BS: Bad day for gecko

Subject: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: gecko
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 07:21 AM

A week ago last Monday (26 March) I was taken hostage for three hours in a Member of Parliament's office - which is where I work.

He had a loaded .303 rifle with which he took a pot shot at a passing police car. I can tell you that I was absolutely terrified but that doesn't really explain how I felt. In retrospect I can isolate several different states of mind that I experienced.

The first was sheer disbelief that this was happening to me - "must be someone playing a joke" I thought. Second was absolute terror as I aknowledged that indeed, this really was happening and that I was in an extremely dangerous situation especially when he pulled the trigger and my ears imploded with the biggest sound I have have ever heard. The third state was one of icey cold detachment from reality. After about two hours when he had started to run out of steam, I morphed back into my Electorate Officer role and with the help of the marvelous police negotiator, talked my way through to his agreeing to my release into the arms of the Swat team in the street outside.

He made his own way out very shortly after me and was taken into custody. He is due to answer charges on May 14 and I just hope to heavens that I can avoid attending court myself.

One of the worst aspects of this horrible event has been the media attention I have been subjected to since by the howling pack of dogs commonly known as the press. Working in the political field for years, I have little respect for journos but even I wouldn't have believed the lengths to which they are prepared to go to get a story.

In one way it was lucky that the bloke came into my Members office when I was alone, because I have been dealing with abusive and aggressive cranks like him for years (just not with loaded guns) and have learned some skills to diffuse tense situations.

I've taken advantage of counseling since then and I'm in better condition than I have a right to be though I've been told delayed stress symptoms can strike at any time.

The people close to me - husband, son, colleagues and Member etc - who were waiting in the police station, had a more stressful time of it than I did and I expect that is a common but unacknowledged problem.

I don't really know why I have told you all this but I thought you might be interested to know what has happened to another 'catter.

On a happier note, may I wish you all an enjoyable break - but go easy on those chocolate eggs!

YIU

gecko

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 07:39 AM

Wow, what a bummer. You must have been a scared bunny, I know I would be.
Glad you're OK and dealing with it, the support of family is invaluable at times like this.
As for the scumballs who call themselves reporters, I cannot find one good word to say about the dung beetles.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Ron Davies
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 08:25 AM

Amazing. But congratulations to you for your cool and rational behavior in a tense--and dangerous-- situation like that----in contrast to many politicians--and even some Mudcatters--who seem to feel that force is always the best way to solve an issue.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 08:32 AM

You done did good. If something comparable happened to me I hope that I would do as well.

As for the press...well, some of them, a very few, are decent human beings. The rest are driven to win The Big Prize and don't seem to care how they do it.

My response to them, at least at home, would be either "Git the hell out of my yard or I'll call the cops" or a very cold "Excuse me, but did I invite you to discuss this?"

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 08:33 AM

If you'd posted this on 1st April I would have been convinced it was a joke.

I'm glad you posted it, I find things like this really interesting.

I'm sorry you had to go through it all though. I think you may suffer some delayed stress symptoms but hopefully you will recover from the ordeal.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:04 AM

Isn't it amazing how that detached bit helps you deal with stressful situations. It just seems that part of your mind has to go somewhere else to find a solution. Just be aware that, at some point, you may have to curl up in a corner and howl, or something similar. It would be natural and, so long as you are aware of what is happening and why, can be quite theraputic.

I'm glad that all ended well and hope that you don't have to give evidence. As for the press - I think that they must have to have a conscience removal before being allowed to do the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: gnu
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:46 AM

WHEW!

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 12:09 PM

I'm with gnu: Whew! That's one of those situations that, although we read about them, we never in this world expect to have to live through ourselves. Congratulations on keeping cool and for using your training and experience to good effect.

Speaking of detachment, I suspect that it is a common reaction to imminent and enormous danger, even among human beings. We know that animals go into that mode. I'd like to see the subject studied intensively.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 01:50 PM

Thank goodness you're ok!

