Monday, 17 September 2012
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER
SPEECH
Date Monday, 17 September 2012 Source House
Page 122
Speaker Entsch, Warren, MP
Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt—Chief Opposition Whip)
(22:21):
I rise tonight to speak on the topic of
cyberbullying and the disgusting lack of accountability
in social media, which has been highlighted nationally
in recent weeks. Take the case of Twitter commentator
Charlotte Dawson, who ended up in hospital as a direct
result of being persecuted. Football player Robbie
Farah has very recently urged lawmakers to make
a stand after vile comments were made regarding
his late mother. And who could forget 19-year-old
Olivia Penpraze, who posted a heart-breaking video
on Facebook before she committed suicide earlier this
year as a result of ongoing cyberbullying. The term
'trolls' given to the pathetic individuals who peddle
their malice via social media is highly appropriate, and
to this growing national campaign against them I add
my own condemnation.
In Cairns, public figures have become the
target of an American registered website called
hillbillywatch.com, which claims to be a satirical pro-
Cairns blog but in reality is a forum for trashing
reputations and fuelling obscenities. Much of what
is posted is too vulgar to mention in this place. The
site focuses on a local radio host, describing him as
a 'caustic, divisive, destructive, and cancerous plague
on Cairns'. A local member is referred to as 'the MP
(misogynist prick) for Cairns, the "don't rape me"
paid local liar for the LNP'. A council candidate is
labelled as a 'bitter old bigot who runs a website known
euphemistically as "Residents against Aboriginals?"'.
And vocal conservationist Colin Riddell, who has just
successfully campaigned to have a cruelty provision,
particularly in relation to turtles and dugongs, enacted
in the state parliament, is advised to 'take it right up the
keister from his LNP mates … do you like it this way,
Colon?"
Dangerously, this site is not afraid to insinuate sexual
misconduct, and the articles generate spiteful remarks
with no fear of reprisals, let alone consideration of
their target's mental health. One local resident who
is frequently targeted heard I was going to tackle
this issue. She told me, 'Freedom of speech does
not come with a carte blanche licence to ridicule,
defame and publish blatant untruths about others under
the cowardice of anonymity. The vitriol exhibited is
unacceptable to those who try to live by a code of
decency and respect for all. Its originator must be made
accountable.'
This is a site that targets individuals, and while it may
not be physical violence it can easily take the form
of these written attacks. I am often vilified, but my
policy is to simply ignore it as these people thrive on
acknowledgement. In this case, while I do not want to
offer it any promotion, I am speaking out because I will
not be left with blood on my hands if this harassment
gets to be too much for one of its victims.
The major problem with these social forums is that
while complaints can be lodged with the relevant
authorities, the task of revealing their identities, or
prosecuting, is extremely difficult. These people—and
I understand that there are a number of contributors
to hillbillywatch.com—are hiding behind anonymity.
Well, no more. If they want to publish on Twitter,
Facebook or online forums, they should be transparent
and accountable for the impact their comments may
have.
With that in mind, today I rise to name and
shame Brian Lawrence McCarty, the main blogger
behind hillbillywatch.com. McCarty is a 58-year-old
American who lives at 7 Whitehaven Court in Clifton
Beach. Information accessible online shows McCarty
worked as a sound engineer in Hollywood but moved
to Cairns in 1998. He attempted two web ventures,
coralseastudios.com and webjazz.com, and I am told
both turned out badly. I have received written advice
from a former associate that McCarty, desperate to
refinance Coral Sea Studios, attempted investment
fraud using fake website content and stolen identities.
Since 2008, he has been working at the Baskin Robbins
ice-cream franchise on Cairns Esplanade, describing
himself as guest relations manager. This associate
identifies McCarty as having a severe personality
disorder, with a dark side driven to, 'defame strangers
and damage their businesses'.
Free speech is one thing, and I have nothing against
clever satire. But I strongly support any moves by this
House to put better processes— (Time expired)
_____________ | _____________
If you would like to hear Warren Entsch speak in the House of Representative click on the below link.
https://vimeo.com/49630750
____________ | ____________
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER
SPEECH
Date Monday, 17 September 2012 Source House
Page 122
Speaker Entsch, Warren, MP
Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt—Chief Opposition Whip)
(22:21):
I rise tonight to speak on the topic of
cyberbullying and the disgusting lack of accountability
in social media, which has been highlighted nationally
in recent weeks. Take the case of Twitter commentator
Charlotte Dawson, who ended up in hospital as a direct
result of being persecuted. Football player Robbie
Farah has very recently urged lawmakers to make
a stand after vile comments were made regarding
his late mother. And who could forget 19-year-old
Olivia Penpraze, who posted a heart-breaking video
on Facebook before she committed suicide earlier this
year as a result of ongoing cyberbullying. The term
'trolls' given to the pathetic individuals who peddle
their malice via social media is highly appropriate, and
to this growing national campaign against them I add
my own condemnation.
