Rabbits

For the first time in ages I was robbed this morning, by a couple of runners around 18 years old. Right away I knew their intentions – call it instinct - but carried on anyway, too tired to challenge them for the bucks up-front.

Sensing this the front-seat kid at West Ryde station gently patted my arm and said, “Mate, we’re really sorry to do this to you, but...” and fled. I was touched...for $23, to be exact.

Upon arriving on the opposite side of the station, a Premier day driver hailed me. He was heading off to work but first insisted we drive around looking for the kids. This was useless, of course, for what could we do?

After delivering him to the cab I reported the robbery to the network operator and confirmed that downloading the images from the security camera was pointless due to the time and cost involved.

In hindsight I regretted not using my own phone/cam to record the kids and post their images here, though this is probably illegal.

For what it’s worth, the kids revealed...

• one lived in West Ryde and the other, Dundas
• they had attended a NSWU Roundhouse concert by Parkway Drive
• one or both were studying to become a personal fitness trainer at TAFE.

Although it was my own fault for stopping, I felt sorry for them out in the cold and rain at 1:45am, dressed in shorts, T shirts and hoodies. Quite possibly, my own son at that age was once in the same predicament so it wasn’t hard to relate to their plight.

What always amuses me about runners, after the initial anger subsides, is how frightened and cowardly they appear whilst bolting like startled rabbits.

Their running shoes slip and scratch on the roadway in a desperate bid to gain traction, as if I’m likely to produce a hand gun and start blasting after them.

They even 'thump' like rabbits in the quiet of night, so frantically do they scamper away. It's a humiliating look.

Comments

[Tom Reynolds]

Adrian,

I'm pretty sure that if you did have their pics you could publish. Committing a crime negates any right to privacy- assuming you reported this top the police as well.

you know, with your readership, you could use this blog to catch them in the future- it happens:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/30/nissan-skyline-gt-r-thief-busted-by-internet-forum-members/

Cheers
Tom

[PQ]

Pity you can't carry a gun, Adrian, Might deter some of these low life thieves.

[Goldstein]

Bummer, Adrian..

If you had the photos you could have published them -it breaches no criminal law, and if the scumbags felt you were defaming them by alleging criminal behaviour, well, they'd have to sue you in a civil court -but that would reveal them, wouldn't it ? ( and the truth is now an absolute defence to Defamation)

They didn't "rob" you in the strict sense -they failed to pay you for the trip -which I presume is a specific summary offence, usually punished with a fine.

Typical that it's too expensive to get the photos off the security camera ! How ridiculous -they should be obtainable for exactly this type of incident ! It's like when your car gets stolen -more often than not the coppers can't be shagged finger printing the vehicle -so the scumbag thief who gets caught down the track is a "first offender" when in reality he got away with the other fifty -if each car had been printed they could charge the asshole with all of them..

I only ever had one runner -a fat drunk -who I chased, caught, frisked, got cash, then rolled into the gutter..

[Graeme]

PQ
Pity we all cant carry guns eh?
What would that world look like mate?
Glad your safe adrian. Albiet 20 bucks short.

[PQ]

"An armed society is a polite society" -Robert A Heinlein.

[Paul (ex-brissie cabbie)]

Who is this GUN FREAK who has joined this group....

PQ - This is the most rediculous statement I have ever heard..... you are an idiot!

If cabbies carry a gun then the thieves will also carry weapons.....

This is very very dangerous..... THANK GOD Adrian only lost $20 and not his life!

[Paul (ex-brissie cabbie)]

Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American novelist and science fiction writer. Often called "the dean of science fiction writers."

[Goldstein]

Regarding PQ and Paul(ex-brissie cabbie) above:

Paul -PQ has a right to a point of view. And I find your statement " If cabbies carry a gun then the thieves will also carry weapons..... " bizarre -for a start, Adrian had a fare evasion ! They didn't turn him over, they ran.. Should we stop coppers carrying guns, in case their carrying guns encourages thieves to go armed ?

And what makes you think thieves/crooks aren't already carrying weapons ! Where do you live that you can be so naive ?

Just last night a man is his 60s was assaulted by home invaders here in Adelaide -Somerton Park -armed with screwdrivers and glass shards -they turned his place over, roughed him up, and stole his Honda Accord -which they then used to do further crimes..

A fortnight ago bikies shot it out in the Gouger Street restaurant district -bloody bullets everywhere.. then last week there was a drive-by in the same street..

Anti-gun nuts like you, Paul, have left us disarmed even in our own homes, so we are left to cower from armed criminals.. the coppers get more and bigger guns -but ordinary citizens are left unprotected, helpless and vulnerable.

What will you do, Paul, if you are held up by a Meth crazed scumbag ? Put your hands up and beg for mercy ? At least in the States you can protect your own home..

