dgbayliss's comments

Does your Daughter get Sexually Harassed at School?

02 Oct 2006 08:42 PM

The diagnostics listed are similar to 'Workplace Psychopathic Behaviour'. Perhaps this is a reason why we are experience an increase in 'workplace bullying' - it is our own 'dark-culture'. Whilst I am sure the offenders are in the minority, there appears to be a fine line when 'participant observers' do nothing (making them equally guilty of perpetuating the behaviour'. //

I firmly believe that 'Workplace Psychopaths' THRIVE in the Defence Force (and I have known many over the years, and can identify quite a few currently working in the ADF right now). //

Unfortunately this kind of behaviour (sexual harassment / sexual bullying) is as wide as it is deep. //

Even legal professionals are put in similar situations (so we do have a number of battles to fight before the situation is containted); Take a look at: http://www.lawsociety.com.au/uploads/files/1062373714859_0.5828027954038438.pdf //

"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke (1770) in his book "Cause of Present Discontents". //// David

Those Blasted Grass Roots Movements

26 Sep 2006 05:17 PM

Good entry. Thank you. It does make me wonder - - Is the public / mainstream education system a reflection of society, or is society a reflection of the education system? - - All sorts of run-away question come to mind reflecting upon that . . . It should not matter when/where/why/how an individual gained their education - so long as they EXCEED the minimum standard (using measurables set by 'authorities') they should be deemed 'educated' or 'competent' within a specific area. It is the measurement and authentication that has become problematic. Education is DYNAMIC, and for at least the past 150-years many people have been promoting the fact that it is time to-learn-how-to-learn, and to stop the spoon-feeding that leads to a specific-task -qualification and start teaching people how to adapt to the rapidly changing techno-environment (do a search for George Taylor, a prominent educator around the late 19C). I think that 'fringe' education methods, which 'home schooling' may be seen by some, may pose a threat to the socio-cultural swanky-status that some sub-cultures / intrinsic-socio-cultural-groups promote (a kind of conspicuous consumption). Unfortunately far too many young people are taught to achieve the MINIMUM standard (and are then praised and rewarded for achieving it) - Anybody can do the least expected, but is that what we really need? Home Schooling is a means of taking responsibility for the welfare and future of our children - and not leaving it in somebody else's hands - GO FOR IT. David Bayliss (Australia).

A Wolf in Banker's Clothing

17 Sep 2006 07:16 PM

Lisa and Libby. Hi from Australia. Your Services are not alone. I have witnesses much the same thing here in Oz over the past twenty or so years. To make matters worse MANY of the 'sharks' targeting our Defence Force members are ex-Defence Force themselves. Isn't this disgusting - taking advantage of you're own "family". I have had several discussions over the past week with a number of Australian Defence Force members regarding financial accountability to military-families. We have a system here called Frontline (aka NAAFI, AFCANS) that gives "no interest" hire-purchase to our members - but most of the products are at the upper-echelon of prices. The owners of Frontline are allegedly current and ex-General Officers! Regards, David Bayliss

A Father's Day Tribute to the Absent Military Fathers Who Help Protect All Children.

13 Sep 2006 11:41 PM

Very nice. For me the hardest times away are birthdays and anniversaries. I used to sneak a bottle of wine or beer into wherever I was (usually northern Africa, Pacific or Middle East) but over the years it stopped. It started off as a drink with Jill while talking over the radio, then in later years satellite telephone. I have missed most of our anniversaries and almost all of Tabatha's birthdays. My last trip (Iraq) saw me arrive home in time for Tabatha's 18th Birthday Party. Straight from an incoming flight to a party (what a surprise for her) - That was my best ever day. I can just imagine that it was the same with Dad, and "yes" I miss him lots. I remember the gifts Dad used to bring home, and I guess I have developed the same trait. Love D.

Anti-War Songs

13 Sep 2006 05:53 PM

Music and songs may be used as a means of protest, however I believe that they are more an expression-of-opinion belonging to an individual or group.

I respect all performers that are prepared to make a stand for what they believe. Military action is not a 'first-option' and not all militants / combatants like what they are sometimes required to do. Some military members have been, are, or will be prominent performers (eg. Barry Sadler, ex US Special Forces â€" new deceased, gunshot wound to the head).

22-years of military service, and numerous combat operations have taken their toll on myself. I have only recently started listening to music and find it comforting. My ears ring 24-hours a day as a result of being on the receiving end of mortars, rockets, and IEDs; I suffer from PTSD; my bones have been stressed to the maximum; and I have an arterial leak in one eye that can not be repaired as it is too close to the optic nerve. Music relaxes me, and distracts me enough so that I can't "hear" the ringing and takes the focus away from traumatic memories and images (flashbacks). My most favourite songs are the catchy anti-war / protest folk songs. My favourite artist is Rosanne Cash, who overtly objects to the actions in Iraq - but wholeheartedly supports the coalition force members (check out her column and archive at http://rosannecash.com/monthly.html).

I like the comments you and others are posting.

Hopefully more people can do similar things to show active support of deployed members. EVERYBODY has family, and EVERYBODY needs support - those deployed and those at 'home'.