8 November 2013

RIP Lindsay the Northbourne window washer

| Barcham
Join the conversation
151
Lindsey

We just received this photo from Mattenager:

“I saw this memorial at the intersection of Northbourne Ave and Barry Dr last night. Having passed through these lights earlier that yesterday I noticed it wasn’t the usual squeegee guy working that corner. I was just interested if Lindsey was the well known fella who had been working this corner for years? He mightn’t have been the most approachable looking person but I can’t recall a time I drove through these lights that he wasn’t there. A bit sad if it was him I think as he had become a bit of an icon of Canberra really.”

He is correct, Lindsey was the man who worked that corner for years. We’ve have heard it from a few sources that say Lindsey has sadly passed away.

We don’t have any more details at the moment.

Join the conversation

151
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

lostinbias said :

…if you get off on figuratively dancing on the graves of dead men, or endorsing those that do, then I really wonder how you get to sleep at night. Hopefully your wall will crumble someday.

Now that’s what you call irony.

DUB said :

KB1971 said :

So you are OCD then?

You know life is not as simple as you think it is.

I generally dont give any of teh beggars in Civic any money but I do flick the odd couple of dorrars to Rudy. He gives me a poem in return, its not a very good one but a poem none the less.

Some people on here need to get over themselves.

No OCD, but there is nothing wrong with being organised. Messy people, generally, have messy lives as well.

Who is Rudy? I couldn’t care less about local hobos, to be honest.
It is your business if you want to “flick a couple of bucks” to them, you are a hero (in your opinion). Get over your false sense of pride.He-he.

Prey you never become one of them……..

Robertson said :

KB1971 said :

Robertson said :

Good comment. Our society seems to have gone off on a tangent where very poor values (aiding and abetting the mafia/ being a dropkick junkie) are not publicly reviled, whereas good values (discipline in school/tough sentencing for criminals) are ignored.

Is this a contradiction of terms? Considering your own lack of ethics?

Ad hominem, eh?

I win!

So you are irellevant?

Lindsay is dead, time to move on…

Rumour has it someone has alrady taken his place..

So, is he any good, does he do a decent job, can he operate a squiqqy? Is he a junkie? Does he keep a 4 pack of Woodstock near him like Lindsay did?

Discuss……………………………

tommo said :

“Seriously, if the worst part of your day is going out of your way to come across hateful comments posted online, you’ve got it pretty good.”

There, fixed it for you.

Maybe you should go and call Juliar – she’ll understand. Last I heard, she’s developed a real complex after trawling online forums and getting offended by people expressing disapproval of her breaking her own pre-election promises.

KB1971 said :

So you are OCD then?

You know life is not as simple as you think it is.

I generally dont give any of teh beggars in Civic any money but I do flick the odd couple of dorrars to Rudy. He gives me a poem in return, its not a very good one but a poem none the less.

Some people on here need to get over themselves.

No OCD, but there is nothing wrong with being organised. Messy people, generally, have messy lives as well.

Who is Rudy? I couldn’t care less about local hobos, to be honest.
It is your business if you want to “flick a couple of bucks” to them, you are a hero (in your opinion). Get over your false sense of pride.He-he.

KB1971 said :

Robertson said :

Good comment. Our society seems to have gone off on a tangent where very poor values (aiding and abetting the mafia/ being a dropkick junkie) are not publicly reviled, whereas good values (discipline in school/tough sentencing for criminals) are ignored.

Is this a contradiction of terms? Considering your own lack of ethics?

Ad hominem, eh?

I win!

DUB said :

Wow, having just read all 5 pages of comments (talk about competition to cyclists vs. cars threads), as well as comments to the article in CT, here’s what I think:
Those politically correct f wits, defending deceased junkie, must be morbidly obese and lazy (as I suspected).
I never, ever let my windscreen get dirty, I have a squeegee and every 2-3 days it only takes me 30 seconds or so (up to 45 seconds) to clean my own windscreen. Not hard at all, then again, I like my car to be clean and shiny.

On one unfortunate occasion this dude (RIP), who did not take “NO” for answer (car wash fully washed and cleaned earlier that day), made such a filthy mess of my windscreen that I had to pull over and spray it clean myself, as I could not see anything.

I assume that all these posters defending the junkie will attend the funerals, can’t wait for the report on pages of RiotAct (with photos).

So you are OCD then?

You know life is not as simple as you think it is.

I generally dont give any of teh beggars in Civic any money but I do flick the odd couple of dorrars to Rudy. He gives me a poem in return, its not a very good one but a poem none the less.

I am under no illusions that he has had, or is having a good life, or has been a model citizen. The one thing that makes me flick him a couple of bucks? I have never seen him buying grog whenever I have seen him in the shops.

Some people on here need to get over themselves.

Lindsey and others are not to blame here. They have just availed themselves of an opportunity permitted by the ACT Government. I think the risk of injury to these guys is too high, the risk of attack either against or by a future window washer is too high, the practice occasionally disrupts traffic, and the activity is creating a cash economy that avoids tax, often still allows welfare payments and supports the drug industry.

This is one charity type that I will not support in any way. I refuse offers to clean my windscreen, of a fashion, and, touch wood, I now appear to have worked out how to rebuff the persistent ones.

It has been good to read both positive and negative stories of Lindsey’s life. To me, Lindsey was one of the nicer window washers that I have come across, although I’m not surprised that others may have been less fortunate.

Lindsey doesn’t strike me as someone who would have wanted to be idolised but very few people in history deserve to be trashed as badly as some here have done about him. Those people sound like they live very sheltered lives, are completely devoid of empathy and/or are more worried about the (de)valuation of their car than the quality of another human life. Anyone outside of Canberra reading RA might well assume that the volume of such negative comments is a very poor reflection on Canberra as a whole.

Agree with most of this, except for the reference to tax and supporting the drug industry. I couldn’t care less about the ‘fraud’ in cases like this and it’s not limited to window washers. And the only way you’re going to stop junkies from supporting the drug industry is by making all drugs legal (and taxable) or by locking up each and every drug user.

I once nudged a window washer with my car at an intersection. I was turning onto Northbourne and he suddenly crossed in front of my car from the left, walking on the on road bike lane. I stopped when I heard a thump and saw the guy bent over my bonnet. He appeared unharmed and it gave him a good excuse to yell profanities at someone as he walked off.

Gungahlin Al said :

Sheesh what a thread.

He was a man with his life on a bad track who demonstrated (on his own terms) to everyone prepared to open their minds that he was prepared to turn up and work long hard hours, in all sorts of conditions, every single day.

He may or may not have been supporting a current addiction, but at least he paid his own way rather than taking routes that caused harm to others.

It’s that sort of cred that people are recognising.

But I always had to wonder whether he was declaring his full income to the ATO at the end of each tax year. Yes, I’d probably be a lot more willing to work longer hours if my income was tax-free, rather than a significant portion of it going to subsidise people on various ‘pensions’.

Robertson said :

Our society seems to have gone off on a tangent where very poor values (aiding and abetting the mafia/ being a dropkick junkie) are not publicly reviled, whereas good values (discipline in school/tough sentencing for criminals) are ignored.

Our society is in trouble if the domination of others is considered ‘good values’.

Robertson said :

Good comment. Our society seems to have gone off on a tangent where very poor values (aiding and abetting the mafia/ being a dropkick junkie) are not publicly reviled, whereas good values (discipline in school/tough sentencing for criminals) are ignored.

Is this a contradiction of terms? Considering your own lack of ethics?

Gungahlin Al10:41 am 11 Nov 13

Sheesh what a thread.

He was a man with his life on a bad track who demonstrated (on his own terms) to everyone prepared to open their minds that he was prepared to turn up and work long hard hours, in all sorts of conditions, every single day.

He may or may not have been supporting a current addiction, but at least he paid his own way rather than taking routes that caused harm to others.

It’s that sort of cred that people are recognising.

Mr Evil said :

The great toilet of life flushes another turd out of the system, and our Chief Minister sings his praises.

Mind you, ACT Labor built a statue to commemorate another turd – the ‘great’ Al Grassby – so I won’t be surprised if they decide they should probably waste a few thousand more making a statue for the ‘wonderful’ Lindsay.

