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TEMPERATURE DISPUTED

It’s not looking good for our old mate Bryan:

A Supreme Court jury is considering its verdict for a group of Christian pacifists charged over their entry into the Pine Gap Joint Defence Facility near Alice Springs.

Adele Goldie, Bryan Law, Jim Dowling and Donna Mulhearn have been representing themselves during their two week trial in Alice Springs …

Justice Sally Thomas has ruled out the defences the accused put forward saying they do not justify breaking the law.

Behold, Bryan’s bold warming defence:

In summing up his defence today Law disputed an assertion by the Crown Prosecutor that the four had deliberately coldly planned their incursion into Pine Gap on the 9th of December 2005, saying instead that it was a deliberately warmly planned act to stop the base’s role in the Iraq war.

Bryan and his playpals face up to seven years.

UPDATE. GUILTY. Sentencing to come.

Posted by Tim B. on 06/14/2007 at 03:52 AM
  1. Pine Gap Incursion. If he hangs a scented Christmas tree of his arse, Bryla may get to experience this all over again.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 14 at 04:00 AM • permalink

  2. nyah nyah nyah, nyah nyah nyah

    ppphhhhbbbbpppp

    Posted by Pogria on 2007 06 14 at 04:12 AM • permalink

  3. OT but since you mentioned the words temperature and warmly.

    Today at my workplace, someone blamed the very cold weather today (including snow out at Bungendore) on global warming.

    I think that wins the incongruous global warming blaming award.

    Back OT

    Good to see they’re guilty. I get sick of warm and fuzzy judges who let people off on these pretexts that they were addressing a wrong.

    I remember seeing one of those Two of Us articles in the weekend magazine on the two idiots who climbed on the opera house and defaced it with No War or something. It struck me of the level of maturity of the perps when one of the two said they’d never seen the other so angry when the judge threw out the “Crime to prevent a greater crime” defence.

    I mean it’s one thing to try on a lame defence like that. It’s another thing entirely to actually believe it.

    Posted by Francis H on 2007 06 14 at 04:13 AM • permalink

  4. Give him tribal justice not ‘white man’s’ law, I’m sure he’ll love it. Either that or a good delousing and a wash.

    Posted by Nic on 2007 06 14 at 04:13 AM • permalink

  5. Goldie and Dowling were captured on the roof of the building, while Mulhearn and Law were arrested while cutting through a fence.

    Only that the latter two are too fat to have climbed the wall.

    Posted by Nic on 2007 06 14 at 04:15 AM • permalink

  6. Adele Goldie, Bryan Law, Jim Dowling and Donna Mulhearn have been representing themselves

    ...talk about having a fool for a client.

    Posted by monaro on 2007 06 14 at 04:15 AM • permalink

  7. I get sick of warm and fuzzy judges who let people off on these pretexts that they were addressing a wrong.

    I guess there’s not so many of them in the NT.

    “Donna, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Surrey Hills anymore”

    Posted by monaro on 2007 06 14 at 04:25 AM • permalink

  8. It appears that while justice may well be blind, she has an acute sense of smell.

    Posted by Habib on 2007 06 14 at 04:35 AM • permalink

  9. They won’t do custodial sentences.  I reckon a couple of months, suspended*; maybe coupled with a hundred or so hours of community service.

    * unfortunately not from a tree branch

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 04:38 AM • permalink

  10. #9 - You may be right but I hope it is custodial. It sets a hell of a precedent to say you can break into Pine Gap and cop probation and street sweeping.

    Posted by Villeurbanne on 2007 06 14 at 04:48 AM • permalink

  11. Stranger things in Alice Springs, huh? Well it sure-ass-hell wasn’t the bloody dingo this time around.

    On the other hand, grainy photos of the werewolf suspect Bryla may yet prove me wrong.

    Posted by splice on 2007 06 14 at 05:14 AM • permalink

  12. Well, what can I say. The old saying that those who represent themselves in court has a fool for a client could not be more true.

