There are a few flags that look similar to ours. When I went to the Kennedy Center in Washington back in the early 90's I could not pick our Aussie flag out of the lot of them. However, I do not think it should be changed.

Yeah Australia copied ours/NZ and then also say they were the first creator and maker of the Pavlova.

Get over it. We could not care less who created the Pavlova whether us or you. Does it really matter.

Yes it is a major international incident and one that must be resolved. I and I think the whole nation just cannot stop thinking about it. Maybe it would best to get the United Nations, Nato or one of the large International organisations involved in order to resolve and correct. Agreed ????? Ho, ho, ho.Edited 22-Dec-24 06:14am

lol Yes some people do take it too far. Ridiculous. It is just a sugary sweet dessert.

Our ancestors fought wars and many died under this flag. Nothing wrong with it and it is not ugly. Why people have to keep changing traditions to suit them is beyond me. Some PC person or group comes out and says we don't agree with this or that and weak governments bend to their will.

I don’t like the cross in the corner WW2 showed how much that counted when needed, I have had a lot to do with training in the armed forces and have respect for them. We need more identification as Australians and colonials.

Yes I think you should change your/Aussie flag as it copies ours/NZ flag.

Agree. As I stated, people now dress as transgenders to get access. Another avenue of access. As for putting the Australian flag on the jacket I think you will find this is against school policy or is what I found in schools my children went to. You had to follow the rules. I know all about paedophiles. My mother was in an orphanage where a priest always took the 12 year old girls for a ride in his car. My mother and her sisters never talked about their time in the orphanage other than a couple of silly things and one said you would not believe us if we told you. Protection of our children must come first above and beyond all this PC that is going on these days. I could care less what adults do but I do care if these ideas are pressed onto impressionable minds. Once a child reaches 18 they are old enough to vote, to fight a war, drive a car etc. so I think old enough to decide their lives. Lets leave the little ones alone.

They're secondary school students, so hardly 'little' ones. I dare say quite a few would be old enough to drive, so as you say 'old enough to decide their lives'

Their ages range between 13 &18

Yes, exactly - a few old enough to drive and some old enough to vote

Only the 18 year old students

Right on sister

Never meant to say it was a lifestyle choice per se. I have many cousins and friends who are gay and realise it is just who they are. My main fear is the paedophiles who use any means to be near children. I do not think I am misinformed about them and far from being prejudiced as I had a parent who was abused, a cousin who was abused and a number friends who were abused all at ages under 12 let alone acquaintances who have spoken to me about their experiences. I also stated that the Aboriginal flag and the Australian flag should both be on the jacket.

My last sentence I was agreeing with you. Being transgender etc is not something someone normally chooses as there is so much stigma etc that comes with it. I have a friend and an ex who were raped so I'm aware of issues in relation to abuse and kids. I also have a friend who is trans so I'm aware of trans issues too. Being trans still does not mean that every transgender person is a pedophile!!!

I never said they were. I said paedophiles will use any means to get close to kids not that transgenders are paedophiles.

I’m actually really sick of the ‘pedophile in the public toilet’ argument against trans people using restrooms. The ridiculously overwhelming majority of pedophiles attack kids they already know, and they don’t do it in public places. Victims of this kind of abuse are significantly safer in public than they are at their own homes, the homes of people they know, churches, scout camps etc. They groom before they abuse. It makes it easier for them to abuse. But let me indulge this tired, irrational and insulting argument for a moment. Let’s just say a male pedophile decides to pose as a trans woman so they can attend a public restroom in order to get close to a child to offend against them. Now unless they’re very feminine looking to begin with or particularly skilled at passing as a woman they are probably going to get noticed. Do they want to be noticed when they’re just about to offend? I doubt it. They would be better off dressing as a man and entering the male restroom to offend there. Boys are victims as well as girls, and would be more at threat from a pedophile who wanted to offend in a restroom without drawing attention to themselves. Perhaps we should just ban all men from male public restrooms to protect the boys. Or maybe boy victims don’t matter as much as girl victims to this particular argument? Most parents accompany their children to public restrooms. But even if the child was alone in there, another person could enter at anytime and intervene, it’s a public place. There are many more points I could make here, but the main takeaway is this is an extremely unlikely scenario. Any pedophile who wants to stay under the radar is not going to draw attention to themselves in any way. And where is the data or statistics on this? Where are the reports of this happening? Plenty of reports of trans women being harassed and attacked in public restrooms, but I can’t find any reports of sexual assaults against children from a pedophile disguised as a trans woman in the same place. Statistically if you want to keep your child safe from predators, don’t leave them in a church group, a scout group or alone with an adult who has groomed them. Supervise them and do surprise checks if they are playing with Uncle Wayne in another room. Educate them and yourselves on the signs of grooming. People you know danger is waaaaay more dangerous than stranger danger, but teach them what to do if approached by a stranger in a public place. This ridiculous argument that people keep bringing up is not based in any real world examples or any likely examples given the risk of exposing the pedophile. It’s just fear mongering perpetrated by bigots to encourage division. It’s then taken on and repeated by people who obviously have no compassion toward trans women or any critical thinking skills of their own or they’d be screaming to outlaw priests rather than outlawing trans inclusive bathrooms if they really wanted to protect children from pedophiles. Edited 29-Sep-23 18:16pm

