Spendo... aah.. will the ever be an end to the counselling u need boy :)

Col is quite correct, though a little more rabid than I'd be.

The point you raise is an important one about learning the didgeridoo, I can predict Cols response, and its mine also, the prevailing culture now, is the Anglo European.
My own response is that yes, we must recognize (and respect) that cultural status quo, we should at the same time, seek in every way possible to include and uplift the indigenous population.
Nobody wants to feel 'defeated' for the rest of their lives, and one say of overcoming that, is to reach out in as many ways as we can to indigenous Australians, encourage them to participate and help them to recognize that its not just 'them' who lost a territory battle, we are all decendants of 'losers' (who may have previously been winners).

I don't see paranoia in the community, I just see concern. After the first big bang it might become temporary paranoia.

<MichaelK

I have to assume that someone has attempted to translate your piece (originally in Arabic?) into English.

Would it be possible if you could post a clearer translation so we could more easily understand the large number of interesting concepts in it?

Seperately, this month's special heads of government terrorism summit provide's an additional opportunity for horse-trading on the wording of the future terrorism bills (laws). It would be unfortunate if Western Australia's odd suggestion that policemen sign their own warrants (permissions) becomes standard Australia-wide.

Posted by plantagenet, Wednesday, 14 September 2005 9:24:35 AM>
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Unwillingness (or simply i n c a p a b i l i t y caused by the all system of a local education) to understand a different opinion is probably the most polite word to characterize institutionally racist local reality. Thus, should one be wondering for suggestions ergarding either probable future or preventing it, proposals?

And spell/grammar checking is OK.

BOAZ - nice to see you've calmed down a bit.

If there is a 'prevailing culture' now, it's one that accepts (or at least should accept) multiculturalism. The concept of the 'aussie way of life', a very vague idea in itself, includes a 'live and let live' policy. It does not suggest people from other backgrounds be forced to live the way we do, simply because we share the same soil.

What Col was suggesting was thinly disguised fascism. 'Do it our way or face the consequences' has never been part of our democracy (or culture, for that matter).

Besides, how does it affect you if people have different beliefs, philosophies, clothes, whatever? Your lifestyle is not threatened. So don't threaten theirs.

I strongly believe that the more variation there is in a culture, the stronger society becomes as a result.

That's why I have to laugh when I see things like those bumper stickers on cars that say 'F- Off, We're Full'. Cause last time I checked, Australia had a decent chunk of space. Also, these stickers are usually on utes owned by redneck trash with seven howling inbred spawn kids riding on back. I mean, seriously. Worried about the country filling up? Stop having kids!!

Some people!

Regretfully, at the time of the Tampa incident much hatred was published on the Internet. In fact, I published later in 2002 in my book;

INSPECTOR-RIKATI® and the BANANA REPUBLIC AUSTRALIA
Dictatorship & deaths by stealth- Preliminary book edition on CD
ISBN 0-9580569-3-5

There were Australians then making clear they were willing to go out and shoot refugees as to stop the terrorist coming in!

This is what our society has been reduced to, showing hatred to people, not be cause they did something wrong, but because politicians purported this to be so. The “CHILDREN OVERBOARD” is a clear example. The “WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION” is another CON JOB.

Then take the TELSTRA issue;
8BY Winding?up of Telstra not prevented by this Act
This Act does not, by implication, prevent Telstra being wound up in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001.

Just ask yourself what security have we got at all that the sale will present the benefit to the people in the bush, and anywhere else for that matter, if it is closed down altogether?

We are conned left-right and centre by the very people who are to represent us, and now terrorized by the same as to rob us more and more of our civil rights.

How many times have terrorist legislations been implemented without being used and we will continue this merry go around each time somewhere in the world something happens, regardless if it never happens here.

Lets be realistic, nothing in the world will stop person determined on a terrorist attack!
We can however seek to minimize it by not attacking each other but to combine our efforts. Currently the so called anti terrorist laws only divide the nation!

And, for any suicide bomber, it hardly make one of iota difference if he can be imprisoned for 2 days, or 2 years, without trial as his aim is to kill himself, and so not worried about draconic laws. We THE PEOPLE, are suffering because of it, as untested legislation keeps getting absurd more and more, and we are then the victim of those terrorist laws!

All this talk of 'con jobs', and conspiracy theories!? At times I'm half expecting somebody to start rambling on about Mossad agents really being responsible for September 11, and President Bush being part of a sect that dresses up naked in the Apalations before sitting down to sing songs about economic empires around an open camp fire...

Have any of you leftist activists stopped to consider that the true heroes of the left- Luther King, Torrijos, and Guevara-died years ago, along with Vietnam and contemporary warfare? I don't think you have because your objectivity is still clouded by your desire to tell stories of civil disobedience, and brag about 'causes.' Terrorism is a real threat to Australia, and there is NO justification for it.

No matter how terrorism is motivated it is still terrorism. The day that was lost sight of was the day terrorists gained legitimacy, and stole attention from the true statesman. In fact one can draw a line between Al Qaeda and Peaceful Arab Activists similar to that between Illegal Immigrants, and those who queue.

There is no difference between children being thrown into the ocean, and finding themselves submerged after a boat propelled by organised crime sinks. Just as there is no difference between bombing a bus for no reason, and bombing it to get your point across. Both options are misguided, misjudged, and plain wrong.

Analysing the ‘terrorist threat’ situation in a balanced manner is the key here.
We should consider the international threat real to some extent, in that we western nations have been approaching this point since the first Gulf war- since the US decided to take advantage of instability in the Middle East. We should therefore have an appropriate level of intelligence regarding threats to this Nation.
Creating a sense of paranoia regarding this situation is definitely not the correct thing to do. Government & the media should be held accountable for the presentation of the problem accordingly.
Changes to legislation should be highly specific & target only what needs to be. This does not appear to be the case at this moment, assuming we have the complete facts regarding the deportation of Scott Parkin. A somewhat stupid move on the part of the Federal authorities, me thinks. Harassment of the Peace Movement is not a good idea. Target the right people or expect further public dissent.
The bottom line is that dialogue should be opened with those that threaten us. If we can’t do this, we should question why not? What stops us reaching an agreement with our foe? Ultimately, are we the problem? A Full deconstruction of the situation, & no less.
Then, & only then, should we make decisions regarding changes to legislation, preferably through referenda..