    Posted by rog2 on 2007 06 14 at 05:17 AM • permalink

  13. Good to see the court is sensible in Oz. I hope they enjoy themselves in jail.

    Posted by Andrew Ian Dodge on 2007 06 14 at 05:28 AM • permalink

  14. I’m not sure which is the worst crime—breaking into Pine Gap, being insufferably smug about it, or displaying contempt of the intelligence of all in the courtroom by their so-called defense.  All three offenses deserve a stiff jail sentence.

    Posted by saltydog on 2007 06 14 at 05:30 AM • permalink

  15. To quote George Costanza, Bryla may have fallen ‘ass-backwards into money’, but his poor kids couldn’t pick their parents ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 14 at 05:31 AM • permalink

  16. Please make that “contempt for”.  Preview blah blah blah.

    Posted by saltydog on 2007 06 14 at 05:31 AM • permalink

  17. Good. 

    And in case you haven’t heard, on June 7th 2007 Jesse Macbeth pleaded guilty to “making false statements to the US Department of Veterans Affairs”.

    Sentencing on September 21.

    Posted by Janice on 2007 06 14 at 05:37 AM • permalink

  18. ...Law disputed an assertion by the Crown Prosecutor that the four had deliberately coldly planned their incursion into Pine Gap on the 9th of December 2005, saying instead that it was a deliberately warmly planned act…

    The “we’re so cute” defense hasn’t worked since 1969.

    Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2007 06 14 at 05:45 AM • permalink

  19. I can say from personal experience that Alice Springs Courts don’t beat around the bush..And no i’m not telling you what i did so bugger off..My hip pocket was very sore…...If Mr LAW woow yah WHAT IS HE GOOD FOR does not go in the slammer he will cop a hefty fine..

    Not many tax payers in the NT so it a case of HHHHMMMM white boy,Nice juciey fine for the coffers.

    Posted by sparrow on 2007 06 14 at 05:56 AM • permalink

  20. Why we’re busy worrying about Palestinian terrorists, those troublesome Presbyterians and silly-billys like Bryan Law and Donna Mulhearn, we’ve ignored the growing threat of Cornish extremists!

    “The Cornish National Liberation Army (CNLA) — which wants independence for the coastal county and is suspected of a 1980s attack on a courthouse — has reportedly threatened to torch Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow.

    The group has also threatened Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen eatery in Newquay.”

    Um….

    Posted by ekb87 on 2007 06 14 at 06:01 AM • permalink

  21. Are you guys the The Cornish National Liberation Army ?

    Fuck no we are the Army of liberation of Cornish Nationals

    Posted by sparrow on 2007 06 14 at 06:11 AM • permalink

  22. Not so smug now, are you Bilbo? Here’s hoping you took all of our advice, got it folded into angles, and shoved up your ass sideways. Somewhere in Alice, there’s a broomstick with Donna’s name on it.

    Posted by CB on 2007 06 14 at 06:12 AM • permalink

  23. #19 sparrow

    And no i’m not telling you what i did so bugger off

    It wasn’t inviting people to commit buggery, was it? ;)

    Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2007 06 14 at 06:18 AM • permalink

  24. I hope he gets time in one of the Prison And Custody Organisation’s facilities.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 06 14 at 06:18 AM • permalink

  25. 23# No…...I got fined,not sent to cell block C to share a room with some guy called Bubba.

    Posted by sparrow on 2007 06 14 at 06:26 AM • permalink

  26. Well Bryla, hate to say I told you so but…

    Nah, who am I kidding?

    I absolutely LOVE to say I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!

    It’s like Forrest Gump said: Stupid is as stupid does. This means you are stupid. Get it?
    And what’s all this bunk about Christian pacifist?  You’re Christian in the same sense that Hillary Clinton is a Christian. Which means NOT a Christian. Repent sinner.
    Lest ye burn in the eternal fires of hell.

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2007 06 14 at 06:39 AM • permalink

  27. Adele Goldie, Bryan Law, Jim Dowling and Donna Mulhearn have been representing themselves during their two week trial in Alice Springs …

    monaro stated it…paraphrasing…“he who represents themselves, has a fool for a client”.

