Learn from the mistakes of others

Speech angers Australian Muslims

By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney

A senior member of Australia's government has suggested Muslims who do not uphold the country's values should be stripped of their citizenship.

Remarks by Finance Minister [Treasurer] Peter Costello, at a conference in Sydney, have sparked anger among leaders of Australia's Islamic community.

They have insisted his comments were divisive and inflammatory.

Mr Costello said migrants who did not respect Australia's laws and traditions should lose their citizenship.

He singled out the Muslim community and said it had a responsibility to uphold Australian values.

He insisted those people that did not were no longer welcome.

Tensions simmering

Mr Costello said his remarks were directed at a "small radical minority" and that his message had to be "clear and unequivocal".

His speech comes at a time when racial tensions here are still simmering after the disturbances in Sydney last December.

Following an assault on two white coastguards, attacks by white gangs on people of Middle Eastern appearance sparked a bloody feud with young Lebanese Australians.

Islamic leaders have accused Peter Costello of deliberately whipping up more fear and religious hatred.

They have claimed it is further evidence that the government is no longer committed to multi-culturalism.

There has been support for the treasurer's position from Pauline Hanson.

The former right wing politician caused uproar a decade ago when she insisted that Australia was in danger of being overrun by migrants from Asia.

There has been backing too for Mr Costello from his boss, the prime minister.

John Howard was criticised earlier this week for controversial remarks he made about Muslims.

The veteran leader said he was convinced that migrants with extreme views were intent on committing violence here in the name of Islam.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/4746106.stm

Published: 2006/02/24 08:20:02 GMT
© BBC MMVI

Speech angers Australian Muslims

By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney

A senior member of Australia's government has suggested Muslims who do not uphold the country's values should be stripped of their citizenship.

Remarks by Finance Minister [Treasurer] Peter Costello, at a conference in Sydney, have sparked anger among leaders of Australia's Islamic community.

They have insisted his comments were divisive and inflammatory.

Mr Costello said migrants who did not respect Australia's laws and traditions should lose their citizenship.

He singled out the Muslim community and said it had a responsibility to uphold Australian values.

He insisted those people that did not were no longer welcome.

Tensions simmering

Mr Costello said his remarks were directed at a "small radical minority" and that his message had to be "clear and unequivocal".

His speech comes at a time when racial tensions here are still simmering after the disturbances in Sydney last December.

Following an assault on two white coastguards, attacks by white gangs on people of Middle Eastern appearance sparked a bloody feud with young Lebanese Australians.

Islamic leaders have accused Peter Costello of deliberately whipping up more fear and religious hatred.

They have claimed it is further evidence that the government is no longer committed to multi-culturalism.

There has been support for the treasurer's position from Pauline Hanson.

The former right wing politician caused uproar a decade ago when she insisted that Australia was in danger of being overrun by migrants from Asia.

There has been backing too for Mr Costello from his boss, the prime minister.

John Howard was criticised earlier this week for controversial remarks he made about Muslims.

The veteran leader said he was convinced that migrants with extreme views were intent on committing violence here in the name of Islam.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/4746106.stm

Published: 2006/02/24 08:20:02 GMT
© BBC MMVI

"All Four Stanzas"

Isaac Asimov

( Read more... )

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text from http://www.purewatergazette.net/asimov.htm

---

Not that Aussies are much better. The history of our current anthem is much more recent. like most things here.

Mind you, we did get to vote for our's. Though kinda not quite for what we got...

Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

... "girt by fucking sea" ... girt by sea ... how may of you know what that means?

But it is better than that poem about a pathetic homeless sheep thief who kills himself ...

"All Four Stanzas"

Isaac Asimov

( Read more... )

---

text from http://www.purewatergazette.net/asimov.htm

---

Not that Aussies are much better. The history of our current anthem is much more recent. like most things here.

Mind you, we did get to vote for our's. Though kinda not quite for what we got...

Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

... "girt by fucking sea" ... girt by sea ... how may of you know what that means?

But it is better than that poem about a pathetic homeless sheep thief who kills himself ...