Matt MCKinlay
Prohibition has been shown to be inneffective at controlling just about everything. Are restrictions therefore the answer?Imagine being in a place where it is against the law to consume alcohol in public places, where, if caught consuming alcohol you would be arrested, alcohol tipped out or siezed ... Read More
An interesting article. I think it is a bit rich for any organisation to state "we abide by the law" while at the same time saying "we can't be responsible for the actions of individuals". In the same vein Hammas is a political organisation, just because a few members take action that, I'm sure ... Read More
I don't believe it is wrong to kill a dog that has attacked a human, further there are laws that put responsibility back to the owner (if there is one) to pay for damage/costs incurred as a result of their dogs actions. If taken through court, the owner can be fined and the court can order the ... Read More
This sort of thing happens all the time and can get really out of control as well.I know of plenty of examples where one person has a grudge against another and so there is a lot of petty property destruction, cars get keyed, "anonymous" abusive phone calls and legally, nothing much gets done ... Read More
The laws of Canada may be similar to those found here in NT Australia. Here, the owner/occupier of a residence has the legal right to evict a trespasser, by using reasonable force if necesary. Similarly, there is a legal right to defencive conduct, where, if you are defending yourself (or others ... Read More
There definitely is a difference between hunters and plain killers. Here in the wetlands of the Northern Territory, there are quite a few feral species that cause damage to the environment, pigs, horses, buffalo, camel. Pig hunters in the Territory do so for a dual purpose, they can get a trophy ... Read More
Have you been tasered or sprayed with oc or pepper spray? How did it affect you? I've been oc sprayed and it hurt a lot, took me about 15 minutes to recover, even with iced water and a fan. (I expect to be tasered next week and I'll let you know how it goes) Read More
As has probably already been pointed out, small time users/growers routinely go unnoticed by authorities. The illegality of cannabis doesn't affect supply and demand at all. The harsh penalties here are dealt out to suppliers, with tough sentences and forfeiture of tainted money and property ... Read More
I think I would have to agree that, on a social scale, alcohol causes as many problems as cannabis. In the cases where people use both drugs equally, or to excess, the damage done to lives and the community is greatly increased. In dry (alcohol free) communities, there are always grog runners and ... Read More
Alcohol is the cause of many problems in society and yet it doesn't attract the same level of attention as cigarette smoking. The only credible study I know of occured in New Zealand where they endeavored to show the effects of second hand alcohol use, the assaults, damage to property etc, along ... Read More
Murder, being the intentional killing of another person, cannot be justified. There are however, numerous justifications for killing another person. For example, if I were to kill someone because I didn't like their ideology and thought they might do something bad to someone, that would be murder ... Read More
I don't know how the system in the United States works, here in the Northern Territory of Australia a cannabis user can escape being arrested for possessing small amounts (eg less than 50 grams of plant material). If found in possession of cannabis in such quantities, authorities have the option of ... Read More
Police power is legislated by the government. The limits to which law enforcement agencies can act is clearly defined by the legislation and, where there appears to be a grey area or it appears that law enforcement agencies have overstepped their bounds, the legislation and grounds for using their ... Read More
The ethics of using a taser on someone depends on circumstance. For law enforcement agencies, the taser is seen as another tool for effective subject control while maintaining safety for the subject, other people and the law enforcement officer. With appropriate training, the law enforcement ... Read More
About Matt MCKinlay
I live in the Northern Territory of Australia, in a place called Humpty Doo. I've worked in the military for a while, but now I keep myself occupied interpreting laws and coming up with last minute solutions to impossible problems.
I have a small 5 acre property, 3 horses, 4 cats and a dog. I live with my wife and 2yr old daughter.