Alan, one of my sons works in the security industry. He also works as a doorman at venues on the weekend.
He recently returned from a few weeks holiday in USA. Reckons he had a great time and is keen to go back. Apart from everything, one thing stood out. He was out every night and didn't see one fight which made it a pleasure to go to night clubs etc.
In his work as a doorman he estimates there would be about half a dozen fights on any night. He now realises there is something seriously wrong in our country.
Two days after he came home he went out with some friends to a local bar. He saw two fights before he'd finished his first drink. He didn't buy a second drink. Just came home instead. As he was going to bed he said to me, "dad, what's wrong with us?"
This problem is not going away until we deal with it. A few years ago a mates son was king hit outside a local pub. His head hit the ground and he died. He was 19. The hitter got off because the jury fell for the defence line that it wasn't the punch that killed him, it was his head hitting the ground. Unbelievable, but true. What hope have we got when the courts can't even deliver justice and young australians think cowardice is cool.