    Cheer up the four of you. You just may find new love interests, in the “can” (American for jail or prison) BUTT, it does have a great degree of truth…OH, don’t drop the soap, guys…:).

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 06 14 at 06:45 AM • permalink

  28. I have to agree with saltydog (#14). Well said, sir.

    These clowns have displayed total and utter contempt for the law and the NT’s judicial process based on some sort of Sydney inner-city political rhetoric.

    Actions have consequences, swampies.
    Sadly, I predict <$100 fine and an unenforceable community service order.

    It will be interesting to see the size of the Court’s cojones when the sentence is handed down.

    Posted by Pedro the Ignorant on 2007 06 14 at 06:45 AM • permalink

  29. Hey Texas Bob, how in the hell are ya’?

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 06 14 at 06:46 AM • permalink

  30. Pedro the Ignorant

    Ummmmm, not to be a smart ass Pedro, but Saltydog, is a delicious looking female. Red hair, green eyes….and tough as nails, with a feminine touch…:).

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 06 14 at 06:49 AM • permalink

  31. Hi El Cid, blessed, and you?

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2007 06 14 at 06:55 AM • permalink

  32. #21 Splitters!

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2007 06 14 at 06:57 AM • permalink

  33. #27 In Oz it is commonly referred to as the ‘Big House’ which curiously has much in common with the Zimbabwean ‘small house’. Google it yourself.

    Posted by Hobbes on 2007 06 14 at 06:59 AM • permalink

  34. Geothermia....Ge-o-ther-mi-aaaaaa….

    Sung to the hippy tune Age of Aquarius. Absolute, unequivocal, complete and utter garbage.

    Posted by CB on 2007 06 14 at 07:01 AM • permalink

  35. #21 Splitters!

    Ho hum… looks like it’s Cornish Pasties Vs. Continental Pastry Muck again, Texas Bob.

    Posted by splice on 2007 06 14 at 07:05 AM • permalink

  36. I find the defendants guilty of lack of imagination. G-U-I-L-T-Y, guilty guilty,guilty!
    Protesting against Pine Gap’s supposed evil role in the world, and against US Navy Ship visits (Bryla’s last excursion in pink goggles and white lab coat, wasn’t it?)) leads me to believe they’ll also be demonstrating against the next South African Rugby fixture.
    These idiots say they are Christians, and, if this is not perjury or false witnessing, they should be aware that there is a lot of Evil in the world to be fought. I’ll be convinced that they are false if they do not spend energy on the more tangible Evils soon. Selective, repetitive demos reveal the blinkered view.

    Posted by blogstrop on 2007 06 14 at 07:07 AM • permalink

  37. Anything LESS than 7 years would be a travesty.

    Posted by Rob Read on 2007 06 14 at 07:08 AM • permalink

  38. #33 Hobbes

    In Oz it is commonly referred to as the ‘Big House’

    In Hokkaido I saw a department store named ‘Big House’. Almost as amusing as this.

    Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2007 06 14 at 07:19 AM • permalink

  39. Well, its always a bitch when actual reality forcibly exerts itself on one’s internal model of reality. Now would be a good time to focus on the Christian part of your Christian Pacifist group and by God take your sentence with the same quiet humility as the Master. I mean, granted, quiet humility have not been the virtues emulated thus far, but now’s as good a time as any to deepen and enrich your faith, no?

    Posted by brett_l on 2007 06 14 at 07:25 AM • permalink

  40. I wouldn’t be so sanguine about the NT justice system.

    Two examples that immediately spring to mind is Lindy Chamberlain (not guilty, but convicted by media) and that old Aboriginal Guy who got off/suspended sentence/something similar for having sex with a 14 year old against her will, justified as she was promised him when she was born.