One could argue to avoid pedophile attacks there should be no churches near schools!

One could indeed argue that. It would make much more sense when your argument is pedophiles will use any means necessary to get close to kids.

I warned/educated my children as did my Mother as her sisters were abused in an orphanage. I agree there are many places children both male and female are abused and in many cases by people they know such as grandfather, dad, brother, uncle, friend, neighbour etc. Horrible as it sounds. Paedophiles dressed as women have already been caught in girls dressing rooms/toilets. I never said transgenders did this. I think everyone is sick of having to keep saying NO to allowing such a risk because certain people do not want to offend a few. If I am keeping my children safe I could care less how many adults I offend.

That's so right!! It's not 'stranger danger' we need to teach kids about NEARLY as often as it's 'don't ever be alone in a room with uncle/grandpa/daddy/brother. We need to teach our children - at appropriate ages, of course - that girls are always going to be vulnerable, no matter their age, and boys and men are also vulnerable - mostly until adulthood, but there are Jeffrey Dahmers out there and if they're LGBTQ+, to always watch out who they go home with. SO many situations go horribly wrong. In the 5 mins. or so on this message, I can think of at least a dozen people who were sexually abused by relatives. Not one of them by a stranger or neighbour. Sick.Edited 30-Sep-23 01:16am

I never said that you said trans women did this. I addressed your argument that a male pedophile could dress as a trans women. I made that very clear. It’s the same argument that bigots ALWAYS use. I’m quite familiar with it because they repeat it over and over and it’s so far fetched and ridiculous. It would be funny if it wasn’t so offensive and easy to dispel because there is just no firm proof that it has ever happened. And if you’re saying it did, go ahead and show me the proof that pedophiles who were dressed as women were in girl toilets and change rooms. And what offences did they commit while in there? What were they charged with? Where and when did this happen? Post the link to the article in your reply if you are able to do that.

You can put your head in the sand and say it does not happen but sadly it does. I am not a bigot but I am a realist. It is happening in many countries, UK, Australia, USA, you name it. I have put a full stop to this discussion now as I think everyone has had their viewpoint shown. You can believe what you like or not. That is up to you. I put a discussion here for people to comment on and I think I have achieved a very good discussion group. Whether you agree with the comments is neither here nor there. The discussion was put out there which I think is always a positive.

True. Whether I agree or not is neither here nor there. The facts are what is relevant. In Australia, the UK, and the USA there are no verified reports of it happening. It’s not happening everywhere. It’s just false to claim it is. And when you spread that claim you are just helping the bigots with their anti-trans agenda.

Again I am not anti trans so do not put this to me as a truth. I am anti paedophiles and there are plenty of news reports regarding this.

PC as in Political Correctness not a Personal Computer. lol

Dear members. Please, calm down. Be respectful to other members at all times. We want to make sure that Rewardia Community has the ability for everyone to have a safe, positive, and inclusive experience. Edited 27-Jul-23 10:28am

I stated my opinion without crossing any lines or being aggressive. I am confused?

No, you didn't cross the line. We just ask you to be a little more tolerated. Be positive. Bear things calmly.

it's tolerant...there is no bear in there....whether BLM is tolerated is something that he is unable to control...and of course he is!! we miss you Thomas Edited 27-Jul-23 23:01pm

There IS a bear in there... It's not waving an aboriginal or rainbow flag ,yet it doesn't seem to mind others celebrating life a bit.

No I cannot agree with that but there are too many of the few having too loud a voice and expecting everyone to do their bidding.

