Australian Politics Forum - Rex Hunt on the rampage

freediver

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Rex Hunt on the rampage
May 22^nd, 2009 at 10:27pm

With all the hoo-hah about footballers giving the code a bad name, why is Rex Hunt still on the air? Surely an ex-cop would know how to handle this situation properly.

...Media personality Rex Hunt has claimed he acted in self-defence in a confrontation with a cyclist last July.

Rex Hunt found guilty of cyclist attack charge

http://www.theage.com.au/national/rex-hunt-found-guilty-of-cyclist-attack-charge-20090508-axd5.html

Media personality and football commentator Rex Hunt has been found guilty of recklessly causing injury after a road-rage confrontation with a cyclist in Melbourne.

Cyclist tells court of Rex Hunt attack

http://www.theage.com.au/national/cyclist-tells-court-of-rex-hunt-attack-20090507-awqx.html

Veteran 3AW football commentator Rex Hunt has been accused of pinning a cyclist against a parked car with his four-wheel-drive, grabbing him in a bear hug and breaking his finger in a "scary" confrontation on a bayside road.

"The first thought that came into my mind was that I was going to be cut in half," Rodney Andonopoulos told the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday about the alleged attack on July 26 last year in Elwood.

The media personality and former policeman was driving in Ormond Esplanade when he allegedly cut off Mr Andonopoulos and pinned him to a car parked on the side of the road.

The court heard that Hunt, 60, later stopped, got out of his car and tried to stop Mr Andonopoulos riding past by grabbing him in a bear hug.

In the police interview played to the court, Hunt said a group of cyclists egged on Mr Andonopoulos during the scuffle.

Under cross-examination, he denied he had invented the group, after prosecutor Senior Constable Mark van Suylen said no witnesses had told of the group.

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« Last Edit: May 23^rd, 2009 at 10:46am by freediver »

People who can't distinguish between etymology and entomology bug me in ways I cannot put into words.

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oceanz Gold Member Offline Auzgurl.. Posts: 3531 Gender:	Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage Reply #1 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 1:47pm Rex Hunt is a buffoon who kisses fish..what can you expect ?..If he french kissed a fish or somehow inappropriately fondled it ?.. to make anyone care, thats what it would take...
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The Warrigal

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #2 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 2:02pm

Pure conjecture on my part, but the subject of social misconduct on the part of celebrities in general seems like it might be a social issue in the making.

I am inclined to take a rather more serious view of the assault conviction against Rex Hunt than I am over the furore surrounding Mathew Johns.

Johns was not convicted of any crime.

Hunt has been.

Yet Johns has been abandoned and hung out to dry by his employers and even many of his so-called 'mates."

As Freediver has observed, Rex Hunt is a former Police Officer, so I think that the public have a reasonable right to expect that he would know how to conduct himself with greater restraint and display greater and respect for the law.

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Amadd

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #3 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 7:11pm

Quote:

As Freediver has observed, Rex Hunt is a former Police Officer, so I think that the public have a reasonable right to expect that he would know how to conduct himself with greater restraint and display greater and respect for the law.

Since when do people join th police force so that they may better follow the law?
They join it to be the law.

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oceanz

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #4 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 7:36pm

Rex Hunt used to be a Police officer..most likely enjoys being a civilian . Just because one used to do a job of work doesnt mean they have to up hold the code forever, nor would they want too.

Many who leave jobs that dont suit them do so forever because they couldnt stomach it for whatever reason.

Im thinking Police are the law yes..unfortunately some go into the job to be even bigger more powerful arseholes.

Cops do a job I wouldnt touch tho..we had a crash here 2 days ago..a car full of young men [15-24] slammed into a tree estimated going at about 180 ks...4 killed instantly and one in a crtitical condition in Adelaide as I type...alcohol and drugs of course. The cops are always the first on the scene at most accidents ... I couldnt do it.

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The Warrigal

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #5 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 7:58pm

Amadd.

You write:

Quote.

"Since when do people join th police force so that they may better follow the law?
They join it to be the law."

End Quote.

A good point Amadd.

There are, as in all professions, righteous coppers who do an honest job and corrupt bastards whose excesses put the public off side.

