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WHITE ROLLERBLADER SOUGHT

The Sydney Morning Herald reports:

Police are hunting a teenager on roller blades who indecently assaulted a 16-year-old girl in Sydney ...

Her attacker is described as being of white/European appearance, aged between 16 and 18, 170cm tall and clean shaven.

He was wearing a navy blue baseball cap, denim shorts and rollerblades.

The Sydney Morning Herald also reports:

A man was injured in an attempted home invasion last night after he opened the door to two men, one armed with a gun ...

Forensic investigators attended the scene and police are appealing for information about the two men, aged in their early 20s.

That’s it? No other information? Were they wearing rollerblades? Let’s check with the cops:

Investigators are appealing for two men who may be able to assist with inquiries.

They are described as Middle Eastern/Mediterranean in appearance and aged in their early 20s.

(Via Bill D. and Paul W.)

Posted by Tim B. on 10/18/2006 at 12:08 AM
  1. Cmon Jamie, just buy the bastards out already….

    Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2006 10 18 at 12:25 AM • permalink

  2. Given this is deliberate, selective and repeated omission, has anyone - including you, Tim - approached Fairfax/SMH for their comments?

    Is this part of their guidelines/policy?

    I’d love to see their stated response and have it published here.

    Posted by manbag's bagman on 2006 10 18 at 12:25 AM • permalink

  3. is tanned to dark skin new code?

    Posted by KK on 2006 10 18 at 12:26 AM • permalink

  4. How does one “wear” rollerblades?

    Oh, I know.  It’s like when I wear my tennis racket.

    Posted by John Fembup on 2006 10 18 at 12:29 AM • permalink

  5. maybe, maybe not

    Posted by KK on 2006 10 18 at 12:30 AM • permalink

  6. The news is now white and white no mention of any other colorful characters.
    Why even now PBL is only half of what it was earlier. news.com.au

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2006 10 18 at 12:33 AM • permalink

  7. A man was injured in an attempted home invasion last night after he opened the door to two men, one armed with a gun ...

    In Florida, where I will be at my beach house for the winter months soon, these two ‘men’ would have died on scene. Some repair work has to be done on my place anyway, always have wanted a larger entry door.

    Florida is one of I believe 15 States, that have ‘right to shoot’ laws…meaning if you are threatened in home or vehicle, you may defend yourself, in the extreme. No questions asked.

    Where as before, you had to drag dead bodies, in the house or vehicle. Saves the back from injury, now.

    I stand to be corrected if I misinterpreted this new law…but you can bet, I’ll be up to speed on the thing, at the first opening of my beach house door.

    Posted by El Cid on 2006 10 18 at 12:43 AM • permalink

  8. Obviously, the only crime in this city is committed by white people. The SMH understands this. But not you cynical bunch here -  always looking to put down our friendly new arrivals who are trying so hard to become dinkum Aussies. Give ‘em a break. Just accept that all crime is white and we’ll have no futher trouble. OK?

    Posted by Bonmot on 2006 10 18 at 12:46 AM • permalink

  9. KK, I heard that on the radio this morning, on the way into work. I had to laugh at that. I felt it was a most… delicate way of phrasing things.

    Whether the perpetrator is a momea is irrelevant, of course, it’s just that when the majority of violent acts seem to be carried out by this broad strata of society, any lack of detail automatically leads us to dicide that he is.

    Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2006 10 18 at 12:57 AM • permalink

  10. #2 - Yes, it’s time smh were called to account.  Now, where are we going to find a journalist to ask the question?

    Posted by slammer on 2006 10 18 at 12:57 AM • permalink

  11. #2 and #10

    Daily Telegraph (NSW) and Herald Sun (VIC).

    Posted by Dan Lewis on 2006 10 18 at 01:15 AM • permalink

  12. Actually, the way I read it, is because momea commit so much crime it is not necessary to mention their ethnicity. Unless otherwise stated, all crimes are by momea.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 10 18 at 01:22 AM • permalink

  13. #2

    Agreed, infact it probably is irrelevant what their policies are, the fact is they are discriminating against white anglo-saxon people.

    Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to send some evidence of this to the Equal Opportunities department.

    http://www.hreoc.gov.au/

    “Racial discrimination happens when someone is treated less fairly because of their race, colour, descent, national origin or ethnic origin than someone of a different ‘race’ would be treated in a similar situation. This is known as ‘direct discrimination’.

    Posted by Tissa on 2006 10 18 at 01:27 AM • permalink

  14. #11 & #13: I think it is worthwhile approaching the offending media organisation first for their comment and explanation.

    Three reasons for this:

    1. most others who you go to will suggest this first before they will deal with it

    2. it is the decent thing to do, and

    3. their response is usually just as incriminating or enlightening, i.e. digging deeper hole

    Posted by manbag's bagman on 2006 10 18 at 01:37 AM • permalink

  15. Ah ha!! Now they’ve gone and done it.
    MediaWatch will no doubt be all over this like a cheap suit.

    Posted by Hank Reardon on 2006 10 18 at 01:39 AM • permalink

  16. I am sick to death of this I think we should all be called multi couloured and then we wont have to worry about it anymore. 

    Descrimination is becoming ridiculous to the point where teachers cant say your mum and dad because the child might have same sex parents and the word blackboard is banned but funnily enough it is still called a white board. 

    Are we going to eventually have to call black “Complete absorbtion of all light” and white “Complete reflection of all light”

    Less time should be spent debating global warming/cooling and more time should be spent looking at how ridiculous the whole pc movement has become.

    Who cares what colour we all are.  We all die if our hearts stop beating and carrying oxegenated blood to our brains.

    Posted by Killaette on 2006 10 18 at 01:42 AM • permalink

  17. #7 El Campeador, I can almost visualise the report:

    A man, reported as being devilishly handsome with a rapier-like wit and very low golf handicap, remained uninjured in an attempted home invasion last night after he blew two holes through an unopened door when two men, one armed with a gun, refused to clearly state their intentions and failed to vacate his property upon warning…

    Forensic investigators attended the scene and police are appealing for information about the guy at the Pro-Shop that got the intended victim such a great deal on his brand new set of graphite drivers…

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2006 10 18 at 01:47 AM • permalink

  18. Will they now refer to other perpetrators as being ‘black’?

    Posted by Nic on 2006 10 18 at 01:50 AM • permalink

  19. Just for fun, I sent the following enquiry to the SMH via their website:

    I have noticed that whenever your publication carries a report of a crime, the following invariably hold true:

    1) If the perpetrator(s) are not “of Middle Eastern appearance”, their appearance is specified in the report.

    2) If the perpetrator(s) are “of Middle Eastern appearance”, description of their appearance is withheld from the report completely.

    I know (2) to be true through checking your paper’s crime reports against those published on the NSW Police website.

    In order that I may more fully enjoy your publication, could you please answer the following question: In the future, whenever a crime report in the SMH withholds details of a perpetrator’s ethnic appearance, may I safely assume that he is “of Middle Eastern appearance”?

    Not holding my breath waiting for a response.

    Posted by Stone Cold on 2006 10 18 at 02:04 AM • permalink

  20. #17 - your second paragrapgh in particular had me laughing out loud.

    Posted by attilathepun on 2006 10 18 at 02:08 AM • permalink

  21. If I were the public (and I am) and such an occurence as described in this thread took place in or near my neighbourhood, I would want to know as much as possible about the perps.

    We have a duty to be involved in protecting ourselves, our community and each the other from harm and the threat of harm insofar as is possible and reasonable.

    If the “organs” of the community—such as the SMH or the Age do not supply us with sufficient data (obviously, to the extent permitted by law) about such crimes out of craven fear or pusillanimous pandering to PC prejudice, they should be forced to cease to publish by writ and injunction, or fined heavily for deliberately misleading the public or withholding vital data.