I recently read an article about a Melbourne Uni professor who has been seriously hassled, abused and heckled by LGBTQ people, because she is lecturing about the history of the 'female movement', women's rights etc... The protestors wanted her to be shut down and sacked from the Uni because she doesn't acknowledge trans people as being part of the female world. The Uni didn't want to upset the trans people, so they asked her to change her lectures. She refused. The Uni then decided that she was the problem, but that she needed protection from 'the mob', so they hired 12 security guards and asked the police to attend, so that the people going to her lectures would be safe. The police decided to investigate and found that it was 5 trans people causing all the problems, nobody else. The Uni was informed but declined to press charges etc... The lectures continue, the security guards are still in place, the police decline to attend. The 5 trans people attend her lectures, yell abuse at her and heckle her, but are not stopped. Slowly, but surely, students are leaving her lectures. In the end it will just be her, the 5 trans people and 12 security guards. The Uni says that the trans/LGBTQ have a right to freedom of speech and expression. Apparently, the Uni professor doesn't. PC gone mad.

Unfortunately, these few types of protestors are becoming the norm and others are not allowed to say boo. They are not winning any favours either.

Exactly ,some of these kids may just come from gay parent families or have a trans sibling and are just supportive of them. How many paedophiles are heterosexual and often even fathers ? Statistics show many ,many. Edited 12-Jul-23 10:30am

I agree paedophiles are often family members etc. but I am concerned about these men dressing as women and being allowed into female change rooms, toilets etc. I was watching a report on just one state in the USA who have proof this is happening and females are being raped, bashed, and children are being flashed etc. many times. However, I was generalising how things have gone too far. I voted for Gay marriage and have friends and family members who are gay but that is not my concern. Politicising it in our schools etc. is not something I can agree with. Yes some children have gay parents and if they want to wear a flag then that is their prerogative but making it part of a uniform is not going down the right track in my opinion. One cannot buy this jacket without the flag. A lighter top is available yes but I am sure the kids would prefer the warmer cooler jacket. If I wanted to protest and take the flag off and put the Australian flag on I would not be allowed. That I see as political manipulation.

It’s not politicising by having it available as an optional choice of uniform. From all accounts the students gave it the ok to go ahead. No one is forcing anyone to wear it. I’m sure there are alternative warm jackets to choose from. Nothing about this is political manipulation or threatening to anyone. Your concern over men dressing as women and raping and bashing women in toilets is quite a separate issue. This is a small emblem on an OPTIONAL jacket at a secondary school representing pride and inclusion. Nothing more. Edited 13-Jul-23 21:40pm

Agree there Bette. A group of students and parents on the school committee along with the principle to be precise ,yep. I think seeing politics in a tiny rainbow is kind of odd myself ,so I guess I will have to agree to disagree with Linda on this occasion.Whilst we all have to vote soon on the voice to parliament re the aboriginal people's representation to our country's policies why is that not the political stance here rather than LGTBQI ? In fact regardless of either i'm not sure why just being born the way you are is a such an issue for people on here . As for the men abusing the dress code in bathrooms etc . There will always be evil in all walks, that will take a loophole and make things difficult for the innocent to progress. Edited 13-Jul-23 16:10pm

I do not think as this is a discussion group from many countries that The Voice is an issue for them. I agree there are and will always be evil men and women also but why give them to opportunities to instil themselves into vulnerable peoples lives.

And neither is wearing the aboriginal flag going to be an issue for any other country on this forum , yet it's also one that can't be removed or covered over on the jacket. The separate issue of people taking advantage of dress codes AKA men dressing as women and abusing women in bathrooms ( so straight men) most likely , I can't answer. I do say this though ,if you were a young 14yr old very gentle natured shy male that was on female hormones ,hated his own body and prayed each day just to be a girl and be accepted as one ,would you feel comfortable standing at a urinal with a bunch of loud rough housing boys ? Is that trans child allowed to have an opportunity this lifetime to go and pee somewhere they feel safe to do so? Most likely they're friends with girls more than boys at the school and would go in together.Change has to start somewhere Linda.. it is 2023 .. :) scary as it may be for some . Hell we still have to gain equal pay for women but that's another gnarly topic for another day. Edited 13-Jul-23 18:03pm

Hear hear 😊👍🏻

Yes there are a lot of topics that need peoples views aired. I know you say the trans boy would feel uncomfortable but there are many girls and women who feel very uncomfortable with a teen or a grown man with all his tackle entering their domain and they cannot say no. Maybe we need a separate area for them and then perhaps everyone will feel comfortable. I have no idea how to solve this problem but it is all going forward way too fast for it to sit right with me. It is like everyone is in a rush to look like they are forward thinking and inclusive when as you read posts on this site that is not the case at all. As I said previously, everyone needs to take a breath and set things in motion with a lot of thought and consideration for everyone behind every decision.

