America Needs A Leader Like This!
Prime Minister John Howard – Australia
“Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. ‘If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you’, he said on National Television
I’d be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia : one the Australian law and another Islamic law that is false. If you can’t agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that’s a better option’, Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should clear off. Basically people who don’t want to be Australians, and who don’t want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off, he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques. Quote: ‘IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.’
However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the ‘politically correct’ crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia ‘ ‘However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.’ ‘This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.’
This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom’
We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!’
Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.’
We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.’
If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don’t like ‘A Fair Go’, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don’t care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE
If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.”
I believe this should be applied to every country – If you want to move there, then respect their country, culture and beliefs. I do in Thailand, and I would expect all others to do the same.
Jimm has a good point. These so called Christians just stole the country from the Aborigines.
Howard is clever and superficially what he says sounds like reasonable good sense, but it does have a bad smell of bigotry because it presupposes that Howard’s definition of Australian culture is correct.
Globalization is a fact. The people of the earth are mixing and have to live together and the those who think that their brand of lifestyle is the only ‘right’ one are the ones who obstruct the peaceful coexistence. The fanatics, whether they come from outside or are homegrown, are the ones to fear and unite against.
So you have been Australia for 200 years, now how long have the aboriginese been there – so who should leave? Sorry, but I have always found the Aussies to be loud, arrogant bores – and now bigots. G’day mate indeed!
A yank.
Although many of you may praise these words of John Howard, it is important to remember that leaders who openly express this type of bigotry openly express it to all minority groups in our society.
As a gay male Australian, I have watched the Howard government destroy what was once a liberal country open to diversity. Ten years ago, Australia lead the world in its openness towards issues confronting Australia’s GLBT community. Today, the Howard government not only refuses to give gays and lesbians the right to marry but the government refuses to recognise their relationship in any way.
Howard has also severely curtailed workers rights and has stripped workers of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) rights.
This speech directed at Australia’s overwhelmingly white, middle class population is a last desperate attempt to win back the millions of votes he has lost before the looming election.
Please be sure you understand what you write before publishing it in your blog.
Thanks James – I cannot comment on what the Howard Gov’t has or has not done – I do not endorse the Howard Gov’t nor for that matter any Gov’t – but the article was only on one topic – how to act as a visitor in another’s country.
I do agree with what this article speaks about – If anyone wants to go to another country, then they should respect and abide by the culture and laws of that country. if one does not want to do this than they should just take a vacation there and go back home or where they agree with the culture and laws. BUT, If they want to become a citizen then they have the right to vote to change the laws and affect the culture.
Pardon me, but I just feel like I need to stand up, place my hand over my heart, and with all of my soul applaud John Howard for standing up for his country and the citizens of Australia.
How wonderful it must feel to have a leader that actually put all of the “political correctness” aside and say what should have been said a long time ago.
It’s great you posted this, otherwise I’m sure our news media in the good old U.S. would have never picked up on it, just because it didn’t involve O.J. Simpson or some “person” on YouTube defending Britney.