FREDRICH - Why don't you go back tp NAZI GERMANY, IF YOU LOVE IT SO MUCH, AND TAKE alan Jones with you, I am sure you would both be happy together after all Allan Jones has not lived dowm the Englingh toilet
experirnnce of a few years ago, yet. So why should we take his opinion for anything.

Too many of our online sessions seem to be involved with people sniping at one another, something that would not be tolerated in any university discussion.

The problem is that with too much sniping, though somewhat entertaining, we never seem to get to the real core of the terrorist problem, which of course, is simply a people problem. All wars through history, have been caused by people problems, as we know from the Crusades as indeed, we are having one now at it from both sides.

What can be said also that the difference between a university Humanities lecture and our Online talkbacks is that in the Humanities there is the effort, though not always successful, to use reason, part of which is at least a try to believe in the need these days to discuss sharing the blame for terrorism, as recommended by Nelson Mandela, and also incidently by the recently deceased Catholic Pope. Nearly all good Humanities-based history books have sections devoted to blame-sharing, and one believes if it was taught more in high and primary schools it might be a far more friendly world.

It was so enlightening despite the ruckus in Sydney over the weekend to note certain groups of young people, both migrant Muslims and Aussies very much ready to get together and admit that both sides are more than a bit wrong. All one can say, the more of such on our online sessions the better, and even if it went worldwide very much the better. We could ask all Christians and Muslims to pray for it, as well as unbelievers to wish for it, otherwise our great great grandkids on both sides will be cursing us for our lack of wisdom and understanding, or in outback Aussie terms, just plain commonsense.

If you read the following letter and agree with it, copy and forward a copy to your friends, family and any or all relevant State and Federal Members of Parliament. I've had to post it in three sections due to the word restrictions on this forum. Thank you.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NSW MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.

Dear Members Of Parliament,

As a most concerned Australian, I am writing with you in complete dismay at the lack of prior attention to the problems that have been simmering for years within the Middle Eastern Muslim communities of Southern Sydney.

The evidence has been in plain view for all to see and, that this current situation would eventually disintegrate into some form of large scale civil unrest was apparent to any citizen in touch with reality, however for years you have decisively and collectively turned your backs on your responsibility to deal with this matter and in doing so, on the law abiding community that appointed you.

It's abhorrent that throughout these past few days of civic disturbances, the political and media spin on these events has painted the Australian element as being somehow the instigator of all of the trouble.

We have had to witness the Australian born community leaders from Maroubra and Cronulla humbly apologising to the Middle Eastern community (for what was agreeably some pretty unsavoury behaviour by a small number of drunken fascists and a few very frustrated local idiots), though I have yet to hear any reciprocal apology coming from Middle Eastern communities about their own youths' long-term provocation and disgraceful behaviour towards the people of a country that gave their very own parents succour in their time of greatest need.

Our men have been murdered, stabbed, shot at and bashed by Middle Eastern gangs for years while our women have been raped, spat upon and otherwise denigrated yet somehow, we are the cause of the problem, it seems

Will one of you please explain to us all why, as our elected leaders, you continue to make repeated concessions and excuses for the ongoing illegal activities and anti-social behaviour of a large number of members from these communities?

It is more than 'common knowledge around the village' that since the introduction of the National Gun Laws, brought about by the tragedy at Port Arthur, the Middle Eastern communities have continued to steadily build up their stockpile of illegal weapons, particularly firearms, in flagrant disregard for the law of the land.

The Police have been well aware that many Middle Eastern residents of the Southern and Western suburbs of Sydney possess illegal firearms, yet they have chosen to do nothing about seizing these weapons as the law requires. One only needs to recall the Lakemba Police Station being shot up to confirm they are well aware of the situation but are not prepared to act.

But if that wasn't already enough evidence for the police to respond, on the evening news just a few nights ago (13/12/2005), Mick, a Comanchero bikie gang leader of Lebanese decent openly stated that "not since his time back in Beirut had he seen so many firearms as he had in Lakemba on Monday night". He was referring to the large congregation outside the Lakemba Mosque where it was estimated that up to 1,000 men gathered (12/12/2005).

As it is the responsibility of this government to protect the interests of ALL citizens and residents of the state of New South Wales, it is, therefore, your responsibility to persuade the Minister for Police to instruct the Police 'Service' that serves the people of NSW to act upon these serious violations of the National Gun Laws

>> Most of the posts so far have been merely degrading him as a person rather than evaluating his message.<<

This is the classic Flintsone defence, and simply will not wash.

Flint is not just a messenger here, in which case it might be appropriate for his character to be irrelevant. He is in fact the message. If you disbelieve me, try imagining this piece being written by either Peter or Tim Costello. Not possible, eh?

It is therefore totally valid to take into consideration the nature and history of the person stating the position as well as evaluating the message itself.

On a number of counts, one of which is simple honesty, the article is tainted, and it is totally appropriate to recall his history - cash for comment, smarmy letters to shock jocks and all the rest of the sad story - when remarking upon the sheer fatuousness and blind idiocy of the observations he makes.

Give 'em enough rope,
Your observations may be spot on in your letter, but I suggest you try to reduce it to 350 words otherwise busy politiciand will only gloss over the general sentiment of the letter and scan for any action upon which they need to respond.

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I hear Senator Roxon wants now to introduce laws to curb the identification of race in criminal acts, because she believes it vilifies the race. If race is a reason or an identification for the crime then it should be identified. Martin Luther King would agree, and he would have confronted it realistically. The Media may not be able to publish racial identity but the community will not be fooled. When racial tensions rise above the law, the law will be ignored. Any attempt to drive tensions underground only increases greater pressure when it does explode. That was the case with the demonstration fueled with alcohol in Cronulla by the local community males. Suppression of feelings in media and public forums only polarises people underground, it is better they be dealt with at an individual incident. It is like what happens with an abused wife, she may submit till she can take it no longer and then she explodes with a weapon that empowers her.

Most posts I read on this thread are vilification and demeaning abuse of David Flint and Alan Jones. These posts indicate their political bigotry and hostility, rather than addressing the problem posed by the article.

What we need are methods of assisting disfranchised people to assimilate into and participating in all aspects of Australian society; so they call themselves "Australians" not a foreign racial / religious group. Until people are able to participate compatably in all aspects of Australian community, there will be conflict.