[IPAndrews]

at least have the "independence" mindset.

Is that a good thing? Why is everyone wanting to turn their house into an independent country called Lovely a good thing? Surely ideas which segregate people are bad. mmkay.

[aldo_14]

you serious? i didn't know ireland banned abortion... ****ing ghetto

It's down to a predominantly Catholic population where the church holds significant sway when it comes to political popularity.  AFAIK it's legal for cases of danger to the mothers' health (but very rare in that case anyways; the Irish medical licensing board still considers it malpractice and I'm not even sure if it ever occurs as it is only supported by a muddy legal precedent), and thousands of Irish women are forced to go to the UK for abortions (45,000, I think since 1987).  For some reason it's also illegal in N.Ireland, I presume because of the Republics objection to it and the potential for NHS overload from women coming across the border for it.

Until 1995, there were restrictions on both the right to travel (for) and the right to receive information about abortions in Ireland; offhand I believe it was the EU (Maastricht treaty) that forced the 1995 change.

EDIT; AI on Ireland; http://web.amnesty.org/report2006/irl-summary-eng

[Kosh]

Ireland is sssoooo backward.........

[Kazan]

Ireland is sssoooo backward.........

it doesn't old a candle to the USA's bass****ingackwardness

[Fineus]

c) seem to require some form of tracking (i.e. to monitor 'gangs' or 'yobs' and restrict their movements)

That's what I mean. A police officer can pick up a yob/group of yobs and take them home or wherever... then what? Sit outside the door to make sure they don't go near a place again? This seems as effective as an ASBO.

[karajorma]

Less effective even. At least for all their stupidity ASBOs have penalties if they are broken. How could you possibly add penaties to this system without making it even more draconian than it already is.

[Goober5000]

at least have the "independence" mindset.

Is that a good thing? Why is everyone wanting to turn their house into an independent country called Lovely a good thing? Surely ideas which segregate people are bad. mmkay.

It means they're self-sufficient.  If they feel the government is not meeting their needs, or acting in a way it shouldn't, they stand up to it instead of quailing and looking the other way.

[Mr. Vega]

One suggestion.

Coup d'etat.

[Descenterace]

Strange... I've already been considering that.

[Mefustae]

One suggestion.

Coup d'etat.

Been having thoughts of initiating one down here for a while. But alas, I don't know enough people with high-up military connections, so that plan's over before it even started.

[Kosh]

Australia has a military?

[aldo_14]

Australia has a military?

Yes, although it's known as the Cane Toad Defence Force.

[Turnsky]

Of all the English speaking countries, it's the best bet so far.

What about Australia? Our Government's too busy tripping over their own feet to try make any concerted effort to pull a nanny-state on us, and our internal security agencies are far too inept to enforce it.

don't forget various references to poultry! 

[NGTM-1R]

Australia has a military?

The Aussies have a fairly strong military tradition actually, and historically they've had some of the best infantry on the planet. They need to update, though; their Leopard 1 tanks are getting kind of outdated by now...

They also have the only navy worthy of the name in that part of the world.

[Colonol Dekker]

Australia has a military?

The Aussies have a fairly strong military tradition actually, and historically they've had some of the best infantry on the planet.

Have they boll***s............