    Posted by entropy on 2007 06 14 at 07:35 AM • permalink

  41. #40

    I thought it was a 14yo boy…

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 07:41 AM • permalink

  42. “The Cornish National Liberation Army (CNLA) — which wants independence for the coastal county and is suspected of a 1980s attack on a courthouse — has reportedly threatened to torch Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow.

    I’ve been wanting someone to do that to that smug bastard for a while now…

    I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. All that bullshit Cornish “National” Pride that Rick so condescendingly embraced in his shows has come back to bite him in the arse. What is it about Celts and their idiotic nationalism?

    Posted by AlburyShifton on 2007 06 14 at 07:48 AM • permalink

  43. #8: It appears that while justice may well be blind, she has an acute sense of smell.

    An instant classic, Habib! I think I’ll ask Mrs. Paco to sew that phrase onto a pillow or something.

    Posted by paco on 2007 06 14 at 08:07 AM • permalink

  44. Texas Bob

    Finer than Frog’s Hair, my friend.

    Oh, for my next ingenious effort for the Texas Bob Beer Fund, along with the shades, the white cane, tin cup and of course, a street corner. I think I’ll add a wheelchair (not meant, in any way, to be derogatory to any or all that must have these items).

    But the chair will have to be gas powered…One, to piss off the alGorians. Two, to catch the cheap bastards that toss in gum wrappers, slugs and paper clips.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 06 14 at 08:08 AM • permalink

  45. Apologies Saltydog, ma’am. Thanks for the heads up El Cid. (#30)

    That’s why I am called “the ignorant”. Research skills ain’t my best attribute.

    Posted by Pedro the Ignorant on 2007 06 14 at 08:22 AM • permalink

  46. Bryan, Bryan, Bryan.

    Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

    Oh, it works for you?  Carry on then!

    Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2007 06 14 at 08:24 AM • permalink

  47. Pedro

    That’s why I am called “the ignorant”. Research skills ain’t my best attribute.

    Now damn it, I didn’t mean it THAT way, either, my friend.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 06 14 at 08:25 AM • permalink

  48. They should get five years for aggravated sanctimoniousness.

    Posted by geoff on 2007 06 14 at 08:39 AM • permalink

  49. Never mind Pine Gap.  The gross premeditated self-righteousness with malice warrants a concurrent term.

    Posted by geoff on 2007 06 14 at 08:47 AM • permalink

  50. Being someone who enjoys being proved right as much as I do, I thought I’d share my closing comment from Brylas request for feedback on his (at the time) proposed opening statement to the court -

    “Being a martyr for the cause probably plays pretty well with the chicks down at the cafe. being boned in the quoit for the cause will probably not be quite as attractive a story.

    Get a lawyer you lackwitted, self indulgent, puffed up buffoon.”

    Posted by Harry Buttle on 2007 06 14 at 08:52 AM • permalink

  51. IMHO, there is strong cause to apply Aboriginal law in this case.

    What’s the punishment for trespass again?

    A good leg spearing and a whack on the melon with a nulla-nulla should do the trick…

    ...or maybe we could apply sharia…

    Hold out your hand Bwyan.

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 08:56 AM • permalink

  52. The whole point of “protest” in the sense these people (?) mean the word is the danger of arrest, injury, or death. Other people, looking on, see people suffering for a just cause, and the cause is thereby advanced.

    If “protesters” are granted blanket immunity and treated with kid gloves, they come off looking like petulant naysayers insisting on the privilege of shoving their asses in other people’s faces—which they mostly are, nowadays. The cause is thereby ridiculed.

    Protest organizations should insist that some of their number be tossed in the slammer or worse. Otherwise they fail entirely of their purpose.

    Regards,
    Ric

    Posted by Ric Locke on 2007 06 14 at 08:59 AM • permalink

  53. HB

    Utterly hilarious.

    Cheers!

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 09:05 AM • permalink

  54. So, Tim.  No gloating emails from the Bryla lately?

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 06 14 at 09:26 AM • permalink

  55. Bryla should have kept his “Jesus” look.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 06 14 at 09:36 AM • permalink

  56. Seeing the word “Christian” associated with this gutpuddle makes me cold, and slightly nauseated.

    Posted by wreckage on 2007 06 14 at 09:55 AM • permalink

  57. How delightful that this jury are giving these fine folk the opportunity to make a “citizens’ inspection” of other secure public facilities.  May they have years to engage in their civic-minded activities.

