Noise pollution

It has come to my attention that apparently we have a Noise Pollution Law in Queensland. In fact, I understand every Australian State has one. The way it works is that if a person is making excessive noise (such as playing music too loudly) they can be fined. I've not yet run foul of that law yet -- largely because I believe that playing music that loudly is likely to diminish the sound quality (at least on the cheap stereo equipment that I have).

However, what I'm wondering is just how all the Gold Coast hoons driving their hotted up heaps of crap get away with it. It's clearly unnecessary, because not every car on the road makes that much noise (even if it is more common on the GC than anywhere else). Consequently, it seems to me that these idiots driving around in their crap that can be heard for several kilometres on Friday or Saturday nights are guilty of noise pollution. I'm fairly certain that if I played Sarah Blasko or the Manic Street Preachers at that volume, I'd be fined. Yet these idiots seem to get away with it time and again. Can someone explain to me just why this double standard exists? There's a reason I chose not to live right next door to a race track.

In other news, tomorrow I'll be riding the Wonders of Glorious Mee for what might be the last time. As far as I'm aware, it's not likely to find it's way onto the Audax calendar next year, so unless it's an "unsupported" ride (which wouldn't bother me that much), it's likely to disappear. That is a shame because it's one of the few organised rides in Queensland with any noteworthy climbing. It will be missed.

Tomorrow is also state election day, and I would suggest to Ray Stevens, the Liberal* candidate for Robina that he teach his staff how to read (assuming he knows himself). The words "No Junk Mail" are not difficult -- only four letters at most. The entire phrase has only three syllables, yet whoever is responsible for their advertising failed to read them on my letterbox yesterday. I see the pamphlet shows his ugly face, complete with smug grin. Maybe I should pick up some pins on the way home from work this evening and see what I can do about that grin. :^)

* For anyone reading this outside Australia, "Liberal" candidate is a bit of a misnomer. The major conservative party in Australia actually call themselves the Liberal party. I'm not sure who they think they're fooling -- well, actually, if it's the Australian electorate we're talking about, they might actually be fooling someone.