Good comment. Our society seems to have gone off on a tangent where very poor values (aiding and abetting the mafia/ being a dropkick junkie) are not publicly reviled, whereas good values (discipline in school/tough sentencing for criminals) are ignored.

gentoopenguin said :

I guess entrance to the funeral will be by gold coin donation only…

That’s pretty good! 😀

As opposed to DUB who is apparently just a nitwit

Wow, having just read all 5 pages of comments (talk about competition to cyclists vs. cars threads), as well as comments to the article in CT, here’s what I think:
Those politically correct f wits, defending deceased junkie, must be morbidly obese and lazy (as I suspected).
I never, ever let my windscreen get dirty, I have a squeegee and every 2-3 days it only takes me 30 seconds or so (up to 45 seconds) to clean my own windscreen. Not hard at all, then again, I like my car to be clean and shiny.

On one unfortunate occasion this dude (RIP), who did not take “NO” for answer (car wash fully washed and cleaned earlier that day), made such a filthy mess of my windscreen that I had to pull over and spray it clean myself, as I could not see anything.

I assume that all these posters defending the junkie will attend the funerals, can’t wait for the report on pages of RiotAct (with photos).

gentoopenguin7:44 am 11 Nov 13

I guess entrance to the funeral will be by gold coin donation only…

Anyone outside of Canberra reading RA might well assume that the volume of such negative comments is a very poor reflection on Canberra as a whole.

How very true, despite the denial of people like Pantsman.

I wouldn’t be taking too much notice of our local keyboard hero/troll he has an opinion on everyone and everything it used to just be amusing now its just sad

If this thread continues much longer the team behind RA will be gold plating a squidgee for a Lindsay Award.

As for the original post I found the man to be intimidating, aggressive and annoying. After I had a run in with him when he sloshed dirty water over my car that I had just had detailed in Braddon I avoided the intersection altogether.

Despite my personal feelings for the man if I met someone who knew him I would still say I was sorry for their loss. – and mean it.

ML-585 said :

Proboscus said :

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

Is there a new definition of FACT that I’m unaware of? The above “facts” look more like ill-informed opinions to me (or “bulls***” for want of a better word).

Where is your proof to support your FACT that he was a junkie? (Unless you were his drug dealer, you can’t possibly know.) Where is any evidence that he defecated on Northbourne Ave?

By not putting my whole comment on I guess we agree that he was a mediocre window washer?

My proof that he was a junkie? Apply for an FOI from Corrective Services and find out yourself.

And the proof he urinated and defecated on Northbourne Avenue? Many eyewitness accounts (including myself). If you want to see his mess, it shouldn’t be too hard to find (unless some over zealous souvenir hunters have collected all of his waste, you may still be able to put in a bid on his poo on eBay).

what a bunch of miserable kids you all are. 12 years old behave better….than all of you!

ML-585 said :

Proboscus said :

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

Is there a new definition of FACT that I’m unaware of? The above “facts” look more like ill-informed opinions to me (or “bulls***” for want of a better word).

Where is your proof to support your FACT that he was a junkie? (Unless you were his drug dealer, you can’t possibly know.) Where is any evidence that he defecated on Northbourne Ave?

Puh-lease – cut the revisionism. He was a hard-hardcore, longterm junkie. I could post the address of his main dealer in Dickson – but the police are already fully aware of it.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd3:39 pm 10 Nov 13

DrKoresh said :

lostinbias said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

I suppose anyone who doesn’t live a lifestyle that you approve of is human trash then, mate? Referring to common human decency as a “bogan mentality” really says a lot about you. You speak from an elitist mentality. Maybe it’s not everybody else who is the problem. Maybe you should take a minute between guffawing at posts on “Things Bogans Like” and have a look at yourself and some of the vile values you so constantly spew on this website.

I’m not asking you to proclaim Lindsay as a hero, I know many people have negative experiences of him. Still, he had a partner and he had a family, and if you get off on figuratively dancing on the graves of dead men, or endorsing those that do, then I really wonder how you get to sleep at night. Hopefully your wall will crumble someday.

+100-

Pull your bloody head in, CGN, you’re behaviour is disgusting.

My…my behavior?

lostinbias said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

I suppose anyone who doesn’t live a lifestyle that you approve of is human trash then, mate? Referring to common human decency as a “bogan mentality” really says a lot about you. You speak from an elitist mentality. Maybe it’s not everybody else who is the problem. Maybe you should take a minute between guffawing at posts on “Things Bogans Like” and have a look at yourself and some of the vile values you so constantly spew on this website.

I’m not asking you to proclaim Lindsay as a hero, I know many people have negative experiences of him. Still, he had a partner and he had a family, and if you get off on figuratively dancing on the graves of dead men, or endorsing those that do, then I really wonder how you get to sleep at night. Hopefully your wall will crumble someday.

+100- Pull your bloody head in, CGN, you’re behaviour is disgusting.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd1:37 pm 10 Nov 13

Very Busy said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Very Busy said :

Proboscus said :

I am not a keyboard warrior. I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was mediocre, even terrible, at his “job”.

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

• The deceased is not worthy of praise by people in government or the local rag when he contributed nothing to the Territory. Such praise should go to people who deserve it.

I’m happy to discuss any of my comments on this subject with those of you who disagree with the facts.

Another fact:

It is incredibly rude, arrogant and disrespectful to be stating those facts at this time.

Why?

If you need to ask that question I would be wasting my time giving you the answer.

And I will take that as meaning you have no answer.
Cheers.

Proboscus said :

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

Is there a new definition of FACT that I’m unaware of? The above “facts” look more like ill-informed opinions to me (or “bulls***” for want of a better word).

Where is your proof to support your FACT that he was a junkie? (Unless you were his drug dealer, you can’t possibly know.) Where is any evidence that he defecated on Northbourne Ave?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Very Busy said :

Proboscus said :

I am not a keyboard warrior. I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was mediocre, even terrible, at his “job”.

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

• The deceased is not worthy of praise by people in government or the local rag when he contributed nothing to the Territory. Such praise should go to people who deserve it.

I’m happy to discuss any of my comments on this subject with those of you who disagree with the facts.

Another fact:

It is incredibly rude, arrogant and disrespectful to be stating those facts at this time.

Why?

If you need to ask that question I would be wasting my time giving you the answer.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

tommo said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

and comments like this are how respect is lost.

You do not like dealing in facts?

You take this ‘facts’ thing too far. I think it is up to you to tell us how one definitively labels another person as ‘human trash’ based upon a clear and widely accepted definition which is in no way subjective and is completely removed from your own opinions and experiences.

Speaking of these types, how is Marian Watson doing these days? I actually last saw her at Lindsay’s very street corner a few years ago having a chat with him through the passenger window.

Blen_Carmichael9:50 am 10 Nov 13

There is a difference between speaking ill of the recently deceased, and speaking ill of those who – in referring to the death of someone known to them, however remotely – publicly indulge in crass and gratuitous displays of sentimentality.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd7:39 am 10 Nov 13

lostinbias said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

I suppose anyone who doesn’t live a lifestyle that you approve of is human trash then, mate? Referring to common human decency as a “bogan mentality” really says a lot about you. You speak from an elitist mentality. Maybe it’s not everybody else who is the problem. Maybe you should take a minute between guffawing at posts on “Things Bogans Like” and have a look at yourself and some of the vile values you so constantly spew on this website.

I’m not asking you to proclaim Lindsay as a hero, I know many people have negative experiences of him. Still, he had a partner and he had a family, and if you get off on figuratively dancing on the graves of dead men, or endorsing those that do, then I really wonder how you get to sleep at night. Hopefully your wall will crumble someday.

Can you tell me what values of mine are vile? I have very good values I think.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

I suppose anyone who doesn’t live a lifestyle that you approve of is human trash then, mate? Referring to common human decency as a “bogan mentality” really says a lot about you. You speak from an elitist mentality. Maybe it’s not everybody else who is the problem. Maybe you should take a minute between guffawing at posts on “Things Bogans Like” and have a look at yourself and some of the vile values you so constantly spew on this website.

I’m not asking you to proclaim Lindsay as a hero, I know many people have negative experiences of him. Still, he had a partner and he had a family, and if you get off on figuratively dancing on the graves of dead men, or endorsing those that do, then I really wonder how you get to sleep at night. Hopefully your wall will crumble someday.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd11:21 pm 09 Nov 13

tommo said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

and comments like this are how respect is lost.

