leoj,

Thanks for your insights.

I agree with you totally.

We need to take care of our most vulnerable.
And mental problems are a major part of the
communities in which we live. I also am not
condoning this man's behaviour - but it
possibly could have been avoided had he
received help.

We could be very well be stuffed, o sung wu.

I did mention a fourth option, though, which I suspect most who read my post had an idea as to what it was I was alluding. It is, however, a method of dealing with the problem which the very thought of frustrates many because it is often perceived to be a do-nothing means of dealing with the problem, and it can all sound very clichéd. I can sympathise with that.

Unfortunately, though, not only do I think it is the only realistic option we have, but the evidence suggests that it is the most likely option to succeed.

My reason for not going into it, however, was because of the sheer number of posts it would take to defend; especially against assumptions of Taqiya and the supposed non-existence of the moderate Muslim (which just seem to me like quick and convenient ways of dismissing more peaceful and less-inflammatory methods of handling the situation which lack the offer of an alternative solution). So, I instead chose to present what I saw as the only other alternatives (as horrendous as they were). Although, I’d be interested to see if anyone can think of any other options which would not inflame tensions further, and actually work.

Of course, if we just wanted to complain, we could cast blame on multiculturalism, but the horse has already bolted on that one; and, in a country with a history like Australia’s, some would argue, was never really in the corral to begin with.

As for where all this is heading? Predicting the future of terrorism is a highly speculative business. I’m a bit of an optimist and believe that we’ll get through it, provided education levels among the world’s population continue to increase and poverty levels decline, because both these factors (going in the right direction) promote tolerance and reduce levels of religiosity.

In Western countries, young Muslims are leaving the faith in droves. I’m encouraged by that.

Thank you A.J.PHILLIPS for your take on the situation. Your previous three options wouldn't work, no doubt they 'may' work, but at a terrible cost.

The only thing we Western nations can do, is get all the 'stakeholders' at the table and thoroughly thrash it out (around said table). Whether you'd be able to even get Daesh to the table at all, is highly questionable? Given their entrenched and unquestionable hatred they have for the West, and without them, negotiations would undoubtedly flounder.

Anyway, would the disparate Muslim leadership, be of a mind to be completely genuine and sincere with their negotiations and demands. Or would it be similar to the same outcomes, the US have had, with the differing talks they've undertaken with P'yongyang, over the years?

Somehow I have this sense that genuine talks and negotiations, only pay dividends with Nations, who are equally keen on finding satisfactory solutions to their various problems.

But with the entrenched hatred that some Muslims harbour for the West,and for Christianity, and our Culture. And Islam not only being a devoutly practiced religion but an ineradicable ideology, I'm really not so sure at all, of ever finding an equitable solution, more likely an embedded impasse.

Other than perhaps vigorously pursuing one or more of your three options, all of which appear thoroughly untenable, I've not got any answers I'm afraid. Thanks A.J.PHILLIPS for your thoughts.

Bloody hell, where to start?

Dear moonshine,

You wrote;

“That aside, an eye for an eye so to speak and I'm just surprised payback is so slow in coming, and it wouldn't surprise me to see more of it unfortunately.”

There are some people in Syria and Northen Iraq right now who are getting bombs dropped on their heads by Australian planes, sniped at by Australian troops, and straffed by Australian helicopters. They would be saying exactly the same bloody thing.

The pictures of children's bodies, of bombed hospitals, or entire families being wiped out by coalition raids will be coming through their social media feeds.

Do you wonder why Japan or for that matter New Zealand aren't facing heightened terrorism threats? Do you possibly entertain the notion it is because they aren't over there dropping bombs on the heads of these guys?

What do you think would have happened if we had Australian troops on the ground in Northern Ireland during the worst of the troubles?

Now our politicians made the decision to go in along side the US, not because they think ISIS is an existential threat to this country, but because they believe that having the US as an ally is worth the risk to the public. I suspect that most Australians feel the risk is worth it.

But it means we can add one more to AJ's list of possible actions; leave the conflict in the Middle East. Now I happen to think helping out the people in the region resist ISIS is a worthwhile exercise on its own, but I also realise that we are putting Australians at risk in doing so. How about you?

Dear runner,

You wrote;

“I actually hate to say it but with creeps like the masterminds of the child grooming program (safe schools) I wonder of this country is even worth defending any more.”

My goodness. How on earth do you have the hide to say something like that when a Royal Commission is busy showing large numbers of Christians in leadership positions within the various denominations buggered and raped their way though thousands of Aussie kids leaving rampant suicides and broken lives in their wake?

Shame you little man, shame!

Dear Bazz,

You bent over backward to defend the rights of Monis to send those terrible letters to the families of soldiers serving and dying overseas. You wanted hate speech laws diluted while I wanted them maintained or even strengthened so that we were able to sanction those who spread hatred from the mosques and the Churches. We need to stop our vulnerable young being polluted by religious radicalism whatever the stripe.

Dear foxy,

Monis was described as having a myriad of mental health issues just like the recent Finsbury Park Mosque terrorist. Where does that leave us?

"Monis was described as having a myriad of mental health issues just like the recent Finsbury Park Mosque terrorist. Where does that leave us?"

First, most (not you, probably) would conclude that Howard's 'gun control' was an expensive political sham, which it was.

Also, most (not you, probably) would be wondering why Monis was on the loose. Or are you conveniently forgetting he was on bail for serious crimes? There was already a place for him wasn't there? Gaol.

BTW, that really is a faulty analogy of yours. No comparison at all.