Comments for Rick Bolt's Blog

Comment on HOW MANY MORE MUST WE LOSE? by Terry

Terry — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:47:42 +0000

Like you and every other Aussie I am saddened by the loss of yet another Australian life in a war that seems increasingly pointless. However I do believe that we as a nation started something with the coalition of forces and we must be part of the solution. I am not convinced that bringing home our troops will achieve the final objective.

I would also hazard a guess that political parties will not bring this into the main arena of an election as they would not want to be seen to politicise our soldiers.Ultimately parties are about “winning” elections rather than what is actually best for the nation.

Comment on HOW MANY MORE MUST WE LOSE? by Rick

Rick — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:35:31 +0000

@Pete
Pete, Thank you for the comment.

Very good point. We as a small country rely on our allies and therefore need to support them as well. Understand that, but in doing so, do we need to place our people in so much danger? Can we not provide “support” services removing our people from the front line? That way we have reassessed our position, made appropriate changes and not still heading down the same “apparent” dead end path.

Again with the UN roles, a majority of these roles do not place our people in the same significant danger as we face in Afghanistan. Many UN roles do not permit those involved to carry arms, therefore just playing a safer policeman role.

Comment on HOW MANY MORE MUST WE LOSE? by Pete

Pete — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 05:21:53 +0000

But Rick if we as a nation are not seen to participate on a global front (militarily) would that not cost us our position with our ‘allies’? I don’t think Australia can afford to bring them home, we are not a military power and certainly not a financial power.

I am saddened by the loss of life Australian or other BUT the people who are overseas serving in any number of our UN positions are there voluntarily, they are not conscripted. Personally I applaud the sacrifice that those who defend our country make, be it by the laying down of their life or time away from their own families.

Comment on Where Has Our Sense of Safety Gone? by Yadu Singh

Yadu Singh — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:02:06 +0000

I can’t believe how people keep driving with full speed when they see children around.I would have definitely slowed down. If it was safe to stop, I would have and provided help within limits.

I had once driven betwwen Port Hedland and Karratha in WA. On the way, I felt tired and stopped my car to have a snooze for about 10 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised that every person driving on that road stopped and asked about my well being.

Hope, things do improve for you and your family.

Best of luck!

Yadu Singh
http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh
http://www.yadusingh.wordpress.com

Comment on My Centerlink Visit by Emily

Emily — Fri, 07 May 2010 04:53:01 +0000

I feel for you here. I had to go to Centrelink a few times for forms for the kids when we returned from Overseas and I fould the experience daunting, depressing and just plain hard work. I am so much more aware in the past year that my family is only 2, 3, 4 big incidents like losing a job etc. away from losing our home and what we take for granted. Thanks for your honesty on your blog.

Comment on Where Has Our Sense of Safety Gone? by Coralie

Coralie — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:45:24 +0000

If I saw an adult only, and I was by myself with my child, I would not stop. That is thinking of the safety of my child. But if I saw (especially young) children there with an adult, I would have stopped and asked what help was needed.

Comment on Another Child Lost by Sue McDonald

Sue McDonald — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 20:11:02 +0000

Hi Rick

This is very true. I think the number of crimes, not only crimes relating to children, but all crimes are increasing out of control and I really think it comes down to the discipline that the children receive in their own homes. I think if we do not guide our children and show them both love and discipline then society just breaks down. Every weekend there are bashing and stabbings when people have gone out for a night “on the town” to enjoy themselves. Children are growing up too quickly and want and want more material things. What happened to families playing together?

Comment on Another Child Lost by Candy

Candy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:38:25 +0000

I think you have a point there, I don’t thing like this happen when we were kids, well at least not as much. Something, somewhere along the line changed the way communities behave. Yes it makes me very sad too.
Good post

Comment on Another Child Lost by Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:22:05 +0000

Hey Rick, I hear you! I have been feeling exactly the same! We have a huge responsibility with our children and it just seems to me that people in general are more about ‘me’. My biggest fear is that if my husband and I were to pass away before the children were old enough to look after themselves. Who would look after our children? I know we have family and close friends and they would be cared for in some form, however, my biggest fear is that our children would be split up into different families because 6 is too many! Too many for who? To intrude on the elaborate lifestyle?

Re: the amount of childhood deaths. I have been feeling extremely vulnerable with every new death I too hear about. I fear when I occassionally allow my boys to enter the boys toilets without my husband accompanying them. I feel the same about my girls. I don’t trust many people now and I find that sad.

We are blessed to live in a very close community and we do look out for each others childrens, however, become very wary of anyone ‘new’ or a bit ‘different’.

Anyhoo, thank you for your heartfelt post. I can relate to much of it but I don’t think I can answer the questions…..

Comment on Another Child Lost by Itchef Jenny

Itchef Jenny — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:53:33 +0000

I think parents are the only ones that can look out for their children, children have always gone missing, never to return, it is not new, I think it is just more on the news. I suppose the only positive thing is that we all listen to the news and watch our children that little bit closer, even when doing day to day things.