaway are only people able to handle toxic/hazardous waste such as this (under contract). So the council is perplexed as to how they should handle this issue.

I can only assume, that in the centre of the metro area, some household is using buckets rather than a [serviceable] toilet, and dumping the problem onto others.

After Peter Ward's thread of road rage - which I experience almost every day - city live seemed a little disheartening. but this...oh-man!

My partner and I were just talking about packing up and moving to the country over breakfast as city life isn't desirable anymore...I think the universe just gave us decisive confirmation of that.

Diabolical social behavior.

[supernova1965]

The vast majority of people are good people if you go by the media who only report the bad events because they think it sells you are bound to get a negative outlook on society. Or by the random act of 1 individual but that is not the whole society only a small part of it. There is pleanty of proof of our society improving the only thing is you have to search for it for the media are not good at showing it as the preception is that it does not sell. This is why the internet is such a good tool you can find out the good that is happening in the world. Just look at things that used to be quite acceptable in the past which are totally unacceptable now. We are improving and evolving socially there is always some that lag behind but in general things are improving.:thumbsup:

[casstony]

It's hard to imagine that a city dweller doesn't have access to toilets. Can you think of some other explanation, such as someone with a grudge against you Mark?

[syousef]

You're going to be moving a lot if every time someone does something low/disgusting you pack your bags. If it keeps happening I'd be setting up cameras to catch them.

[Ric]

Hi Mark, you can't beat the country life mate. Fresh air and dark skies and the only waste you'll see are the Skippy droppings.

I love it where I am.

[Nesti]

If it was scattered across my lawn, then I would most definately be suspect of foul-play...BUT, it was placed inside my wheelie bin...which indicates to me, someone just wanted to off-load the trouble.

The council has since said that they will be taking it away and replacing the bin with a new one...but they have no idea as to how they will dispose of it as it's technically Bio Hazard Waste.

Although it's annoying, we have actually had a good laugh about it.

My gripe with society is that if it's not this issue, it's tagging of our exterior [laneway] wall, and if it's not that, it's car break-ins...all these things consume our time, cost money and raise our rates and insurance premiums at the end of the day.

[Peter Ward]

The contents of that bucket remined me of Sydney's west in the early 1960's...there was no sewage system, & the proverbial "night cart" cans...which was serviced weekly by the council...were a shameful reflection of this lack of infrastructure.

I recall said container got quite full one week, due extra family staying over. My mother also was ill at the time. It was a hot summer, and the dunny out the back was getting a little fruity!

My father called the Council from his work requesting an extra service call.

The Council's response was "once a week is all you are entitled to"

My dad, calmly requested that this be re-considered, as if he had to leave work to fix the problem, it would be fixed by him personally emptying the contents of said "can" into the foyer of the council's offices.

A service truck apparently arrived within the hour.

[Nesti]

True, but where's the demarcation line between sporadic and systemic?

Cameras and courts do little these days.

[rogerg]

We often dream of moving to the country. We hate the city life. The rat race. But .... work his here, family is here.. it's just too hard.

Sounds like you're in an area that's going through a rough patch.

[Nesti]

Mel's parents have a farm which has that type of feel. Just dealing with income concerns with relocating...we're slowly putting everything on-line soon.

[Nesti]

:lol: Yeah, that's the way to do it...today they'd just see you in court.

In all honesty though, the council have actually been great in this instance. Possibly the novelty value alone.

Many years ago, when conducting live fire exercise with Iroquois Gunships south of Ballina (NSW), we were using "said" toilet buckets as the farmer's property was not allowed to be fouled for environmental reason. So no digging holes.

One very early morning, three of us came back from a night out in Ballina, very rowdy and very intoxicated. Needless to say, the three of use become quite proficient in handling "said" containers at the regional water treatment plant.

There was a lot more too it than what I've written. Still haven't had therapy for that. :lol:

[Nesti]

I would have to agree with you...but, you live in Perth, what if I told you we live on Lake Monger?!

And yes, you're right, family, work etc, big call.

[AstralTraveller]

Of course they have left a lot of DNA about. A bloke was jailed for theft over here after they found a Coke can at the scene that he had touched. In his case they had the DNA on file from a previous expense.

[rogerg]

:( ... you'd expect better wouldn't you.

