War breaks out on social media after Australian surfer Jack Freestone pokes light fun of New South Wales stringent lockdown laws: “You driving too fast, jail. Too slow, jail.”

Who will win?

Jack Freestone, originally from Australia’s Gold Coast but now splitting time on the beautiful island of Kauai, put his head above the parapet, yesterday, and used light comedy to shine a light on New South Wales’ stringent lockdown laws.

On August 16th, Operation Stay At Home commenced with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller telling Australia’s ABC News (not to be confused with America’s ABC which will be airing The Ultimate Surfer premier tonight at 10/9 central) that too many people were using excuses relating to exercise, the singles bubble and regional travel and they needed to close these gaps.

“I honestly think we can get NSW out of lockdown quicker [with these powers]. These are some of the strongest powers we’ve ever had in the history of the NSW Police Force, as part of the government’s strategy to get in front of the virus in the coming weeks – it’s all about getting ahead of Delta, not chasing it.”

Everything is now banned and breaking the rules carries hefty fines:

$5,000 on the spot fine for breaching self-isolation rules
$5,000 on the spot fine for lying on a permit
$5,000 on the spot fine for lying to a contact tracer
$3,000 on the spot fine for breaching the two-person outdoor exercise/recreation rule
$3,000 on the spot fine for breaching rules around entry into regional NSW, which restrict travel except for authorised work, inspecting real estate or travelling to your second home

Freestone took to Instagram and posted a video of the fines being announced stitched to a clip where comedian Fred Armisen appeared on the television show Parks and Recreation as a central, maybe south, American dictator, writing, “This basically sums up what Australia looks like right now. So sad seeing everything going on right now. Hope everyone is ok. Ps watch it to the end.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CS5N78IpeMh/

Praise, initially, flowed in from all corners.

Yadin Nicol commented, “Started out a jail, ended up a jail.”

Nick Carroll’s brother Tom agreed with Nicol then added a heartfelt story about an ICU nurse.

Andy Collyer, who shapes surfboards, said, “Thanks Jack for sharing the truths of our country mate! More high profile people need to be doing this…” which was widely echoed by many wondering why the Gold Coast’s many famous surfers have maintained their silence.

CJ Hobgood wanted to fine Jack for “being so cute,” but then the worm turned and many came in, pitchforks raised, demanding that Freestone “promote vaccination,” calling him “pathetic,” and providing rejoinders like, “Pro surfers who travel the world complaining about health and safety precautions is like Phil Mickelson complaining about taxes.

The two sides immediately went to war, commenting, replying, proving the angry red-faced emoji.

Who will win?

Us, I suppose. True comedy connoisseurs.

More as the story develops.