tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980Fri, 29 May 2009 04:21:40 +0000Hi people. I'm Robert Fyffe. Born in Adelaide, South Australia on 15th January 1959. Have lived in Darwin, Northern Territory since 1996. This blog is a collection of my 'letters to the editor' that I've written to various Australian newspapers. Plus the odd intermittent ravings. Please feel free to comment.http://www.napnt.org/blogs/robf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)Blogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-8819682842339857474Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:12:00 +00002008-06-08T17:44:17.889+09:30It seems the Northern Territory Government has forgotten who votes them in, or out.It's not the property developers. They simply grease the wheels for their development projects to go ahead so that they can make massive profits here.It certainly isn't the property investors. They all live in other states. They simply use the Northern Territory to fund their comfortable lives elsewhere.The voters http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/06/renters-vote.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-8320696163785159427Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:23:00 +00002008-06-05T03:54:50.193+09:30The Network Against Prohibition has long claimed that one of the least desirable aspects and outcomes of the prohibition of a variety of recreational drugs, is the ever present temptation and possibility for police corruption.What more glaring example of this truth do we need than the recent bombshell from NSW.The only way this Government can have any control over the recreational drug industry http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/06/prohibition-issues-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-8188542578581271451Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:21:00 +00002008-06-05T03:53:34.149+09:30I saw a recent ad for a flat on a real estate agent's website.Maintenance free, unfurnished two bedroom unit. Suit busy city worker or young student.And the price? $340/wk.By my reckoning, based on Aus-study/student allowance rates, you'd have to cram about 8 young students in there to raise that price.And people over commit themselves financially to an investment property who's current, and morehttp://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/06/rent-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-2225401904920735625Sat, 31 May 2008 07:34:00 +00002008-05-31T17:04:58.863+09:30Re: "Top NT cop slams drinking culture" page 3 story, NT News, Sat May 31.Little wonder the NT Police are in such a state of disarray.Their leader is clueless.Yes, people should take more responsibility for their own behavior. But unless this is impressed upon them, through responsible education, and effective police action, they wont.The NT police's "turn a blind eye" response to the blatant http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/05/top-nt-cop-clueless.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-1830733379825394352Fri, 23 May 2008 07:32:00 +00002008-05-31T17:03:49.455+09:30Perhaps it would be more equitable if Centalink were to actually link their rent assistance level to the mean level of rent in the region administered.I'm sure the Real Estate industry could provide reliable figures. The same figures they use to encourage potential property investors to those regions.Robert Fyffehttp://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/05/rent-assistance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-8979547803786972987Thu, 22 May 2008 10:59:00 +00002008-05-22T20:31:07.042+09:30Ok. So who's the conservation mastermind at NT Parks who determined it is in the best interests of the environment to remove all the rubbish bins from Casuarina Coastal Reserve?This blatant cost cutting exercise has been justified by the statement "people should take their rubbish away with them".Agreed. People should. But people don't.Perhaps we should disband the police force, on the http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/05/environmental-mismanagment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-4246457593009046902Thu, 22 May 2008 07:30:00 +00002008-05-31T17:02:14.747+09:30Re;- "Daily pot smokers increase risk", NT News, 22 May.Having read Dr Martin Cohen's report, and listened to his Catalyst ( ABC) interview, I am even more convinced of the need to legalize and regulate the use of cannabis, just as we have done with the other drugs which are dangerous to one's health and wellbeing when abused. I refer of course to nicotine and alcohol.One of the major concerns http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/05/daily-pot-smokers-increase-risk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-182124190932555234Wed, 21 May 2008 10:51:00 +00002008-05-22T20:25:09.770+09:30Ok. So who's the conservation mastermind at NT Parks who determined it is in the best interests of the environment to remove all the rubbish bins from Casuarina Coastal Reserve?This blatant cost cutting exercise has been justified by the statement "people should take their rubbish away with them".Agreed. People should. But people don't.Perhaps we should disband the police force, on the http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/05/environmental-mismanagement.