You do not like dealing in facts?

tommo said :

Proboscus said :

I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

Then why don’t you tell us who you really are and where you work. I’m sure many of us would prefer to avoid you and your business just as much (if not more) than many of you went out of your way to avoid Lindsey. Of course you won’t, right to privacy and all that I’m sure, again very hypocritical.

I’m not disclosing my name but my place of business is on the corner of Antill Street and Northbourne Avenue. Come and say “Hi” and I’ll clean your windscreen for you.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd11:19 pm 09 Nov 13

Very Busy said :

Proboscus said :

I am not a keyboard warrior. I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was mediocre, even terrible, at his “job”.

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

• The deceased is not worthy of praise by people in government or the local rag when he contributed nothing to the Territory. Such praise should go to people who deserve it.

I’m happy to discuss any of my comments on this subject with those of you who disagree with the facts.

Another fact:

It is incredibly rude, arrogant and disrespectful to be stating those facts at this time.

Why?

Instant Mash10:51 pm 09 Nov 13

Proboscus, you really know how to come across as a complete tosser. You’re certainly entitled to your own opinion. However, you really don’t need to try so hard to make us agree with you. And this certainly isn’t the time for your hate spiel.

You really don’t like him; we really don’t care.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

and comments like this are how respect is lost.

Proboscus said :

I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

Then why don’t you tell us who you really are and where you work. I’m sure many of us would prefer to avoid you and your business just as much (if not more) than many of you went out of your way to avoid Lindsey. Of course you won’t, right to privacy and all that I’m sure, again very hypocritical.

The great toilet of life flushes another turd out of the system, and our Chief Minister sings his praises.

Mind you, ACT Labor built a statue to commemorate another turd – the ‘great’ Al Grassby – so I won’t be surprised if they decide they should probably waste a few thousand more making a statue for the ‘wonderful’ Lindsay.

Very Busy said :

Proboscus said :

I am not a keyboard warrior. I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was mediocre, even terrible, at his “job”.

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

• The deceased is not worthy of praise by people in government or the local rag when he contributed nothing to the Territory. Such praise should go to people who deserve it.

I’m happy to discuss any of my comments on this subject with those of you who disagree with the facts.

Another fact:

It is incredibly rude, arrogant and disrespectful to be stating those facts at this time.

And it’s incredibly rude, arrogant and disrespectful to be creating a myth at this time.

OpenYourMind9:06 pm 09 Nov 13

gazket said :

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

so you couldn’t say no thanks mate when he was alive but don’t mind trashing the the guy from a keyboard after his death.
who is the POS .

That’s the point. People did say no thanks to him and he insisted on washing our windows anyway and then making us feel very uncomfortable about it. His very presence was, to some, threatening and coupled with him going against our wishes, it amounted to a very uncomfortable situation for many regular folks just going about their business. I don’t wish to speak ill of him, for all I know he had the toughest life, worked hard and was a real character. That’s all great, but behaving in a threatening manner is all I, and others I know, remember of him.

Proboscus said :

I am not a keyboard warrior. I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was mediocre, even terrible, at his “job”.

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

• The deceased is not worthy of praise by people in government or the local rag when he contributed nothing to the Territory. Such praise should go to people who deserve it.

I’m happy to discuss any of my comments on this subject with those of you who disagree with the facts.

Another fact:

It is incredibly rude, arrogant and disrespectful to be stating those facts at this time.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

jett18 said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

jett18 said :

As so many other Rioters have mentioned, whether you loved him or hated him, he worked that corner for many years and added colour to the city.

Now someone please explain to me when it became OK to call anyone names and be disrespectful to someone who has just passed away? Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

And to those saying at least he worked, can you tell me what tax rate he was paying to the ATO?

Since when is having empathy towards those that have lost someone in their lives and being polite towards someone who has died qualify as brogan mentality? I thought it was just good manners, you know, rather than name calling, speculating about the deceased life choices, flapping your wings because you are more fortunate in life then to be washing windows and enquiring as to whether they paid their taxes.

So why don’t you climb down from your morally superior high chair, start acting like an adult, which includes saying appropriate things, and realise that human trash, is still human…. Just like you.

Empathy and name calling are completely different things than respect.

Also, it’s not name calling when it’s fact.

Bogan responce.

I am not a keyboard warrior. I have not threatened anyone and I am certainly not hiding behind my PC.

I am merely stating facts:

• The deceased was mediocre, even terrible, at his “job”.

• The deceased was a junkie. And it’s true – those of you who handed him loose change probably contributed to his demise. Maybe some of you are feeling guilty about this and are building his myth to make yourselves feel better?

• I described the deceased as a POS because he used to piss and s*** on Northbourne Avenue. Nuff said.

• The deceased is not worthy of praise by people in government or the local rag when he contributed nothing to the Territory. Such praise should go to people who deserve it.

I’m happy to discuss any of my comments on this subject with those of you who disagree with the facts.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

jett18 said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

jett18 said :

As so many other Rioters have mentioned, whether you loved him or hated him, he worked that corner for many years and added colour to the city.

Now someone please explain to me when it became OK to call anyone names and be disrespectful to someone who has just passed away? Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

And to those saying at least he worked, can you tell me what tax rate he was paying to the ATO?

Since when is having empathy towards those that have lost someone in their lives and being polite towards someone who has died qualify as brogan mentality? I thought it was just good manners, you know, rather than name calling, speculating about the deceased life choices, flapping your wings because you are more fortunate in life then to be washing windows and enquiring as to whether they paid their taxes.

So why don’t you climb down from your morally superior high chair, start acting like an adult, which includes saying appropriate things, and realise that human trash, is still human…. Just like you.

Empathy and name calling are completely different things than respect.

Also, it’s not name calling when it’s fact.

Different from, or different to, not different than. Otherwise, carry on.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd8:12 pm 09 Nov 13

jett18 said :

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

jett18 said :

As so many other Rioters have mentioned, whether you loved him or hated him, he worked that corner for many years and added colour to the city.

Now someone please explain to me when it became OK to call anyone names and be disrespectful to someone who has just passed away? Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

And to those saying at least he worked, can you tell me what tax rate he was paying to the ATO?

Since when is having empathy towards those that have lost someone in their lives and being polite towards someone who has died qualify as brogan mentality? I thought it was just good manners, you know, rather than name calling, speculating about the deceased life choices, flapping your wings because you are more fortunate in life then to be washing windows and enquiring as to whether they paid their taxes.

So why don’t you climb down from your morally superior high chair, start acting like an adult, which includes saying appropriate things, and realise that human trash, is still human…. Just like you.

Empathy and name calling are completely different things than respect.

Also, it’s not name calling when it’s fact.

Kurrajong said :

Does anyone know Lindsey’s funeral details??

Ha ha this just reminded me – a few years ago another of Canberra’s infamous junkies died of liver disease at Calvary (after about six weeks abusing the nurses from his hospital bed; I assure you the nurses prefer it when they OD). He had somehow lasted to the age of 50. I asked his cousin about his funeral arrangements, and she said he was getting a “state funeral”.
It took me a few seconds to realise she thought that was the term for a pauper’s burial funded by the government!

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd8:02 pm 09 Nov 13

460cixy said :

You lot must be very easily intimidated and soft at a pensioners turds! In saying that I was not his biggest fan but for fuck sakes the blokes dead pull your fucking heads in

Bogan response

Holden Caulfield7:08 pm 09 Nov 13

Post #48 wins the Godwin’s Law prize.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

jett18 said :

As so many other Rioters have mentioned, whether you loved him or hated him, he worked that corner for many years and added colour to the city.

Now someone please explain to me when it became OK to call anyone names and be disrespectful to someone who has just passed away? Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

And to those saying at least he worked, can you tell me what tax rate he was paying to the ATO?

Since when is having empathy towards those that have lost someone in their lives and being polite towards someone who has died qualify as brogan mentality? I thought it was just good manners, you know, rather than name calling, speculating about the deceased life choices, flapping your wings because you are more fortunate in life then to be washing windows and enquiring as to whether they paid their taxes.

So why don’t you climb down from your morally superior high chair, start acting like an adult, which includes saying appropriate things, and realise that human trash, is still human…. Just like you.

Instant Mash4:55 pm 09 Nov 13

Some of you should get off your high horses because it’s hard to see clearly when your heads are in the clouds. It sickens me to see people speak so ill of someone they don’t know bugger all about, dead or not.

Only had a few encounters with him, and not big on the window washing myself, but I’ve gotta respect the fact that he was pretty much there everyday, working hard, regardless of the weather.

