The Mundine Factor & Victimhood

Anthony Mundine is inviting people to protest at the grand finals to be held this weekend. Encouraging people to turn their backs or kneeing during the playing of our national anthem. Firstly, any footballer who does should be condemned. Sport is sport and it should not be used in a cynical political protest.

I wonder what the response would if 'we' suggested people turn their backs during the welcome to country? A ritual that I personally have a major issue with. This is my country. I was born here. I do not need to be welcomed to my own home. But, we pay due respect to that ritual. Even people like me who disapprove of it. The operative word is RESPECT. Scant little we receive from people like Anthony Mundine. 

In voicing my displeasure on social media, I did solicit the wrath of an indigenous activist. One I might add who is either new to Twitter or not very popular given the number of her followers. Anyway, this activist proceeded with the now common 'white supremacist' slurs. The, “II am fighting white colonialism" mantra. I'm fed up with that BS. Which is racist in the purest form. 

What people like Mundine and my activist don't realise is, they are driving deeper and deeper wedges. They say they want reconciliation. No, they don't. They want to go back 200-years. They want to blame others for their own failings. 

No one is born a victim. Some become victims reasonably late in life. These are professional victims. They see mileage in it. But really, it has nothing to do with their culture. Sure, if they are born into a victim social structure, that's the path many will travel. They are conditioned to do that. In those circumstances we have to break the cycle. This is where people like Mundine do a disservice to his own people. He encourages them to follow him down the path of racism and division, the victim path.  Victims, will always be victims unless they themselves choose to change. I know that sounds harsh, but truth often is. 

Self imposed victims, hold themselves back. They blame everyone else for their own failures. They blame the current generations for what happened 200 years ago. That is frankly absurd. 

Those who will get on and make something of their lives, are those with the will to rise above and take control of themselves and their life. They don't go around blaming society. Or, playing the race card. Society as a whole will go out of their way to help people like this. As they should. But I for one, am not going to go out of my way to help ungrateful people who seek to divide the country. People who insult and slur me. 

Until these self-imposed victims accept responsibility for themselves and stop blaming others, they will always stay victims. As I said to my activist. She can either live in the past or get on and make the best life she can now. It's her choice. I think, that would really be honouring her ancestors, 

I was really pleased to see PM Turnbull speak out against Anthony Mundine. It needed to be said. 

Polls Are Down - Let's Chuck Out The Leader

The Newspoll is out today and the knockers are in full flight. I've commented many times, it's rather funny to watch people diss the polls. That is until the results suit their agenda. Hence, the Turnbull assault squad are having a jolly old time this morning. 

This really stuns me. After suffering the chaos that resulted from tearing down a succession of prime minister's there are people who are openly championing doing it again! It's alarming. We either enjoy the chaos or we are exceptionally slow learners. There appears to be little consideration of the real impact of political overthrows. 

Even more alarming if the polls are right is the support for Labor. Despite the fact Malcolm Turnbull is the preferred PM, Bill Shorten leads Labor. Bill Shorten's sole mission is to destroy Malcolm Turnbull. Hence, Labor's sole mission is to destroy the government. Forget about running the country, getting debt under control and passing necessary legislation to make that happen. In essence being an effective opposition. Destroying the government isn’t being effective, it's being a vandal. All Shorten is focusing on is wedging Turnbull on SSM.  I'm gobsmacked people prefer as their government a bunch that behaves like this. 

Labor lied about Medicare during the election. They scared the pants off vulnerable people. Now they are insulting the public with their vile accusations about the SSM plebiscite. This is despite the fact that Bill Shorten supported a plebiscite only a few years back. So what is he saying? We've all turned into a bunch of homophobes who can't be trusted to behave responsibly in a couple of years? It seems he is. Yet, the public prefers a government that thinks so lowly of them? Yes, I am gobsmacked people would prefer a government with no integrity and no respect for us. 

Whether you approve of Turnbull and how became PM or not, he is. In addition, he won an election as PM albeit by a slim margin. It was always going to be slim but, a win is a win. He therefore (much as it might be galling) has a legitimate claim to the position.  

So as I see it we have three choices. One. We join the call for Turnbull's removal and go through even more upheaval and time wasting. Meanwhile, important initiatives stall or aren't implemented. Labor gains more ammunition provided by the LNP. Under those circumstances, how long would another leader last I wonder? As for the call to bring Abbott back. Look at his polls. Unless of course you believe those polls were wrong for 30 cycles and now they right. 

Two: We desert the party and give Bill Shorten and Labor a free pass to continue destabilising and politicking unabated. Three more years of soap operas. Stuff the country. 