I have been attacked by a drug affected piece of shit armed with a knife -in a stairwell, at night -and being unarmed I was lucky to get out of it.. had I had a gun the world would have one less scumbag Amphet user in it, rather than one more burden on the tax-payer.

[Mnemonic]

To Goldstein.

Your pro gun argument is so full of holes it must have been shot with the same guns you glorify.

Which doesn't surprise me considering your previous statement "I only ever had one runner -a fat drunk -who I chased, caught, frisked, got cash, then rolled into the gutter.."

One day someone taking their own perception of the law (As you did) into their hands is going to leave this world minus one Goldstein. So please make sure your life insurance is paid up and your super is adequate so that your family is looked after.

To PQ.

""An armed society is a polite society" -Robert A Heinlein."

Yes because the US is such a polite society.

[Goldstein]

Re: Mnemonic

I didn't make a pro-gun argument -I took issue with the comments made by Paul(ex-brissie cabbie).. If I was making a pro-gun argument I would say so, it would be obvious, and referenced..

Of course a blind tool like you sees an "argument" -I simply raised a couple of current examples of armed criminals who were not spurred into arming themselves by cabbies carrying guns or whatever -they carry weapons because they care not at all about gun laws, because they are criminals, and they can.

As for your crap about "my perception" of the law -my perception as you call it is based on my life in the real world -it would be great to live in whatever lala-land of peace and love and mutual respect you pretend to inhabit.

Of course you don't address my question -what will you do if/when you are bailed up by an armed criminal/mental/mental criminal ? I could refer to actual cases of harmless folk pleading to not be harmed, only to be slashed/shot by the assailant, but space doesn't permit.

Bottom line is -Australians are now defenceless as individuals -thanks to people like you. Is that what you want ? Why is a defenceless populus a good thing? Now only cops and criminals carry weapons.. great. We can't even defend our homes from invading crooks without averting to "reasonable force" provisions of the Law, when we should be thinking purely of our welfare..

Just because you want people to be nice, respectful to each other doesn't mean they will be.

[Mnemonic]

"Of course you don't address my question" Well you asked the question of Paul, No one else.

The only "Tool" here is the one that gloated about taking the law into his own hands when he assaulted an innocent guy, shook him down for money and then rolled into the gutter.

And Yes, you did make a pro-gun argument. Have a read of what you wrote.

I see there is no point having a debate with you as you'll only fill your response with assumptions as you have done just now.

Namaste

[Goldstein]

You are a piece of work, mumblemoaner..

Oh.. so my comment is for Paul -except the bits you decide you want to disagree with.. which are the bits in your head, not in the comment.. I think you have a problem with anyone who objects to being rendered defenceless.

And your editorialising of my "gloating" about "taking the law into [my] hands" in "assaulting" an "innocent" guy -wow -you are seriously projecting some pissy wierdness in your brain at me, aren't you ? This guy was a FARE EVADER -as per Adrian's blog -the fare went to about $35 from memory -out to the middle of bloody nowhere -and this fat prick was just doing a runner. If I'd held him -arrested him -as is my right -the coppers would have been at least 45 minutes coming -during a busy Friday night -so I'd have been even more out of pocket, waiting for a patrol, doing the paperwork, farting about, missing about TWO HOURS minimum of my big night..

He would probably have been held overnight for the fare evasion & drunk/disorderly, and been up for legal fees, fines, etc. Instead I held my breath -he stunk -and got about $15 in change out his pocket and rolled the cackling idiot off the road verge so he didn't create a road hazard -this bloke was a drunken, irresponsible idiot, who thought it was a huge joke to make me chase him for the money. He should have received a flogging -but he didn't. I left the prick lying on his back cackling like the moron he was.

I saw him push a $50 note down next to his cruets as I grabbed him -but I left that where it was -I wasn't going there.

I didn't notice you around to hold his hand, or pay his fare..

Instead he got away with a $35 fare for $15, no arrest, and I could go back to the city.

If I made an argument at all, it was in raising my frustration at how Australian citizens have been rendered defenceless by legislation - 1. removing any rights to firearm ownership -or even bats or knives -for " self-defence " -in your own home -get it ? Even in your own home you can't have any form of weapon that you define as for "self defence" -you have to pretend your bat is for sports or whatever.. 2. that most states' self-defence provisions are wooly and not reflective of the realities of "home invasion" and the targetting of soft targets by criminals.. Who's got the time or peace of mind to calculate "reasonable and proportional force" when some arsehole is kicking in your door or punching you in the face ?

Basically -I'm sick of wankers like you telling me I can't defend myself -but not offering me any alternative protection.. ask most cabbies how they feel about their only "protection" being a camera to record their getting bashed or robbed !

But you offer no comment on my assertions concerning the above, do you ? All you do is criticise my natural desire not to be assaulted by armed criminals.

Namaste my arse.