I don’t care that he may have made some questionable choices or whatever. As far as I’ve seen, he always did the best he could with what he had.

RIP

Grimm said :

PBO said :

Life would have been very hard for the guy due to his past bad decisions, but at least he was having a go at it despite the odds being stacked against him

Making a go of what? He was defrauding Centrelink, defrauding the ATO, using the surrounding area as his personal outdoor toilet, and being a junkie.

If he had been “Making a go of it”, he would have got a job and stopped being a leech and a wart on the anus of humanity.

How careless and thoughtless of me, you must be the one whose entire family was killed by a gang of dodgy window washers at a bad intersection in the wrong part of town.

How do you think that people will remember you?

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

so you couldn’t say no thanks mate when he was alive but don’t mind trashing the the guy from a keyboard after his death.
who is the POS .

What a very sad place Canberra has become. So many cowards hiding behind their keyboards behaving in such an atrociously disrespectful manner while somehow feeling good about themselves. So incredibly inappropriate while Lindsay’s loved ones will be grieving.

Very sad indeed.

RIP Lindsay.

Sorry us “lefties” are paying respect to someone who added character to the city. RiotACT conservatives prove once again that they are conservatives totally and utterly out of spite for everyone else in their community. Conservatives are the wrong term for you people, regressive, spiteful ****heads is the correct term.

Hey, keep complaining about the “ATO” being defrauded, because, it’s the working scrubby at a intersection that defrauds the ATO of precious money, not the mining oligarchs who siphon billions out of the country into offshore bank accounts that are really hurting the pocket, oh dear, we can’t tax or go after them! Lets abuse the dead scrubby on the internet!

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

And yet, even with him being a junkie and the rest, I still think of him as being less of a petty, mean-spirited bag of spiteful intent than you.

+1

Interesting obit. piece in the Crimes this morning. It seems like he was a pretty admirable bloke – certainly far moreso that some of the contributors here.

One snippet in the piece implies that he was making around $150 a day. I think I’ll go and buy myself a squeegee!

Kurrajong said :

Does anyone know Lindsey’s funeral details??

Does anybody know where he’ll be buried so I can dance on his grave?

Death will get us all in the end.

I was chatting to Lindsey recently when he washed my windscreen unsolicited (I had no change, he didn’t care) and asked if he was the same man who I spotted around 11pm on the corner of Wakefield/Northbourne Avenue (he said it wasn’t). It was about 2007, the middle of winter, and I was arriving back from Sydney. The streets were deserted, apart from this one lone window washer. The lights weren’t red, so I proceeded on my way. I have never forgotten this man. He was the regular at that spot if my memory serves me correctly. You may speculate on the reasons why he was there, but I was left with respect for someone who would want to work so late in the freezing cold. Perhaps instead of it ending up his arm he retired in comfort at Batemans Bay from all the generous window-washing proceeds. A fanciful thought, but who knows. Just like we really don’t know any of the history of the other window washers or regular buskers in town. I try to chat when I have the chance. If they wanted to share their biographical past and insights I’d be most interested to read, ala ‘The Big Issue’ style. I think it would be a worthy Canberra Times project.

RIP Lindsey, we’ll all be there one day too.

Im sorry a human being has died. Regardless of what he may or may not have done in the past, I am sorry a person has died.

However Katy’s press release is pure gold. Seriously. This is like something out of a US sitcom, Im surprised writers there havent caught onto the comedic gold that is our local council.

Which Public Servant can claim to have worked as hard as Lindsey?

You keyboard warriors (Proboscus) hiding behind your monitors are the real heroes.

Proboscus said :

The point I was making is that good people aren’t recognised for their contributions to society while myths are created for POS like this bloke.

It’s a good point but I don’t think anyone makes him a hero.

Think of him as more of a symbol for our own failings and frailties. For how small we are. Nobody even knew his name until he died, and yet he surely had his own backstory, a long-term relationship, philosophies, ideas and so on, just like we all do.

Proboscus said :

itsallme said :

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

I don’t know you, I didn’t know Lindsay, but by all means let us know when a member of your family, or one of your friends, dies. I am sure that there will be an imperfection in each of those people that we can all pick on. Maybe a big imperfection. Your father? Brother perhaps? Shall we find something wrong with him upon death and tell you the world is better off? Is it good riddance to bad rubbish then?

The fact is, if I heard that your family member or friend had died, I wouldn’t go on a public forum and trash that person’s memory. I would afford you the most basic human decency and say nothing at all, if not offer condolences. It appears you are completely unaware of decency, good manners and empathy (not for him, but for his friends and family).

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Of all the people in the world, I might say that about Adolf Hitler. Not just because he was truly evil, but because he is unlikely to have any surviving friends and family that knew him.

Getting angry at this post? Good. It probably means that in your sad little mind you would prefer to blame me than acknowledge how disgusting you are in saying ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’ on a public forum about someone who has just died.

Wake up idiot.

No, You wake up you f**king clown.

Whenever one of my family members passed away there was no story in the CT creating myths of them being icons of Canberra and the Chief Minister didn’t eulogise their deaths.

My family are all hard working community minded people who, like many other Australians, aren’t recognised for their contributions to society. Your hero was a thief and a junkie.

This town rewards mediocrity like no other. I believe that you would cast this oxygen thief in bronze, or better still, have him nominated for Australian of the Year!!!

As I said at the beginning – wake up!!!

Genius. Had you actually read my post you would note I didn’t say anything about Lindsay himself. I didn’t tout him a hero, or trash his person. He just died. It’s called decency. You wouldn’t understand.

But of course if our local rag runs a story on the guy, and you don’t like it, you are completely justified in trashing the guy in the face of his family and friends. That was sarcasm, you might have missed that too.

Thank you for proving my point by the way, reacting with anger and expletives to avoid admitting to yourself what a miserable person you are.

Such a keyboard warrior. I once read you should never write on the Internet something you wouldn’t say in real life. Maybe you should turn up at the funeral and tell everyone good riddance to bad rubbish, you might just get the dose of reality you deserve. Think it’s different on the net? It’s not. Friends and family will read what you wrote, and you should feel like crap for that.

Want to call me names? Read things into my post I didn’t say? Go ahead, if it makes you feel better. Everyone else can see right through it.

I wonder how much the old Beta video that’s sitting in the garage is worth. Probably not even worth stealing

I’m not glad the person has died.

But I avoided that intersection because my experience was that this person was intimidating and aggressive. Once I said no thank you and he hit his squeegee on my windscreen hard and swore at me. I saw him often in Civic yelling at a woman and swearing so I’m finding all the comments regarding his lovely nature very surprising.

Window washing at intersections is a dangerous activity. It’s illegal for everyone else and it should be illegal for drug addicts too.

Queen_of_the_Bun10:09 pm 08 Nov 13

poetix said :

I can’t believe people saying cruel things about this man, or inappropriate things about his partner, who is no doubt feeling great pain.

One day you’re washing windscreens, or writing policy papers, or poetry. The next day you’re dead. We all share that uncertainty. I hope he is at peace now.

+1.
Exactly.
Yes, I tried to avoid him at the intersection. And yes, he always insisted on washing my windscreen with his dirty water anyway. But that doesn’t make me want to dance on his grave or take any happiness in his death.
It just makes me happier in my decision to live southside.

Queen_of_the_Bun10:05 pm 08 Nov 13

bigfeet said :

tommo said :

If you are so concerned about the ATO’s intake I hope you didn’t claim any coins you gave him (and others) to be charity.”

Well obviously people could only claim the coins given to him for which he provided an itemised receipt including his NBN and clearly stating how much of those coins was GST, as required by law.

Surely this Saint That Walked Amongst Us, as worshipped by the Chief Minister and many on this site, would have complied with those requirements wouldn’t he?

His NBN? Do you mean ABN? Or do his dastardly crimes of claiming Centrelink benefits, scaring drivers, and leaving windscreen wipers up (oh the terror) also include trying to bring broadband to Gungahlin?

I certainly hope none of his family read this.

Regardless of what you personally thought of him, he was someone’s son. He was someone’s partner, he was someone’s friend. He was probably a number of things to many people who are grieving for him.

Let the man rest in peace.

So many douche bags with nothing better to do than hate on a recently dead squidgee dude, and not enough swear words to throw at you all.

Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes or just go back to your bile soaked holes.

I can’t believe people saying cruel things about this man, or inappropriate things about his partner, who is no doubt feeling great pain.

