The main reason I don't understand gz's question is because I can't discern whether he wants to know why the extremist Taliban gained control in Afghanistan, or why terrorists like Al Qaeda were located there. In either case, that's not what the Four Corners program was about.

I note that the increasingly shrill Islamophobic invective is becoming more personal, following gz's belligerent lead. I'm not making excuses for antisocial behaviour by young Muslims - I'm trying to understand why it happens, in order that we might be able to find ways for groups of Australians who evidently hate each other to somehow live together peacefully.

Also, there is far more to marginalisation and alienation than simply poverty. Terrorism wasn't invented by Muslims, but when it's combined with the extreme ideology of Islamism it is indeed something that threatens all of us. However, the solution isn't mass, blatantly racist beachside thuggery in response to isolated acts of racist thuggery - the retaliatory attacks after the Cronulla riot is evidence of that.

Certainly, better policing is part of the answer, but it isn't the role of the police to be community workers. Certainly, the Islamic community needs to be more proactive in promoting integration within the wider community, but they can hardly be blamed for feeling defensive in the face of the blatant displays of Islamophobia that have become more commonplace since 9/11 and Australia's sycophantic membership of the 'Coalition of the Willing' - who are widely perceived even by moderate Muslims to have declared war on Islam, which they have simply renamed 'Terror'.

Lastly, AJFA/Leon - don't you think it's rather low to post as emphatically and abusively as you have in defence of your woeful article without identifying yourself as its author?

Thought I'd respond to the responses to my earlier post:

Bigmal, you stated: "n the meantime the score for violents acts by muslims against others since 9/11,somewhere in the world, is now over 11,000."

Did you mention the hundreds of thousands of muslims that have died during western actions in the middle east?

Look - I'm honestly not one of those who thinks that terrorism can in any way be justified by the sins of the past. We're all accountable for our actions, and those who would attack civilians are reprehensible.

That being said however, many, many civilians - non military - people have died during the course of western retaliation.

Okay - yes, the west has the moral high ground in that we don't attempt to kill civilians. Regrettably, they die anyway.

A dead person is a dead person regardless of intent, and when our governments make stupid decisions that result in people dying, I don't think we can just sit back and use that 11,000 number in the manner you have.

So yep. It was very one sided.

Paul the intent argument I put forward there goes for you as well. I never implicity accepted it as an attack on Islam, I'm more in line with the cynic's attitude that the west is protecting its interests.

AJFA, in regard to anti muslim sentiment, I'd say that you're right in that some actions by muslims youths contribute to a negative perception. But you appear to be dismissing Sally Neighbour's contention that harassment is also to blame.

I'd say it's a combination of both. I concurred that Neighbour didn't examine sufficiently the notion that some acts by muslims have contributed to this perception.
You however, didn't accept the validity of her concerns either.

As long as both sides are just hurling insults and insisting they're the innocent victims, we're locked in a spiral.
As with most conflicts, neither side is spotless.

I think we're seeing things blown out of proportion, and this is a bad thing as it leads to further ostracism.

Can we agree on that score?

"Lastly, AJFA/Leon - don't you think it's rather low to post as emphatically and abusively as you have in defence of your woeful article without identifying yourself as its author?"

Posted by CJ Morgan, Monday, 17 March 2008 8:22:18 PM
___________________

IS THIS TRUE? You pathetic little man.

You still here, Ginx? I thought you would have kept quiet out of embarrassment concerning your previous ridiculous little rant.

You are a fine one to throw comments like "pathetic little man" about.

What could be more pathetic than someone who says "What BOZO said" and thinks that is a reasoned comment.

Go and play in your sand pit, will you?

AJFA is right,those of CJ Morgan's ilk refuse to let the reality interfer with their ideology.Why are not the Buddists,Jews or Hindus causing us so much angst?The Muslim philosophy is flawed.Just read the Koran and the bile it preaches.

We cannot allow vile and uncivilised ideals pervert our culture in the name of religious tolerance.End of debate

G'day green slime!

You wouldn't be yet another sock puppet?