Three: We think about what is best for the country. I consider that to be a stable government delivering on what the majority voted for (with sensible modifications where warranted). In other words we let the government do their job and if we don't like it, we vote them out next election. We just can't keep turfing leaders out. Politics isn't a popularity contest, it's about governing.

There is another question I have. If Turnbull is still the preferred PM over Shorten. But the LNP is down in general. That tells me that whilst there is a negative Turnbull impact it's the party per se that needs to brush up. Time for a bit of inwards soul searching chaps. The behaviour of some members of the LNP is less than satisfactory and it does contribute to the poll result. The same as it did in the Abbott era. 

There are even people who believe Pauline Hanson is the solution. Surely, we have more sense than that. But, the divide and conquer plays to her hand. Of that there is little doubt. She attracts the protest vote, but remember protesters are rarely effective competent leaders. They are good at protesting. There is a big difference. 

As for us voters. Perhaps it's time for us to grow-up and stop acting like a bunch of petulant kids. 

Andrew Bolt and The Grand Mufti

Andrew Bolt was in full flight over the weekend attacking the Grand Mufti. Bolt is right in pointing out that Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad has lived here for close to  20-years but chooses to deliver most of his addresses through an interpreter. Bolt pointing out the Grant Mufti  doesn’t speak English. In fact, he does but not well. Dr Ibrahim has also explained why when making a public statement he doesn’t use English. You either accept his reasoning or you don’t. His explanation sounds reasonable to me. That said, it is disappointing. 

Dr Ibrahim he isn’t the only import who struggles with a foreign language. I know many from other parts who do. Italians, Greeks, Lebanese and Egyptians as an example. People who have lived here for much longer than 20 years. It doesn’t mean they can’t participate or integrate because they do. In fact it has been the source of great mirth at times. The same when I’ve been with locals in foreign countries and can’t speak the language. 

Not everyone finds learning a foreign language easy. I speak from personal experience having struggled to learn foreign languages and given up every time. I’m simply rubbish; as they say ‘no ear’. I envy those who find it easy. My late hubby was a wiz. He found it so easy. He spoke five languages. 

Now to the point of this blog. When people like Bolt become fixated on attacking people, and Bolt is a master at it, they lose all sense of balance and fairness. But I guess if Bolt didn’t stir up certain sections of his audience and feed their bias he wouldn’t have an audience. 

It’s a shame that Bolt doesn’t (byway of balance) share other addresses by Dr Abraham. I stumbled across this on Dr Abrahim’s Facebook page. I check there from time to time to see what he and his community say about certain events. The following is his address to Year 12 students who graduated from Unity Grammar this month. Dr Abrahim’s references to country, loyalty abiding by laws and warnings over extremism were very strong. We need to see more of this stuff in the news media. It might make people feel a bit more comfortable. 

The address: 

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah, Sustainer of the worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, the most noble of creation, and upon his companions. 

To the esteemed Mr Waleed Ali, the noble teaching staff, and the board of Unity Grammar. The parents and guardians of the students here, those who really deserve to celebrate. Also to those students whom we are celebrating their graduation today. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all. 

Allah says in the Quran: “Say: ‘in the bounty and mercy of Allah, let them rejoice. Verily, that is better than what they amass.’”You students are privileged on a number of levels. Allah has provided you with parents who have worked hard and sacrificed their wealth and their lives, all in order for you to gain an education. They spend their nights awake and toil in order for you to succeed. 

They sacrifice out of love for you, taking care of all your needs. We praise Allah that He has facilitated for you half the journey. We also ask Him to make easy for us the second half which is perhaps even more important. That is, the Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels of education.

We thank Allah that we are celebrating as students, as a school, as parents, as a nation, that He has made easy this stage of our journey. We hope that He completes the greater joy for us later on. You are privileged in that by the grace and mercy of Allah, he has prepared for you a school that excels in its management, morals and teaching staff. 

Your leader bears the spirit of a true leader, the mind of an intellectual, and a heart that beats. His emotions are filled with contemplation, great energy, true determination and noble goals. He is greatly concerned in raising the future generations of this land. These qualities have without doubt been passed onto all those connected to Unity Grammar, helping them to succeed academically and being distinguished in their morals and manners. You have been raised to cling tightly onto brilliant love, rejecting all forms of discrimination and bigotry. The spirit of noble character has spread amongst you, causing springs of generosity and love to surface. 

Secondly, you have been privileged in that by the grace of Allah and His mercy, He has prepared for you a land in which you have been brought up in. Remember, that Australia has presented to you, your parents and grandparents all good. You should respond to this love with love. Protect its security and safety. Abide by its laws. These laws were legislated to protect you and your families. 