One day you’re washing windscreens, or writing policy papers, or poetry. The next day you’re dead. We all share that uncertainty. I hope he is at peace now.

Proboscus said :

Oh waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh….!!!!

See you at the unveiling if the hero’s statue

I never said he was a hero.

Kurrajong said :

He also had kidney op a few months ago that went bad when he developed serious blood poisoning …

Expensive medica treatment for which he should, on his income of some couple of thousand dollars a week, have been paying the Medicare levy. It is infuriating that the ATO and Centrelink never called him out on his thievery.

You lot must be very easily intimidated and soft at a pensioners turds! In saying that I was not his biggest fan but for fuck sakes the blokes dead pull your fucking heads in

Masquara said :

Since it’s entirely acceptable on Riotact to diss the late Mully (who never did anything to harm or annoy me) I feel entitled to voice relief that he has gone.

This type of sense of entitlement is IMO exactly what is wrong with modern society.

BimboGeek said :

Proboscus said :

Whenever one of my family members passed away there was no story in the CT creating myths of them being icons of Canberra and the Chief Minister didn’t eulogise their deaths.

You’re actually jealous of a dead scrubbie?

The man had little enough going on in life, let him have a little dignity in death. Your attitude makes my skin crawl.

The point I was making is that good people aren’t recognised for their contributions to society while myths are created for POS like this bloke.

By next week you and your mates will have had him curing cancer and Brad Pitt will be playing him in the Oscar winning role of “Lindsay – My Life In The Fast Lane”.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd7:27 pm 08 Nov 13

jett18 said :

As so many other Rioters have mentioned, whether you loved him or hated him, he worked that corner for many years and added colour to the city.

Now someone please explain to me when it became OK to call anyone names and be disrespectful to someone who has just passed away? Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

Bogan mentality. Respect needs to be earned. When a human trash dies, they are still human trash, but now dead human trash.

And to those saying at least he worked, can you tell me what tax rate he was paying to the ATO?

tommo said :

If you are so concerned about the ATO’s intake I hope you didn’t claim any coins you gave him (and others) to be charity.”

Well obviously people could only claim the coins given to him for which he provided an itemised receipt including his NBN and clearly stating how much of those coins was GST, as required by law.

Surely this Saint That Walked Amongst Us, as worshipped by the Chief Minister and many on this site, would have complied with those requirements wouldn’t he?

Proboscus said :

itsallme said :

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

I don’t know you, I didn’t know Lindsay, but by all means let us know when a member of your family, or one of your friends, dies. I am sure that there will be an imperfection in each of those people that we can all pick on. Maybe a big imperfection. Your father? Brother perhaps? Shall we find something wrong with him upon death and tell you the world is better off? Is it good riddance to bad rubbish then?

The fact is, if I heard that your family member or friend had died, I wouldn’t go on a public forum and trash that person’s memory. I would afford you the most basic human decency and say nothing at all, if not offer condolences. It appears you are completely unaware of decency, good manners and empathy (not for him, but for his friends and family).

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Of all the people in the world, I might say that about Adolf Hitler. Not just because he was truly evil, but because he is unlikely to have any surviving friends and family that knew him.

Getting angry at this post? Good. It probably means that in your sad little mind you would prefer to blame me than acknowledge how disgusting you are in saying ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’ on a public forum about someone who has just died.

Wake up idiot.

No, You wake up you f**king clown.

Whenever one of my family members passed away there was no story in the CT creating myths of them being icons of Canberra and the Chief Minister didn’t eulogise their deaths.

My family are all hard working community minded people who, like many other Australians, aren’t recognised for their contributions to society. Your hero was a thief and a junkie.

This town rewards mediocrity like no other. I believe that you would cast this oxygen thief in bronze, or better still, have him nominated for Australian of the Year!!!

As I said at the beginning – wake up!!!

Genius. Had you read my post you would see that I in fact did not say anything about Lindsay himself. I didn’t tout him as a hero, nor did I trash him. That, which you have missed, is called decency.

Of course the fact that our local rag has run a story on him, that you don’t like, entitles you to trash him in the face of his friends and family. That was sarcasm, in case you missed it.

Your aggression just proves my point. You are a disgusting human based on the comments you made, and instead of admitting that to yourself, you get angry and use expletives trying to pick a fight.

No matter what some people had said here, the passing of any life should be recognised. Yes, Lindsey had issues but at least he worked and ‘owned’ that corner. He was thrown a curve ball from early on in life and did his best and that’s good enough for me.

I was told by a reliable source that Lindsey was only 46 and had recently celebrated his birthday. He also had kidney op a few months ago that went bad when he developed serious blood poisoning, yet Lindsey was back on his corner six weeks later looking very pale, thin and haggard.

Like others, at first, I had utter dislike of his intrusion but that morphed into genuine support for the guy because he was a stayer.

Does anyone know Lindsey’s funeral details??

Proboscus said :

Whenever one of my family members passed away there was no story in the CT creating myths of them being icons of Canberra and the Chief Minister didn’t eulogise their deaths.

You’re actually jealous of a dead scrubbie?

The man had little enough going on in life, let him have a little dignity in death. Your attitude makes my skin crawl.

neanderthalsis said :

I’d rather him harassing me wanting to clean my windshield than breaking into my house and stealing my VCR.

What do you think the going rate for a used stolen VCR is these days?

PBO said :

Life would have been very hard for the guy due to his past bad decisions, but at least he was having a go at it despite the odds being stacked against him

Making a go of what? He was defrauding Centrelink, defrauding the ATO, using the surrounding area as his personal outdoor toilet, and being a junkie.

If he had been “Making a go of it”, he would have got a job and stopped being a leech and a wart on the anus of humanity.

tommo said :

Wow, I can’t believe the audacity of some people. To those who have posted nothing but nasty things here, you are a scum far lower than anything anyone may think of Lindsay.

He was a really aggressive, unpleasant window washer. I too avoided that intersection. Since it’s entirely acceptable on Riotact to diss the late Mully (who never did anything to harm or annoy me) I feel entitled to voice relief that he has gone.

tommo said :

Wow, I can’t believe the audacity of some people. To those who have posted nothing but nasty things here, you are a scum far lower than anything anyone may think of Lindsay. Honestly Proboscus, does a ‘community minded person’ bad mouth another human being without taking a second to consider a) that persons history and circumstances, b) others in the community may have appreciated this fellow and c) common decency. I think not hypocrite.

And to those who carry on about his cash income, the ATO would lose far more from the average public servant and tradie in this town who put false claims and ‘white’ lies on their tax returns, not to mention all of the rorts built into the system for those that are well off. If you are so concerned about the ATO’s intake I hope you didn’t claim any coins you gave him (and others) to be charity.

Additionally, whoever says they (or their spouses) had anxiety approaching the intersection, you should know that some people have anxiety about coming across the hateful comments you post online. They may even have anxiety about walking down the street for fear of running into such mean-spirited people. I would argue that these sort of comments and attitudes generate far more anxiety amongst the population than this fellow ever did. I agree with Schmeah: “Seriously, if the worst part of your day was driving out of your way to avoid a window scrubber, you’ve got it pretty good.”

Oh waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh….!!!!

See you at the unveiling if the hero’s statue

Pitchka said :

Anybody know what happened to his hot girlfriend, who used to sunbake under the tree in her bikini’s whilst hubby cleaned windscreens?

Lindsay and her were having one of their yelling matches earlier this week in the middle of the nature strip…………

Wow, I can’t believe the audacity of some people. To those who have posted nothing but nasty things here, you are a scum far lower than anything anyone may think of Lindsay. Honestly Proboscus, does a ‘community minded person’ bad mouth another human being without taking a second to consider a) that persons history and circumstances, b) others in the community may have appreciated this fellow and c) common decency. I think not hypocrite.

And to those who carry on about his cash income, the ATO would lose far more from the average public servant and tradie in this town who put false claims and ‘white’ lies on their tax returns, not to mention all of the rorts built into the system for those that are well off. If you are so concerned about the ATO’s intake I hope you didn’t claim any coins you gave him (and others) to be charity.

Additionally, whoever says they (or their spouses) had anxiety approaching the intersection, you should know that some people have anxiety about coming across the hateful comments you post online. They may even have anxiety about walking down the street for fear of running into such mean-spirited people. I would argue that these sort of comments and attitudes generate far more anxiety amongst the population than this fellow ever did. I agree with Schmeah: “Seriously, if the worst part of your day was driving out of your way to avoid a window scrubber, you’ve got it pretty good.”