However, there is just "something about" policing just as there is about any other job which promises maximum authority over others with minimum indepedant scrutiny which attracts an inordinate number of bullies.

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The Warrigal

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #6 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 8:05pm

Ocean.

Unless Rex Hunt served in the Armed Forces he was ALWAYS a civilian!

If you are not a serving member of your country's military, then Police Officer or no, you ARE a bloody civilian!

Yes I know.

There are MANY civilian Public Servants who occassionally need to be be reminded of this inconvenient little detail.

However, it has long been a source of some concern to me as to how many serving and even retired cops whom I have met who behave as if they were above the law.

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freediver

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #7 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 10:01pm

Quote:

Rex Hunt used to be a Police officer..most likely enjoys being a civilian . Just because one used to do a job of work doesnt mean they have to up hold the code forever, nor would they want too.

It does mean that he can't plead ignorance. It means that he can't be taken seriously when claiming (as he did) that he acted in self defence. It means that as a public figure, he should be held to a higher standard on this issue than other public figures. I am not suggesting that the courts of law apply a different standard too him than a civilian. But at the very least, the media could apply the same standard to him that they do to footballers. There is something seriously wrong with our society when we start expecting higher standards of ex-footballers than ex-cops. An ex-footballer got the sack from his media job over an incident in which charges were not even laid. An ex-cop keeps his media job despite an actual conviction for a violent offence. Do you think this is right? Is it merely because we are so uptight over sexual misconduct, but don't blink an eye in the face of violent thugs?

Quote:

Many who leave jobs that dont suit them do so forever because they couldnt stomach it for whatever reason.

I would expect Rex left because he got too slow. So you are right that he couldn't 'stomach' it.

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People who can't distinguish between etymology and entomology bug me in ways I cannot put into words.

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mozzaok

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #8 - May 23^rd, 2009 at 10:57pm

He is human, albeit one overly impressed with his own importance, but that said, the lycra clad loon on the bike deserved more than a brokem finger, he would have got a kick in the knackers too if he behaved to me, in the way he did to rex hunt.

These clowns ride four and five abreast, or just in the middle of the road by themselves, relishing their right to block motorists, and all the wankers probably drive cars too, they just go into feral cyclist mode when the lycra constricts flow to their nads.

Texhnically he broke the law, but the provocation from the cyclist would have been hard to handle, by any reasonable person, and as one who has met hunt privately, he is pretty much an average joe, when he is not in TV personality mode.

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OOPS!!! My Karma, ran over your Dogma!

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The Warrigal

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #9 - May 24^th, 2009 at 12:59am

Provacation is only one of the "general defences" under criminal law.

Self-defence is another such general defence.

Rex Hunt pleaded self-defence..... and lost.

Yes. - I have met and been damnably aggravated by lycra clad and frequently foul mouthed cyclist types.

However, I have yet to use a 4-WD to restrain one against another vehicle and thence inflict what sounds suspiciously like "a spot of the old summary punishment."

With regard to Rex Hunt, Freediver wrote:

Quote.

"I am not suggesting that the courts of law apply a different standard too him than a civilian. But at the very least, the media could apply the same standard to him that they do to footballers."

End Quote.

Seems only fair to me.

Freediver also writes:

Quote.

"There is something seriously wrong with our society when we start expecting higher standards of ex-footballers than ex-cops."

End Quote.

Yes there is.

However what about the standards that apply to SERVING cops!

Freediver adds:

Quote.

"An ex-footballer got the sack from his media job over an incident in which charges were not even laid. An ex-cop keeps his media job despite an actual conviction for a violent offence. Do you think this is right?"

End Quote.

No it isn't right.

Johns, as I stated earlier, commited NO crime!!

Rex Hunt has been PROVEN guilty of a violent criminal offence!!

YET.

Johns becomes the scapegoat for the NFL and loses his job admidst much public gloating, while people are saying that instead of breaking an obnoxious cyclists finger, Rex hunt should have rearanged his victims courting tackle!

Gee! - Pity Rexy doesn't carry a gun and a badge anymore. Cry

If he was still a cop maybe he could have murdered the guy. Roll Eyes

(Awwww....C'mon! Grin

... The dick must have deserved it! - He "PROVOKED" an ex-cop)!!! Angry

Freediver concludes:

Quote.