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-2337553637312227942Sat, 17 May 2008 07:27:00 +00002008-05-31T17:00:23.425+09:30Having spent the last three months searching for single accommodation in Darwin, one is led to the inevitable questions.Just how many "executives" does one city need, and until they all start to arrive, where are those who actually work, to support those executives, supposed to live?I noted a recent article presenting the view from the real estate industry, that the bubble will not burst, and http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2008/05/accommodation-in-darwin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-1616378749184368013Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:41:00 +00002007-12-08T17:15:56.622+09:30I would like to call your attention to a statement made in the "Economics Monitor" Oct. 1997, a report prepared by Access Economics (one of Australia's leading economic consultancy firms. Advisor's to business, government departments and industry).Quote;- "Prohibition has not prevented widespread drug use, but has created a criminal run industry which corrupts law enforcement agencies".So I http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/12/drugs-and-economy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-7755693844622738590Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:29:00 +00002007-12-03T19:25:44.831+09:30Soft on crime?Now where have I heard that line before. Oh, that's right, only at every single Territory election ever held.The Martin-led Labor Government has been quite diligent in using the Northern Territory "Misuse Of Drugs Act" against the Aboriginal population of the Northern Territory in order to produce incarceration rate figures to prove how tough they are.At a time when there's great http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/12/soft-on-crime.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-4465107236842390712Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:41:00 +00002007-11-23T11:12:36.109+09:30Dear editor,I would like to call your attention to a letter I wrote (and you published) on 30th March 2007. A letter you entitled "Darwin heading for POT drought".In this letter I pointed out that everywhere in Australia where the police have picked the easy target cannabis to provide them with photo opportunities, for the propaganda/misinformation campaign, which are supposed to have us all http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/11/its-time-for-change.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-3981674120977934564Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:25:00 +00002007-10-10T17:07:15.988+09:30(Published, NT News, 8th Oct.)Well surprise, surprise.The Channel Nine News tonight reports that public displays of violence and violent crime have increased 72% in the last twelve months.Is it simply a coincidence that this sharp rise has coincided with the police efforts to remove cannabis from the the market here in Darwin?Now the party goers in Darwin are traveling on a mix of alcohol and http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/10/published-nt-news-8th-oct.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-2388966754987809973Sun, 05 Aug 2007 07:18:00 +00002007-10-10T16:46:17.005+09:30(Published, NT News, Wed 7th Aug.)Well the stage has been set.Little Johnnie's off on a crusade with Mal as his first Lieutenant to save the Aboriginal kids from being thrown overboard by their people.A situation they have been orchestrating for about eleven years now.Claire, you could jump on the band wagon here and go on a campaign to save our children from death by ignorance.As long as drugs http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/08/save-kiddies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-552641467550930787Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:15:00 +00002007-07-28T23:47:37.865+09:30Perhaps my years of drug use have made me paranoid.And perhaps the chain of events were purely co-incidental.A person known to me, who stayed for a short time at the same residence as I, was involved in a traffic accident.At the time he was unlicensed, driving an unregistered and unroadworthy vehicle (the brakes were shot), drove through a red light (speed undetermined), t-boned another car http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/07/perhaps-my-years-of-drug-use-have-made.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-98334473064266796Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:09:00 +00002007-07-28T23:48:27.897+09:30I wonder if any of our well informed and intelligent politicians can explain to all why cannabis is classified as a schedule 2 dangerous drug.What information by way of scientific studies and social studies were conducted to justify coming to the conclusion that cannabis is so dangerous.When considered in the light of comparative studies between the physical, psychological and social effects of http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/04/i-wonder-if-any-of-our-well-informed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-4182573912537931860Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:05:00 +00002007-07-28T23:37:16.186+09:30Hi,Just passing on some interesting observations that tie in well with the drug prohibition theme.Winston Churchill once said: ‘what good is freedom