Thanks so very much, Mercurius, for letting in so much historical light.

If you don't mind one going on, mate, your philosophies are like a breath of fresh air.

Also hope you are young, so that unlike many of us oldies, you can carry on bringing out those so much needed lessons of history.

Myself I have just lost my dear wife and getting a bit old for it.

George C, WA

Lovely article.

It's true. Schools today do not, in general, create powerful, independent-minded people.

It's right to teach students to question everything, but in the context of learning to thrive and flourish.

I think we have an interesting opportunity to create a new type of chain of cheap private schools, that could compete in price with the 'spirit-filled'/Pentecostal type of private schools in the outer suburbs.

Today's ruling class faces a terrible dilemma. If you make people smart, their expectations will be raised and they will be a threat. If you keep people dumb, Australia will fall behind in the race to make a profit.

Many menial jobs nowadays require a reasonable amount of skill and mental flexibility. There is just so much thinking to be done.

So a chain of schools turning out smart, empowered and really well educated adults - who are capable of passing exams, but also understand that they are hollow - will be in great demand.

Finally, a way to outflank the pseudo-left dominance of the teaching profession.

David Jackmanson
http://www.letstakeover.blogspot.com

What is the pseudo-left?
http://www.lastsuperpower.net/disc/members/568578247191

The blog explains it all, Rancitas. Ugly is as ugly does. You are certainly, shall we say, individualistic. Good on you.

@ MERCURIOUS

No mate.. you're not wasting your breath at all.

I totally agree about the noble Brits leaving us at their political convenience etc..not only Singapore, but also at Gallipoli.

I didn't suggest that the background to our current situation is without warts.. I insisted they be taught and you highlited a couple of them.

The reason I pointed back to Tours and Vienna, is simple. Had those battles been lost, the others to which you refer would not have occurred. There would never have been 'Nazism' etc... the world would have been submerged in a sea of Islamic darkness and evil.
Considering that apostacy is punishable by death, young Adolph would not have made it to first base under an Islamic regime.

So, I believe that Tours and Vienna were far more pivotal than any other subjequent event or war which arose after them in terms of our freedom today to choose. Admitedly, there have been some challenging moments SINCE those battles, and in many ways equally pivotal, but they simply would not have occurred if Islam had been triumphant back then.

I know I make some of my posts 'rather colorul' .. but I betcha one thing.. you don't forget em :) ?

My strategy is always to be or say a 'headline' of controversial nature, and pick up the pieces later with more balanced discussion.

To me, one of the most important discussions we can have today is on the "big" picture of history, and it should include the waxing and waning of European history in all its guts and glories, and in particular, we would see that a 'Christian' state, is not something to be desired. This is because the 'brand' of Chrisitanity supported by a state, will view alternative brands as heretical and threatening.

What I support is a 'soft' Christianity in politics. Howard is Anglican, Costello is Baptist, Abbot is Catholic, it shows that within the mainstream Christian traditions, a government can work. (even though it might not work in the way I would like on some issues)

OOOPS..... @ Graham Young....

I heard a pastor speaking once, and he said "I can never remember those who came out of the church and said 'Good sermon, Pastor', but those who criticized me... aah -I remember them all".. *smiley*

Graham... I scanned my post for 'The West is great'...and I find nothing ... what I did say is 'the West is FREE'.

Freedom and greatness are not the same.

I mentioned specifically 'warts' in our history, and emphasized that these should indeed be taught. The reason is, if we don't teach the 'warts', we would end up with mindless jingoistic nationalism of the type we see in North Korea or Nazi Germany.

The point I'm apparently stumbling to make is this:

Lets have an INFORMED and intelligent view of ourselves and our place in history, based on full discussion of important events and not a sanitized or politically correct one. We should also attribute the correct 'WEIGHT' to specific events. (Tours and Vienna are totally trivialized, yet are pivotal)

For me, this definitely would lead to a much more cautious and protective approach to immigration, education and our national direction. It would also enable young people to have a sense of being part of something noble, by virtue of its honesty.

I don't mind Mercurious response.. its all good :)

Boaz, happy to substitute "free" for "great" but I still think your examples are bizarre. Our freedom doesn't depend on particular battles but on the strength of the philosophy and ethics that under-pins our culture.