Here we have an example of what I think most Aussie's see as a challenge to our beliefs and morals. I think Peter has put his point forward in as fair a way as possible without cause to insite more hatred. What I see this episode though is us resenting that other cultures are permeating our society with ideas that challenge a lot of the beliefs we were bought up with.

I don't think violence is the answer to anything, however to some it seems it this (and I am not exluding our own culture from this). I do not blame religion as a direct cause, but we as Australians may see an easy blame to say it's 'just Muslims'. Sure the middle eastern culture has developed a lot DUE to this religion, but they're simply ways that this culture has grown on a different path to ours.

We are all accepting of various things, but I think we're slowly degrading into a state of unrest due to our complacency. I agree with the anti-terror laws, it's just a shame that this may end up in further hatred coming our way from those of middle eastern decent. It makes me wonder now, has this riot scenario only come about sooner because of our fear? I know when I've walked down the street, and I've seen someone of middle eastern origins, I have to stopped to think "Hey, is that guy someone I can trust?". I know though that these fears could be unfounded, but with a culture so hell-bent on destroying all 'infidels', is it not reasonable that these fears are amongst us all?

I come from a minority group, most of us have been treated in some way as a minority. We just all react differently to it, whether we are one or see someone as being part of one. Our culture just needs to learn from this. It may take some time, but I only hope that in the end we can all show the world who we are as a peaceful place, and live together in acceptance.

People,
I agree with Peter’s article that members of different communities and including the media should calm down regarding the race problems. However, it should be quite unacceptable if they back down and hide behind the "multiculturalism" label that Australians have draped themselves into.

People have to understand that there will be young people that behave violently across the world. It was drastic for everyone to jump into the topic which media helped to fuel more . I think that’s where things turned into more explosive forms.

Especially, it's really frightening that the idea of white supremacy is back among the young white people of Australia. Into the 21st century this sort of mentality is unacceptable. Are we going to witness the birth of an AUSTRALIAN HITLER now? People are also, in the end, accusing Muslims because they can't integrate into the Australian society. Can't they? Do they have to? What is “Australian way of life”? Living near the beach and drinking beer with mates? NO, ITS NOT. The most important thing, no matter where you are from, is to acknowledge, accept, tolerate, and respect other cultures and beliefs. So what if someone doesn’t drink alcohol or have their own dress code? They still have the right to be Australian. And any white Australian, who favors the comment, "Fly back where you came from", let me tell you this, the WHITE Australians also must consider going on board of a ship and leave this land to its rightful owner, the Aborigines. Mere decedents of convicts have no right to ban immigration.

However, I am in no way critical of the "thugs" only. I firmly believe that the young people of the so named "middle-eastern" origin have a huge fault in the way the behave. There can be various of reasons behind that. This type of behavior is certainly not Australian. And if they can't mend their ways then them don’t have the rights to remain in society. But lets be sensible and make them pay through the law.

Lets say NO to Violence. Let Humanity and Equality lead the way.

PERICLES, you are British !, you have not been here long enough to know just how ‘serious’ the bashing of life guards is to our culture and identity. Please read Romans 13 about ‘pacifism’ and the role of the State. While we remain law abiding, there is no conflict.

IN THE INTERESTS OF A PEACEFUL AUSTRALIA.

Now that Cronulla has been “locked down” for a few days, by a very temporary police presence, thugs are now choosing their victims in places like Castle Hill and Rhyde.
The defenseless individuals targeted are asked “Are you Aussie” and if they answer ‘yes’ they are assaulted mercilessly because they are Australian.

This is racism at its worst.

ACTION PLAN:

OBJECTIVE: LAWFUL REASONABLE RESTRAINT AND CITIZENS ARREST.
(subtitle: There will not be 400+ police in your area 365 days of the year)

To all fellow Australians, I urge you to adopt something along the following lines.

1/ RESIDENTS MEETINGS in all suburbs, (on a street by street basis) for the appointment of Co-ordinators.(OIC officer in charge-preferably people of military background and experience)

2/ ROBUST DEFENDERS should be identified in footy, soccer clubs, gyms and other networked social groups. Who will familiarize themselves with basic self defense.

3/ COMMAND STRUCTURE established for quick and efficient mobilization of citizens defense squads.

