BB FANS

I was going to post this in the Sharia Law thread, but it might warrant separate discussion.

What do you reckon?

Prime Minister John Howard - 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."

"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."


"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 . 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."
"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"


So... John Howard... brave or stupid?

I bet the indigenous population of Australia wishes they had the weapons John Howard has at his disposal when his ancestors invaded their land.

And for him to say.
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"
Does he not know the indigenous population of Australia were slaughtered so he could wake up in one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, speaking English.
It is laughable when he says: “I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture”

He also says:
"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. Learn the language!"

So I take it from that statement he knows the Aborigine language...

Most Muslims believe in God and God is part of their culture and I am sure the Muslim community would also just like their beliefs to be taken into account so they can live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment in the new Country they emigrated to.

There are many other religions in Australia that are not under the scrutiny the Muslim community is under because of the political situation in the Middle East. We all know there will be people in that community that might decide to act on their perceived unjust actions taken by the west in the land of their birth.
The government has a right to monitor to prevent any atrocities from happening, that goes without saying but Mr Howard should know that it is not only the English speaking people of this world who are patriotic and it might be that patriotism that is the cause of some of the young Muslim men doing unspeakable acts. I would say Mr Howard was stupid for using the language he used to make his point.

I think it's worth just noting that these comments were made in 2006 (I think) when John Howard was still Prime Minister...he isn't any more.

If you go to Wikipedia and search "Australian Immigration' you can read about the actual up to date figures and how many people have come from each country - Brits are top by a long way.

It's also interesting that Mr Howard is implying that Australia is a Christian country, yet forgetting that there are Spanish, Chinese, Lebanese and Russian Christians - even Asian Christians!

I am all for integration and respecting the laws of the country where you live. The crunch point comes when the law of the land clashes with your religious beliefs - what do you put first?

I don't mind him saying "you need to learn the language" but the rest of the piece is a bit of a Daily Mail rant and over the top. So more stupid than brave, in my humble opinion. I wonder what the new Prime Minister thinks?

Thanks for that td - I didn't realise it dated from 2006, I just got it in an email the other day.

**** off Madeline, the abos were running around with spears back then. Now they have government housing and social security to spend on booze and glue.

I bet they prefer it now.

I know what they would prefer - they would prefer their own land back and for people who think they are all junkies and glu sniffers to **** off back to where they came from.

Really? Then who would pay their benefits?

People that stupid and useless do not deserve to have land.

What a sad reflection you have of an indigenous population's predicament.