A lot of considerations yes ,these people need the dignity they deserve . As a note it was 1994 when the human rights act decriminalised homosexuality across all states in Australia. Some states such as Victoria were earlier 1981..This is now 2023 , and all different types of individuals ( which probably have always existed) are now slowly becoming free to tell their truth. Some never do . I'm not sure what the' rush' is I'm sure most have died waiting to just be heard ..It's very sad

And many women, children, etc. have been sexually assaulted by the opportunists. This is where the problem lies.

Linda, I don't know if you're willing to get involved in pushing this forward, but in Canada, we have many places that now have Men, Women, and Family washrooms. These 3 options give everyone the ability to pick which washroom they feel safest going into. The Family one is normally a single-toileted room with a change station for a baby and you can lock the door. That locked door is the safety feature that attracts a lot of people; myself included and I'm a straight woman. Maybe you can get something going with your local government or shoot for the top officials and get petitions started to get these washrooms mandatory in places of government and business.Edited 19-Sep-23 00:25am

We have had Mothers rooms for years. These are for the mothers and babies of course. We also have facilities for disabled persons.

I an not a far right extremist and if you are just getting started in educating us 'closed minded people' I fear for our society. You are the far right leftist extremist I am guessing. I agree there have been some terrible historical incidences against the gay community which I never agreed with. I voted for gay marriage so see myself as at least slightly enlightened. How dare you judge me as not teaching my children to accept everyone - I did and they do. It shows you are very judgemental. If you read my post you will note I have cousins and friends who are gay and I worked with and employed gay people on their abilities not their preferences. Grow up and look at all people without your narrow minded views.

I agree with you Linda. Well said.

I really think you are guessing wrong, Linda C, if you think someone is a 'far right leftist extremist' - did you even review what you wrote? How would that be possible - they're at opposite ends of the political spectrum. It would be like saying someone is a peaceful warmonger!

I was replying to Teri who I quote wrote "Your far-right extremism etc" and that he is just getting started in educating closed minded people like me. He also mentioned my kids are learning to be better humans than I have taught them to be. I think he was rather rude. Instead of giving responsible replies he hit the insult button. Hence my reply that perhaps he is a far right leftist extremist.

Saw her reply to you; flew right over, didn't it?

Yes, right over - missed my point entirely - what is a far right leftist extremist? Often people get outraged inversely to the effect that these issues will have on them - that is, absolutely no effect whatsoever, but will have a lot of effect on people who are on the arms.I also don't know why Linda assumed you were a male.

Totally and utterly female here; I thought maybe she did it to make me engage with her?

No just thought you were non gender.

Seriously? Then why didn't you refer to me as 'they'??? Can we please stop this nonsense now? I really don't like our conversation and back and forth. We have differing opinions and that's that. Let's not get angry and pick at each other. Truce, Linda?

I did not refer to you as they as I do not agree with these forms of pronouns in this context. Thank you for your opinion. I think this subject has been very interesting with many different thoughts on the matter. By the way I am not angry and sorry if you feel I have picked on you. Cheers

I have gay family members and friends and have been around transgender etc. for years. I agree things have improved and I am not trying to shun them but I also do not think the children should be put into new categories such as non binary etc. Respect yes but let us not go too far the other way.

People do still shun them, that’s the problem. That’s why I think showing them support is important. The kids from this school have the choice to buy this jacket or a normal one. That’s a choice they have to show support, they don’t have to do it, but they also don’t have to speak out against it which can be very hurtful.

It's getting better but there are some in this community that are not helping or doing the right thing. I never agree with someone having a cheap shot at another person whatever their preferences are, however, I still think all this is going way too fast and many people are getting angry at how much it has changed things i.e. even our laws have changed and if your work for the government you cannot use gender identity and in some cases can lose your job if you do. I am a female born and that is it. If I wish to call myself something else in my personal life that is my choice. But we have gotten off track. I do not think it is right for the jackets in school to have these flags on them and I also think if the indigenous flag is on them then the Australian flag also should be. The school moto is not the Australian flag.