[dirty harry]

runners only 1 thing to say to them---GO AHEAD MAKE MY DAY.

[Paul (ex-brissie cabbie)]

Guns are bad..... Guns DO NOT reduce crime.... The US does not appear to be a low crime country....

Goldstein - your view is straight out of science fiction......

Most police in the BRITISH POLICE FORCE do not - I repeat - DO NOT - carry guns.

Gun control is the greatest things JOHN HOWARD ever did for Australia.....

Thank god the number of guns has been reduced.

At least in Australia we are unlike to have a gun pushed into our face.......

[Goldstein]

Paul (ex-brissie cabbie):

What are you on ? You just blurt out some unconnected statements -and ? That's it ? What is my "view" exactly ?

Given how garbled your blurb is, I guess I have to, ah, extract a " point " from it..

Paul says : Guns bad ! English cops mostly don't carry guns ! In Australia it's unlikely you'll have a gun pushed in your face ! John Howard Good for ban guns ! Gun numbers reduced !

-Like, what the hell does all that mean ? Frankly, you're talking crap -half what you say is simply wrong.

Ordinary English cops don't carry -but squads of coppers armed with MACHINE GUNS are on call 24/7 -MetPolice SO-19 etc. They roar about in Vauxhalls and vans.. Cops with MACHINE GUNS guard airports, government buildings, ports, courts, etc -LOOK IT UP..

Gun numbers in Australia have INCREASED since Howard's knee-jerk ban ! LOOK IT UP. He banned semi-autos, so everyone went and got bolt-actions or double-barrel shotguns etc.

As I said -here in Adelaide, diners have TWICE in the last month had to duck for cover as bikies shoot it out with semi-automatic hanguns / do a drive-by in Gouger Street -LOOK IT UP. Chap in Somerton Park home-invaded last week, more hold ups on hotels, chemists, Hungry Jacks, Pokie venues, etc etc -ARMED CRIMINALS -LOOK IT UP.

And how is my " view " that I don't appreciate being left defenceless " science fiction " ?

I mean, do you live in a hut on some deserted beach somewhere ?

I have personally been robbed (as in, he was charged with Robbery with Violence) while driving a cab -I'm not talking about the fare evader either -it's the main reason I stopped driving.. I have personally been attacked -as I said -by a crazed f**kwit in a stairwell -he had a knife, and I was damn lucky to get out of it. I lost an Aunt to murder -stabbed, and she bled to death. Etc etc..

People like you amaze me -why do you keep on about how it's better if ordinary citizens are completely defenceless -as in, NO gun, NO bat, NO sword, NO knife ? IN THEIR OWN HOME -I'm NOT talking about in the street or wherever -In their own bloody house ! Why is that better ? Why do I have to pretend that my baseball bat is for sport, when it's actually in case the Gipsy Jokers down the road decide to try and steal my car (again..)?

Why don't you mob ever rant on about the gangs of armed crims running about ? Like the Aboriginal "Gang of 49" in Adelaide doing nightly ram-raids, home invasions, hotel hold-ups etc - I just don't get it -you keep on and on about disarming every decent person -so the only people armed are coppers and criminals -the rest of us just stand around like bloody cigar store Indians..

I just don't get it -do you have such paranoia, such mistrust of your fellow ordinary citizens that you virtually want to make them eat dinner with plastic cutlery -in case they want to turn their knife and fork into weapons ?

We may have less chance of having a gun pushed in our face here in Oz, but let me tell you, mate -it's NOT exactly bliss having some Indigenous youth poke a knife at you on George St near Town Hall, or a Meth addict come running at you with a dirty 4" blade in a stairwell.

[Paul (ex-brissie cabbie)]

Goldstein .... what can I say to you?

Violent crime in Australia is actually quite rare..... It is just sensationalised by the media.

The chance of being home invaded/attacked with a gun is about as high as meeting you in a taxi (yes even though you have given up cab driving).

Goldstein - what do you think the answer is?
Let everybody have heaps and heaps of guns like America? Is that what you want? Do you want to be able to go to K-Mart and buy live rounds?

Gun freaks seem to think guns will stop all sorts of evil in society..... let me guess if you have a gun on you it will ward off trouble?

Goldstein - your argument makes about as much sense as somebody of meths!

So you need a baseball bat to ward off bikies.... Goldstein - if these guys wanted your car it would already be gone! So what are you going to do? Pull out an air rifle and start firing? MAN - you are going to get yourself killed.

Then who do I argue with once you are gone?

GOLDSTEIN - wake up.

[Paul (ex-brissie cabbie)]

Goldstein .... what can I say to you?

Violent crime in Australia is actually quite rare..... It is just sensationalised by the media.

The chance of being home invaded/attacked with a gun is about as high as meeting you in a taxi (yes even though you have given up cab driving).

