From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 4 July

It is a simplistic concept and probably fraught with danger as a consequence, but it is time. Let the punishment fit the crime!

Obviously, there is no place in society for mob rule and red-necked vigilantes. While national discourse is imperative, the court of public opinion has no place at law; conversely, it is not unreasonable to expect the courts, governed and hamstrung as sometimes they are by law and precedence, to be cognisant of public expectation.

Also, in these trying times of COVID, those who choose to flagrantly disobey duly considered government public safety and health orders should be subjected to the full weight of the law, regardless.

Lack of confidence, personal scepticism, or opposition to specific orders, does not constitute legal reason for civil disobedience, ever.

United States court records are revealing an abiding sense of loyalty to QAnon (the online, fringe, conspiracy movement), as a common thread among scores of the men and women from across the country arrested for their participation in the audacious storming of the Capitol Building.

Interestingly, the failed actor, Jacob Chansley, aka QAnon Shaman, who donned horned headgear at the time of the violent insurrection which attempted to overthrow the United States Government, is now looking assiduously to apportion blame; arguing he was brainwashed by President Trump, and fell into the clutches of a cult. The possibility of incarceration has, momentarily, damped his revolutionary ardour and brought him to a sharp sense of public reality.

QAnon first emerged in 2017, and exists on countless baseless theories, including that former President Trump was fighting a global network of billionaire paedophiles; devil-worshipping Democrats; baby-eating Hollywood stars; and deep state operatives embedded in the United States Federal Government’s bureaucracy.

Many of the claims are dark and outlandish. Previously, these theories were considered mostly fringe and did not suggest a significant threat. Their bravado was strictly keyboard and confined to the darkest corners of the web.

Numerous US violent incidents have been linked to people who support QAnon theories, and recent polling suggests conspiracy theories are reaching wider audiences than previously thought.

Disturbingly, there is, in Australia, particularly Victoria which seems to have been hardest hit by the COVID pandemic, an unhealthy preponderance of destructive conspiracy theories. Most are truly risible. None is worth repeating on any media platform.

The freedom of speech and thought is a basic tenet of democracy; however, its fragility demands it be protected, against all manner of foe.

With all its vicissitudes, we have, in Australia, one of the best forms of democracy, which is neither the ultimate, nor necessarily, the best form of government. To paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill, it is the best of a bad lot!

It is a misnomer to believe we have the right to say and do whatever we want, whenever we want. An open democracy comes with responsibility. It demands a commitment to protect and adhere to the system; to respect the rule of law; and a courage to stand-up against those who would undermine the status quo for nefarious reasons.

Conversely, we do have the right to question; to protest; to gather in disapproval; but we do not have the right to disobey the need for the greater good; to endanger the lives of others with spurious, selfish opinions.

Exacerbated by social media, conspiracy theories abound. Their proliferation is alarming. We have a responsibility to seek out credible and proven information; to constantly defend the truth; to reject treacherous propaganda.

There are dark and powerful forces at work within our community. It behoves each individual to maintain a constant vigilance; to fight the good fight with all thy might. It is not scaremongering to say those dark forces, would, in a heartbeat, seize control and deprive us of the liberties we so take for granted.

This is not a time for silliness; or laissez-faire.

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald each Monday at 10.45am on Radio 3BA and contacted with conspiracy theories via [email protected].