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Troops to enforce Sydney lockdown as Brisbane extends virus curbs

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The coronavirus is making a mockery of governments worldwide. The UK government is trying to bribe young people with pizzas, Australia's putting troops on the streets, certain states in the US seem quite determined to kill their residents, and Japan's basically whistling Dixie.

8 ( +14 / -6 )

This is insane, using the army against your own people a la CCP, I'm glad I left the country way before it became the tyrannical state it has evolved into.

5 ( +21 / -16 )

Yep, deploy the military to defend the nation against a virus that has so far killed the equivalent of one car accident per day. Totally unacceptable and borderline hysterical overreaction by the Aussie government.

Gotta keep saying, Covid kills 2 people a day in Australia on a bad day. Stop believing the hyperbole and look at the numbers.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

In the end it will be: ''shoot first, ask later''

With a utopian desire to bring the number of infections to 0, which has proven impossible, they are torturing the nation.

4 ( +13 / -9 )

My God. This is absolutely horrific. A so-called modern, functioning democracy turning to the military to enforce a stay-home order. I can only hope to see hundreds, if not thousands, of Australian military personnel doing the right thing and resigning in protest at this insanity.

The entire COUNTRY of Australia is seeing less than 300 covid cases per day, and an average of exactly ONE corona fatality. This is enough to put the military in the streets?!? One death per day in a nation that sees 500 deaths per day on average from all causes. A nation that sees 4000 deaths per year from influenza.

I am honestly amazed at what has happened to my southern cousins. Unbelievable that they would so quickly give up their hard earned freedoms for a fleeting sense of security.

4 ( +16 / -12 )

Dangerous move and a possible first step towards tyranny. Lockdowns are counter productive. They do not stop Covid and cause untold issues. People’s mental and physical health deteriorate especially the children and the elderly.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

seeimg troops on the streets isn’t gonna fair well with people. How about translators and councillors and people carring essential goods and helping, of course not. Glad they bannished us

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Yes hard lockdowns have been proven to work globally. Authorities keep doing same stuff over and over again with predictable results. Poor us the plebs.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

A country using its own troops on domestic soil to patrol its people; not good news.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

troops in the streets, unbelievable.

This only can happen when populations erroneously believe that governments act in the interests of the people, not the interests of those in power.

1 ( +14 / -13 )

troops in the streets, unbelievable.

This only can happen when populations erroneously believe that governments act in the interests of the people, not the interests of those in power.

Correct. Government, as it is currently constituted, is designed to manage the affairs of the bourgeoise.

There is a way to stop this.

And the way is socialism.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Peter14

Wow, the ignorance of some posters is astounding to say the least. The Australian defense force's are often used to assist in many situations. Defense forces supplement the firefighters during high bush fire events

Population oppression is not a "situation" like a natural disaster. It is amazing how many people find excuses for this authoritarian overreach.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I will say it breaks my heart to see what the Western world has become.

And I say this with deep sadness.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

A country using its own troops on domestic soil to patrol its people; not good news.

And that is a mildly put understatement.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

You know if you force the authorities to choose between national survival and your bizarre idea of your personal freedom, guess which one is going to win out? Your dangerous misbehavior is going to boomerang on you, a self-fulfilling prophecy of repression.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

The Avenger

You know if you force the authorities to choose between national survival

The virus is harmful, but it does not threaten "national survival". To quote Biden, come on man.

and your bizarre idea of your personal freedom, guess which one is going to win out?

Since when is personal freedom a "bizarre idea"? Freedom of movement and freedom of speech are essential for modern societies. Take those away, and you might as well live under the CCP.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

We have a huge number of anti vaxxers in Australia. The government is totally useless and corrupt. They overlooked the need to order vaccinations. We are a long way away from the 70-80% level of vaccination required to keep hospitals from overflowing in Sydney.

Until all vulnerable people are vaccinated or have at least been offered it I am happy for the anti vaxxers to be kept in their houses.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

michaelqtodd

We have a huge number of anti vaxxers in Australia.

Being against the authoritarian overreach does not equal "anti vaxxer". You can easily be a pro vaxxer and at the same time be dismayed by the dictatorial lockdowns and aggressive speech and movement control ordered by the rulers. The name-calling distracts from the issue.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

A lot of commenters here watch way too much overdramatized rubbish on streaming services. The Aussie military is a world-class force which is led by guys who know their country's laws and constitution and which follows in the time-honoured traditions which have evolved over centuries in the UK and countries which have derived their political and military traditions from the UK. This is no tool of despots such as we see in so many other nations worldwide, and I don't expect people who have no sense of the history and culture of the Australian military to be able to appreciate the stupidity of the alarmism expressed by so many. Australia is in no danger of becoming a military dictatorship.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

After seeing what's happening in Australia, Japan seems even more attractive!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I have nothing to say but wtf.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Politicians will do whatever they can get away with. In Australia, that seems to be quite a lot.