    Posted by Jeffersonian on 2007 06 14 at 09:57 AM • permalink

  58. Where are the US MARINES?

    WHY did they not use DEADLY FORCE against intruders into Pine Gap?

    .... certainly would have saved us the cost of a trial… & her maj the cost of providing bryla & co with three squares a day + hammock.

    Posted by Steve at the pub on 2007 06 14 at 09:59 AM • permalink

  59. He was representing himself?  Wifey turn off the money spigot?  HAHAHAHAHA! 

    In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny, “What a maroon!” 

    Elizabeth
    Imperial Keeper

    Posted by Elizabeth Imperial Keeper on 2007 06 14 at 09:59 AM • permalink

  60. Don’t worry wreckage, he’s Christian in the Jimmy Swaggart sense.

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2007 06 14 at 10:01 AM • permalink

  61. Hey, there’s no reason to worry.  Bryan can get his good friend, John Howard, to issue a pardon for ...  Oh, that won’t work.

    Okay, go to Plan B.  Lubricants.  Scented lubricants.

    Posted by wronwright on 2007 06 14 at 10:33 AM • permalink

  62. Harry has the sign that Bryla couldn’t understand. Link to pic of Pine Gap sign

    A guy who got that sign wrong represented himself in court? No wonder he was convicted.

    Posted by Villeurbanne on 2007 06 14 at 10:35 AM • permalink

  63. #60 I think Jimmeh was having more fun. I HOPE Jimmeh was having more fun…. but maybe gutpuddle really does get his rocks off over radar?

    Posted by wreckage on 2007 06 14 at 10:53 AM • permalink

  64. Looks like Bryla’s trying to martyr himself:-

    One of the four convicted, Bryan Law, did not ask for leniency in his sentence submission, telling Justice Thomas that he “is prepared for a custodial sentence.”

    “I ask that Your Honour does not grant a suspended sentence”, he said.

    “That would be cruel.

    “I would not be able to abide by its conditions and we would just end up in court again.

    “Lay it on me Your Honour, and I’ll serve it out.”

    His colleague, Jim Golding, said he did not want to go to jail and invited Justice Thomas to “join the resistance, the side that’s fighting for human rights.”

    Note to Bryla: There’s no way you can hammer in the last nail.

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 10:54 AM • permalink

  65. Invited the Judge to “join the resistance”? Was there a mention of the courtroom erupting in laughter that was edited from the story?

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 06 14 at 11:01 AM • permalink

  66. I’d say the judge will be joining the resistance…to port-side idiocy as he sentences these nitwits to a few years on a rockpile making little ones out of big ones.

    Posted by Jeffersonian on 2007 06 14 at 11:06 AM • permalink

  67. #64 Murph, if Bryla was given a suspended sentence and didn’t follow the conditions, wouldn’t that lead to another charge?

    Does he plan on spending the rest of his life going to court or something?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 06 14 at 11:08 AM • permalink

  68. #67 Anything to get away from the missus…

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 11:33 AM • permalink

  69. #68 I’d imagine she’s trying to get rid of him.

    I wouldn’t like a husband who’s begging for jail time and lives off my money.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 06 14 at 11:35 AM • permalink

  70. true.  very true.

    Posted by murph on 2007 06 14 at 11:57 AM • permalink

  71. #67
    If one is convicted of an offence and receives a suspended sentence, that means one has been sentenced to prison, but the imprisonment is suspended for the period (the operational period) set down by the court.

    For example the court may sentence one to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years. If one commits an offence in the 2 year period, then one is, in the shit. 

    If one commits an offence during the operational period, then one is brought back before the court to be resentenced for the original offence and then sentenced for the offence that has brought one back before the court.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 14 at 07:57 PM • permalink

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