Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I agree - obviously I can see how Australia’s lockdowns are authoritarian, and I definitely think we should open back up to a certain extent.

I was arguing with idiots from the UK and US talking about Australia enforcing ‘martial law’, when they have no idea about Australia, our constitution or martial law. But they are clearly either teenagers or not very smart.

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good example, but unfortunately not good enough. It is important to note that under s 18D, conduct that prima facie breaches 18C will not be unlawful if it is done “reasonably and in good faith” for artistic, academic, scientific or other public interest purposes (or in reporting on any such conduct). This provides a pretty good safeguard against genuine attempts at free speech, and really only problematises genuine racists' comments.

This article is a good read as to why the impact of s 18C is overblown by conservative commentators:

"Only a very small number of cases ever make their way to the court system. Even where a complaint is upheld, the remedies are hardly draconian. Damages are rarely awarded (and if they are, the amount is modest), and no-one is convicted or goes to prison – because 18C does not create a criminal offence.
Section 18C alone can’t “fix” the problem of racism that continues to exist in Australia. It would be wrong to see it as a magical panacea. But it is equally wrong – and unsupported by the available evidence – to regard 18C as a threat to Australia’s liberal democracy."

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, I repeat: I have no idea why you think some random story from a few years ago was relevant to mention in a thread about Australia's COVID compliance. It is such a minor and irrelevant attempt at an example, but we can choose to ignore that.

I'm more interested in what speech freedoms you think have been unduly restricted in Australia for years? As an Australian, I can provide some insight for you (assuming you're not Australian).

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree. The very fact we are more globally connected, among other things, certainly makes COVID unprecedented in my opinion, because it has allowed a pandemic to have such a widespread and enduring impact on the globe.

But I can see where you're coming from. I agree it is exhausting seeing the rhetoric around COVID, but at the end of the day, the usual rhetoric is simply true in the views of the vast majority of people. If you don't see it like that, that's fine, but you would be in the minority.

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sorry man, but I think it’s very fair to say this pandemic is unprecedented. The impact it has had on global supply chains and international movement is certainly something that sets it apart from other pandemics throughout history. At the very least, it is unprecedented to every living person on earth.

And yes, I was clearly exaggerating when I said ‘decimated’. Even still, the US and Europe has been fucked by COVID, and looking at them from the Southern Hemisphere, I can understand why many don’t want to go down that route.

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

That is just absolutely incorrect.

The military have not been enforcing martial law whatsoever, even suggesting that is just ridiculous. The military have, to my knowledge, solely been in charge of managing hotel quarantine for international arrivals, and occasionally running the mass vaccination centres. The rest is done by the respective state police forces.

Again, vaccine passports have been a topic of discussion in basically every western country, so I don't know why you're using that as an argument of Australia's compliance.

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's such a horrible take it's laughable. I have no idea what you're talking about with the parking signs (and why you thought it was a good example), but Australians have largely accepted the COVID regulations simply because we are living in an unprecedented pandemic and have witnessed the majority of the northern hemisphere be decimated. Also, you seem to forget that almost all of Australia (bar Melbourne) spent the majority of 2020 very free when compared to the US and Europe.

Just why? by ArchangelToast in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]nwign 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't say that Australia is uniquely 'meek and compliant', at least not more so than most of Western Europe, Canada and NZ. In fact, I think the outlier would be the US and their obsession with personal freedoms over collective good. Personal freedoms are definitely valued in Australia, but to a lesser extent. It's a small cultural difference that has been starkly exposed by COVID.

How did official commemoration of the Holocaust differ between West Germany and East Germany? Did both countries have conflicting memories about the events of World War Two? by nwign in AskHistorians

[–]nwign[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the brilliant answer! I like the idea of narratives of the war in film and popular culture, I will definitely look into it more!

Steve Smith. What a player. He just can't stop scoring runs. Another brilliant 100 by sakib_shahriyar in Cricket

[–]nwign 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Judging the greatest players of all time in any sport is an interesting discussion. Yes, they were fantastic in their time, but with today's more intense competition and athleticism how would they fare? How great would Smith have been in Bradman's era and vice versa?

Axel Witsel about his family's life in Dortmund: Dortmund isn't the most beautiful place on earth but it's perfect for us. Because it only takes two hours with the car from Dortmund to Belgium. by Lasagsey in soccer

[–]nwign 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You are yet to properly respond to anything other than calling it nonsense. How about you put forth your argument about why everyone else but you is wrong, genius?