Throttle the son not the connection

What's this crap about "as a nation" What gives you the right to speak for Australia? As an Australian I *hate* the idea of any censorship and I don't bloody want it and I don't bloody expect it. But what pisses me off almost as much is the fact that it won't bloody work and it'll only slow down my already bloody pitiful excuse for broadband.

Well the intent of the new law is to outlaw: "publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted". So the stated objective is not to require you to believe anything, but to require us all to treat other people's beliefs with respect. But whatever the stated intent, it is a very silly law. I am a Christian, in fact, an unpaid minister in the Anglican communion. But I do not want this law, I do not need its protection - and neither does my faith community. I am not even sure that I would not be breaking this law every time I went to Mass, because my recitation of the creed could be considered deeply offensive to Jews and Moslems. The point is, I think, that whatever people may or may not say, the choice about wether I am outraged remains entirely mine. If you speak things about Jesus that I consider offensive, it is up to me to decide whether I am outraged, or whether I react with compassion and understanding. Since Jesus famously forgave the people crucifying him, I am fairly sure what reaction He would expect of me. This legislation seeks to penalise *you* for any immaturity in *my* response to your speech. That seems absurd and utterly unworkable. If a prosecution is ever brought, it will play out in the European Court of Human Rights.

yep - more likely to die in bed than anywhere else, guess I'll keep drinking the caffeine

I agree. I'll get one when they launch in Australia. I guess the reason these 3G plans are so expensive is that business travellers are prepared to pay this much to stay in connected. If you do most of your work in the office, or at home then why bother. But if you travel for work, and can't afford to be out of connection, it is a pretty useful device. Here in Australia, 3G performance is pretty slow and unpredictable. I get pretty cranky about it, but there isn't a viable alternative.

You don't even have to be in the general vicinity - India - west africa - east africa - malaysia - australia - new zealand to say nothing of invading China and burning the summer palace because they wouldn't let us sell opium. Just sharing a planet with us can be pretty challenging!