Something to Think About

[RHClarke]

I got this from a less than reliable source - workplace email. I am not sure if it is "urban legend" or if the speech did in fact happen -perhaps our Aussie Brethren can shed some light.

In any case, I think the message is clear. I could only dream of such clarity from a Canadian politician:

THREE CHEERS FOR AUSTRALIA

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did
not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practises it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.

Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off". "Basically, people who don't want to be Australians, and they don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then they can basically clear off," he said.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

"IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It ! I am
tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."

However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a
better life by coming to Australia. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Australians, we have our own culture, our
own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, then learn the language! Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push but a fact because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly
appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, Because God is part of our culture. We will accept your beliefs and will not question why, all we ask is that you accept ours and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us. If the Southern Cross
offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means keep your culture but do not force it on others. This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this, but once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, "THE RIGHT TO LEAVE." If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted. Pretty easy really, when you think about it.

[Jon Skagfeld]

RH Clarke:

I recall seeing this on a media post somewhere else about 4-5 months ago.

I don't think that it was a piece of urban legend.

I, as you, await comment from the land of OZ.

[Barry Churcher]

I received this email a couple of weeks ago and then again yesterday. I am glad it got posted on here as I am also interested in our Aussie MLUers comments. Three cheers for Australia if this is indeed fact, and if so could you send us a couple of your politicians?
Cheers,
Barry

[Tony Smith]

Yes, this did happen, and it was a couple of months ago. Things have moved on since then, the latest "Outrageous" comments by our PM have provoked a storm. What did he say this time? Well, he had the audacity to suggest that "Any immigrants to this country, particularly the Islamic community, should endeavor to integrate into the wider community and LEARN ENGLISH". This was seen as a PARTICULARLY INFLAMMATORY ATTACK by the Islamic community and was likely to incite rioting similar to that seen last year in Cronulla. Maybe those comments could have exposed some sensitivity from the Islamic community (the Grand Mufti of Australia has only limited english skills, and this could have been viewed as a personal attack), but it is not the only immigrant community to live in enclaves where natives languages and cultures are preferred. Australia (Particularly the largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne) has many suburbs where Vietnamese, Korean, Lebanese, Sudanese and Pacific Islanders are the predominant population. For more than 50 years we have had Greek and Italian communities which have bonded together (and now provide some of the most valued restaurants and coffee shops!), and we have had Chinatowns since the 1850's Goldrush. Not all Muslims are finding integration with the wider community too difficult. Afghan Muslims in South Australia have lived harmoniously in Aust since the early 1900's, while Turkish Muslims have been here since the 1950's. All of these communities have in their own way preferred to maintain their own company and language, while blending in with wider mainstream, generally without too much trauma. It is, however , one thing to prefer your own community while recognising the wider society, and another again to practice your culture while vigorously denouncing western values and attacking the country you choose to live in. It was perhaps unfair to specifically blame Muslims for their insularity, however, it was something of an overreaction to predict riots on the streets.

This issue is treated with some astonishment around Australia as the majority of Australians do not regularly see too many Muslims in the street or workplace to exchange views on many subjects. The majority of commentary by and from Australian Muslims seem to come from media spokesmen and lobbyists who are railing against some latest injustice. If the Average non-Muslim Australian were able to share a discussion with an average Muslim Australian, it would dispel much mistrust and animosity on both sides. In round numbers, Australia has a population of 21 Million and the last Census gave a figure of 281,000 practising Muslims in Aust, with 120,000 living in Sydney. According to that Census, over 75% of Muslims do speak English well.