Any criticism born of ignorance, mistrust
or hatred is not only ineffectual, it is
harmful and elicits equally pointless
and damaging responses.

Why do we assume a stranger is not like
ourself? Why do we assume that they
have a reduced capacity for human feeling?
Why do we assume that we love more deeply
than they do?

Why do we have hostile agendas against others
who we don't really know when extremists and
trouble-makers exist every where - including
amongst ourselves? Why do we divide people into
"them" and "us?"

Prejudice had made damned experts of us all!

Unfortunately, opinions like this exist in 2010. I would like to know what makes you think you can speak on my behalf? When you say they should fit into 'our' culture, I would be interested to know what your idea of 'our' culture is? White anglo? Well I guess I fit into that category being that I'm of Irish heritage. What about religion? Catholic or Christian fit your template for Australian culture? Ok, well that's one down for me as I'm Muslim. Oh that's right, we should say G'day...because Hi or hello or Shalom or Melhaba is just plain ethnic and unAustralian. Well, I can honestly say I very rarely if ever greet friends and strangers alike, with G'day, preferring for the more foreign greeting of hey or hi.

I am proud to be Australian. Proud to be part of a nation who at least is attempting, if somewhat unsuccessfully, to move beyond its troubled past. It's interesting how people like you are happy to extend a friendly hand to other nations in order to support a lifestyle reliant on their exploitation however speedily withdraw that hand when it suits you. I have news for you this is not 'our' home, unless of course you are Indigenous. You are as ethnic as the rest of us. Australia will never be a homogenous society and I celebrate the fact. Assimilation is an archaic and thankfully fast dying ideology.

You mention not being able to enter some areas due to increased crime rates. Surely, you are not supposing to suggest that only migrants commit crime? And surely, you do not suggest that if we close our borders suddenly all Australia's issues will be solved? Anyway one could go on pointing out the holes in your theory but really, if you are of the opinion that an Australian culture exists that is exclusive of cultural diversity, then you exist in a different reality to the rest of us and thus any further explanation is bound to fall on deaf ears.

Pax, If you are Muslim, your values are not those of Australia or the West. You follow the words and religion of Mohammud. You have submitted to the values of Allah. If you don't understand, take a look at the countries in which Islam dominates - that is what you represent.

You don't have to say G'day... but you should, as a true Australian, support freedom of speech, religion, equality and separation of religion and state. However, as a Muslim, I doubt if you understand these simple ideas. You might enjoy the benefits of these rights, and you might even say that you accept these ideals, but you and your Imams and co-religionists work night and day to end these rights.

I am amused by the reference to "trouble past" - Are you condemning Australia for its sins only or do you dare look beyond the immediate and consider the ideology that you have adopted and its many sins? Or is is it that some people doing evil are bad (Australia, for example) but others doing worse are wonderful, so much that you say "Praise be upon him" after the name of one of them. What is it?

Horus and Kactuz,
It's refreshing to hear some sanity.

Foxy,
<<Why do we assume a stranger is not like ourself?>>
We read the texts on which their socio-politico-religio ideology is based and we look at the aggregate effect of the application of that ideology.
Then we see that they can never be like us unless we submit to their supremacist ideology, and then we'll be like them.

MDS P10 “Often they came from countries with which only a few years earlier we had been at war.”
Islam remains in a perpetual (I’m exaggerating, it’s only been 1400 years) state of war with us, yet we refuse to acknowledge it. Even today Islam continues to refer to the West as Dar al Harb, the house of war.

MDS P11 “In every way, immigration has made our cities, suburbs and towns, richer, livelier places, and our country a better one.”
In every way? Benbrika? Bankstown? Cronulla?
Richer?
How much does it cost to monitor the internal terrorist threat?
What is the welfare cost of immigration?
(Insert your own "racist" question here)

MDS P12 “Sound policy rejects all measures that encourage long term dependence.”
Just what are the statistics on welfare dependence, culture by culture.
You can’t find out because that would be racist
A recent study by the Danish govt revealed that each Islamic immigrant represents an average net 300,000 euro cost in federal social assistance.

MDS P15 “The objective of a harmonious multicultural Australia must be pursued not just with idealism, but also with an acute and informed understanding of reality and a healthy dose of pragmatism.”
So what does the Koran teach, in reality?
The fact is, if you quote directly from the Koran or even quote terrorists quoting directly from the Koran you will be condemned and ultimately criminalized. Think Stephen Smith on Geert Wilders’ Fitna.

HAHA and now true ignorance rears its ugly head. I was raised a Catholic for 30 years before making a very informed decision to follow a different spiritual path. While a Catholic, did I believe blindly in everything taught by the Catholic church. No dear sir, I did not. Do you question every Christian follower whether they follow blindly the teachings of the Pope or every single priest in the Western world? No I'm sure you do not. But funnily enough, as a Muslim you assume I agree with and follow blindly every Imam? If you took the time to make an informed decision, and had the intellectual ability to separate what is religious practice and what is cultural practice you might realise and I say might with deep hesitation for someone who would comment as you just have may never have the necessary skills for informed decision making,you just may see a beautiful religion and the beautiful people who follow it beneath the surface.

I don't expect as much from you however, stay with your views, thankfully you are a minority, at least in a circle of educated and world travelled people. And next time you would like to question my values as an Australian, I may ask you how much you can ever offer this country with your narrow minded views. Open your eyes. We are all human beings. Australia is a country built upon diversity and whose culture is rich because of this, I hope some day you learn to enjoy it.

You know what Proxy, I could present counter arguments and statistics for every comment you have made thus far. But to be honest, I can't be bothered. Your views are far to ignorant to comment upon. If you want to live in your little isolated, fear-filled world, go for it. This isn't about freedom of speech, this is about intolerance. You are a racist at least be open about it instead of hiding behind some righteous cause.