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2006 10 18 at 02:17 AM • permalink

  22. Now, let’s keep this thing in perspective. Fairfax reporters and staff are very busy people. They need to bring us the news in an efficient manner and stories must be punchy and concise. A reporter, for example, would avoid a tautology such as “the tree fell down” by simply writing “the tree fell”. Similarly, the phrase “in the water” is redundant when reporting that a shark was sighted near swimmers at Bondi Beach.

    The idea is to avoid being unnecessarily verbose by repeatedly stating the obvious. Crimes such as armed home invasion, carjacking, automatic teller machine theft and drive-by shootings with multiple gunshots fired into a house front - all typically involving the use of one or more stolen Subaru WRX sports sedans - are crimes committed by MOMEAs with monotonous regularity.

    Shit… woods… in all fairness, do they really have to write “bear”?

    Posted by splice on 2006 10 18 at 02:20 AM • permalink

  23. #19 I, too, will continue to inhale and exhale while awaiting such a response.

    Nicely worded “enquiry”, though.

    Its very lucidity will doubtless prevent a response as no prevarication or circumlocutory sesquipedilianism is possible in formulating their reply.

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2006 10 18 at 02:23 AM • permalink

  24. Don’t worry all!!  Media Watch will surely be onto this!

    Posted by TonyD on 2006 10 18 at 02:26 AM • permalink

  25. 13. Tissa

    Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to send some evidence of this to the Equal Opportunities department.

    It’s dangerous to encourage a government to decide what may or may not be said. Just look at Brackistan.

    Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2006 10 18 at 02:47 AM • permalink

  26. WHITE ROLLERBLADER SOUGHT

    BMX BANDITS APPREHENDED

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 10 18 at 02:50 AM • permalink

  27. El Cid,

    Re: 7

    This Florida law is called the ‘Stand Your Ground Law’.

    The following discussion was extracted from:

    (http://www.cfif.org/htdocs/freedomline/current/in_our_opinion/florida-self-defense-law.htm)

    The Florida law is a self-defense, self-protection law.  It has four key components:

    It establishes that law-abiding residents and visitors may legally presume the threat of bodily harm or death from anyone who breaks into a residence or occupied vehicle and may use defensive force, including deadly force, against the intruder.


    In any other place where a person “has a right to be,” that person has “no duty to retreat” if attacked and may “meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”


    In either case, a person using any force permitted by the law is immune from criminal prosecution or civil action and cannot be arrested unless a law enforcement agency determines there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.


    If a civil action is brought and the court finds the defendant to be immune based on the parameters of the law, the defendant will be awarded all costs of defense.


    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    My personal comment: I’m justa lovin’ it!

    Posted by Michael Sheehan on 2006 10 18 at 02:53 AM • permalink

  28. Just incredible.  I’m speechless.

    Posted by tdw77 on 2006 10 18 at 02:54 AM • permalink

  29. The Herald is saying that every time they omit the descriptions, the default is automatically MOMEA.  Think crime think MOMEA.

    Posted by Howzat on 2006 10 18 at 02:54 AM • permalink

  30. #16 “Who cares what colour we all are.”

    Ah, but you miss the entire point of multiculturalism - We must promote/celebrate divisiveness diversity.

    Like a communist ex-girlfriend I had (man, what was I thinking) who worked in public housing and dealt with Australian aborigines.
    She was was horrified at my suggestion that we should treat all people on their merits as human beings, regardless of colour.
    She was flat out creating grievances of race and our awful colonial racist history.

    Posted by Mike_W on 2006 10 18 at 03:10 AM • permalink

  31. What’s the worst thing about roller blading ?
    Having to admit to you’re parents that you’re gay !

    Posted by Fluent Idiot on 2006 10 18 at 03:43 AM • permalink

  32. Try Christchurch..I’m certain that I just saw that guy with the blades..same race and everything.

    Posted by Max on 2006 10 18 at 03:54 AM • permalink

  33. Watch for the attacks on roller bladers.

    Why doesn’t the SMH say it straight? 

