Hi Poirot,

With respect, you do seem to go into bat for some strange, and reactionary, causes. Do you ever think beyond the surface to grapple with the issues and to evaluate what it is you are defending and attacking ?

What we all need to do is critically analyse the implications of proposals and issues - standing guard like one of those little yappy dogs at the front gate and barking at anyone who seems to be some sort of threat, is not quite the same thing.

To use another analogy, in case that one doesn't work, we should all stand on a level playing field of debate and discussion, with nobody trying to float above the field p!ssing down on anyone who says something out of turn, throwing ad hominems from a great height.

The issues in this case seem to me to be: should state funding be used to teach sectarian curricula, under whatever pretext ?

Think of it this way, Poirot: imagine if Opus Dei got hold of some of the Catholic schools, demanded more public funding, prattled on about the value of language, in their case Old Latin, and proceeded, behind the scenes, to teach a highly sectarian Catholic, catechistic, dogmatic, anti-human curriculum.

Would you be so quick to rush to their defence if somebody criticised such a mis-use of public funds ?

Divert that, Poirot :)

Cheers,

Joe

Yes I did watch Q & A. I thought it a very thoughtful well spoken program by all. I only there were more Muslim Clerics like him, I don't think there would be a problem, but even he admitted that Islam has been hijacked by the radical cleric. He didn't have an answer for the problem. Personally I sway towards Buddhism.

Is anybody going to comment on what iftikhar had to say. It seems to me that he is at odds with Abdulla . Would his moderate stand be Abdulla stand though? Will he stand with the likes of Iftikhar or will he accept Australian Culture as it is.

With regards to poirot, Loudmouth, I think she is one of those strange people that are against whatever your for, regardless of what it is. Sort of how politicians act. You know what I mean?

Actually I’m waiting to hear Lexi, poirot & csteel views on what Iftikhar had to say, but I won’t hold my breath.

Dear Jayb,

I'm glad to hear that you did watch "Q and A,"
last night and pleased that you found the Muslim
Imam well reasoned. He did make the distinction
though concerning Muslim extremists - that they
were not practicing what Islam teaches - but
their own version and interpretation of the religion.
I guess that can be said of extremists of many
persuasions.

What did I think of Iftikhar's post?
He's obviously someone who, like yourself, is very
concerned about what he sees as the erosion of
familiar values - in his case - especially in the UK.
This is a fairly common reaction when people find
themselves confused, threatened, or even appalled at
changing conditions, they may see a "return to basics"
as a solution.

I think that Dr Mohamad Abdalla - does not share this
fear of Iftikhar's and sees things in a totally
different light.

"Divert that, Poirot".

There you go, rambling on, espousing your views - ostensibly talking to me - and then you finalise your wise and learned observations with that neat little three liner above.

Why bother waffling in my direction if you end it like that?

The "issue", according to your last post to me, was the state funding of language tutorials for Australian children - that's what I was addressing. I see Chinese is big on the list - no doubt all the kiddies will come out of class as raging communists, hey, hey : )

Anyhooo. I'm done here - I'll leave you all to it.

Cheers

poirot: Anyhooo. I'm done here - I'll leave you all to it.

Well what does that tell you about poirot & csteel. I guess the truth from one of their own was too much, eh.

How does the song go, "Know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em" I guess they folded.

If you substitute Woking for Sydney & Australian Culture for British Culture, you'll understand where we stand with Islamists in Australia.

The moderates will be told to toe the fundamental line whether they like it or not, or else they'll cop a suicide bomber in their moderate mosque. So they will, & the more Muslims Australia imports the worse it’ll get & the more fundamental they will become.

Jayb,

I've already told you that I have no Muslim affiliation.

My reaction is to hysterical bigotry.

What's to be discussed when the best you can do is froth up and down each page.

It leaves no room for balanced discussion.