Goldstein - what do you think the answer is?
Let everybody have heaps and heaps of guns like America? Is that what you want? Do you want to be able to go to K-Mart and buy live rounds?

Gun freaks seem to think guns will stop all sorts of evil in society..... let me guess if you have a gun on you it will ward off trouble?

Goldstein - your argument makes about as much sense as somebody of meths!

So you need a baseball bat to ward off bikies.... Goldstein - if these guys wanted your car it would already be gone! So what are you going to do? Pull out an air rifle and start firing? MAN - you are going to get yourself killed.

Then who do I argue with once you are gone?

GOLDSTEIN - wake up.

[Goldstein]

Paul (ex brissie cabbie ):

When I first contemplated commenting on your comment to PQ, I hesitated, because I thought this would occur. But I thought "Bugger it -I think PQ is entitled to his opinion" -so I commented..

I thought what I was saying was.. really.. basic.. -I was NOT making a party political broadcast on behalf of the Shooters' Party.

Where exactly have I urged that everyone should own a gun ? I have actually been speaking about MY right to defend myself -YOU are the one talking about guns, specifically guns owned by law-abiding citizens -why no equal fervour about guns owned by crims ? You say diddly on that score..

I state again: I DO NOT approve of my being stopped from defending myself by my being completely dis-armed. Period.

As I asked -do you approve of the current state of affairs where a home-owner is stopped from possessing any weapon whatsoever -as in, bat/kosh/knife/ or gun -for the stated purpose of self-defence ?

Have you ever been threatened by some piece of shit that is holding a weapon to you ? Some weedy prick that you'd drop in a second, if he wasn't armed ? Well, I have, and it sucks. Ask a 7-11 owner what it feels like to have some junky waving a knife or syringe at them, or a bank teller who's been through a hold up, with shouting robbers waving shotguns about. Ask them how it feels to be helpless.

AGAIN : I am NOT making out an " argument " -I am merely putting my opinion -with some (brief) reasons for my opinion. This blog -owned by someone else -is not the appropriate forum for me to put a detailed argument for my owning a weapon..

Truth be known -I don't give a shit if you approve of my having some kind of weapon or not -if I want to protect my home, then that's what I'll do.

I don't own an air rifle.. and if I want to try and stop some prick from stealing my property with my bat, or a piece of steel -because that's all you lot have allowed us to use -then that's what I'll do. Some of us would rather die on our feet than live on our knees, Paul.. "For evil to triumph, all good men need do is nothing."

And why is it for me to have to justify why I should be allowed to defend myself ? You tell me what the alternative is ? Hide ? Run ? Because you've said NOTHING about that -you seem to think it never happens -when as I told you - I WAS held up in the cab. I WAS threatened by Koori youths with a knife outside Town Hall. My Aunty Lorraine WAS stabbed, and died. My car WAS stolen. Gouger Street WAS shot up a couple of weeks ago ( x 2 ). Three Rebels DID die in a hail of bullets 500 metres from my then-flat a few years ago. Etc etc.. It is not the Wild West, but neither is it bloody Disneyland.

About ten years ago, an old guy called Albert shot a burglar in his house -Albert was in his 80s, the crim had come in the window. Albert lived, the crook died. He was carrying a large knife. Albert -who lived over the street from my mate Rick, was a nice old guy, and he was never charged over that "righteous" shooting..

You clearly must live in a retirement village or something -I deal with people with problems who live in squats, the park, Commission flats, dumps with old Commodores rusting on their front "lawns" (weed infested patches of dirt actually) -violence in these areas is NOT AT ALL uncommon -yelling, fighting, drug od's -violence is every day.

And regarding guns -if they are so dangerous, so unnecessary, so bad -why have our coppers just bought S & W semi-autos ? And NSW Police Glock semi-autos ? Obviously they feel the need to protect themselves from something -some increased threat -Oh, but ordinary citizens can't...

And did you know -it is ILLEGAL to own a bullet-proof vest ? So, in Australia, you can't even wear a protective garment -that hurts no one else -without specific approval from the Commissioner of Police.. I think that is just amazing.. I'm not saying we should all wear ballistic vests -but why don't we have the right. if we felt it necessary ? What "rights" do we have left in this country exactly ?

Australia has no Bill of Rights, and it shows..

[Rainer the cabbie]

The above dispute is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Paul, nice to see you again.
Goldstein, is that getting up your goat ?

[Goldstein]

Guten Nachtmittag, Rainer..

I do find it mildly frustrating, yes.

Particularly -returning to a cabbie theme -when drivers in Adelaide were only a few weeks ago blockading Parliament House -demanding something be done after a series of bashings and robberies of night drivers here.. As they were last month in Melbourne.

If society wants people to do dangerous jobs, it should do a bit more than just close its eyes and make a wish. I don't like being a "sitting duck"..