This is just my take and I do sympathise with the harshest of Irfan's critics because I used to think that way myself for a long time.

Can't see a problem with the article or with Muslims. I don't feel the slightest bit threatened by Islam. Muslims are not about to take over anything. That is complete paranoia in my opinion. And even if they did, to be honest, I wouldn't mind. Most Muslims do not hold to Wahabi-ism - & the vast majority of Wahabis are not terrorists & never will be. Even the ascetic Wahabis go to Bahrain on the weekend and for holidays to enjoy the freedoms there like alcohol. Some see that as hypocrisy. I see it as allowing people to enjoy life on the one hand, but having a refuge of decency (Saudi Arabia) on the other. A kind of symbiosis. I hope they never change Saudi. I respect the fact that they, like some other places, will never change despite pressures from the US to open up (& become more like them).

As a conservative, I think we can benefit from some Islamic conservatism in Australia, which to me is far too liberal, eg lacking in basic values like respect for police, elders, teachers, leaders & people in general. The reason some Muslims (especially Arabs) play up when they come to Aus is because it's like going from school to living on college campus and they don't know how to handle the total freedom so some go beserk. This has to be countered, no question.

(contd)

(contd)
Before I lived in the Middle East, I had a deep distrust of Muslims. I really felt threatened by them (mainly due to the press). I was especially irked by Lebanese. Not now. I've been here too long & met too many (Arabs in general). Trust me. They are fine. Really nice people. I've never felt safer in all my life. Much more so here than in Aus or the UK. I often get greeted by a handshake with the words, 'asalam walaykum' - praise/thanks be to God. Occasionally even by strangers. Can't imagine ever being greeted that way by westerners. And can't imagine westerners greeting Arabs as warmly either. A few Muslims proselytise, but for mine, Christians do it more. (not that I feel threatened by them either).

No, the bigger threat is racism, nationalism, & do-gooder far-leftism (& their neo-con siblings). I used to be a neocon but now paleocon best describes me, realising that neocons have a lot in common with the loud do-gooder elements on the left. In fact few may realise that the neocons were a militant leftist group (a good proportion of them Jews) that abanandoned the left for the right in the 60s/70s because they saw the left as being too soft internationally. Also a bunch of troubleosome do-gooders who won't rest until they spread democracy to all parts of the earth at all costs.

PS Irfan, you again criticise B_D , yet he hasn't even posted on this thread. Let's not get paranoid. You should also follow your own advice & read carefully & you'll find he's most definitely not a bigot. Also, it's Dennis Prager, not Dick Prager

Thanks Irf, I'll carry the tag bigot you wear racist religious supremacist. Barack Obama is worthy cus he's black. Trouble with you whinging leftwing nut jobs is that you never focus on your own door step. The Republican party has no fear of a Barack Obama dim wit. Barack Obama is a God send and is going to split the Democratic vote in twain. Jane. It's your fellow lefties that are trashing Obama cuz he threatens their vote pool. It's the Dems that started the 2008 Election this year not the Republicans. It's the left that is swamping lefties shows like Jon Stewart's The Daily Show and every other leftie toy morning programmes and talk radio. Get a clue retard.
And if you don't like those names keep a civil tongue.

Irf,
did you really pass the bar exam?

It's funny when people say The Daily Show is left wing - all it does is ridicule the system in place - whatever that system may be. Apparently not bowing heads and accepting whatever the media says = left wing now. Whatever.

TNT,
Would you really not mind if Australia became an Islamic ruled country? Would you like to live here then? I don't believe you.

Women oppressed, not working, not allowed out without chapperones,no education.girls covered from head to toe at beaches, FGM common practise, arranged marriages, women reduced to baby making and child minding machines, whipped or worse for adultery, or for being a victim of rape. You have to be kidding or smoking powerful stuff.

No alcohol allowed, no preaching of other religions allowed. The list could go on infinitem. Your having us on.