Nickodell
Donation Time
In response to anger expressed by some Australian Muslims to his pledge to crack down on extremists and his support of spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques, Prime Minister John Howard said:
“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 in Bali [Indonesia, in which Australian tourists, among other, were killed], we have experienced a surge of 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 immigrants, 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.
“The idea that Australia is a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And 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! …. [In regard to Islam]: “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 [Australia’s national flag] offends you, or if you don’t like “A Fair Go’ [treating people fairly and courteously], then you should 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 have done complaining, whining and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge … or our Way of Life, I highly recommend you to take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, the right to leave. You asked to be here, so accept the country that accepted you.”
Separately, Treasurer Peter Costello, who will likely become Prime Minister at the end of Howard’s term, hinted that some radical clerics would be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia is a secular nation, and its laws are made by parliament, not clergy. “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 Islamic law; that is false. If you can’t agree with parliamentary law, independent courts and 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.”
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 regarding Muslims who did not want to accept local values: “Basically, people who don’t want to be Australians and live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off.”
This was sent to me. Hopefully, our OZ members can confirm its authenticity. If they do, Send this to everyone you know, and your Senators, Congressman and State Politicians.
“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 in Bali [Indonesia, in which Australian tourists, among other, were killed], we have experienced a surge of 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 immigrants, 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.
“The idea that Australia is a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And 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! …. [In regard to Islam]: “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 [Australia’s national flag] offends you, or if you don’t like “A Fair Go’ [treating people fairly and courteously], then you should 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 have done complaining, whining and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge … or our Way of Life, I highly recommend you to take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, the right to leave. You asked to be here, so accept the country that accepted you.”
Separately, Treasurer Peter Costello, who will likely become Prime Minister at the end of Howard’s term, hinted that some radical clerics would be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia is a secular nation, and its laws are made by parliament, not clergy. “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 Islamic law; that is false. If you can’t agree with parliamentary law, independent courts and 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.”
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 regarding Muslims who did not want to accept local values: “Basically, people who don’t want to be Australians and live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off.”
This was sent to me. Hopefully, our OZ members can confirm its authenticity. If they do, Send this to everyone you know, and your Senators, Congressman and State Politicians.