4/ WARNING signals set up, perhaps Air Horns, or an electronic siren.

5/ RESTRAINT equipment such as large cable ties etc. on hand

6/ DEFENSIVE equipment such as Capsicum spray in each house.

7/ EXERCISES carried out to test response times and comms effectiveness. This 2 B done at a street level and multi street level.

On the sounding of the Siren/Warning 2IC will call for assistance from POLICE while OIC will lead the street apprehensions.

In the event of an attack the perpetrators are to be taken and restrained in a citizens arrest, evidence gathered, and held until police arrive.

Any number plates of fleeing perpetrators cars to be noted.

IF YOU ARE ACCOSTED...

1/ Hide your wallet-(with your licence,name)
2/ Practice a ‘foreign’ sounding ‘Me.. no.... English’ looking ‘blank’ at your attackers.

Boazy

An organised, trained and equipped "home guard" has often been suggested, in times of war.

Against 20-30 Middle Eastern "brothers" (or other racist thugs) some of whom may be armed, the guard would need its own weapons. Guards would need to be fit, have a detailed knowledge of assault, arrest and other legal areas to protect themselves from being sued by the thugs.

As guards will witness considerable law breaking they will need to become accustomed to facing thugs in court as witnesses.

So I see inherent problems in civilianising the sharp ends of policing. I think citizen's arrest on a minor or mass scale would invite retaliation by well recognised thuggish groups who seemingly live to fight.

POLICE CAN HANDLE IT

I agree that the large number of police shipped in from all over NSW are unsustainable and largely a political embarrassment reaction.

The Lebanese gangs "etc" are obviously lying low until the police numbers can again be largely ignored.

I think the only way for this issue to be handled month by month, year in year out, is to employ many more police in trouble spots, permanently.

This will take an increase in national, state and local taxes but in a normal state of law (without states of emergency and other political event making).

There's no substitute for a legally knowledgable, fit, state run police force.

IMMIGRATION - In terms of revenue raising (for this) - increased entry fees (including family reunion "scams") for all but tourist visas should be boosted. If we only get those who can raise the non-refundable fees (Hong Kong Chinese, rich Americans, hard working kiwis etc) this may put many review lawyers out of work but it’s a price we must shoulder.

Johnny Howard has been very quiet about the discomfiture of the NSW State LABOR Government over the immediate mess. I'd expect the Federal Government will rightly use this as an opportunity to tighten immigration measures.

Attacks on the legitimate state of law and order always make me especially “moderate”.

FINALLY,

Some actual intelligent response from the communities. They propose imposing sever restrictions upon their own youth in order to prevent continued escalation. IT is a good idea, however it would need to be particularly effective, in order to prevent the continuation of the status quo.

One thing that amazes me is the message they are putting out that it is no longer fun or a game! Intidimation, threats and violence and hanging around in groups of 30+ seeking to impose their will on ordinary people HAS apparently been a fun game to this point. Perhaps this should also be challenged.

However, I wish them luck. They may or may not be able to prevent the continued violence (and escalation thereof) from their own communities, but lets see how it works in the face of continued pressure from mobs of Australians that have copped it in the past and like being on top again.

I think that they may have cut it fine, civil unrest foments, and takes a long time to erupt, however it is even harder to stop, and it will only need a couple of hotheads.

The other problem is that memories are long, and it will not take much in the future to return to the brink, therefore any measures implemented to prevent the violence will have to become standardised, long-term measures, because the abyss they skirt aint mutually by any means, but it is assured destruction for them.

>>you are British !, you have not been here long enough to know just how ‘serious’ the bashing of life guards is<<

Interesting position, and very illuminating, Boaz.

Why did you put the word 'serious' in quotes? I guess even you saw how lame the concept is. The Aussie lifeguard is an icon, of course, but where on the same scale would you put beating up off-duty police? Higher? Lower? Be realistic, thuggery is thuggery.

And while you are at it, how long does one have to be here in order to qualify to have an opinion? Five years? Ten? Twenty? Give me a clue, so that we can start segregating you real Aussies, steeped in the traditions of the country and with the right to say how we run our lives, from those of us who simply will never understand.

Your recipe for resolving the problem is pure Colonel Blimp fantasy, of course. Stick to preaching.