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The Forum > Article Comments > An act of cowardice > Comments

An act of cowardice : Comments

By Bruce Haigh, published 20/4/2010

With the build up in military activity will inevitably come increased numbers of refugees, where is the reality check that should be governing the Rudd government’s decision-making?

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Sorry I just can't stand the sneering one-eyed tone of this guy.

"The fact that the AFP has been sent to Christmas Island to quell possible riots demonstrates the unfairness of the decision."
It also demonstrates that the detainees in question ended up rioting- even if the environment and guards would sincerely push anyone to resort to the same thing, personally I would not want the rioters to move next door to me, just to be sure, if that's okay with you Bruce.

"Asylum seekers are acutely aware of the justice of their claims. When will it be that the taxpayer funded AFP acts to uphold human rights?"
Well as the AFP's actual job (funded by taxpayers) is to enforce Australian security, (not enforce the rights of citizens of another country), your guess is as good as mine. Why would you even ask such a ridiculous question?

"Rudd has put himself offside with every fair minded Australian. He has given us an insight into the motivation behind his decision making; fear of personal failure, of losing office, is a strong driving force; morality and compassion are low priorities when pitted against Rudd’s ambition"
Because people that for whatever reason aren't too eager to give them residency are NOT fair-minded, and incapable of morality and compassion?

Anyway, Rudd's 'cowardice' is simply catering to what he THINKS voters want- which I assumed was the whole point in us being allowed to vote at all. I though that should have been obvious.

This kind of disingenuous writing is more fitting of your average bogan newspaper columnist. No it really IS.
In fact, it's pretty close to almost every botchy argument on refugees period- from both sides.

In fact, this is why absolutely nobody ever changes their stance on the issue- because most people of opposing stances can't make a convincing reason to do so, but would rather have a whinge about how lesser and weak the people of other 'side' is in their sanctimonious eyes.
Posted by King Hazza, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 10:51:24 AM
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In the interests of enlightening the obtuse, mendacious and/or ignorant, it's probably time to post the URL of the GetUp Fact Sheet on asylum seekers and refugees again, if only to circumvent the usual lies, hysteria and distortions that emanate from OLO's xenophobic hater contingent every time we discuss asylum seekers.

https://www.getup.org.au/files/campaigns/asylum_myths_factsheet.pdf
Posted by CJ Morgan, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 11:01:21 AM
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Bruce Haig is entitled to his occasionally odd views but I must take issue with his comments towards the end about Australian soldiers in France turning in their graves over the government's immigration policy. This is hopelessly wrong. Many of the Australian soliders buried in France would have supported the White Australia policy current in their time, and be horrifed to walk through Sydney now and see so many Asian faces. Their's was a very different time.
The White Australia policy has been buried for decades, and good riddance. But Haig would do well to remember that immigration is running at record levels, and probably at the limit of wjhat we can comfortably absorb. Illegial immigration in boats is a tiny fraction of the legal immigration but it is never a good idea to encourage it. People die in that trade.
Posted by Curmudgeon, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 11:15:46 AM
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That the situation for the Tamils in Sri Lanka has improved cannot be argued. That the situation is not perfect does not mean that the Tamils are not safe in their own country. While there may be cases of persecution, this is not the case for the average Tamil, and the default position to accept the Tamils as war refugees should be reviewed. The suspension of claims review is part of that process.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/beware-of-asylum-seekers-bearing-tales-of-woe/story-e6frg6zo-1225850659899

That Rudd is acutely aware of the polls is not news, and that the situation in changing in Sri Lanka gives him some lee way to try and relieve the pressure, is probably opportunistic.

However, the thought that politicians should show moral fortitude and go against the strongly held view of the majority of voters is more than a little naive. The last instance of this put the liberals in opposition.
Posted by Shadow Minister, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 11:30:03 AM
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That article in the Australian by Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe was written by a Sinhalese person. He is promoting a Sinhalese agenda. He may even have support from the Sri Lankan Government. But he wasn't honest enough to declare that he was a Sinhalese person and on the other side to the Tamil refugees. So his view can't be trusted.

Its a bit like getting a seminar on women's rights by a Sudanese Government Minister.
Posted by jjplug, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 12:02:08 PM
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jj&cj, so what do you call people who arrive on SIEVs (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel) ?

When Leigh or anyone else uses the term "illegals" it is instantly known what they are talking about, it has become slang for the boat people arriving in the Indian Ocean on our soil with the intention of seeking refuge status, uninvited.

You're arguing against the use of a term that has become Australian slang ..

get over it, you have no politically correct term for these people that is acceptable to the rest of Australia, who the government is now reacting to.

if the majority of Australians had no problem with these people, why is the government reacting this way and opening up Pearce?

CJ linking to getup - really, might as well link to Andrew Bolt. Just as credible.
Posted by odo, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 12:02:27 PM
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