when your people live in fear!?’When a government institutionalizes intimidation and repression to impose its own norms and values upon and over the identity of a sub-culture then it is time for that sub-culture to speak up if they are not to lose http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/04/living-in-fear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-2848059209768804198Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:41:00 +00002007-03-29T05:12:52.302+09:30The question has to be asked.Just what is the current agenda of the NT police?Ther lastest campaign to remove cannabis from the market has been remarkably effective.Darwin is facing its first drought in the twelve years I've been here.Fortunately for me, I'm just a pot smoker (of thirty years) and not an addict. So I don't feel the need to turn to an alternative. I'm not happy about the situationhttp://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/hidden-agenda.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-7598620339720830334Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:33:00 +00002007-03-21T19:52:37.064+09:30Well I attended Darwin Magistrates Court this morning (21st Mar) for mention of the matter of "possess cannabis".Surprisingly there were very few people in court, so my mention came up by 9:15.I entered a plea of "not guilty".When asked if I would like time to get legal advice I stated that I would probably be representing myself in this matter.The court set a date for the contest hearing at 10:http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/busted-update-no2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-2753127258434631512Sun, 18 Mar 2007 23:47:00 +00002007-03-20T09:18:24.862+09:30According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey approximately 46% of Australians have used illicit drugs at some time.This figure is unlikely to be reliably accurate given the climate of fear caused by the Governments propaganda war on drugs and criminalisation of drug users.Many drug users will not admit to their use even in anonymous and confidential surveys. I suspect the true figure http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/prohibition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-8017126115887236304Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:45:00 +00002007-03-20T09:16:33.767+09:30For those of you hankering for a return to the "good old days", fear not, we are there.Right back to early 1940's Germany when Jew hunting was all the rage.Or is it the late 1600's and witch hunting?In October of 2006 my house was raided by eight storm troopers (or was it the puritan army) and a dog, on the suspicion (no actual evidence) that I was harbouring Jews (or witches)Unfortunately the http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/neo-nazi-policies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-4582938583376719239Wed, 14 Mar 2007 06:11:00 +00002007-03-21T14:02:55.105+09:30Well finally.On Wednesday 12th March, only 4 1/2 months after the offence, I received my"SUMMONS TO A PERSON CHARGED WITH AN INDICTABLE OFFENCE"I am charged with: "unlawfully possessed cannabis plant material, a dangerous drug specified in Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act:Contrary to Section 9(1) and (2)f (ii) of the Misuse of Drugs Act."I am therefore commanded to appear on Wednesday, the http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/busted-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-4869184026695223033Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:04:00 +00002007-03-05T19:45:17.642+09:30REGARDING the front page story of Northern Territory News March 1: “Police seize $3 million cannabis haul”.(published)sent to NT News. Where do you get your pricing from? Is this a figure you just plucked out of thin air for the sensational value? Or was this the figure provided by the NT Police? Either way, it is so far exaggerated as to be pure propaganda. Three million dollars for 30kg http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/drug-price-questionable.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-950486166948400737Sat, 03 Mar 2007 23:41:00 +00002007-03-20T09:12:58.414+09:30Re; The story in the NT News, March 1st, "Mun desparate for sniffer son help"This is a prime example of the inadequacy of the NT health department, and the "service" it provides.According to the "authorities". - Those who work in the field of addiction through Alcoholics Anon., Narcotics Anon. and Gamblers Anon. Addiction IS a mental health issue.It is an unfortunate consequence of our http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2007/03/addiction-is-mental-health-issue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22324980.post-116507740328406258Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:02:00 +00002007-03-20T14:01:05.201+09:30And Now For Something Completely DifferentBy now, those of you who regularly read this site, will have read about the raid on the NAP headquarters that took place on the 27th of October 2006, (as reported in the latest news from NAP).I'm the one who ended up receiving an infringement notice for possession of cannabis (personal).An "offence" which carries a penalty of $200 + $10 levy for purposes http://www.napnt.org/blogs/2006/12/busted.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rob.Fyffe)0