Yuyutsu,

"The Lebanese-Muslim culture in contrast, can be characterised by high levels of Ingenuity and Will, but very low levels of rationality and emotionality."

I don't "tell" other people what to believe about themselves, or "guess" what they might be about. I have met people from the Middle East myself, and the ones I have met, I was very impressed with.

There are two parts to a word that fits into such a matter. They are called "stereo" and "type".

1. That being listening to a "Stereo" (and what comes from it). It used to be a big thing at one stage, but this is now "out of date" technology; and

2. "Type". Many would use items (like a typewriter) and others would read from the typing. These machines are now found in secondhand, antique shops and the homes of collectors.

Elements of stereo and type, are different for every person - and unless you (or anyone else) are clairvoyant, a person's mind cannot be read or a future predicted.

In terms of the planet, all living species that live on this planet, are reliant (in some form) on the natural world. The soils walked on, water consumed and used for growing crops, food that is eaten, fresh air, trees for shade and health and environmental elements that reduce the impacts of carbon.

It is disrespectful to the planet to disregard these elements, with many who cannot accept any limits on human activity, denying this fact for "human based" or "economic" reasons. Anyone who questions either, can be attacked because they are seen as valuing the natural world, over humans - as if nature is not needed for human life - when it is.

Also anyone out there "caught" between a Shark, a Magpie swooping season or Crocodile and you don't like it - get out of their country!

P.S To the person who linked vegetarianism to depression, speak to the 95% of people in Australia who are meat consumers. I'm vegetarian and am not depressed. I like knowing I can survive without having meat in my diet!

Dear Jayb,

<<The problem is they are doing us harm. Trying to change our Culture to a Medievil one. Waiting to force Sharia Law onto Australia. Fanatics, There are no moderate moslems.>>

I have not been harmed by Muslims, but such people whom the security-experts (I ain't one) deem to be harmful, obviously do not fall under my statement: "and is immoral to block others from coming who do us no harm."

As for "trying to change our culture to a medievil one", Constance has been arguing here for a while (http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=14572#252648) that medieval times were better. I see no problem with her trying to convince others, peacefully of course, to change our culture to a medieval one - perhaps she is even right...

Sharia law? well in some aspects it's better than what we have now, for example cutting thieves' hands rather than keeping them for years doing high degrees at our national-crime-academy at the expense of our tax-money.

<<& your alternative is? Communism?>>

You're joking! The problem with democracy is the same as in any other _____cracy, that some people are able to dictate to others how to live, against their will. There aren't many cases worse than communism in that regard.

My alternative is that people live however they want, under no rule except that which they freely accepted, if any. Obviously, if someone harms or endangers others, than the others have the right to defend themselves, but the difference is that the offender is never under the rule of the others, who simply take whatever steps are necessary to stop the harm/danger.

<<Dr. John Lang says that vegetarians are more likely to suffer Depression & Anxiety Disorders.>>

If that's the price I need to pay for my religion, then so be it - I'll accept it with love.

Dear Hippie,

<<Pray tell, what form of government do you prefer?>>

A voluntary government, which rules only over those who accept its rule and protects only those who accept its protection. This says it all in the fewest number of words.

Hey guys, here's the solution to everything.

The year is 2300AD. Democracy doesn't exist anymore. Sovereign countries don't exist anymore (replaced by geographical regions). All people in the world can travel freely to or from any region, and live in any region they choose (much like Australians can freely travel to and live in any state in Australia). The world will be divided into a number of geographical positions based on political/religious/social orientation; for example, what is currently called Australia could be the location for hard line right wing fascist rule, the USA for trendy, multicultural, far left wing rule, China for middle road capitalism rule, New Zealand for Christian Theocracy rule, France for Jewish Theocracy rule etc etc. These regions would not be countries anymore. There would be a hundred different geographical locations, each catering for people with different desires, needs, beliefs, politics etc.

Here's the beauty of it all. Anyone can choose to live in, or leave, any of these 100 geographical locations. Ya like hard line fascism? Then move to what is currently called Australia. Do you love Christianity? Then move to what is currently called New Zealand. Etc.

There would be no need for you to put up with rules, political conditions, religions, philosophies etc that you don't like or approve of. There would be no need to lobby for change ... you'd just move to the location that you approve of.

And here's the best part of all, there would be no need for politicians or elections ever again.

Foxy,

We simply keep out those who openly adhere to an anti-Democratic belief system and we do not allow that belief system into our country as it, by its very nature, seeks to destroy our way of life.

Yuyutsu,

"Sharia law? well in some aspects it's better than what we have now, for example cutting thieves' hands rather than keeping them for years doing high degrees at our national-crime-academy at the expense of our tax-mone"

Cutting the left hand off is only the start of the punishment, the real psychological punishment is that they have to clean themselves after defecation with the hand with which they eat.

One of the reasons that Christians (Westerners) are held in low regard by Muslims is that we eat using both hands.
In Arabic and Urdu (and no doubt in other appropriate languages) one can hear derogatory remarks about people who "....eat with the hand that wipes their anus".

Pesky says - Hey guys, here's the solution to everything.

That was just about the stupidest vision for the future I've ever read. It would never work unless of course dishonesty, lust, greed, perversion and evil intentions miraculously vanish from the human psyche as well as guns, all forms of weapons, religion, historical hatreds and armies.

Who decides how many autonomous regions are appropriate; who rules each of the regions; if the regions are not under any form of rule, what keeps the order; who decided a democratic region is out of the question; what keeps the regions from deciding they want to expand; and finally what are you smoking?

"And here's the best part of all, there would be no need for politicians or elections ever again."

Pesky, you haven't thought this out at al,. but you at least did give us a good example of a pipe dream.