"Is it merely because we are so uptight over sexual misconduct, but don't blink an eye in the face of violent thugs?"

End Quote.

An interesting question Freediver.

I wish I had an equally interesting answer.

But yes.

I think that as a society we are far more tolerant of overt thuggery than we are of sexual misconduct.

Even when the latter manifests in itself in relatively minor forms.

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Amadd

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #10 - May 24^th, 2009 at 3:27pm

Great comments Warrigal.
You can also insert quotes by typing [ q u o t e ] [ / q u o t e ] - but without the spaces.

Yes I think the police need to be reminded that they are in fact civilians. But it won't be the government authorities who do the reminding when it doesn't concern themselves. And it probably won't be the general public either without the help of the media.

Quote:

If he (Hunt) was still a cop maybe he could have murdered the guy.

...and all with public's (media's) blessing.
Doesn't anybody get taught the "sticks and stones" saying anymore?

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Happy Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 559	Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage Reply #11 - May 24^th, 2009 at 9:02pm The Warrigal wrote on May 23^rd, 2009 at 7:58pm: ... However, there is just "something about" policing just as there is about any other job which promises maximum authority over others with minimum indepedant scrutiny which attracts an inordinate number of bullies. I'd say some join force to abuse it.
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freediver

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #12 - May 24^th, 2009 at 9:22pm

Quote:

These clowns ride four and five abreast, or just in the middle of the road by themselves, relishing their right to block motorists, and all the wankers probably drive cars too, they just go into feral cyclist mode when the lycra constricts flow to their nads.

I ride in the middle of the lane Mozz. Contrary to what some motorists think, a lane is not big enough for both a car and a bike. I have been clipped by ignorant drivers before. When there is enough space on the side of the road, I pull over. When it is not, I make sure motorists realise this too. This is actually recommended in cycling literature from public institutions. I certainly do not relish the fact that I am holding people up. I am just trying to get to work in one piece. And yes I also drive a car. Why is that such a big deal? And no, I don't wear lycra. Cyclists have every right to be angry with the way some motorists put their lives at risk to save a second or two. I have given a few motorists the finger. I would have given a few words to some also, but mostly they end up driving off without realising they nearly killed someone.

But whatever disagreements you have with other road users, assaulting them and breaking bones is absurdly over-the-top. To suggest that Rex was 'provoked' into the assault misrepresents the values and standards of modern Australian society. That's why even Rex's lawyer could not bring himself to use the provocation defence - and this is the same guy who tried to argue it was self defence.

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« Last Edit: May 24^th, 2009 at 9:27pm by freediver »

People who can't distinguish between etymology and entomology bug me in ways I cannot put into words.

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Happy Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 559	Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage Reply #13 - May 24^th, 2009 at 9:34pm freediver wrote on May 24^th, 2009 at 9:22pm: ... motorists ... mostly they end up driving off without realising they nearly killed someone. This is scary bit, and hard to imagine any workable solution with so many arogant inconsiderate road users on both sides of the argument.
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oceanz

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Re: Rex Hunt on the rampage
Reply #14 - May 24^th, 2009 at 11:29pm

I think cyclists should not use the same roadspace as motorists..roads were built for cars etc..not bike riders..use roads at your own risk as a cyclist..

I was parked one day waiting to turn left and a cyclist with lenses coke bottle thick slammed straight into the side of my car, he ended up sprawled on my bonnet , practically eye to eye with me .. he was not fit to be on the road and most likely had caused accidents before. He had on his helmet, riding gear the lot, but was as blind as a bat.. dickhead. If I had killed him/or he hurt himself when he hit my car... it would have been my fault.. Angry

You have to pass stringents tests to drive car..a cyclist only as to choose which bike he likes from the sportstore and he can terrorise any amount of motorist he so chooses..

Unless there are specific bike lanes stay off the roads..
The road is not a safe place for a cyclist..so stay off. Roll Eyes

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« Last Edit: May 24^th, 2009 at 11:34pm by oceanz »

&&Jade Rawlings on Cousins " He makes our team walk taller..a very good team man , Ben Cousins"

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