    Most Australians are brutes and rascists who must be protected from themselves by the timely censorship of their social, intellectual and moral superiors.

    These socialists don’t have much faith in public education, do they?  Even when they control it.

    The capture of the Labor Party by these arrogant trendoids will keep Kim and his boys out of office for many years to come.

    Posted by Inurbanus on 2006 10 18 at 04:11 AM • permalink

  34. I emailed the SMH back in August asking why they didn’t use the Police media release descriptions. This was their response:

    “Our approach is that saying a suspect is of Mediterranean or Oriental or Caucasian appearance is not helpful on its own in identifying a possible suspect in a city such as Sydney unless supported by a full description of build , clothing or other identifying marks such as scars or birthmarks etc.”

    This obviously doesn’t explain why they use the “White/European” description, but not “Middle Eastern/Mediterranean”.

    Posted by Borofkin on 2006 10 18 at 04:12 AM • permalink

  35. The case would have stumped Sherlock.

    A PC Bulliten. Be on the lookout for a man/woman/indeterminate gender, of European/Chinese/midlle eastern/eskimo appearance with long/short/no hair, last seen walking/riding/limping/in a wheelchair/bedridden, after having stolen/liberated/all property is theft a motor vehicle.

    As opposed to Be on the lookout for an albino, bald dwarf on a moped.

    Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2006 10 18 at 04:14 AM • permalink

  36. #34: Good question - why not follow-up and ask them?

    Their rationale is absurd.  By eliminating one of the identifiable (and unmodifiable) attributes, they have widened the net, and therefore made it less helpful.

    Policemen: We’re looking for two men in the early 20s, did you see them?
    Citizen: What did they look like?
    Policemen: I can’t tell you their appearance, since it wouldn’t be helpful.

    As I suspected, they respond and the hole they dig gets deeper.

    Posted by manbag's bagman on 2006 10 18 at 04:26 AM • permalink

  37. #19

    OK, here’s their “reply”:

    In a city such as Sydney, the Herald’s view is that ethnic descriptions are only of much use in helping potential witnesses identify suspects if they are part of a full description, which includes clothing, build, hair colour, distinguishing features and so on. With such a large population in Sydney, a description such as, “the suspects are 175cm tall, clean shaven and of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance”, hardly narrows it down and serves no purpose. In some cases the Herald does publish descriptions of alleged suspects’ ethnicity if police feel that their investigation would be aided by such a report. This is an exception, however, rather than the rule.

    Anybody get the vague feeling that they may have ducked the question?

    Posted by Stone Cold on 2006 10 18 at 04:53 AM • permalink

  38. They’ve changed the report null

    Posted by David D on 2006 10 18 at 05:15 AM • permalink

  39. #23 Mr Mental or is that Mr Floss.
    You say “circumlocutory sesquipedilianism” - according to my dictionary this is when 1,000 people all shave their legs at the same time hoping for a Guinness World Record?  Can you confirm please?

    Posted by Bonmot on 2006 10 18 at 05:22 AM • permalink

  40. #37 I noticed they didn’t bother explaining how including white/European appearance in their article fits this policy.  Its either exceptional chicken-shitiness, pro-muslim or both.

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2006 10 18 at 05:55 AM • permalink

  41. “circumlocutory sesquipedilianism”
    I thought it had something to do with 150-year old pedophiles running in a circle?

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2006 10 18 at 05:57 AM • permalink

  42. #7 El Cid—

    In Florida, where I will be at my beach house for the winter months soon, these two ‘men’ would have died on scene ... Florida is one of I believe 15 States, that have ‘right to shoot’ laws…meaning if you are threatened in home or vehicle, you may defend yourself, in the extreme. No questions asked ... you can bet, I’ll be up to speed on the thing, at the first opening of my beach house door.

