A typical fatuousand sanctimonious contribution from Paul.

The Hazaras are a large minority ethnic group mainly living in Afghanistan and to a lessor extent, Pakistan.

There is a racial as well as sectarian antipathy towards the Hazaras in those places, but that is the nature of islam; whenever one variety is in a dominant position it will oppress other forms while all forms maintain a hostility towards the West.

Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.

Unfortunately, as Paul and other commentators show here, there are more than enough fools in the West to prevent a robust discussion and policy development towards islam from happening.

The muslim boat people in Indonesia are at best opportunists who displace unambiguously genuine refugees who are living in worse conditions [and as for Lexi's shamelessly gullible and manipulative statements about open sewers why can't these able bodied men get out and dig some bloody latrines]; at worst they are muslims who want to come to Australia for the benefits and who would, actively or otherwise, support a change in the social framework from a secular one to a Sharia one.

Well Paul1405, here is why I stated what I did:

In the late 1990's early 2000's most of the boats we intercepted were the old Type I and II Indonesian fishing boats, most were trying to make a living by fishing, particularly those on the Type I boats (using sails and traditional fishing methods), the Type II boats were motorised but used similar fishing methods but we had more trouble with them because they would venture further into Australian waters and fish-out and destroy reef whenever possible. Type III vessels were the most problematic, used modern fishing techniques and would have a mother vessel just outside the 200NM limit where they would resupply from.

As fishing stocks declined, the Type III vessels and their owners found it more profitable to bring in illegal immigrants. Often getting as far south as Broome before apprehension. We worked in close cooperation with Coastwatch, usually a single aircraft flying a specific route, usually between Weipa and Broome, covering the north-western approaches including the Gulf, waters north of Gove, Darwin and westward toward Ashmore Reef, Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef.

As time went on we caught more and more boats, sometimes towing in 20+ at a time, either to Darwin or Broome.

More and more boats included 'passenger' either from the ME or the Indian sub-continent. We quickly ascertained those who were fishermen from those who were illegal refugees by simply looking at their hands. Fishermen had rough scarred hands, illegal refugees had well manicured hands.

Today it is little changed. I have mates working in Customs, Border Protection, the Federal Police and in the military who keep me up to date on what is really going on.

As to the money side of it, my friends in other agencies I won't discuss keep me on the up and up on what is true and what is not.

Believe what you want, I know the truth.

Poirot - Having read some of your past comments you are one of the last people I would expect to be able to give a sermon in etiquette.

Language etc evolves with time, also check some adverts etc they use capitals to emphasis somethings, If you don't like it bad luck.

Just because Poirot says something does not make it real or factual.
Inverted commas are used to denote a quote, something someone said as well.

Also where is your etiquette when you are asked questions you fail to answer them or give childish sarcastic remakes.

Lexi - It amazes me how you managed to miss all the examples of why the refugees are ECONOMIC REFUGEES not real asylum seekers, that from a link you provided. Some had been in a country 15 years they were safe you are obviously blind to any truth that does not fit your agenda.

Yes rip up the refugee convention it is out of date and full of loop holes.

Interesting Lexi….human nature is at the core of this debate. On one hand, the second and third world do live in the most worst conditions imaginable and of coarse being a first world people, there is opportunity to teach and gain from this since some if not all will be looking for employment at the end of peoples studies. The governments decision on these matters airs an open forum for the people of Australia and our guests to provide the fame work for the best interests for our country. Now on the other hand, all governments around the world have the same overpopulation problems, and this is where the double edge sword takes reality.

The love.

I guess no matter what links are provided, no
matter what information is supplied and from
whom - it appears that different people in different
walks of life may interpret the same phenomenon -
whether it is a government document, a given link,
a PM's policies, a newspaper article, a television program,
a religious doctrine, or any given issue up for discussion
in very different ways.

In other words people tend to see everything from a viewpoint
of subjectivity. An interpretation based on one's personal
values and experiences. Our views are shaped by what our
backgrounds, interests, education, values, has prepared us to
see and by what we consciously or unconsciously want to see.

Each of us is inclined to perceive facts selectively and to
interpret them accordingly. And inevitably, we're all guilty of
some measure of bias,

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/the-real-story-of-asylum-seekers-is-drowned-out-by-fear-and-bigotry-and-politicians-like-it-that-way/story-fncynkc6-1226633287892

Philip S,

http://www.networketiquette.net/core_rules_do_not_use_all_caps.html

I'm sure you can be just as obnoxious without resorting to all caps.