Of course I can't predict how Brexit (if it happens) will affect the UK but the feeling in my bones (always right) is that it will actually be ten times worse than predicted.

Brexit has been driven by two lots:

1. Opportunists epitomised by the likes of Nigel Farage (with probably Russian money) who have so much to gain (1000s like him who will benefit Rupert Murdoch etc), and crass opportunists like Boris Johnson
(I mention Rupert Murdoch because he absolutely hates Britain..he hates the bulk people who he thinks are morons to be exploited..and he hates even worse the so-called Upper Classes and the Royal Family..much of it driven by his father;s experience at Gallipoli..yet he has basically chosen now for over 30 years who will govern the place)

2. absolutely millions of total British morons and racists who delude themselves that they are somehow (despite being Thick As Sh*t) "true British patriots" despite never having done anything remotely "British" except watch TV and go to the pub, perhaps a holiday in Spain and other moronic activity and convince themselves that their dreary boring inane lives somehow define them as True Patriots (which by definition means anyone who does not prescribe to their ludicrous view of what it is to be "British" is a traitor).

Tough I know but someone has to say it !

This is just a fraction of what will happen as the day after Brexit (if it happens) millions of Brexiters will wake up and delude themselves that life has changed for the better because Johnny Foreigner in Brussels will have been routed....

A crisis of confidence at the heart of the country’s institutions allows predators to circle in preparation for rich pickings

Once again, Britain is being dragged along by international events, lacking an independent, well-considered policy, compromising its principles, and at the mercy of more powerful antagonists. This sense of drift, of a rudderless ship of state bobbing haplessly in hostile waters, is pervasive and alarming. To say it is the product of temporary uncertainty, caused by a change of prime minister, is to underestimate the problem. In this respect, Boris Johnson is both symbol and symptom of a deeper malaise.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/j...P=Share_iOSApp_Other

As the Brexit debate rages on, it's scary seeing the sustained high levels of violence on the streets. Incidentally, I'm wondering if the hatred of British officers at Gallipolli could have played a minor background role in the success of the recent campaign to have Sir William Slim's name removed from the streets of Canberra? Afterall, the decision to have the signs taken down was based on unfounded allegations that the former commander molested three boys in his Rolls-Royce while visiting a children's home in 1955.

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/s...3282cbbd678c1e0ad2e0

One witness / complainant name given in news article that does not mathematically tally in the story given. Stephens age 64 and visit in 1955. Unless Australians send kids to school before been a year old or they have a difference mathematical understanding. Year of visit given as 1955

One only needs to look as at the facts given at the George Pell's trial including evidence accepted from a dead witness by the only complainant who we do not even know if they were friends or just acquaintances and he the dead witness denied when alive any abuse and I thought the British needed help!!!!

Of course I may of misread it does happen! Often I prefer to be wrong in these cases!

"Other boys spoke of fondling in the back of cars as he toured the farm," Stephens, 64, said. "In my case ... two of us were picked to go in his car as it was leaving "

"later to become a peer of the realm - groped pre-pubescent boys at Fairbridge Farm School at Molong, in the central west of NSW, when he visited in 1955. "

wjlmarsh wrote:
One witness / complainant name given in news article that does not mathematically tally in the story given. Stephens age 64 and visit in 1955. Unless Australians send kids to school before been a year old or they have a difference mathematical understanding. Year of visit given as 1955



"Other boys spoke of fondling in the back of cars as he toured the farm," Stephens, 64, said. "In my case ... two of us were picked to go in his car as it was leaving "

"later to become a peer of the realm - groped pre-pubescent boys at Fairbridge Farm School at Molong, in the central west of NSW, when he visited in 1955. "

Very nearly a good spot, wjlmarsh. However, the article was written in 2007, making the complainant 11 or 12 in 1955.

Of course..even if Brexit goes ahead I hope I'm bloody well wrong !!

Interesting you mention Sir William Slim.

Years ago I worked in Oz on a mini-series called "Leaving Liverpool" which was about all those kids who were sent to Australia in the 50s

There are some really horrible tales with some kids being told lies- their parents were dead and didn't want them and so on.

In the series, based on real life stories lots of boys and girls are sexually abused at the large farm style properties they were sent to live on and basically work as unpaid labour run by both Catholic and C of E churches.

In the 90s all these accusations came out but also came tales from many kids who absolutely loved their new life in the sunny climate.

Bear with me..this goes to media influence..

One prominent Aussie I met along the way was David Hill who was one of those kids "transported" from the UK. He rose to great heights as a Labor Party MP and then Chairman of the national broadcaster the ABC.

He often spoke of the wonderful time he had at one of those homes..of incredible kindness from those who ran the places and the young women from the local towns who came to work on a daily basis.

And then years later the tales came of abuse...Hill sort of turned on sixpence and began to say while he never saw anything, obviously it was all terrible (of course shocking abuse did happen)but it was pretty obvious he really had to join in the condemnation for fear of being attacked ...

Re Pell: during the Royal Commission that targeted the town Pell trained as a priest in the 70s (with some commentators ludicrously claiming he was a Bishop) the most questionable tales were allowed to flourish and because Church lawyers decided not to question them they gained currency...one "victim " and "survivor" who was toothless claimed all his teeth had been wrenched out by pliers by evil Nuns and that this was a common practice with almost every day a young lad who talked during class being hauled out by pliers wielding Nuns who wrenched a tooth out as punishment and sent the poor boy with blood gushing from his mouth back into class as a warning to others.


No-one question this ridiculous claim..that open bleeding wounds are dangerous and surely some kids could end up with serious infections or even die !!

And even worse..an aged medical professional nurse said he attended the school on a weekly basis and said he never saw such terrible wounds but this was then cited as evidence a "blind eye" was turned to abuse and it was ignored.

Catch 22 , Kafka etc

Randall wrote:
wjlmarsh wrote:
One witness / complainant name given in news article that does not mathematically tally in the story given. Stephens age 64 and visit in 1955. Unless Australians send kids to school before been a year old or they have a difference mathematical understanding. Year of visit given as 1955



"Other boys spoke of fondling in the back of cars as he toured the farm," Stephens, 64, said. "In my case ... two of us were picked to go in his car as it was leaving "

"later to become a peer of the realm - groped pre-pubescent boys at Fairbridge Farm School at Molong, in the central west of NSW, when he visited in 1955. "

Very nearly a good spot, wjlmarsh. However, the article was written in 2007, making the complainant 11 or 12 in 1955.

Thanks Randall now makes more sense re timing. I will attempt to remember to see if referenced article is old next time. Just thought is was current. Of course the car thing also is something I would question simply in normal life where high ranking guest visitors normally have staged encounters and photo shoots etc. Not outings with some of the boys on their own.

I remember that programme well, Hedda. I still have a documents pack "The Leaving of Liverpool" bought at the Maritime museum in the late 90s. I also remember reading Teresa Cooper's "Trust No One" around ten years ago. I believed these stories of childhood abuse at the time and still do. The stories published nowadays seem to focus almost entirely on blaming and trashing others. I think it's hard not to be sceptical or question their validity under these circumstances.

Did you work on Police Rescue also ? That show was corny but bloody entertaining even in prison.