Deref said :

Love him or loath him, Lindsey was as much of an icon as Canberra’s likely to have – maybe with the exception of Fred Daley. I’d love to see a bronze statue of him, squeegee in hand and smoke in his mouth, erected on his corner.

Excellent idea. The Chief Minister should immediately form a committee to determine which consultants should be awarded a contract to decide which company (from interstate) should be given the contract to construct the statue in the middle of Northbourne Ave to honour this worthy citizen. Once the statue has been completed (then sent back interstate for repairs and then returned), a new sub-committee should be formed to decide where to resite the statue because someone will finally realize that it is in the path of the new tram tracks and will have to come down along with all the trees in the middle of Northbourne.
The good people at Centrelink must hate all the people who gave cash to this individual, feeding his habit and contributing to his demise. The Centrelink workload will now be lighter and with an efficiency dividend looming…

itsallme said :

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

I don’t know you, I didn’t know Lindsay, but by all means let us know when a member of your family, or one of your friends, dies. I am sure that there will be an imperfection in each of those people that we can all pick on. Maybe a big imperfection. Your father? Brother perhaps? Shall we find something wrong with him upon death and tell you the world is better off? Is it good riddance to bad rubbish then?

The fact is, if I heard that your family member or friend had died, I wouldn’t go on a public forum and trash that person’s memory. I would afford you the most basic human decency and say nothing at all, if not offer condolences. It appears you are completely unaware of decency, good manners and empathy (not for him, but for his friends and family).

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Of all the people in the world, I might say that about Adolf Hitler. Not just because he was truly evil, but because he is unlikely to have any surviving friends and family that knew him.

Getting angry at this post? Good. It probably means that in your sad little mind you would prefer to blame me than acknowledge how disgusting you are in saying ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’ on a public forum about someone who has just died.

Wake up idiot.

No, You wake up you f**king clown.

Whenever one of my family members passed away there was no story in the CT creating myths of them being icons of Canberra and the Chief Minister didn’t eulogise their deaths.

My family are all hard working community minded people who, like many other Australians, aren’t recognised for their contributions to society. Your hero was a thief and a junkie.

This town rewards mediocrity like no other. I believe that you would cast this oxygen thief in bronze, or better still, have him nominated for Australian of the Year!!!

As I said at the beginning – wake up!!!

OpenYourMind3:59 pm 08 Nov 13

On the positive side, Lindsay may just be remembered in the best possible way. A RiotACT Mully!

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

I knew it wouldn’t take long for our own resident POS’s to descend on this thread like a pack of vultures.

OpenYourMind3:38 pm 08 Nov 13

LSWCHP said :

He never bothered me, but he regularly bothered my wife. “Bothered” her in that he would offer to wash her windscreen, she would say “no thanks” and he’d do it anyway. The first time this happened many years ago she felt obliged to give him some money. She didn’t have a gold coin so she game him some silver and he abused her. Maybe he was having a bad day, but be never got another cent from her, despite all the subsequent undesired windscreen washes that she received.

She found him frightening and unpleasant and intimidating and didn’t want him touching her car or messing up her windscreen, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. When I drove up, he’d wave his washer thing at me, I’d give him my best “No Thanks” look and off he’d go.

Totally agree with you LWHCP, I didn’t know the guy personally and the only interaction I ever had with him was when he was washing windows. I can confirm that plenty of people I know found him very intimidating, especially to women. I remember on multiple occasions where I would indicate no thankyou and he would wash my window anyway. Perhaps he wasn’t violent, I can’t judge, but the first act toward an altercation is for the washer to understand they are being asked not to do something and then go ahead and do it anyway. In contrast, the window washer guy who used to work at the Eastbound Melrose/Hindmarsh intersection was always friendly and most I know felt comfortable supporting his work.

So, I guess I want to make my comment more general. Sure, go ahead and make a dollar or two plus the odd cigarette washing car windows, but just remember that doesn’t give you the right to go against someone’s wishes and intimidate them.

LSWCHP said :

He never bothered me, but he regularly bothered my wife. “Bothered” her in that he would offer to wash her windscreen, she would say “no thanks” and he’d do it anyway. The first time this happened many years ago she felt obliged to give him some money. She didn’t have a gold coin so she game him some silver and he abused her. Maybe he was having a bad day, but be never got another cent from her, despite all the subsequent undesired windscreen washes that she received.

She found him frightening and unpleasant and intimidating and didn’t want him touching her car or messing up her windscreen, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. When I drove up, he’d wave his washer thing at me, I’d give him my best “No Thanks” look and off he’d go.

I think women are regarded as easier victims. But once you have yelled “What part of NO did you NOT understand, mate?!” at the top of your voice at them once, they usually recognise your car for a while and don’t approach you. It doesn’t make me feel good about myself and it’s out of character, but letting them treat me like a complete pushover makes me feel worse… They’re in the same category as chuggers, only much poorer and desperate.

I wish they would switch from this useless service (I wash my windows using my squirty thingy or at the servo, like most people I imagine) to something I would be happy to pay for. Like push my full trolley to the car at the supermarket and bring my trolley back to the bay. Or much better still: mow my front lawn and weed the garden beds. Those can be done cash in hand and I don’t have a problem with subsidising someone’s drug addiction in that way.

^already

Someone else is alraedy “working” his corner.

Grimm said :

A junkie, dole bludging, centrelink defrauding, tax evading, public defecating criminal and all round general annoyance should truly be seen as an icon of our city.

What the hell is wrong with some of you people? Did you inherit what was left of his stash or something.

Good riddance.

Could be worse. An icon of our city could be a self-righteous, proselytising, pharisaical correspondent to The Riot Act

johnnycash said :

I’d rather him harassing me wanting to clean my windshield than breaking into my house and stealing my VCR.

You have a VCR? Old school man – respect.

maybe hoping it /will/ be stolen….it does sound funnier than stealing, say, your collection of downloadable content. we should all keep a VCR for druggies to steal…it’s all they want man

#nationaltreasure

rigseismic672:56 pm 08 Nov 13

Yeh I stopped giving them money years ago. On the way to visit a friend at Ainslie Village I stopped and gave a window cleaner a dollar for cleaning my windscreen.
When I left the village later he was slumped at a bus stop with a syringe poking out his arm. Nice use of the money.
And yes I do know some good fellows at Ainslie village!

Jim Jones said :

Pitchka said :

I take it all of those defending this bloke will be enquiring as to when and where his funeral will be held, to pay your last respects?

No, didnt f’n think so…

Sticking up for another human being is meaningless unless you go to their funeral? When did this happen?

Its almost as stupid as making asumptions about a person you dont know, or have never met..

When did this happen?

I’d rather him harassing me wanting to clean my windshield than breaking into my house and stealing my VCR.

You have a VCR? Old school man – respect.

LSWCHP said :

He never bothered me, but he regularly bothered my wife. “Bothered” her in that he would offer to wash her windscreen, she would say “no thanks” and he’d do it anyway. The first time this happened many years ago she felt obliged to give him some money. She didn’t have a gold coin so she game him some silver and he abused her. Maybe he was having a bad day, but be never got another cent from her, despite all the subsequent undesired windscreen washes that she received.

She found him frightening and unpleasant and intimidating and didn’t want him touching her car or messing up her windscreen, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. When I drove up, he’d wave his washer thing at me, I’d give him my best “No Thanks” look and off he’d go.

sshhhh.

he a national treasure now….

Pitchka said :

I take it all of those defending this bloke will be enquiring as to when and where his funeral will be held, to pay your last respects?

No, didnt f’n think so…

Sticking up for another human being is meaningless unless you go to their funeral? When did this happen?

He never bothered me, but he regularly bothered my wife. “Bothered” her in that he would offer to wash her windscreen, she would say “no thanks” and he’d do it anyway. The first time this happened many years ago she felt obliged to give him some money. She didn’t have a gold coin so she game him some silver and he abused her. Maybe he was having a bad day, but be never got another cent from her, despite all the subsequent undesired windscreen washes that she received.

She found him frightening and unpleasant and intimidating and didn’t want him touching her car or messing up her windscreen, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. When I drove up, he’d wave his washer thing at me, I’d give him my best “No Thanks” look and off he’d go.