[Screwdriverone]

Hmmm, seems a little strange Mark, that you were allowed to conduct a LIVE FIRE exercise using Iriquois gunships on the farmer's property, probably with THOUSANDS of bullets of various calibre and possibly even rocket launchers dropping shell casings everywhere etc... and yet, you couldnt dig poo holes?????

HEY? :shrug:

Don't get that, one bit!

Cheers

Chris

[Nesti]

Sorry Chris, my fault...it was too condensed. The farmer's property was where we were based and operated the choppers from; the live fire range was actually 30km away. We needed the farmers' property as we needed a safe corridor to fly with live ordinance...so no people!

A little secret. Flora and fauna thrive in live fire ranges. The damage is quite small.

The biggest threat to the farmer's property was from our waste and when the choppers shut down (a valve in the combustion chamber opens and dumps the remaining fuel through an overboard drain pipe; so we placed buckets under the pipes).

[Nesti]

Maybe, but that's not reality.

About three years ago I copped a black eye when I got into a fist fight with two punks trying to tag my car and souvenir the badge off the bonnet. This was in the middle of the day.

We have a business in Leederville...have you seen Leederville on a Wed?

Previously, we had the business property in York St Subiaco, next to PMH. The footy crowd every time would rip saplings out of the ground, throw rubbish over the gate...the list is endless.

Here is no different to anywhere else in Perth.

I'm not overly negative. I just realise that you cannot change anything anymore...so country life has become more appealing.

[TrevorW]

The decline in society stems from the lack of respect for parents, neighbours, the elderly and police.

Take away punishment for being naughty (in the home, at school and on the streets) leads to disrespect and anarchy

I might be old fashioned but being smacked by my mum, getting the cane at school and the occasional kick in the butt from the local copper never did me any harm

Just last year on the way home from work on the train I had an altercation with some young punk who starts scratching his name on one of the windows, no one else said boo to him or supported me and were where the train guards when you need them etc etc

[Nesti]

You have hit the nail on the head. I have always said that fear keeps society in check. Fear of being ousted in a wolf pack keeps the individual wolf in check, this is because a single wolf would probably not survive.

If you remove the fear - like you said; a smack, the cane, kick in the butt - then you have actions without consequence. Confidence in that mind-set then builds and before too long, crime.

Why did I do what I was told in the Army? Simple, fear of the repercussions.

[casstony]

I think having to use fear is an indication that parents/society have failed our young. Provide a child with positive role models and a clear path to employment and the kid will probably do well; a lot of kids don't have either of those things these days. A strong cultural identity and coming of age rituals are also a little lacking in modern society. It's a complex picture.

[sheeny]

I second that.

Just don't tell everyone, ok? (anyone into astro is fine;)).

Al.

[marki]

Well I have never experienced anything like this but do agree Perth is losing it's charm of late especially if you are old and unable to defend yourself or live within 10km of the CBD. I think it is fueled more by people being displaced to feed the ever speculative boom times as more and more people move into the state for work. During the last peak in minning operations people with full time jobs were living in shelters as they could not afford to pay the ridiculous rental rates being demanded. People who would normally be catered for by the shelters were cast out onto the street to fend for themselves. Add to this the ever growing meth market and you have a reciepe for disaster which we are seeing unfold before our eyes. Keeps the morbid tabloids busy though. I do remember the West Australian news paper having the headline "Death by Boom"...I think this pretty much sums it up.

Mark

[Screwdriverone]

AHHHHHH, I see, makes sense now, thanks for clearing it up Mark.

Now I am off to play COD6 Modern Warfare 2, just coz you got me in the mood to call in an AIR STRIKE! :D

Cheers

Chris

[Nesti]

LOL...you guys and your computer games :rolleyes:

Book yourself in for a few weeks at the Land Warfare Centre in Cunungra during mid-winter. That will rid you of your addiction.

[TrevorW]

I agree positive as well as negative reinforcememt are required but you can't have one without the other.

How children and adults behave is indicative of their upbringing

fortunately I have two law abiding university educated children who received both positve and negative reinforcement during their formulative years and I can be proud of them

[Nesti]

Our son's one of the most liked and influential kids at his high school. But he wants us all to get out of this country. His mates are into drinking and smoking dope and he's finding it difficult to say no all of the time, preferring instead to stay at home on Friday nights.

Parties he goes to get gate-crashed all the time, in some cases, parents - who are there to make sure all is well - are getting bashed by the gate-crashers. Insane!

I was born and grew up in Perth. I lived away for 16 years but settled back here. I can't stand the place anymore.

