Obviously, the cops/ambos/fieries etc should not have to cop attacks from anyone, but its a part of the real world, I guess.
I think there's a difference for the cops etc between dealing with a hardened criminal and dealing with a Joe Public who's had a few too many and wants a fight.
I have a friend who is a police inspector dealing mainly with bikers and other crims. and his blokes know what reception they are likely to get, so its part of the job for them.
It's different for ordinary cops, who wouldn't normally expect the public to go for them. Sadly, alcohol seems to fuel a lot of violence, particularly in places such as the Gold Coast.
Ultimately, no amount of changing the laws is likely to stop some people from getting a skinfull and swinging punches. People rarely change their behaviour because a law is made harsher, as they usually assume they won't get caught.
I think it comes back to attitudes in society about what is acceptable behaviour. Our society laughs at people, particularly blokes, who get drunk and go beserk, as if its some kind of rite of passage to manhood, when actually its just stupidity. Peer pressure, not harsher laws, is the best deterrent. The next time our mates are going too far, we need to just encourage them to think twice and be more responsible. For example, we used to laugh at drunk drivers, but now we are likely to discourage them from getting behind the wheel. Prevention is better than trying to clear up the mess afterwards.