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

I don’t know you, I didn’t know Lindsay, but by all means let us know when a member of your family, or one of your friends, dies. I am sure that there will be an imperfection in each of those people that we can all pick on. Maybe a big imperfection. Your father? Brother perhaps? Shall we find something wrong with him upon death and tell you the world is better off? Is it good riddance to bad rubbish then?

The fact is, if I heard that your family member or friend had died, I wouldn’t go on a public forum and trash that person’s memory. I would afford you the most basic human decency and say nothing at all, if not offer condolences. It appears you are completely unaware of decency, good manners and empathy (not for him, but for his friends and family).

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Of all the people in the world, I might say that about Adolf Hitler. Not just because he was truly evil, but because he is unlikely to have any surviving friends and family that knew him.

Getting angry at this post? Good. It probably means that in your sad little mind you would prefer to blame me than acknowledge how disgusting you are in saying ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’ on a public forum about someone who has just died.

Wake up idiot.

I take it all of those defending this bloke will be enquiring as to when and where his funeral will be held, to pay your last respects?

No, didnt f’n think so…

Wow…..lotta mixed feelings about the guy.

Life would have been very hard for the guy due to his past bad decisions, but at least he was having a go at it despite the odds being stacked against him. I cannot imagine it would have been a great life that he led but he was always facing it head on, one day at a time. I would say that 99.9% of us would not know what he had to deal with each day so he could make it through to the next.

Sad to see that so many would berate the guy on his passing, I take it that he must have personally offended against each one of you good, upstanding, productive members of society in some heinous fashion for you to take such stances. Why else would you or anybody say such things about the recently deceased?

Affirmative Action Man1:22 pm 08 Nov 13

Jeez I hope I get this many posts on RiotAct when I cark it.

I doubt I’ll get this many when I pop my clogs.

Rollersk8r said :

He was a pest. He was a pest at the intersection and a pest when he caught the bus.

Oh he was that guy? I’m glad I won’t be dealing with him on future bus rides then.

jett18 said :

Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

I don’t agree with that adage because some people are just bottom dwelling, ruinous scum, but Lindsay was just a dude who scrubbed windows on a street corner. You didn’t have to like him, but he was inoffensive enough .. So I really think people need to STFU and stop being so hateful.

I can’t imagine life was rosy in Lindsey’s shoes. He looked like he’d lived a very hard life.

Seriously, if the worst part of your day was driving out of your way to avoid a window scrubber, you’ve got it pretty good.

thebrownstreak6912:35 pm 08 Nov 13

astrojax said :

Pitchka said :

midlife said :

I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation.

Taking drugs is a choice, so yes, he chose to end up in this situation..

mental illness is NOT a choice. i don’t imagine this poor chap gave consideration to his life as a young lad and decided, ‘hey, i know, i’ll pop up to the local dealer, get hooked on drugs and be a ragged schimera of a man reduced to grafting at a major intersection for spare change. brilliant!’. be a bit realistic and aware before you sling mud, ol’ friend…

So are you asserting that people who take drugs have mental illness before they start on said drug?

What happened to the ‘drugs are bad, mkay (hahahaha)’ argument that has plenty of support here?

Only an utter moron would generalise RiotACT’s readers or commenters.

Looking at you streak.

A junkie, dole bludging, centrelink defrauding, tax evading, public defecating criminal and all round general annoyance should truly be seen as an icon of our city.

What the hell is wrong with some of you people? Did you inherit what was left of his stash or something.

Good riddance.

As so many other Rioters have mentioned, whether you loved him or hated him, he worked that corner for many years and added colour to the city.

Now someone please explain to me when it became OK to call anyone names and be disrespectful to someone who has just passed away? Don’t we all know the old adage “never speak ill of the dead”?

Grow up and have some respect, if not for the man himself, then for his possible friends and family that may stumble across this thread.

Pitchka said :

midlife said :

I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation.

Taking drugs is a choice, so yes, he chose to end up in this situation..

mental illness is NOT a choice. i don’t imagine this poor chap gave consideration to his life as a young lad and decided, ‘hey, i know, i’ll pop up to the local dealer, get hooked on drugs and be a ragged schimera of a man reduced to grafting at a major intersection for spare change. brilliant!’. be a bit realistic and aware before you sling mud, ol’ friend…

zorro29 said :

oh and I love the people saying how he was a nice drug addict…”at least he wasn’t committing crimes to support his habit”

*golf clap

national treasure

He had a very long criminal history. I’m not sure cleaning windows, collecting centrelink benefits while earning tax free cash evens out his karma points.

I never had a drama with the bloke, but people calling for the intersection to be renamed in his honour? Puhlease.

Ghettosmurf87 said :

For the most part the window-washers in canberra are a polite bunch, take no for an answer and don’t cause trouble unless someone is being a prick themselves. Sure, sometimes they wash your window when you say no, but they don’t ask for change when they do it. They’ve never raised an issue with me not paying for a wash when it was unsolicited and I’ve never felt guilty for not doing so.

Really? I find most of them do not take no for an answer (which you admit by contradicting yourself in the above para) and that is rude, no matter what it is or who it is. Especially when you notice that they pick their victims carefully. I would happily give them the odd coin for nothing, if they wouldn’t be so pushy and make me nervous when I pull up at the lights.

The only polite squeegee guy I’ve ever known was the older guy near Hindmarsh at the top of Narrabundah. He was a breath of fresh air. Don’t know if he is still there. That was over 10 years ago!

The others are obviously all druggies and while I also believe it is better to do whatever job you can than to beg or resort to crime, I could not cope with the soap scum left on the window which caused my windscreen wipers to not wipe properly when I needed them, so it just isn’t a service I would ever use. Which is my good right.

And Lindsay… he clearly needed proper medical care, not the odd gold coin given out of pity. I feel sad to think the life that got cut short was such a struggle for him.

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Ha! Completely agree! Faceless public servants in this town should all be sacked, then shot. But the window washer guy, he was valued, he really contributed, provided an essential service and basically supported society as a whole!! Pffft! Give me a break, typical bleeding heart lefties.

He was a pest. He was a pest at the intersection and a pest when he caught the bus.

The “friendly, honest and hard working” window washer guy. Yes – when he left my wipers up and walked away from my car I just laughed and laughed and thought: He is such a great Canberran!

Love him or loath him, Lindsey was as much of an icon as Canberra’s likely to have – maybe with the exception of Fred Daley. I’d love to see a bronze statue of him, squeegee in hand and smoke in his mouth, erected on his corner.

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

And yet, even with him being a junkie and the rest, I still think of him as being less of a petty, mean-spirited bag of spiteful intent than you.

oh and I love the people saying how he was a nice drug addict…”at least he wasn’t committing crimes to support his habit”

*golf clap

national treasure

#8, 9, 12 and 16….I love you (seriously)

I don’t want someone to die, but seriously, if the guy was a drug addict doing cash-in-hand work while still getting government benefits…why are we mourning again???

Aside from anything, windscreen washers and charity muggers really make it hard to get around for people with social anxiety…seeing them approach you is awful

But I suppose we have to suck that up because someone who chose to take drugs needs to earn off-the-books money to support his habit by annoying working people going about their day.

canberra_cath said :

And here come the trolls…
If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.
There but for the grace of god, go I. Or you. Or anyone you know…

Yep, even pricks are great blokes in death
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1tKm8rnLnQ

Pitchka said :

Anybody know what happened to his hot girlfriend, who used to sunbake under the tree in her bikini’s whilst hubby cleaned windscreens?

Not sure, but I often wondered at the entertainment factor of their domestic screaming matches in the middle of the city.

canberra_cath said :

And here come the trolls…
If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.
There but for the grace of god, go I. Or you. Or anyone you know…

I am not a troll.

Did this hero fight fires? Did he lecture troubled youth about the pitfalls of drug taking? Did he give up his time to help the disabled, elderly or disadvantaged?

The answer is “No” to all if the above.

If you sleep better at night thinking you’ve helped this person by slinging him a gold coin, then think again. You contributed to the habit which probably killed him. You were better off handing him a piece of fruit or a sandwich.

He was one of Canberra’s longest working public servants. He held that corner down longer than most people stay in one career nowadays.

When I started work at the Dept of Defence in 1999 (when it was on the corner of Moore St) he was there and there he remained until his demise.