With Delta, 'Covid zero' is a fantasy. Even with vaccinations it will persist. Delaying that will save some lives, but Aussies are going to be spending an awfully long time imprisoned in their homes being handed food parcels by soldiers. The mortality rate of covid, derived from estimated cases/excess deaths, is lower than was feared, and much lower with vaccines. On statistical grounds, compared to our historical response to severe flu, the response is starting to look excessive and perhaps deceitful. The question is, who is being manipulated? Us? Our governments?

Despite my view of Johnson, I'd much rather be in the UK than Australia.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

About 300 Australian Defense Force personnel 

DEAR GOD!! 300!! Tyranny!! Police State!

Residents are only allowed to leave their homes for exercise, essential work, medical reasons, and to shop for necessities such as food.

ah...oh..ok

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Incredible that they now use the military to control the population. The Australian constitution actually allows this??

-1 ( +18 / -19 )

If only there were a tool or implement the people of Australia could use as insurance against a tyrannical government attempting to lord over them.

-1 ( +15 / -16 )

The coronavirus is making a mockery of governments worldwide. The UK government is trying to bribe young people with pizzas, Australia's putting troops on the streets,…

@Some Dude. What would you expect them to do instead? Telling the pure, pessimistic, demoralizing truth, leaving room for nothing else than despair, like I sometimes do in my comments, that almost no one reads here? The very most part of the people couldn’t stand it then for five minutes longer. So the governments do, what they always do. Lie, tell truth only in small dosed slices, install half-hearted measures, not really hurting penalties, bribing plebs with a pizza, whatever necessary to keep it running but not jumping over the edge already today. They don’t want to be shot, lynched or stoned, of course not.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

or an armed population of patriots who tell the government you wont being doing that to us.

And pray tell, what does your utopic "armed population of patriots" (all untrained and out of shape) do against tanks, drones, F-22 Raptors, navy seals, marines...?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

They would never have been subjected to a military enforced lockdown in the first place. Because they are unarmed they are at the mercy of the military who is directed to take away their freedoms and liberties.

Like Americans, for example.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Wow, the ignorance of some posters is astounding to say the least. The Australian defense force's are often used to assist in many situations. Defense forces supplement the firefighters during high bush fire events to do mop ups and fight the fires. The defense forces assist public medical staff during floods and do evacuations from disasters not only in Australia but in this region, including some Japanese disasters, Indonesian disasters and others. Now the troops suppliment police numbers and walk around unarmed, asking questions and bolster police numbers so they can cover more area's.

Posters here have made out like they are going around alone and armed forcing people to do their will. WRONG! They always accompany police and are always unarmed (they may carry a clipboard and pen) and follow the instructions of the police officers.

Stay ignorant if you must, but intelligent people understand the real situation in Australia and that it is fully supported by over ninety five percent of the population. So stop spreading lies and opinions based on imagination rather than facts. The "troops" are not in control of the situation, they are servants of the people and they are completely under the direction and supervision of police forces at all times.

Please do not insult our intelligence and make out like the Australian military is in any way like the CCP or North Korean military's used to forcibly maintain compliance of dictators wishes.

The people endorse the assistance provided by the military and we wish they had been used to control quarantine in all states from the start. They are the ones trained to deal with biological issues on a large scale.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Well the US military already installed a new president this year so

If you live in the western world, better accept the new norm

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Well the US military already installed a new president this year so

No, they didn't.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Although it will not happen in my lifetime, the Western world will bounce back from this madness which a certain controlling political bent took control of our Western public school systems and media and politicians thus turning them against our Western nation's values by corrupting the minds of the young. 

It's so sad to see any Western nation fighting against free thinking and productive citizens.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

P. Smith

The CDC has said the Delta variant is nearly as contagious in vaccinated people as unvaccinated people.

Not really. If a vaccinated person gets a breakthrough infection, then they are as infectious, but they are unlikely to get infected, so net result is that they are not nearly as contagious as vaccinated people.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Kniknaknokkaer

Only if you are running a vaccine program with it so vaccinated people are unlocked, otherwise the virus just spreads as soon as you unlock people again as we've seen around the world.

Not if you eradicate it like New Zealand. In New Zealand there is no social distancing, no masks, except on public transport and many activities with many people. But sure, we need to vaccinate as well.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I love how some people actually believe that a few armed goobers could actually do anything to "fight back" if the army seriously imposed martial law on a country. It's the army. They have tanks, fighter jets and drones. You're an overweight neckbeard with a glock.

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

or an armed population of patriots who tell the government you wont being doing that to us.

And the way is socialism.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

it will never get to that because the government will never try, knowing the populace is armed.

How many of these Venezuela/Cuba type countries would be much more free if their populations had not been disarmed and put under socialism/communism first?