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 01:54 PM

Whew, indeed! Congratulations on coming through so well!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Hawker
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 02:36 PM

WOW! What an ordeal! I hope that you dont get flashbacks or delayed shock and wish you - and your trauymatised family a speedy recovery and an equally chocolatey and restful easter, with lots to take your mind of what you have been through.
Kind thoughts, Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 02:42 PM

Thanks for sharing this, gecko. It is good for us, and it is good for you.

What an ordeal! I am so pleased that it ended well.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Hollowfox
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 02:44 PM

Well done. I'm just glad you're here to tell the tale! I'd advise indulging yourself a bit over the weekend, and I'll start up a nice soothing genuine purebred midwestern $#@!-reduction candle when I go home for supper.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 03:53 PM

F***in' 'ell. Gecko. Glad you're alright.
Stay lucky. fB.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 04:13 PM

{{{Gecko!}}}}} So glad you are alright!

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 04:14 PM

You are so very very lucky. I'm glad.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:35 PM

Gecko, I am so happy to hear you are alright and seemingly doing well with the aftermath. back 1999, I was up writing at 3:30 Am, the time my newspaper is usually delivered. I heard the paper guy toss it and it hit the door. Then a couple of minutes later, I heard someone right in front of my house shoot a .38 revolver 3 times. I was in direct line of the shots and hit the floor. When I got up, I saw my paper guy's car was there and two guys running away to hop in a car and flee. I didn't know if it was gang-related or what so I went to rouse my husband who told me I was crazy and went back to sleep. As I went out to see if he was alright, he actually got up off the street, slipped back behind the wheel and drove away! (Turns out he was in shock).

I was left standing in front of a huge pool of blood waiting for the police. It took some time to convince them there really had been a shooting. They only dispatched a car after someone else saw the paper guy trying to deliver a paper on the next street with blood all over him. oddly enough, as I was out there, I saw about a dozen or more neighbors looking down on the scene and the cops said I was the only one who called. No wonder I had a hard time getting them to believe me.

This story has a happy ending, sort of. The paper guy survived being shot in the head and neck 3 times and is back with his family. he is partially disabled and his assailants were never found. At the time, we had a problem with prostitution in our area and it was determined that the bandits were regular robbers of sex workers. They had a bad night and went for the paper guy hoping to score enough money to buy drugs. The incident was a rallying point for a neighborhood and we managed to push the sex trade out of the area. Now we only hear gunshot on New's years Eve, Cinco de Mayo, and some other holidays.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Apr 07 - 10:26 PM

This is one episode that never appeared on Yes Minister since there is nothing funny when phen people fun amok with firearms.
IT was important to let us know gekko.

may peace return to your life and may you put lingering doubts right out of your mind should they try to creep in...

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: rich-joy
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 07:40 PM

Jeez Gecko, what an experience! - and in tropical paradise, eh!
Glad to hear you're "all right" now, though ...
:~)
Not long to the Top Half - a trip back to the NT is always good for the soul - and maybe you'll be immortalised in a song or pome!!!
I won't be there for Glen Helen, but I'll be at The Beanie Festival - if you're still around at that time???

All the best,

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: GUEST,GUEST for obvious reasons
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 09:16 PM

gecko,
I was held at gunpoint, forced to undress, then raped and left in three feet of snow. I clearly remember leaving my body and watching the whole thing play out from above. I am told this is a normal reaction to acute stress. Talk about your incident, the trauma, your fear, your crazy disbelief, etc. It will help you come to terms with it. Keep getting professional help as long as you need it (or for as long as they tell you you need it). Your family did not suffer more. Your world was turned upside down and inside out and you need help putting the pieces back.
Opening up here is a very good thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Bad day for gecko
From: Maryrrf
Date: 06 Apr 07 - 09:45 PM

Lord, and I thought this was going to be a comic thread about the Geiko insurance advertisement. What a horrible thing, and even worse for Guest above. It is fortunate that both of you are alive today!