Today’s dispatch is Special Treatment. Originally dispatched on 12 February 2015
Buenos dias compañeros,
In Alice Springs last week half a dozen armed police charged into a residence to arrest a murder suspect. The teenage suspect was in a room with a privacy door lock (easily opened with a spread knife). Three doors were kicked in. One of the rooms contained a couple of terrified toddlers watching a video. The lady whose house this was, complained to the police about the unnecessary damage to the doors and the violent behaviour in front of her grandchildren. “Housing will fix that” she was told “No they won’t, this is a privately owned home”
“OK, we will fix it then” Have they? Not yet (will keep you posted). “And by the way, we’re sorry about the kids” (no they didn’t say this, it was just a thought).
Were these Afghani Muslims in Afghanistan? Or Armenian Dissidents in Turkey? Or German environmental campaigners in Germany? No, they were Australian Aborigines, in Australia.
They got Special Treatment.
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/04/08/how-to-break-down-a-door/
From Art of Manliness: “Alright, let’s get this out of the way first: kicking down a door is not the best option for opening a locked door. It will damage the door and cost you lots of money to fix it. It is better to call a locksmith, pick the lock, or attempt to crawl in a window….. How to break down a door If you have watched enough movies, your next move is a no brainer….run at the door shoulder first, right? Wrong. This technique may be über-manly, but it will probably dislocate your shoulder. It is better to employ a more forceful and well placed kick.”
A few days ago a fight broke out in Yuendumu. At 5 a.m. the next day Police Special Forces flew in and carried out raids and arrested 7 people.
The Flying Doctor and Police planes are identical. The RFDS plane has a silver belly. The Police plane’s bottom is painted black.
I see a red door and I want it painted black….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d8eKvegLI
The Police Special Forces specialize in Forceful Special Treatment.
Having just penned this special sentence, I find out that no Special Forces per se were involved. A group of police was quickly assembled (including some that came by plane) with various skills and from various places. Some were armed with sten guns. They’d brought a door rammer. I’m also told that local police had a moderating influence on some of the more gung-ho visitors and no doors were rammed or kicked in. The police subsequently sang lullabies to all terrified children woken by these events (no they didn’t, it was just a thought).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asEP6olraAc …. Papa is going to buy you… (no he won’t he’s in Alice Springs Gaol)
Hush little baby, don’t you cry….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iLiwycXQoA
Go to sleep You Little baby….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1wZVVMKojw
Grandfather walked this land in chains
A land he called his own
He was given another name
And taken into town
He got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment
My father worked a twelve-hour day
As a stockman on the station
The very same work but not the same pay
As his white companions
He got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment
Mother and father loved each other well
But together they could not stay
They were split up against their will
Until their dying day
They got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment
Mama gave birth to a stranger’s child
A child she called her own
Strangers came and took away that child
To a stranger’s home
She got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment
I never spoke my mother’s tongue
I never knew my name
I never learnt the songs she sung
I was raised in shame
I got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment
We got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlcpmQKOQKw
Construction of the $7.6M Police Complex in Yuendumu proceeds apace. We are getting Special Treatment.
Hasta la proxima,
Franklin