GrodsCorp

We are all Australians now

Monday 11 September 2006, 7:10 pm

Tags: Australia, citizenship, immigration, Islam, JohnHoward, KimBeazley, language, September11, SteveIrwin, terrorism, values, WayOfLife, xenophobia

On September 11 the slippery argument of whether Australia is safer or not after five years of “war on terror” was always going to pop up. John Howard says yes, we are safer and has called on Muslims to learn English, integrate, and denounce terrorism. Kim Beazley says no, we’re not safer and has called for tourists and immigrants to sign up to Australian values (”respect for each other, mateship, fairness, freedom and respect for our laws”), along with the teaching of Australian values to immigrant children in schools.

You see, if only all of them Muslims would become more like Steve Irwin everything would be okay and you could throw your fridge magnet out. Steve Irwin was so Australian he even died like an Australian. Does anybody else find this populist and xenophobic attitude offensive that “if only they were more like us, instead of more like them” our Way Of Life™ wouldn’t be threatened?

And what is this Way Of Life™ anyway?

But back to the point, and the superiority of Australians and Australian values. All Muslims should became Australian (because, you know, Muslim is a nationality, not a religion) because no Australian’s ever done anything contrary to our Way Of Life™ before.

6 Comments

Iain Hall (Tuesday 12 September 2006, 8:02 am) #

So you want to pray five times a day and make the Haj your lifetime ambition instead?
In the same way that we expect those who visit our houses to respect our house rules, we as a nation have a reasonable expectation that those who come to the house that is Australia to do like wise. Why do the minions of the left think that it is such an awful idea?
The Editor (Tuesday 12 September 2006, 8:14 am) #

So you want to pray five times a day and make the Haj your lifetime ambition instead?
No, but why would I want to stop Muslims from practicing their religion? Do you think we should, Iain?

In the same way that we expect those who visit our houses to respect our house rules, we as a nation have a reasonable expectation that those who come to the house that is Australia to do like wise.
My very point, Iain. “The house that is Australia” means nothing. “The house that is Australia” has produced Australians as diverse as Martin Bryant, Bradley Murdoch, and your mate David Hicks. Similarly, you’ll be surprised to learn that Islamic countries have produced citizens who are not terrorists. This whole argument that Australian automatically, and without exception, equals very-nice-person-who-would-never-murder-or-terrorise is a bunch of populist and xenophobic crap.

Why do the minions of the left think that it is such an awful idea?
Who is “The Left”? Why does he/she have minions?
billybob (Tuesday 12 September 2006, 11:01 am) #

I have learned English, I have integrated over the past four years, and (when the topic comes up) I denounce terrorism. Added to that, I have BBQs, drink beer, watch Dave Mac and The Victory… Can I call myself Australian or at least say that I have that Way Of Life?
billybob (Tuesday 12 September 2006, 11:02 am) #

I’m one of those Muslim types though, (only joking).
billybob (Tuesday 12 September 2006, 11:18 am) #

Does The Kim* realise that those pesky terrorists could sign up to a commitment to obey the laws and respect Australian values while keeping their figures crossed?
The Editor (Tuesday 12 September 2006, 11:43 am) #

Yeah but Billybob, you’re from a “good” country: England, not one of those “bad” countries. And you look like us.

Does The Kim* realise that those pesky terrorists could sign up to a commitment to obey the laws and respect Australian values while keeping their figures crossed?
One would freakin’ hope so.