If Ruddock is the AG he's cracked up to be, wouldn't he have anticipated the problems he's caused for academics?

Then again, maybe he did. If research found that terrorism isn't such a big threat after all, or that it would be relatively easy to stop it, then we wouldn't have to be the country that hangs out of GW Bush's bottom, would we?

And what would happen then? We'd have to get on with minding our own business and looking after our own and maybe not selling our souls to big, fat American companies.

We might have to quit being totally paranoid and start thinking about where we're going and what we want for our future.

What if we decided we don't want or need to be an American outpost?

Better to keep those pesky academics intimidated until we can organise to replace the Union Jack on our flag with the Stars and Stripes.

Interesting article,

Boaz,

If there is a medal or an oscar for intellectual dishonesty, you get my vote. It is not nice to invite people to your discussion and leave them and hide here.

Question: do you believe you are a good spokesman/ representative of your faith?
Could there be a chance that Jesus and Mohammed (pbut) are maybe having Ramadan iftar together now? :-)

Happy Ramadan my angry friend, its time for prayer and reflection.

Peace,

T

Boaz,
Regarding selective quotes from the Koran. It's all about context.

For example, in Luke 19:27, Jesus orders killed anyone who refuses to be ruled by him, or In Deuteronomy 13:6-16, where the Lord instructs Israel to kill anyone who worships a different God or who worships the Lord differently.

Pretty clear cut, even by your own standards.

Understanding has to be the first step toward any resolution of this problem, not just more of the same.

Sneeky said:

"if we left Afghanistan and tried to help them grow something better than opium - our failure to eradicate it is tacit consent to grow it-"

A better approach (humanly_speaking)would be to give them one season and an alternative crop to change to, and if they failed to do so, promise them that one more crop of Poppies will be 100% decimated. No mercy.
They would need some overlap assistance, but a look at the economics of how much they are paid by the drug buyers might reveal its not that costly. They would probably fight this, literally. So, finish them. Kill all the men, allocate the women and children to other non drug selling tribes, level the village. (they will understand because this was Mohammed's approach toward Jews)

But the politics of "protection of our interests" does not go very far these days.

I disagree that getting out of Afghanistan would be wise or reduce the ultimate terror/radical_Islamist threat. Remember THAT was where Australians learned to use explosives. We were not in Iraq or Afghanistan at that time I believe.

"Selective Quote" and Context :) yes.. but my quote was 100% spot on in that area.

Wobbles
Jesus words in Luke, formed part of a 'parable' and you should know that there is 'one central point', it is not an allegory mate nor a command of Jesus it was the command of the King in the parable :)
Deut13:6-16. Yep,tough, but not seditious.

F.H.
Yusuf Ali "Allah's curse be on them"
Pickthall "Allah (Himself) fighteth against them"
Shakir "may Allah destroy them"
Khalifa "GOD condemns them"

Context 'Treaty breakers' right ? But the point is, they are not to be fought for breaking a treaty, but for their polytheistic ways :)
"Adding Jesus to Allah"
9:29 "Fight BAck" ? hah ! Just like Mohammed 'fought back' at Khaiber.
(by invading an unsuspecting tribe who had not invaded him-u justify pre-emptive attacks ? good welcome to our world)

Marylin... still frothing with naivity. Arab conquerers never did that kind of thing, looking after their interests..did they :)

Clearly, since the secularity of Australia is enshrined in the Constitution, the Bible is a seditious document. At the very least, certain passages should be blacked out - and we might need to 'tweak' our immigration program...

Dear Boazy

In the spirit of this discussion diverted totally off the subject by your cute self (AGAIN) I dedicate this slightly modified letter to you:

"ATTENTION CITIZENS LIVING IN GOD'S COUNTRY WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION: A SPECIAL INVITATION FROM THE ...DEPARTMENT OF FAITH TO BECOME A REAL AUSSIE™

The PM Cordially, Yet Strenuously Invites You to Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Your Personal Savior – Before it is Too Late.

Dear Unsaved Liberal Voter:

What exciting times we live in! Today, millions of True Christians™, having splashed voting booths throughout this Godly land with the Blood of the Perfect Lamb, are celebrating God's decision to re-elect our brother-in-Christ, Johnnie H as Oz's most savedest PM ever. Our prayers for a Christ-centered "four more holy wars!" have been answered! And we want you to be part of it!

Yes, for even though you are unsaved (non-Christian), we thank you for your vote! It helped greatly. Indeed, it was the Holy Spirit Himself, who dwells in a sprawling palace on a cumulus cloud hovering over [Canberra], who personally directed your grubby white finger to the [vote right und gut]! Because He knows you, and He loves you, and He understands that you are now only anywhere from 45% to 30% away from signing over half your life's savings to Him.

That's why today, non-Christian quasi-Aussie friend, it's time to get on board 100% with the winning team! Don't risk ending up in Hell and spending a lifetime doggy paddling in the lake of boiling lava while that bloated ignoramus Michael Moore bobs like a pork crackling buoy of singed, bubbling blubber beside you, spitting out his blasphemous research for all of eternity! It's a horrifying thought, but it just a preview of the frightening, sadistic horrors the Lord Jesus has in mind for you if you don't start showering Him with fawning, effusive flattery before He gets around to smiting you and flinging you into Hell.

For the rest see http://www.whitehouse.org/dof/invitation.asp

Pete
http://spyingbadthings.blogspot.com/