In addition, the piece trys to set out, very sketchily, why the asylum claims of the Sierra Leone athletes have been met with silence. I meant to add a little more about Enlightenment thinking and the faith put in universal law through the Scientific Revolution, Newtonian physics and the Lockean ideal of equality before the law, which is the origin of universal human rights law. I imagine there is another piece a refugee advocate could write that simply details the lack of interest Australians in general have shown for the plight of asylum seekers in general.

Of course I am dismayed that the piece has attracted assimilationist zealouts, as this issue always does, like flies to sticky paper. As I said this the worst time to raise this issue, and I knew the risk, but this had to weighed against the claims of the Sierre Leone athletes.

I try to point out that we pedestal westerners have plenty of cultural practices that could be considered 'barbaric', yet we reserve that nicety from primitivism for first nation peoples, and here in Australia for migrants in general.

I absolutely support the ideal of multiculturalism, I absolutely support refugees in the claims for asylum here and abhor this governments' migration policies. I support the principal of coexistence across all racial differences, be it the high court Wik decision on land rights on pastoral leases, be it Isreal and Palestinian independent statehood.

However, where cultural practices violate human rights I advocate the protection of those at risk, and sorry to be a 'feminazi' here, but those at risk from harmful 'traditional' practices are overwhelming women and girls. This shouldn't, of course, exclude boys rights to protection in all instances.

Thanks again

I believe there is nothing worse in the literary world than writers, who hold the floor with a published piece, then make comments about comments on their opinions.

They had their chance to speak their mind in the original article. It's supposed to be a statement of their opinion. It's extremely bad form, I believe, to then turn around and start chatting about what they really meant, or forgot, or were too busy to say.

Perhaps some writers should preview their writing a little more fully before submitting it - if they wish to be taken seriously.

Maximus, thats one approach and I see some value in it. I much prefer those authors who come back and discuss the issues with us. I've never liked the sermon format very much and really enjoy the kind of process which happens on OLO sometimes.

The wonders of diversity.

R0bert

Liz, its always refreshing when a writer actually becomes involved, thank you. You explained, the reason for your article lacking the content you wanted. But doesn't make up for your lack of statistical fact.

“However, where cultural practices violate human rights I advocate the protection of those at risk, and sorry to be a 'feminazi' here, but those at risk from harmful 'traditional' practices are overwhelming women and girls. This shouldn't, of course, exclude boys rights to protection in all instances. “

This does seem to fly in the face of reality, considering world statistics and the fact 60% of males in the USA are mutilated as babies.

World statistics.
http://www.noharmm.org/HGMstats.htm

You also conveniently forget the huge number of boys mutilated in tribal and religious rituals around the world. Culturalism causes this, that's why multiculturalism doesn't work, as we're seeing increasingly throughout the world.

Certainly compassion for the oppressed is what all sensible people should be about, but not at the expense of stability and peace. Its religious culture that's the problem, not geographic culture which always benefits other societies. We can embrace all positive benefits of cultural difference, but to also accept religious culturalism, is just asking for trouble as seen everywhere.

My reason for the feminazi comment, was because you have failed to include all child gender mutilation, in preference to misleading feminine bias. “traditional' practices are overwhelming women and girls”

OMG,

Australia needs people coming here who cut thier own children, sew lips up and go on hunger strikes as though we need a collective hole in the head. Even bringing those who dont from the same countries is just bringing more crap to grab a dole cheque.

When are the leftist crap in this land going to realise that they are selling our citizenship way too cheap.

Sickend

God bless your soul RObert. I really mean that mate.

I've said it before, and I know it's the truth, you're a better man than I.

When I write stuff, I make a statement. I don't know any other way to do it. I put my reputation and my guts and my balls on the line. I'm not talking about this forum stuff here, I'm talking about writing that I do elsewhere. Where? Don't you worry about it, you probably wouldn't like it. It's too strong for moderates like you. It's your nature to allow others to slap (turkey slap?) you across the face so you can turn the other cheek. Folks like you will inherit the Earth one day, and you deserve it.

Meanwhile, I'll keep on fighting in the gutter to make the world a better place for the likes of yourself, who are too moderate to call a spade a shovel.

Some of us are still warriors. Some of us have still got spines. Some of us aren't afraid to stand up and speak our minds and if required, die for it. But don't you worry, you'll inherit the Earth one day. One day, long after I'm gone and forgotten.

God bless you Robert. Make sure you never get any dirt on your hands.

Besides, when I write, I never, never, never, make any excuses for what I've written. Even if I learn that what I've written is wrong. That's the difference between a man and a woman - a man stands or dies on his responsibility for his own actions. He makes no excuses. A man, a real man, accepts his responsibilities. But then, a real man does stuff, for which he can take some responsibility for. Some others take the middle ground - it's comfortable for them.