In his last article, Bashir Goth savaged the colonialism of the past. In this one he lists the good things that came from colonialism. I suppose that’s progress. He is being honest in his criticism of his religion, but isn’t he just saying what non-Muslims have always said?

He receives plaudits from Fellow Human, yet Fellow Human objects to the same criticism from non-Muslims.

Bashir Goth has been so honest that it will be interesting to see how many pills Irfan prescribes for him.

It’s good for we non-Muslims to hear this stuff from a Muslim. But let’s not get too excited about it. The only thing we can say for sure is that there is probably some hope for Bashir Goth and his family.

Meanwhile, the usual squealing Islamic big mouths are jumping up and down, enjoying the notoriety and ‘victim hood’ they so crave, because of reasoned, perfectly inoffensive remarks made today by Peter Costello about ‘mushy’ multiculturalism and the unwillingness of some immigrants to adopt Australian values and fulfil their part of the bargain. “Why are Australian values better than any other country’s?” asked one Western-attired young woman connected with a youth group, with an Australian accent. “What if we don’t like YOUR values”? asked another. “They should respect us”, from another young Muslim lad. I may have missed it, but I don’t recall Costello using the word “Muslim” once. Admittedly though, we all knew who he was talking about.

It’s going to take a lot more than the honesty of one or two Muslims to give Islam any credence.

Leigh, speaking of which, it only seem the other day that some of Peter Costello's political mates were pushing their own ‘mushy’ religious ideas about an abortion pill. Remember that? Regardless of some immigrants it also seems that there is an unwillingness from some of our politicians to fulfil their part of the bargain and keep religion private and separate from government.

Is this some failing or a form of amnesia?

AUSTRALIAN VALUES...CULTURE (for Ifran)

Slim Dusty..

"Pub with no beer" and
"On the road to Gundagai"
"The Currawongs are calling"

Banjo Patterson

"The man from Ironbark"
"The man from Snowy River"
"Clancy of the overflow"

Henry Lawson's prose.

Chips Rafferty.. actor

Slouch Hats

Ned Kelly, bushranger and Sydney Nolans paintings of him.

Waltzing Matilda

Tom Roberts "Shearing of the rams" painting.

Dad n Dave Radio Serial.
Blue Hills, ditto.

Smokey Dawson and his horse Flash,
Tex Morton, the yodeling boundary rider.

It is Albert Namatjira and his surpassing landscapes of central Australia.

It is the tombstones and memorials of the explorers which are often found on the side of the road...

Its meeting your friend and his wife (like I did 2night) and giving him a vigorous handshake, his wife an affectionate hug and kiss on her cheek. (and He mine)

It is the community in the 'bush' gathering to help out a victim of fire, and rebuild a dwelling.

It is the Australian Light horse, straight from the pages of 'Clancy of the overflow' bearing down on the Turk machine guns and artillery in Palestine overunning them in wild bush gallantry.

It is the rats of Tobruk, pounded to the point most men cannot stand, only to stand up again and again to hold the Germans back.

It is the Anzacs of Gallipoli, charging with futility into Turkish machine guns, being cut to shreds.

It is the despair of the farmer who had just one too many droughts.

It is Adelaide, the City of Churches.

WA with mountains of iron, Broken Hill, and Coober Peedy with its opals.

The Gold coast, Sydney Harbour, The Bridge.

Violence is committed by many people in this country, so why are we blaming it all on Muslims? We say that they:

1. Believe in their system of beliefs as superior to that of other people
2. Seek world domination
3. Treat women like sh_t

For each of those statements is a certain degree of truth but in our affirmation of such statements, we become hypocrites.

As white Australians we:

1. Sit in church practicing Christianity on Sunday, then throughout the week flaunt our self-righteousness and moral superiority
2. As a nation, support domination of other countries through our allegiance with the USA
3. Also treat our women like sh_t – have a look at the ABS statistics on domestic violence and you'll be shocked

As regards to the third item, I have a friend in the police force who gets calls about domestic violence nearly every day. He has to go and peel some deranged maniac off his wife, who will no doubt never press charges. Talk about the oppression of women.

Of course, we'll see them both in church that weekend.

Bashir/Irfan,
As an observer I have read with interest most posts on the Islam subject, both here and in other places. What this arlice seems to me to be is the old good cop/bad cop situation, my apologies if this is not the case.

I have read posts from David Boaz, and others challenging any muslim to denounce sharia law, world domination, etc. I have also noticed that I have not seen a muslim dispute these two accusations, although there has been ample opportunity.

These feelgood articles only serve to deepen my suspicion of the "real" situation, which no muslim has yet disputed, let alone done so in a convincing manner

Response to Shonga:

Although Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates, its government took several steps that demonstrated respect for religious freedom. The Crown Prince of Dubai donated a plot of land to build St. Mary's church for the Greek Orthodox community in Dubai. The Ministry of Justice hosted an international conference on religion and terrorism that was designed to encourage moderation in preaching and condemn extremism and terrorism. In June 2005, The President issued a law establishing the Zayed Center for Islamic Culture to foster interreligious tolerance and co-existence and to promote a better understanding of Islam in the West.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince received the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, stating that such visits foster friendship, tolerance, and religious dialogue. Ministry of Justice representives participated in the Christmas celebrations of the Arab Evangelical Church in Abu Dhabi and called for religious tolerance. The Minister received Elder Zwick of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to discuss means of enhancing relationships between people of different religions and to confirm the tolerance of Islam. The Government's Religious Adviser unveiled the foundation stone of the Egyptian Coptic Church of the Reverent Antonios, accompanied by the Archbishop of the Orthodox Coptic Church in Jerusalem, the Gulf, and the Middle East.

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51386.htm (Part II)

If you have any problem with the accuracy of this information, please contact Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who may be unaware of the "real situation."