    Uh, El Cid, you might want to rethink that “shoot first, open the door later” policy of yours.  You might recall I tried hand delivering your “2005 Neocon is Neat!” seminar binder that you so thoughtfully left on the table at the Mayflower Hotel.  I wanted to FedEx it to you but regulations dictated that at no time would it be in the possession of any person other than a duly sanctioned RWDB.  I had to fly all the way down there from DC, take a taxi, and then walk up those rickety steps of yours.  I rang the door bell and then BAM BAM!  If it wasn’t for the fact that I began wearing my James West brand of blue bullet proof vest after 7 similar incidents with Richard McEnroe (I’m begining to question whether some of those weren’t accidents), I would have been the latest casualty in the neocon’s conquest of the world.

    So if you wouldn’t mind, could you simply post a killer Doberman at the door like most RWDBs?  I usually take a slab of steak for them.

    Posted by wronwright on 2006 10 18 at 06:10 AM • permalink

  43. Do contracts at the SMH stipulate the removal of one’s balls upon taking a senior editorial position? Or does the company simply hire those who didn’t have any to begin with?

    Posted by Hanyu on 2006 10 18 at 06:24 AM • permalink

  44. 17 MentalFloss

    A man, reported as being devilishly handsome with a rapier-like wit and very low golf handicap, remained uninjured in an attempted home invasion last night after he blew two holes through an unopened door when two men, one armed with a gun, refused to clearly state their intentions and failed to vacate his property upon warning…


    Love it. I have it cut, pasted and printed. Oh wait, will memorize, as the ones that I cut, pasted, printed and ready for hand out, are loaded with gun oil.

    Ummmm, probably have to leave some out, wouldn’t want them thinking smug and/or premeditation on my part.

    Forensic investigators attended the scene and police are appealing for information about the guy at the Pro-Shop that got the intended victim such a great deal on his brand new set of graphite drivers…

    I’d be holding out for a full membership at Mr. Norman’s Shark’s Tooth, since it so close to the place…:).

    27 Michael Sheehan

    Yep, that be the one… Florida Statutes Chapter 776

    Posted by El Cid on 2006 10 18 at 07:03 AM • permalink

  45. Not really off topic, but Mark Scott seems to be still walking on eggshells and trying not to be insensitive or upset the young people in his constituency by suggesting that they have been BIASSED. He is keen to say that it is only a criticism, and that they need to deal with it.
    No demons there, eh, Mark?

    Posted by blogstrop on 2006 10 18 at 07:24 AM • permalink

  46. 42 wronwright

    I rang the door bell and then BAM BAM!

    Knew it was you…Just after the Mead Repository keys. No harm meant. Beside the fact, it was only #4 buckshot..:).

    Posted by El Cid on 2006 10 18 at 07:35 AM • permalink

  47. Difficult to tell. Probably both.

    Posted by CB on 2006 10 18 at 08:08 AM • permalink

  48. Well it hurt!  And I keep those keys hidden in a secret place.  Not even Andrea will find them.  Or my truncheon she’s been eying lately.

    Posted by wronwright on 2006 10 18 at 08:09 AM • permalink

  49. For #44

    Posted by CB on 2006 10 18 at 08:10 AM • permalink

  50. Andrea’s been eyeing your truncheon? Gads, it’s like I’m in the middle of a Benny Hill
    Show.

    Posted by CB on 2006 10 18 at 08:11 AM • permalink

  51. Any excuse to play Yakety Sax.

    Posted by slammer on 2006 10 18 at 08:25 AM • permalink

  52. Andrea’s been eyeing your truncheon? Gads, it’s like I’m in the middle of a Benny Hill Show.

    Heh.

    Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2006 10 18 at 08:34 AM • permalink

  53. #37

    OK, here’s their “reply”....Anybody get the vague feeling that they may have ducked the question?