He was an accountant earlier in his life, and fell on hard times. He made the most of it, and gave away many a free screen wash in his time. His drug use was his way of coping with tragedy – at least he wasn’t breaking into people’s houses to maintain his habit.

Shame on the trolls of this forum.

Mike Bessenger11:17 am 08 Nov 13

It’s sad to hear anyone has died, but he was a pain in the arse.
No is no, I don’t want a free window wash, I want you not to touch my fucking car.
RIP fella.

Holden Caulfield11:11 am 08 Nov 13

canberra_cath said :

And here come the trolls…
If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.
There but for the grace of god, go I. Or you. Or anyone you know…

Within reason people should be allowed to have their say.

Some of the eulogising is just as unwarranted as the harsher critics who’ve had their say.

I find him a bit of a paradox. On the one hand it’s true that it is good he got off his arse and did something every day. On the other hand he lived off the dole and supplemented his livelihood with a tax-free income.

It’s pretty hard to mount a rational case that he made a valuable contribution to society. And yet, in a sometimes sterile city like Canberra, he provided some character that a quite few people seemed to enjoy. Hard to deny him that.

I don’t wish him any harm, but not sure he deserves to remembered as some sort of icon carrying out a noble civic duty for the good of his community.

Genie said :

midlife said :

Whatever you think of him as a junkie or the quality of his work at least he got off his bum and worked. I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation. He was honest and worked to support himself and his needs. He could have just turned to a life of crime to support his habit. Never pick on a person who has an addiction unless you have been there and properly understand the darkness of an addiction. Addiction is a bitch and some people cannot beat the bitch no matter how hard they try.

Ummmm ? Sorry yeah he got off his butt and worked. However, he admitted he was on the dole.

Was Centrelink aware of his earnings, was the ATO aware of his earnings ?

He admitted he did this so he could buy his smokes and booze.

Stop idolising someone who contributed nothing to this community.

I’m not sure that anyone is idolising him. Acknowledging that he was a human being and so deserving of basic decency is different to idolising.

Ghettosmurf8711:09 am 08 Nov 13

Genie said :

midlife said :

Whatever you think of him as a junkie or the quality of his work at least he got off his bum and worked. I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation. He was honest and worked to support himself and his needs. He could have just turned to a life of crime to support his habit. Never pick on a person who has an addiction unless you have been there and properly understand the darkness of an addiction. Addiction is a bitch and some people cannot beat the bitch no matter how hard they try.

Ummmm ? Sorry yeah he got off his butt and worked. However, he admitted he was on the dole.

Was Centrelink aware of his earnings, was the ATO aware of his earnings ?

He admitted he did this so he could buy his smokes and booze.

Stop idolising someone who contributed nothing to this community.

He washed some peoples windows. That is a contribution (however small) to the community in that peole from the community were able to benefit from the service he offered.

Lets not start a rant about not paying taxes and therefore not contributing. There are plenty of far far better off people who dodge taxes too.

neanderthalsis11:07 am 08 Nov 13

midlife said :

Whatever you think of him as a junkie or the quality of his work at least he got off his bum and worked. I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation. He was honest and worked to support himself and his needs. He could have just turned to a life of crime to support his habit. Never pick on a person who has an addiction unless you have been there and properly understand the darkness of an addiction. Addiction is a bitch and some people cannot beat the bitch no matter how hard they try.

I’d rather him harassing me wanting to clean my windshield than breaking into my house and stealing my VCR.

Oh dear – The Chief Minister has given a tribute to this parasite.

Next there’ll be submissions to rename Northbourne Avenue after this creep.

canberra_cath said :

And here come the trolls…
If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.

Take your own advice…

Obviously he wasn’t everybody’s favourite. I never had issue with him and was always happy to hand out a gold coin for his effort mostly out of appreciation that he was out there giving it a go at least.

midlife said :

Whatever you think of him as a junkie or the quality of his work at least he got off his bum and worked. I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation. He was honest and worked to support himself and his needs. He could have just turned to a life of crime to support his habit. Never pick on a person who has an addiction unless you have been there and properly understand the darkness of an addiction. Addiction is a bitch and some people cannot beat the bitch no matter how hard they try.

Ummmm ? Sorry yeah he got off his butt and worked. However, he admitted he was on the dole.

Was Centrelink aware of his earnings, was the ATO aware of his earnings ?

He admitted he did this so he could buy his smokes and booze.

Stop idolising someone who contributed nothing to this community.

canberra_cath10:57 am 08 Nov 13

And here come the trolls…
If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.
There but for the grace of god, go I. Or you. Or anyone you know…

Anybody know what happened to his hot girlfriend, who used to sunbake under the tree in her bikini’s whilst hubby cleaned windscreens?

Ghettosmurf8710:55 am 08 Nov 13

Roundhead89 said :

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

What a mirthless human being you are.

For the most part the window-washers in canberra are a polite bunch, take no for an answer and don’t cause trouble unless someone is being a prick themselves. Sure, sometimes they wash your window when you say no, but they don’t ask for change when they do it. They’ve never raised an issue with me not paying for a wash when it was unsolicited and I’ve never felt guilty for not doing so.

Lindsey actually did my window the other week when I didn’t ask, insisting that it needed a clean, which it did, i had just been too lazy to get round to it myself. I paid him about $1.50 for his troubles and we both went on our way.

What is the real harm in them? No one makes you hand over your money to them. I’ve never seen them be nasty to anyone who wasn’t an A-hole first either.

midlife said :

I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation.

Taking drugs is a choice, so yes, he chose to end up in this situation..

Whatever you think of him as a junkie or the quality of his work at least he got off his bum and worked. I do not think anybody would choose to end up in his situation. He was honest and worked to support himself and his needs. He could have just turned to a life of crime to support his habit. Never pick on a person who has an addiction unless you have been there and properly understand the darkness of an addiction. Addiction is a bitch and some people cannot beat the bitch no matter how hard they try.

I had wondered why I hadn’t seen him there for a bit. Sad.

Proboscus said :

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

Hear hear! Good riddance to bad rubbish. I used to hate approaching this intersection because this POS would always descend like a pack of vultures. It got to the stage where I began changing my route to avoid him. As for him being hailed “a true icon of Canberra” I call this the Mully effect. His death should be the cue for a crackdown on all windscreen washers and their eradication from our intersections once and for all.

Take off your rose coloured glasses. At best he was a mediocre window washer.

Fact is he was a putrid junkie whose greatest achievement was somehow avoiding motor vehicles while he was affected by illicit substances.

The real tragedy is the Canberra Times wasting ink on such an insignificant POS while more deserving people, who contribute to the community, are overlooked.

canberra_cath10:30 am 08 Nov 13

Lindsey was a colourful character in a sometimes dull town, and a constant in a city that was always changing.
He was always so friendly, worked hard no matter the weather and on the few occassions I passed and he was not there I worried about him. He seemed to have a hard life, but I always got the impression he did the best he could with the cards he was dealt.
I did not ‘know’ him, and I send my genuine condolences to his friends and family he has left behind.
RIP Lindsey – I hope you know how many people cared.
I second PBO’s statement – forever more may it be known as Lindsey’s corner.

Mattenagger said :

Thanks for posting Barcham. I think you forgot the pic though?

Dang it, there are people who don’t function that well in the morning, and then there’s me.

Image is up.

saw this posted on fb this morning – sad [have given him a few coins over the time]

and i believe the op is correct – lindsEy but agree, renaming intersection might be appropriate

Thanks for posting Barcham. I think you forgot the pic though?

I will miss Lindsay, as has already been said, he was a true icon of Canberra. I admired Lindsay simply because he had a great attitude despite obvious hardship. He was a friendly man who was approachable, always showed great manners and always had a genuine smile that could make even the most hard faced person grin in return.

I first came across the fine gentleman of the world in 2005’ish when he was a bit of a pioneer of his tradecraft in Canberra. I didnt have a coin or note on me but he still insisted that I have clean windows for safety’s sake. It was close to Christmas and I gave him what I had in my pocket (2 silly ciggies for the silly season), it must have made his day because I struck up a mateship there and then.

I admired how he was always busy working regardless of whatever nature was throwing about, he would take whatever mother nature had going on that day and he dealt with it and he kept on trucking with a smile on his face.

And now he is gone and there will be an empty place in Canberra that will never be the same.

I propose that the area should be from now on known as “Lindsay’s corner” because he really made it his place and we should recognise that fact.

R.I.P. Lindsay.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.