In Cairns, public figures have become the
target of an American registered website called
hillbillywatch.com, which claims to be a satirical pro-
Cairns blog but in reality is a forum for trashing
reputations and fuelling obscenities. Much of what
is posted is too vulgar to mention in this place. The
site focuses on a local radio host, describing him as
a 'caustic, divisive, destructive, and cancerous plague
on Cairns'. A local member is referred to as 'the MP
(misogynist prick) for Cairns, the "don't rape me"
paid local liar for the LNP'. A council candidate is
labelled as a 'bitter old bigot who runs a website known
euphemistically as "Residents against Aboriginals?"'.
And vocal conservationist Colin Riddell, who has just
successfully campaigned to have a cruelty provision,
particularly in relation to turtles and dugongs, enacted
in the state parliament, is advised to 'take it right up the
keister from his LNP mates … do you like it this way,
Colon?"
Dangerously, this site is not afraid to insinuate sexual
misconduct, and the articles generate spiteful remarks
with no fear of reprisals, let alone consideration of
their target's mental health. One local resident who
is frequently targeted heard I was going to tackle
this issue. She told me, 'Freedom of speech does
not come with a carte blanche licence to ridicule,
defame and publish blatant untruths about others under
the cowardice of anonymity. The vitriol exhibited is
unacceptable to those who try to live by a code of
decency and respect for all. Its originator must be made
accountable.'
This is a site that targets individuals, and while it may
not be physical violence it can easily take the form
of these written attacks. I am often vilified, but my
policy is to simply ignore it as these people thrive on
acknowledgement. In this case, while I do not want to
offer it any promotion, I am speaking out because I will
not be left with blood on my hands if this harassment
gets to be too much for one of its victims.
The major problem with these social forums is that
while complaints can be lodged with the relevant
authorities, the task of revealing their identities, or
prosecuting, is extremely difficult. These people—and
I understand that there are a number of contributors
to hillbillywatch.com—are hiding behind anonymity.
Well, no more. If they want to publish on Twitter,
Facebook or online forums, they should be transparent
and accountable for the impact their comments may
have.
With that in mind, today I rise to name and
shame Brian Lawrence McCarty, the main blogger
behind hillbillywatch.com. McCarty is a 58-year-old
American who lives at 7 Whitehaven Court in Clifton
Beach. Information accessible online shows McCarty
worked as a sound engineer in Hollywood but moved
to Cairns in 1998. He attempted two web ventures,
coralseastudios.com and webjazz.com, and I am told
both turned out badly. I have received written advice
from a former associate that McCarty, desperate to
refinance Coral Sea Studios, attempted investment
fraud using fake website content and stolen identities.
Since 2008, he has been working at the Baskin Robbins
ice-cream franchise on Cairns Esplanade, describing
himself as guest relations manager. This associate
identifies McCarty as having a severe personality
disorder, with a dark side driven to, 'defame strangers
and damage their businesses'.
Free speech is one thing, and I have nothing against
clever satire. But I strongly support any moves by this
House to put better processes— (Time expired)
_____________ | _____________
If you would like to hear Warren Entsch speak in the House of Representative click on the below link.
https://vimeo.com/49630750
____________ | ____________
ReplyDeleteWell-done Ross - pleased that I "read it first" on your forum - exposure of this Hillbilly character was long overdue. And well done Whip Warren Entsch, naming and shaming this grub under parliamentary privilege, which means of course that McCarty has no come-back. The world wide web would be much better-off without freak shows like this hill-billy.
chris forsberg bayview heights
About time
ReplyDeleteYou're right on the second point Chris, except that privilege for Entsch doesn't transfer to you, or Ross, or anyone else. You're open to lawsuit like any private citizen. I wouldn't be keen to have a guy with such deep pockets coming after me!
ReplyDeleteCheck the law ss it was in the public arena on television .
DeleteAnyone can see there is more than one "writing style" on this blog, and ascribing it to one guy gives him way too much credit. I know a half-dozen names that have been attached to this blog over the last couple years, and this includes Michael Moore who was mostly shut down after stepping over the line with a councillor. Why else would "cairnsblog.com" go to the hillbilly blog? Entsch is obviously worried about all of the bloggers, including you, Ross. An attack on one is an attack on all.
ReplyDeleteThere is actually a threat in these very few comments - Smithfield Sam??? That needs checking out too.
ReplyDeleteMccarty is a freak and behind many blogs including baskin robbins blog, he has no courage........come from behind your gutless approach brian and be a man! ?..........his day will come
ReplyDeleteI almost never write comments, however i did a few searching and wound up here "Hillbilly Watch - Brian McCarty exposed".
ReplyDeleteAnd I do have a couple of questions for you if you do not mind.
Is it simply me or does it seem like some of the comments
appear as if they are left by brain dead people? :-P
And, if you are writing at other places, I would like to follow everything new you have to
post. Could you make a list of the complete urls of your
social pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
my web page: more