    Actually, I think you’ll find they sent you a boilerplate response, which they’ve used previously.

    Posted by Dan Lewis on 2006 10 18 at 08:50 AM • permalink

  54. #53

    Exactly.

    Posted by Stone Cold on 2006 10 18 at 08:52 AM • permalink

  55. For goodness’ sake Tim -the GLOVES man…
    Tell us about the gloves..
    Evening,rubber,latex,cotton,gardening,bowlin
    cricketers’?
    I beg you -tell me NOW.

    Posted by crash on 2006 10 18 at 09:36 AM • permalink

  56. “In some cases the Herald does publish descriptions of alleged suspects’ ethnicity if police feel that their investigation would be aided by such a report. This is an exception, however, rather than the rule.”

    Translation to reality: Since, in our opinion, people ought to be suspicious of MOMEA at all times anyway, there’s nothing to be gained by mentioning that a specific crime was committed by MOMEA. Cordially, SMH Staff.

    Posted by PW on 2006 10 18 at 10:50 AM • permalink

  57. Well, if wronwright would put his truncheon away, people wouldn’t be staring at it.  Really!

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2006 10 18 at 10:53 AM • permalink

  58. I also emailed the SMH a couple of weeks ago about “Men of no description” doing a carjacking in Auburn

    In the same edition of the SMH there was a detailed description of a White/Caucasian who also did something bad

    I wrote to say I felt discriminated against being White/Caucasian too

    Yes I got the standard reply - just like everyone else

    I reckon Today Tonight would love this kind of story

    And Romeo Mike’s Gumption blog has been onto this for a while

    Posted by aussiemagpie on 2006 10 18 at 11:15 AM • permalink

  59. I emailed them with the question, “Why give ethnic details when the suspect is white, but not when he’s middle eastern?”

    They responded:

    The following is in response to your inquiry:
    Thank you for your comments about the article, “Rollerblader in sex
    assault on girl”.
    In a city such as Sydney, the Herald’s view is that ethnic descriptions
    are only of much use in helping potential witnesses identify suspects
    if they are part of a full description, which includes clothing, build,
    hair colour, distinguishing features and so on. With such a large
    population in Sydney, a description such as, “the suspects are 175cm tall,
    clean shaven and of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance”, hardly
    narrows it down and serves no purpose. In some cases the Herald does
    publish descriptions of alleged suspects’ ethnicity if police feel that
    their investigation would be aided by such a report (as in this case where
    police are actively seeking witnesses).

    So apparently they felt that they could add that he was ‘white/european’ since they also knew the guy was wearing a hat…

    Posted by blogagog on 2006 10 18 at 12:52 PM • permalink

  60. It’s those friggin’ men without hats again!

    Posted by SoberHT on 2006 10 18 at 02:47 PM • permalink

  61. null They’ve changed the report. It now describes the suspects as momea.

    Posted by David D on 2006 10 18 at 06:35 PM • permalink

  62. Sorry I’m having trouble with the ‘link’ thing. If anyone wants to see the updated report click on the ‘null’in comment #61

    Posted by David D on 2006 10 18 at 06:37 PM • permalink

  63. Thankyou for revealing these shocking revelations, Tim.

    I just did a search for the precise term “middle eastern appearance” on the Herald Sun, Daily Tele, SMH and Age websites, and I am shocked to find that while the Age only mentioned it 105 times and the SMH only mentioned it 258 times - news.com.au (which includes the Herald Sun and Daily Tele) mentioned it a whopping 86 times.

    Not only this, but the SMH has 11 hits mentioning the precise term “caucasian appearance”, the Age has 17, and news.com.au has 13.  Note that this does not take into account when people are described as being “white.”

    This systemic bias cannot go on!

    I will be sending an angry letter to Rupert post haste!

    Posted by Dr. Cam on 2006 10 19 at 03:47 AM • permalink

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