what? a riot?

Violence comes to town and one feels obliged to say something about it, but let's face it, to the average inner-west resident, Cronulla is another world away, and thank gawd for that. What everyone feels though is a sense of general unease whoever, and wherever you are in this country. People either feel threatened by the police or by those who are fighting the police, by the "terrorists" or by the "law enforcers". Everyone feels obliged to take sides one way or another. Left and right are pushed deeper into their respective corners, with little chance of anyone finding any common ground.

Should I be amazed that the only time Australia features in the news is when something dastardly happens? I suppose not. The fact is that Australia is pretty damn quiet and tame most of the time. When commentators say that the yobs who start trouble represent a small minority, I guess they must be right. Most people here are pretty quiet and well-educated and softly spoken. But it doesn't take much to blemish your image. And I was hoping to get to the beach this weekend........