[Mr. Football]

I've always thought of Australia as a 'last redoubt'.

----------------------------------------------------

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 and her Queen 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 practices 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 who 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, 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."

[hworth18]

Amen.. Glad to see someone has a backbone in this world...

[Mark 1]

I agree with everything there except this:

"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."

Our PM is christian and right wing and pushing it.
I was born here (AUS) of Anglo-Celtic parents and have no interest in any god. Apparently then, by this logic and on christian principles, I can enslave and remove anybody from their land who is darker than me.

Just goes to show we have rednecks everywhere

[STARMAN 352ND]

Interesting subject here..
JP

[Mr. Football]

Apparently then, by this logic and on christian principles, I can enslave and remove anybody from their land who is darker than me.

Bit of a stretch.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by Mr. Football

Bit of a stretch.

Agreed...

[skysurfer808]

I like the Aussies, and agree with their policy. I've been to quite a few places, and I can definately state conclusively that no matter where you go, there's an aussie nearby ready to hoist a pint. Regarding English and culture, when immigrants don't assimilate, they become a cancer on a society rather than part of it. Anyone have a look at Europe lately. Looking at Hawaii, during WW2 our Japanese immigrant population assimilated and turned out the most decorated combat unit in the US Army, the 442nd Regimental Combat team, which fought the Germans in Italy, Southern France, and liberated Dachau. This unit was made up of American Citizens, who fought for their right to citizenship. They were English Speaking Americans, who happened to look Japanese. Yet in today's America it seems that being a hyphenated American is more important than being American. At least the Aussies are throwing the gauntlet down and fighting for their culture.

Skysrfer808

[DADoser]

Just to turn this discussion on its head in a friendly way...

Those Spanish, French, and English immigrants really were a cancer (or should I say "small, 'pox'")to Native American societies when they refused to assimilate as well.

I guess the same thing could be said for all those Europeans who refused to assimilate in Africa; SE Asia; Australia; etc. during those Ages of Imperialism.

Damn that "White man's burden" principle.

(Please don't delete because this post may be considered "liberal" in a military hobby dominated by folks who tend to lean slightly to heavily to the "right." It is in the spirit of an alternative perspective. Take it with the humor/truthiness that is intended. There are real issues with immigration of which the original post is just one.)

[admin]

On matters of a political nature I prefer for remain neutral for the sake of the forums neutrality. I will say the Aussies rock! They have been a great ally to the United States. A fact that has not gone unnoticed by many American citizens.

[Captain Eddie]

I really appreciate what Prime Minister Howard had to say. It gripes me when people with different values and faith move into a country, such as Australia or England, and than demand that that country conform to their beliefs. If they do not like the culture of England or Australia, then why move there?