I work for a government department. I have a choice to as to what pronouns I end my emails with, or to leave it at nothing at all. There has been nothing to say I need to change anything related to my gender. The only thing we have had to do regarding this is a module on how to be inclusive to minorities, basically how to be nice and accepting of everyone which is what I was taught at home as a child, but not everyone was I guess. Which is probably why they ask you to do the module. I think the media hypes up a lot relating to this as it is a hot button topic. Don’t always believe what you read I guess.

Not read but information from a worker who was told if she did use the gender identity she would be reprimanded and eventually if she did not comply would lose her job. Sometimes it can be an over effusive superior but I don't think so.

Maybe I’m mixed up here, but you’re saying your female friend was reprimanded for saying she is female? Or using the pronouns ‘she’ and ‘her’ Please explain further

When speaking to clients on the phone she apparently was not allowed to use gender identity i.e. is your child a boy or girl, etc. not use she/he pronouns either.

I’d love to see a copy of that policy.

If Linda's friend is a teacher, this could very well be true. My children's school staff are to address the students as "your child" or "they/their/theirs" when talking to parents or sending emails/notes to parents, unless the child/parents have asked otherwise. But it does seem that teachers saying "you/them" to children/students is becoming the normal thing now- in Public Schools anyway.

It is in a lot of government departments. I think you are gender born i.e. girl/boy. If you want to call yourself something different then that is your choice but I do not think it should be forced on others to use them if they do not want to. This is only a minority of people who do want non gender identities so why do we all have to comply with their desires. The Qld. government has also bought in non gender birth certificates etc. You can put whatever you desire on them. I think this is just ridiculous and PC gone too far.

You have every right to your own opinions as we all have to our own opinions. If you truly believe things are going too far, look into what YOU can personally do to try and change things then. Voicing your opinion here on a survey site won't get you anywhere near as far as joining a local community or political group who share your views. If you join a group in your local area, you may all be able to put your thoughts, minds and bodies together and reach other organisations who can help you. Unfortunately I'm not one who will back you up, but i will respect your opinion to think differently to what i do. I will continue to be an Ally for my non-binary (young adult) child, to my child questioning if she is a lesbian (who at one time believed she was tri-gender), to my best friend of over 25 years who had to hide the fact he was gay until he was almost an adult, to my online friends who are gay, trans, gender-fluid. Just because I am happy to be a straight female, it doesn't mean i can't support those who are not the same as me. The nastiest, most dangerous people i have ever met have actually been as straight as they come (and thinking about it, quite homophobic).

I really dislike the word tolerance which is so often used. I have many cousins and friends who are Gay, I have worked with and socialised with different gender identifying people also so I am not ignorant. I just feel it has all gone to far and in a very short amount of time. Putting a Pride flag on a jacket is not letting a person have the choice and for this I disagree not the fact it is there. If a person/child wishes to have it then that is his/her decision. Most kids could care less who sits next to them but as they get older such as High School things can change so it needs to be normalised from primary school and this is by just accepting each person not pointing out that they are gay, trans, straight or whatever.

I really dislike the phrase " lifestyle choice" or the really cutting one that these people are mentally ill. Now that you've explained a little further I do see some of your initial points ,but if you see the full article on this jacket, the flags are tiny.. on the sides of the arms and the STUDENTS initiated the idea.Most students are still choosing to wear the original item. Those that feel this new one gives them some form of identity/ respect for who they are either LGBTQI Or lndigenous ,or just a proud supporter of either , can wear it and still feel included as a part of that school. I'm curious as to what your gay friends would make of your opening statements to this, it sounded a little homophophic towards the end to be honest ,so that's why I would wonder.l just know a lot that have been and do go through terrible times and it's life long for them. A small everyday thing we wouldn't consider an issue affects them each day, different situations. .They often are reminded it's not right to be you. Don't hold your partner's hand when you go into that shop etc ,, make sure only these family members know who I am but let me hide from everyone else . They can choose a little bit of being themselves in a safe place at the school Mon- fri and hopefully find their tribe while they r there and get some confidence to get through the rest of this life that inevitably throws crap at everyone at some stage .Starting all this in primary school I don't feel is age appropriate .. That's one for the level playing field , with discussions in the upper grades in preparation for high school. As you say accepting each person but not pointing out gay / straight etc .. unfortunately those that are different will always be pointed out. It's human nature.

