Aus News 30: Public sick of street violence, says judge

A serial offender, Brooks, 21, has been jailed for four and a half years for brutally assaulting and robbing a teacher, Mr Wresinski. The teacher claimed that he was left bloodied, bruised and with a broken arm after being kicked by the cruel and callous Brooks repeatedly. Mr Wresinski was kind to lend Brooks his bike after knowing that he had no way to get home. Unfortunately, he was robbed and bashed by the cold-blooded youth. He said that he no longer feels safe to walk the streets at night. The judge Tinney stated that the society is sick and tired of this sort of public violence. He also realised that Brooks had a unpleasant upbringing. He was being exposed to environment with domestic violence and with little regard for the law. He was also committed to a crime of assaulting his 75-year-old great-grandmother three years ago.

Comment:
Public violence is getting more prevalent. The saddest issue is that youths never get themselves out of this issue. The apparent root cause here is, the upbringing atmosphere. Children should be instilled with positive attitudes and exposed to convenient environment. This is because they are vulnerable to any issue happening around them, and they are unable to distinguish what is harmful and what is beneficial. Therefore, in order to avoid them from having misconception since young, parenting and positive religious teaching should play an important role here.

Aus News 29: Wild weather leaves path of destruction

Victoria experiences its most devastating floods in more than a decade. A damage bill of tens of millions of dollars is expected after the heavy downfall. Besides, the heavy rainfalls caused landslides, flash flooding and the evacuation of homes. An emergency alert system was created to warn the Victorians about rising flood levels. The residents were sent text and telephone messages telling the dangers in the area. The northeastern townships were issued with emergency evacuation alerts and an estimated hundreds of homes will be affected. The State Emergency Service (SES) was issuing a major flood warning for residents along the river to be aware of the deteriorating situation. The SES claimed that 625 calls were received overnight relating to severe winds and wild weather as well as fallen trees and building damage that affected central Victoria and Melbourne. By the way, the government is arranging emergency relief in affected areas to assist the flood victims. All Victorians are urged to check the forecast in their area, listen to the warnings and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. On the other hand, the iconic Birdsville races were postponed for the first time in their 128-year history after an unseasonal downpour flooded the track. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts for more wild weather with heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms which could lead to flash flood.

Comment:
Apparently, the Australian government has indeed put their endeavour in handling the severe floods. A deeper look into this issue, what on earth are the major cause for this lamentable disaster? It goes back to climate change issue again. Have human beings realised their responsibilities in putting all these disastrous damages a halt? When are we going to stop exposing to all this disappointing news? Haven't all these devastating natural disasters acted as a portent for us that doomsday is getting closer to us? It's time for us to choose either to save the earth or suffer for what we have done to the earth.

Aus News 28: NSW parliament will hold a conscience vote on a bill for legalised adoption by gay couples

Major parties are dividing over the Bill of whether to allow same-sex adoption. The opposition leader of this Bill, Mr O' Farell, claims that same-sex adoption would deny future kids the chance for a mum and dad. Besides, the Liberal Party also opposed the Bill by saying that it will increase the rate of abortions. They further explained that any mother who put up her baby for adoption would never expect their baby to be brought up by a gay or a lesbian couple. The Bill is expected to be debated today, with all MPs granted a conscience vote for the first time on the isuue. On the other hand, the two major child and welfare charities in NSW supported the Bill, saying it would benefit children and boost the number of carers.

Comment:
There are both advantages and disadvantages of permitting same-sex adoption, like what had been argued by the different parties. In my own view, it goes back to the main issue-- homosexual discrimination. If people are ready to accept homosexual relationships, then same-sex adoption should not be a problem as well. However, it depends on how we look at the issue. Since it is hard to reach a consensus on an issue, government will then have to do something to ensure that the decision on the Bill will satisfy both sides of the argument.