Thanks Bushbred

"Geat minds think alike" :)

Oh Boazy (if I can call you that) Yes its also fortunate that the Barbarians pushed the Romans out of Western Europe or we'd all be speaking Latin?

Yes the guy in the head-scarf mentioning Melbourne is significant.

What the real problem with the Federal Government's anti-terror laws are is that its very likely they won't be sufficiently discussed and reviewed before they go into law:

- the ALP can't currently get its act together to mount a decent campaign to get the Government to fully justify the laws.
- the Government's Senate majority means that there will not be the usual level of debate or amendment there (as Barnaby is fairly conservative he'll likely vote yes)
- the Governor General is unlikely to knock back the legislation because he's dependent on Howard and even more conservative.

So the anti-terror laws (even though they deal with a crucial subject) are being rammed through on a wave of fear without standard democratic practices being present.

All I can say is, Thankyou again "multiculturalism", not only does most of our crime come from within a couple of specific ethnic groups (what percentage of those particular groups I don't know exactly, but it must be quite high, considering that combined they are no more than 10% of Australia's population, at utmost, and by my first hand experience as well as looking at the actual violent/drug/gun crimes committed in the local areas where these particular groups live in southwest Sydney, I guage about 80% of all the most violent/pointless/group/drug trafficking/car reburthing crimes mostly involving organised ethnic gangs-according to former police commissioner Peter Ryan- are committed by these two or three particular ethnicities, and I strongly point their ethnicitiy out because they do, they operate racially, they attack for racist reasons, and they steal from the wider Aust. society because they are racist gangs like the KKK or Neo-Nazis and they have no respect at all for anyone who is different. I know first hand because I grew up with all of these people and at times intermingled with them)so that millions if not billions are already being spent there, not to mention the huge human cost of innocent Australians being racially attacked for the past 20 years, now we have a doubling of ASIO's budget as well, because now some of these middle eastern racist kkk gang/thug types are starting to be affected by "hollywood" and want to immortalise themselves, just like those "Columbine idiots".
Tell me, who thinks that it was all worth it. Certainly not the regular Australians who have lived in the "multicultural trenches" for decades now. I saw this coming years ago. Pauline Hanson said that multiculturalism would lead us down the "Yugoslavia path". Well? Is this what is happening? Who laughed at her? The leftwing "Chomskyites" and "Pilgereans".

Good on you, Daryl and Online Opinion, for writing and publishing this article. Those who believe that ASIO is not already profiling and targetting protestors and dissidents need to review carefully the history of ASIO, the precedence that has already been set in terms of "suspecting" anyone who disagrees with the Government of the day. The recent deportation of an American peace activist points the way for the future and thousands of peace activists, such as myself, are aware of the risk of protesting. Actually these latest moves are good in terms of the increased awareness. I recommend two sources of valuable information about this issue: Jenny Hocking's book "Terror Laws" published by UNSW Press in 2004, and the website "Activists' Rights". Perhaps it is time for Australian activists to take some lessons from Ghandi about the longer term effectiveness of civil disobedience. There is a limit to how many people ASIO can detain and interrogate, and the growing numbers of Australians who recognise the march of Howard's fascism will eventually strangle ASIO's and Howard's power base. Let's not forget that the main power comes from numbers, and John Howard is thankfully becoming his own greatest enemy.

Leigh,

What an odd comment. Conspicous compassion? That's why people protest? What about being motivated by a passionate opposition to whatever it is you are protesting against. Were the civil rights marches in the US, supported by millions a shallow display of conspicuous compassion? Were the anti vietnam war rally's in this country also a display of conspicuous compassion? What a ridiculous comment. If you want conspicuous compassion, think Princess Di, think David Hookes, think wearing a coloured ribbon of some description to show you care, think shaving your head or wearing a bandana to cure cancer or a sticker because you gave blood. That's conspicuos compassion. Taking on the establishment because you think what they are doing is wrong is not conspicuous compassion. Risking a fine or time in jail is not conspicuous compassion. The government represents the status quo and the only way to change the status quo is to let them know that what they are doing is wrong. Invading Iraq may well have been about removing a nasty dictator (revenge for daddy's humiliation), but the official line was WMD. That's the problem. Our government lied to us. Does that not worry you? I feel no contempt for protestors, civil disobediance makes democracy work. The only people i feel contempt for are people like you who seem to think that the only way to feel safe is by continual and relentless government regulation of individual freedoms.

Daryl

Thank you for your article.

I can see what you are saying but it really does not disturb me. I think Labor will jump up and down for the sake of jumping up and down - as any opposition should. Even so, I cannot see Federal Labor making too many dents in the new Howard Government proposals. I don't feel that I am losing my rights.

Daryl, aren't we lucky that Lithium Latham/Looselips Latham/Hurricaine Mark is not heading up Government with regard to such decisions? With him in charge, we probably would not have had any anti-terrorism laws.

Bushbred

I always enjoy your posts even though they are way above my intelligence, knowledge and understandings. It is always a privilege to read your work. If my WW2 Dad was alive, he would be your age. Thank you very much for what you have done for this wonderful country - any chance of you heading for Canberra?

Cheers all
Ka

PLANTA
we always write from a perspective of self interest :)

I and you are the product of certain historical forces, and I'm rather glad it turned out as it did. We can speak of how things may have been if National Socialism or Marxism had triumphed.

Now, we see the mixed blessing/curse of economic rationalism/capitalism/democracy warts and all. Still, I think we have the best chance to shape it under a democratic framework.

I don't think it was the Barbarians who pushed Rome out of Western Europe, but speaking latin would not be such a biggy, as long as we are able to practice our Christian faith, and to propogate it, which would not be the case under Islam. ('Practice ok,until u die out, or convert, but propogate NOOOO'.

Do a search on "Draft Afghan Constitution" and see if there is anything about how the Christians are to be 'dealt with' .....

Even in relatively liberal (some states) Malaysia, there is quite a stir going on about Malay Muslims embracing Christ, and thus committing apostacy by Islam.

As to the article though, I think its a bit like the horse has bolted.
I think along with these measures (which can be reviewed in time) we must adopt stricter immigration and citizenship conditions along with striving to define 'Australian identity' in terms of Anglo European-ness, with a non marginalizing approach to minorities. (though by default they may 'feel' a bit that way until they assimilate)