Does not matter how tiny the flags are it is making a political statement which should not be bought into class rooms of children. As I said I have no problems with the Aboriginal flag but there should have also been the Australian flag. Not all students initialised this just the few on some committee or other. Again, this can be discussed in class if required but being straight is never discussed is it. I guess I am looking for a balanced approach which I feel would be more beneficial and less divisive.Edited 11-Jul-23 15:22pm

Exactly and perhaps they could’ve included an LGBTQ flag for those who wanted one as an optional extra. PC is definitely going way too far these days.

Being straight is the ‘norm’ this is the default setting in any discussion about differences regarding gender/preference. So of course it’s discussed. It’s the reason we have to discuss differences because they relate to being different to the norm! If you talk about balance, then you must realise that society is already tipped toward majority, so to put a tiny flag on a jacket is in no way tipping the ‘balance’ in favour of the LGBTQIA community. Straight people do not get discriminated against for being straight, so teaching people to accept straight people is not needed!! It’s trying to teach people to be less divisive. Your comments here are divisive. Putting a flag on a sleeve is how some kids are choosing to be inclusive. It warms my heart to know these kids did this. I just don’t understand why you would criticise the way these kids choose to support people that you also claim to be supportive of. Edited 12-Jul-23 10:46am

Actually straight women are now being discriminated against by letting transgender men take over their sports, allowed to enter female toilets and changerooms etc. Let me be a bit more specific. I do not think all transgender men do this but I do feel some very dangerous men do dress as transgender taking advantage of the freedom now allowed. We have to protect women now more than ever it seems and our children also. I am not totally against the flag but do not think it should be a fete accompli that it has to be worn. If one wants to put a pride flag on their clothes, car, home, etc. fine but I do not think it is right to make it part of a uniform which I might add you can not remove. Choice has been taken out of the equation. Yes you can opt not to purchase the jacket but in Melbourne it would be so warm and of course most kids would want one. I think the Australian flag should have been put on the arm. I am not critiseing the kids at all. I am against the choice being taken away though.

Isn't that exactly what you're doing, Linda C - you are taking the choice away from them by not allowing them to choose what they want to put on each arm unless it meets your strict moral code.

Choice has not been taken away. They can also buy one without the flags.Edited 14-Jul-23 14:52pm

No I just think these political statements should not be in schools period.

It’s not a political statement. I’m kind of curious why school kids that live in a different state to you, doing something supportive for a marginalised community upsets you so much? Edited 16-Jul-23 16:16pm

I am not upset about it I just do not agree with it. I grew up in Victoria and went to school in Victoria as did my children. Anyway, I do not separate Aussies by states. We are all Australian under the one banner. I just feel everyone should have the right to purchase this jacket and it should be optional and if they want the rainbow flag on it then they can have it. I still feel though the Australian flag should be on it.

It IS optional.

No the flag is on the jacket. It is optional to buy the jacket or not. However, as it is a pretty cool jacket and warm for down there I am sure most of the kids will want it.

Im pretty sure most of the younger generation have no trouble supporting causes that upset the older, more bigoted generation. Not referring to you Linda C, as you have stated it doesn’t upset you :)

Anyone can support a cause as long as it is their decision and I feel with respect to everyone and this is on all sides of the issue. I just do not think it should be a fete accompli

Why would they have to organise a festival? A fete would take a lot of organising and would all the parties interested be in attendance?. From what I read, it was a school committee. Usually these people are voted in or selected by the school, so I assume the buttons on the arms were not decided upon before the committee was formed - I assume there was much discussion and then agreement with senior school staff.

I never said they should organise a festival or fete? Yes a school committee decided the badges should be worn but that does not mean everyone agreed outside the committee are in agreeance. As per people in power everywhere such as governments etc. we might vote them in but not necessarily agree with everything they do or change or bring in.

If you read your post you will see it says 'FETE accompli'. That is what you wrote and therefore what I replied to. You've hit the nail on the head - we don't necessarily agree with what governments do, but we have voted them into power - if we want to change we can vote them out. We can't have a referendum for every decision that's needed, you have to get representatives to represent you.

Fete accompli means "it has already been decided or done and cannot be changed." Nothing to do with a festival or fete which is an organised event.

No, Linda - FAIT accompli means that. Translated from French it means 'an accomplished fact'. FETE accompli, as you wrote would have something to do with a fete, which comes from French, but means feast or party in that language.