I think Joseph Wakim's comments make alot of sense, and I tend to vote Liberal.

Silent do you think it might be worthwhile to look at the way 'political correctness' has contributed to a stifling of debate about race and culture in Australia.

It seems that we can celebrate differences when we are all in 'harmony' but it does feel sometimes that those who wish to discuss these very same differences when they conflict and give rise to problems like those around Sydney are quickly branded racist or intolerant – which, in itself, can be seen as a marginalisation that, it could be argued, has made those who disagree or even just question policies such as multiculturalism more extreme.

OK, guys, lets get a few things straight:
1. I am not afraid of any of you, of Islam, or anybody else. Too old, and like Scarlet, I just don't give a damn.
2. I would love to meet you, Rainier. We could also invite DB, Dawood, Keith, Kay, Scout, Pete, Kalweb, Skid, FH and Irf - to name a few. We could sit down and have a beer, but I don't like the stuff. To say the least, it would be interesting.
3. What I say, I say with passion. In case you haven't noticed, the world has many problems, and one of them is Islam. Yes, there are other problems out there, and I take a stab at them, but not here.
4. Speaking out against Islam is not for the fainthearted. Enough said.
5. Yes, I generalize too much; but as retorical device.
6. I quote mostly from Islamic sources, so if Muslims don't like what I say, then the problem is not old Kactuz. Follow me?
7. Irf, I don't understand that 10% thing. Never said that. Anyway, I owe you and Im good for my promises.
8. Yes, Joseph, criticizing youths may radicalize them, but if you see wrong, you must speak up. It is the lesser evil and the right thing to do.
9. This issue of Islam is both frustrating and amusing. The ability of Muslims to deny the obvious is fascinating, in a strange way. I am more convinced than ever that someone has to tell Muslims the truth, since "our" leaders are not going to do it.
10. I don't do these posting to antagonize Muslims or because I hate them, but because I want them to think. I also want non-Muslims to understand what the ideology that threatens them.
11. So far, I've probably made no difference at all - as far as I can tell. But who cares? So what! I am pessimistic about the future and I think a lot of people will get hurt, probably more Muslims than not. Sad.

Thats it. John

There is no excuse for the bad behaviour on all sides of the recent riots but there is also no excuse why the authorities have not stopped the vilification of young girls and women who in this society dress differently to the society in another part of the world where women are repressed and men can do what they like.
There is no excuse whatever for the violence and law breaking of any gang and pleading ethnicity is no excuse.
Saying some groups are marginalised because of their misbehaviour is stupid.
It is probably understandable that some of the young of the recently migrated families are living in two worlds and that would be confusing but if they cannot or will not agree to abide by Australian
laws and customs, it would be better if the whole families were returned to their homelands.
Australia does not need those who refuse to accept our ways.

Now lets look out for all the leftie contributions telling this guy, the founder of the Australian Arabic Council and a former multicultural affairs commissioner, that he is wrong, that there isn't a "lebanese problem", that the problem is with white Australia, underlying racism, anglo-yobs, yaddee yaddee yadda...

This article paints a picture of a pretty disturbed lot of people. Temperemental people on the back foot, wary of those around them, ready for attacks, ready to make the first strike. It then goes on and tell us they we need to accomadate for this, in the same way you deal with a vicious dog, let him sniff your hand, don't make any sudden movements etc. These aren't dogs of course though, these are humans, but we still need to be careful because for some reason they can't just do the right bloody thing.

Personally I say get stuffed, ship up or ship out, everyone else has managed to. These people are the visitors, the onus is on them to conform, to respect our laws and values. They have brought the so-called demonising on themselves by not doing that.

PS. Where are the articles directed at the Lebanese Muslim community such as this? When are they directed on how they should behave in order to resolve this "problem"? The Lebanese community needs to take a good hard look at itself if this article is any indication of the prevaling mentality.

Mickijo, can you expand a bit on what you mean by 'our ways'?

My wife has just been granted a temporary residents visa and was given a form entitled 'Settlement information for migrants to Australia'. Along with describing the kind of services that are and are not available to new migrants, under the heading 'Australia's multicultural society' is this summary of ‘our ways’:

“There are a few basic principles which all Australians - old and new - must hold. These include loyalty to Australia and acceptance of the basic structures and principles of Australian society - the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion. English as the national language, and racial and sexual equality. It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, sex or religious belief.”

To me this hardly defines our national identity, nor does it give migrants any insight into 'our ways' or how they would be expected to ‘fit in’ to these ways. This dry and sterile definition of what it means to be Australian (I cannot find any more descriptive or inspiring words on the DIMIA website) is probably the result of letting lawyers run the country.

Perhaps it is time to open up the 'what does it mean to be Australian' discussion again. We could work toward defining ‘Australianism’ (sorry for the ugly word, but can’t think of anything better at the moment) and reinvigorate the (I believe worthwhile) vision of a multi-cultural nation.

The resulting new statement of ‘Australianism’ would then form the basis of the citizenship (and residency I would suggest) and provide a solidifying concept of what it means to be Australian –rather than the vague notions that have been tossed around following the Sydney troubles. (It would also make a good opener to the constitution of an Australian Republic but that’s another story……)