Australians in this case simply have to accept whatever the government does to them, thats really sad.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

it will never get to that because the government will never try, knowing the populace is armed.

I think you're grossly underestimating the power of an actual army, and vastly overestimating the deterrent effect of...guns.

Are you aware that armies are trained and equipped to fight and defeat... Other armies? What do you think would happen if they had to fight and defeat randos with pistols?

Australians in this case simply have to accept whatever the government does to them, thats really sad.

So in your scenario, the australians would all have weapons and... What? They would have started killing their own soldiers to stop the lockdown? And what would have happened after that?

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Unlike many countries, the Aussie military are there to protect those not in service. They have family, friends who don’t wear the uniform. That’s their job.!. It’s easy to squash people under a tank, if you sign your soul over to a government department. Sadly it does appear many are happy to kill their neighbors to uphold “absence of humanity” Aust….you right mate? Can we help? It’s a good thing. You right mate?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

They would never have been subjected to a military enforced lockdown in the first place. Because they are unarmed they are at the mercy of the military who is directed to take away their freedoms and liberties.

So in your scenario, the australians would all have weapons and... What? They would have started killing their own soldiers to stop the lockdown? And what would have happened after that?

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Does the ADF act under the direction of a civilian law enforcement, and remain under military command is an important question, as this article is not clear on that point, although it says troops will assist police?

Scary times for Sydney; it would be interesting to know if any inherent authority under the Australia's Constitution allows the use of military force domestically.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

GBR48

With Delta, 'Covid zero' is a fantasy.

No, it is real and achievable. Look at New Zealand.

Even with vaccinations it will persist.

Yes, but with herd immunity, it will be like measles. Rare and infections only among the unvaccinated.

the question is, who is being manipulated? Us? Our governments?

Looks like it's you.

Despite my view of Johnson, I'd much rather be in the UK than Australia.

Hmm, UK deaths / million = 1,900. Australia = 36. That's 52 times the number of deaths. You would have to be pretty callous to prefer to be in the UK.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Authorities have been struggling to stop the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant in Sydney -- and ensure that residents follow containment rules -- with more than 3,600 cases recorded since mid-June.

CDC: Vaccinated people spread COVID-19 Delta variant as easily as unvaccinated

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2021/07/30/coronavirus-delta-variant-fully-vaccinated-cdc/5941627661807/

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Mr. Noidall

Tyranny always says the oppressive measures are for the subjects own good. Australia is a vital component to the democracy that runs through the Anglosphere. Losing Australia to tyranny is unthinkable.

Stop your hyperventilating and calm down. There is no TYRANNY. This is what is happening:

"Police officers will be assisted by ADF personnel as they deliver food parcels, conduct welfare door-knocks and go through compliance checks of stay-at-home and self-isolation orders," 

Welfare and compliance checks.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

or an armed population of patriots who tell the government you wont being doing that to us.

I like co-operation more than armed oppression. But you do you.

How many of these Venezuela/Cuba type countries would be much more free if their populations had not been disarmed and put under socialism/communism first?

Venezuela is one of the most armed countries in the world. And they defend their revolution.

Guns and socialism are not mutually exclusive. I am a socialist who hates guns, but I am by no means the only face of socialism, nor am I a representative of all socialist strains of thought. Socialism is a concept with an extraordinary amount of well-considered, interesting, and contradictory modes of thought.

This shouldn't be surprising, of course. Socialism as a concept is the peak of Western philosophy.

So far.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Readers, please stay on topic. The story is about Australia.

I am aware that the Australian armed forces' presence on the streets is not a harbinger of dictatorship.

However, the thought of soldiery on the sidewalk is abominable to me.

These are, as I say, unique circumstances. I have every confidence that the Australian forces will withdraw when their presence is no longer required, for they are, I am sure, honorable men and women.

Nevertheless, I am perturbed.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Hiroshi13 - If only there were a tool or implement the people of Australia could use as insurance against a tyrannical government attempting to lord over them.

A tyrannical government? Lord over them? That’s hilarious! Do you write melodramas professionally? The military has been brought in because there are so many idiots ignoring the restrictions and continuing to spread the virus if these fools had done what they were told and followed the directives from the onset of this outbreak it would already be under control these idiots are their own worst enemy and are making it even harder for the majority who follow the guidelines

-7 ( +12 / -19 )

Come on, they do exactly the necessary steps into the right direction, still not 100% sufficient but they at least do something. You know that and the obviously low Australian infection and death toll numbers after one and a half year prove that, don’t they?

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

Sad to see this. A democratic country should never have soldiers on its streets. Even armed police is too much.. But this is what happens when a significant part of the population listens to conspiracy theorists.

These are not ordinary times. However, the presence of the military must not be allowed to continue after the pandemic is over.

-8 ( +10 / -18 )

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