[TrevorW]

I might get ridiculed for this but bring back national service it's way overdue

[GrahamL]

A touch over the top maybe Trev :) .. lets all just agree to stop pooping in Marks new wheely bin and see how it goes without the guns:thumbsup: . :D

[Hans Tucker]

Jeez...and I was complaining about always having to empty the crapper on a C130H during Duty Crew. On the B707 was worse...the coupling never mated correctly and you had to hold it on by hand..nice foul liquid running down your arm...ode cologne.

[Nesti]

C130/707...Reckon you'd know Truck Turner.

[Hans Tucker]

Tall, Barrel chest...chicken legs....Engine Fitter (or was he a Framie :question:)...Yep from my 2FTS days.

[Nesti]

That's the man! LOL...think he was originally a sumpie.

I knew him from Singapore AF jet trainers.

Geez, small world.


Talk about flash-backs...I still remember TDIOC units from RAAFSTT days...how bad is that for brain-washing.

[Paul Haese]

As ex army I have my ideas about discipline. The soft feable minded, civil liberties types have completely no idea whatsoever what they are talking about. Kids know all their rights and not one of their obligations in general. There are exceptions of course, but on the whole youth today are not the god fearing (coppers or our fathers) youth of my day. Yes violence is not the way in general but young men are like wild dogs; if one gets out of line the alpha male chomps him. The coppers now are too scared to go into certain areas of even little old Adelaide, because their power to police is so watered down it might at well be non existent. Lots of young men don't respect their fathers much anymore, I was scared witless of what my father would do to me if I misbehaved during the day. Kids seem to care less now. People want others to "talk stuff out". The Courts don't hand out harsh penalties (some yip got 2 years the other day for killing another person in his car when he collided with a tree at 160kph. That is a real statement to youth that there are no consquences to arrogant stupid behaviour.

Several years ago I confronted three youths for tagging in Blackwood (its a small hills community). Before I knew it there were 30 children ranging in age from 10 years to about 17 and all armed with pipes, timber lengths and cricket bats. My immediate instinct was to give them an ultimatum. I advised them that while they would most likely kill me, I was going to take out the two oldest ones first. I was very lucky that my threat looked like I could carry it through and they backed away while I did the same. It said to me what a wild pack of savages we as a community are breeding.

I think Jack Johnson said it perfectly, "if it's hell what you want, then its hell what you'll get". We are not providing enough discipline, at some point giving idol threats has to give way to actual action. If not many of you in the cities will face violent crimes before you leave this planet. Choice is yours, make a complaint to the relevant authorities in your city.

[WadeH]

Unfortunatly we are all reaping the rewards of the crazy political correctness of the 80's and 90's.

Social engineering, you can keep it!

[astroron]

I was over in WA for nearly two months late last year, and I was disgusted with the mindless vandalism of the train carriage windows by idiots scratching their tags into the glass.:mad2:
I am glad I live in the country, where I am oblivious to this crap:rolleyes:
If these people are caught they should be made to pay for the damage,or if they have no money, put on a Chain Gang out in the country making roads away from civilization.:mad2:

[marki]

As an educator I can tell you from my observations most kids do know the difference between right and wrong and have been well directed by their parents. As usual it is the one percenters that cause most of the trouble and even this is a general sweeping statement. Many of these kids are from broken homes, violent homes or even worse no home at all ( I have taught many such kids). They recieve no guidence and are left to their own means so just make up thier own rules. Drug and alcohol abuse are major factors which lead to crime and other deviate behaviours. Parents...teach your children well and perhaps we can survive this kaos created by limp wristed ledgislators and overly leaniant courts.

Mark

[Nesti]

Yeah, well said Paul.

A short story: A couple of years ago the family and I went to Thailand. While in Bangkok, we were headed to one of the bigger shopping centres when we felt an weird silence. Everyone, and I mean everyone was standing still and completely silent. The traffic had moved off the road and all engines were turned off...totally weird as 1 min earlier it was manic. We whispered to young school girl asking what was happening, and she replied "Royal Family". A few moments later and a small motorcade of police bikes and white Mercs zoomed past. 30 seconds later and it was Bangkok as normal.

How is it that every single person in the street, no matter how busy, took the time to pay their respect?! And would you ever see that level of respect here in Aust?!

Thailand isn't paved with gold, there is crime and some violence (Gov related), but the average person, of all ages groups, has respect.

National Service time perhaps!