Special Police Powers the Latest Publicity Fun for WYD

I think WYD08 shapes as an amazing event and the 'pilgrims' are already thick on the ground anywhere within 2 hours of Sydney!! It all kicks off officially next Tuesday and should be a remarkable celebration of the Christian faith.

In 'secular' Australia with the culture/media clash it's fascinating to watch the media frenzy and by and large negativity which may run like the Olympics and turn around once the Festivities get underway.... only to return to vitriol once the balance sheet becomes partially available!

I do still chuckle at the chosen image for the invitation to Sydney in the official DVD promo... "come to the ends of the earth!!" There's a slightly less generous way of saying that...

However, this post is actually about the ridiculous Police powers granted recently to allow Police to charge people for 'annoying WYD pilgrims' and extends to examples like 'offensive t-shirts.'

Some tried to back peddle and claim these powers already exist and this was just a collection of them to inform the public of their responsibilities. Others cried fowl over civil liberties. I bet the 'Chaser' boys were laughing about a story and decision made possible by their APEC Summit motorcade stunt... and the Catholic Church was quick to point out it had not requested this and respected everyone's right to make their views known, to protest etc!!

Not to be denied, the Aussie sense of humour has come to the fore and groups such as the NoToPope Coalition and merchandiser & t-shirt designers & sellers REMO General Store have gotten onboard with a range of designs specifically aimed at attracting the potential $5500 fine!!