I am not surprised by patriotic Aussies who are violently upset by Bruce's honest and insightful article, but I am dissapointed. Bruce is merely mentioning an unpleasant truth about Australian culture, and somewhat understating the case, if anything.

Acknowledging the truth is vital to making real changes.

ozbib
Welcome! You know the truth and you are brave enouph to tell the truth!
Stay here! Cansel your trips to the other planets and fight for the truth and justice on our planet, especialy in Australia.
You have a friend!
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

"at least it's obvious to those of us who aren't blinded by racism. As a nation, Australia was founded on racist ideology"
Dear CJ
Australia was colonized by Britain in 1788. The idea of a racial hierarchy (ie a system of stratification that focuses on the belief that some racial groups are either superior or inferior to other racial groups) developed much later and helped to rationalize the treatment of Australia's indigenous population by Colonial and later Australian governments and to shore up the White Australia Policy. However I'm not convinced that Australians,as a whole, still support this view. Given the incredible melting pot that Australia has become, only a very small minority believe in a racial hierarchy. Apart from some ethnic groups, intermarriage among the "races" has become the norm. Ideas of racial superiority just don't make sense in this context.
This does not mean unfortunately that disparaging remarks about one's colour or ethnic group are still not made in Australia. But then people wearing glasses are still called "four eyes".
Regards
Blair

I'd not heard the term "reverse racism" before. Learn something new every day. Us 'whities' are not the only racists here in Australia; but it's not normally PC to say so. Open your eyes.

Antonios,
I do not know why the Lebanese muslims are like they are. I was hoping you could inform me. Perhaps you could find out from any migrant contacts you have in Sydney. Most Sydneysiders will be forthcoming with opinions on 'Lebs'.

You are not the first to say Lebanese have a good reputation in Europe, another poster on OLO has stated that she found them 'lovely people' in the Middle East. So I do not disbelieve you.

As I said before, we do not seem to have the same problems with other muslims or non-muslim Lebanese. But 'Lebs' certainly have a poor reputation here and that goes back well before the gang rapes era of 2000. As I understand it, the first big intake was about 1975 to 1980 during the time of the civil war in Lebanon.

They are well known for gang bashing of anglos, arrogance, rudeness and anti social behaviour. Their attitude to females is demanding, rude and dominating. Some have even refused to be served by a female shop assistant and/or assesed by a female doctor or nurse. Female workers such as police, ambulance, teachers, shop assistants and receptionists have made many complaints over the years about 'Lebs'. There has been difficulty in getting teachers to go to schools in some areas because of the attitude of 'Leb' students.

'Leb' have no respect for our police and are contemptous of our courts and justice system. During the trials of the gang rapists, friends and relatives, of the prosecuted, hissed and spat on the victims as they went to and from the courtroom. Constant interjections from the gallery with one yelling out 'Whats wrong with f#####g a whore'. Such is their respect for females.

They have been here now for 2-3 generations and seem resentfull of being here and even seem contemptous of other muslims.

According to todays paper there are 56000 Lebanes in Sydney, that were born overseas. I really do think it is time we stopped importing 'Lebs'

Regarding racism, as my mother used to say, not all whites are guilty and not all blacks are innocent.

In other words, make your mind up about people based on what they do, and see their actions for what they are without the preconditioning.