Hi Tone,

So in what way do these practices impinge on, or alter, any aspect of the Australian legal system ?

And of course, you know very well that the issues are vastly more serious than those: child rape and 'marriage', honor/honour/hounour killing/kiling/kiiling, genital mutilation, restrictions on movements and life-opportunities, etc. Any chance that you will ever focus on those real here-and-now issues?

No, I thought not. It's easier to be a complete tosser. No offence/offense.

Joe

//So in what way do these practices impinge on, or alter, any aspect of the Australian legal system ?//

Well they don't of course. But then, neither does murder (and, no I'm not going to call it by your preferred name because I fail to perceive any honour in it). It's illegal for everybody, regardless of their faith, and 'my client is a Muslim' is not a defence. You seem to believe it would somehow constitute a valid legal defence for a range of crimes: it isn't the case and it never has been. Christ, it makes the 'Chewbacca defence' look watertight. I think that if a lawyer tried it his client wouldn't even be found guilty - it would be declared a mistrial, since the defendant obviously has an incompetent lawyer and won't receive a fair trial.

In order for it to become a defence, there would have to be significant changes to Australian law. Changes which would have to happen through the democratically elected parliament, which would therefore require the support of a sizeable chunk of the Australian public.

Do you think there is widespread support for murder amongst the voting public? It seems to be something you're genuinely concerned about... but I reckon there's probably a lot fewer psychopaths than you seem to imagine.

//It's easier to be a complete tosser.//

Oh good, personal attacks :)

Well I can see why you're getting a bit stroppy. Must be annoying when somebody keeps agreeing with you that murder is wrong but stops short of agreeing that Muslims getting a free pass to commit murder is currently a problem in Australia.

Because it's not.

Joe (Loudmouth),

You stated "Preaching to the choir sister?"

No. Just stating the obvious that any intelligent
person can see.

Tomato, tomato.

Joe (Loudmouth),

Actually, it's more like -

tomato, tomahto .

Big difference.

You like this and the other
While I go for this and that.

Dearest Foxy,

To labour the point, yes most of us agree that for most people, what they have they've earned. Equality of opportunity is available to most people, even if some have to work at it a bit harder. And that goes for Muslim youth too - if that wonderful doctor can do it, so can most of them. Same with Indigenous youth. None of it is out of reach with enough effort, and a bit of encouragement and support.

On the other hand: I was involved in running a series of career workshops for Aboriginal kids in primary and secondary schools in 1993-1994, and at one school, Broken Hill Secondary College I think, one lovely girl was passionate about becoming a Rainforest Manager; another was fascinated by Marine Biology. Another girl down in Ivanhoe, in the very centre of NSW, wanted to be a lawyer. You can guess what their schools' counsellors might have said to them. That's one major obstacle that many kids are up against. I hope those girls made it.

Love,

Joe