Beware of extremist propaganda and terrorism. Such is a path to death and loss. Beware of the calls of extremism causing you to feel alienated. Otherwise, this could then lead you to actions that stain your religion and community. Do not learn your religion from ‘Sheikh’ Google or ‘Sheikh’ YouTube. They are imposters and untrustworthy. Take your knowledge from reputable sources and scholars who are experts in their field. Know for certain that Australia is your country, and that of your children. Return the good of this land by your positive contributions, loyalty and affiliation. 

Thirdly, O students and youth. You are privileged because you are a vital part of this Australian society. You are not a foreign element. Today, we have come to celebrate your graduation. Respond to this with beauty - to your families, school and land. Be mindful of the greater celebration. This will be the joy of the Prophet of Allah, the Master of all human beings - Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This joy of his with you will be realised when you cling firmly onto your Islamic identity. That will be the day which you make your Islamic identity the source of your glory and pride. That will be the day which you, O young person, will know that our glory and salvation is not far from your Islamic faith. That will be the day on which you bear great hope for others, as your Prophet did. He saved them from their loss, comforting their loneliness, and preparing their return to Allah. 

Fourthly, know O my beloved child, that your upright character and abiding by the morals of your religion will restore to this religion its lost representation in this age. It will change your presence amongst non-Muslims to a source of mercy, granting humanity a great insight. This will not be realised except through good character, purity of heart, and freedom from its diseases such as bigotry and hatred. Your mind must be clean from extremism. Beware, O son, of being influenced by those who desire you to be the enemy of your land. They call you to extremist ways and hatred. They deceive you with words about manhood, paradise, and women. They call you to perform actions that harm your religion and society.The great joy shall occur when you are positive and true to your nation. Protect it from evil and harm. Your land is the vessel that protects your faith, providing you with civil liberties. This allows you to freely practise your religion. Respond to love with love. Respond to generosity with generosity. Present your land of Australia with what it deserves of service and loyalty. 

Fifthly, you should realise O Muslim student, that the power of the mind supersedes that of the weapon. The power of noble character is greater than the waves of immorality and bigotry. Love is the key to changing intellects and societies. To be in the service of others is the quickest route to gaining people’s love. 

Sixthly, O my child, you should take care of your life. You should be motivated to bring joy to the heart of your Prophet, as well as your family. You should seek to bring joy to your nation through your generosity and academic success. Be amongst people as an ambassador for your Prophet. In this way, the world will be happy with you, and existence, the universe and life will all be happy with you. 

I call you to a bright future. I leave you under the protection of Allah. He will guard you. May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you.

I think this piece from Dr Abrahim’s address sends a  very good message. “Remember, that Australia has presented to you, your parents and grandparents all good. You should respond to this love with love. Protect its security and safety. Abide by its laws. These laws were legislated to protect you and your families. 

Beware of extremist propaganda and terrorism. Such is a path to death and loss. Beware of the calls of extremism causing you to feel alienated. Otherwise, this could then lead you to actions that stain your religion and community. Do not learn your religion from ‘Sheikh’ Google or ‘Sheikh’ YouTube. They are imposters and untrustworthy. Take your knowledge from reputable sources and scholars who are experts in their field. Know for certain that Australia is your country, and that of your children. Return the good of this land by your positive contributions, loyalty and affiliation.” 

Of course Bolt won’t publish that. It doesn’t serve his purpose. Such a shame. 

Politicians Blocking Voters on Social Media

It seems politicians of the male species don’t particularly like being challenged on social media. Anyone who follows me knows I’m not abusive. I don’t use bad language. The worst that could be said, is at times I’m sarcastic. In my defence I will quote Oscar Wilde who said, “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.” I will however and do hold politicians to account when warranted. Likewise, regardless of political bent, if they do a good job, I have no hesitation acknowledging that. 

So I’m somewhat miffed when politicians, who are after all the servants of the people, our employees block me. Queensland politicians of the male species being the worst offenders. Although NSW males pollies are a bit trigger-happy as well. I’ve been blocked by the likes of Clive Palmer, Glen Lazarus (that was no real loss and I was particularly hard on them). Tony Burke has given me the ‘red dot’ as has Richard Marles. As an LNP supporter I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But as both of the men (I won’t label them gentlemen because they aren’t) are there to serve voters, blocking us is cowardly, disrespectful behaviour in my opinion. 

This one I’m particularly pee’d off over. I discovered today I’ve been blocked by George Christensen. Granted, I have been somewhat critical of Christensen over recent weeks. His constant grandstanding, threats of crossing the floor and general ‘look at me’ has drawn criticism from many quarters. Not just from me. It appears Mr Christensen can dish it out, but he suffers from a VERY thin skin when it comes to criticism from voters. If I was abusive I would say fair enough, block me.  The worst thing I have said to him is, it's about time he stopped the big ego over plumped up peacock act. Personally, I thought that was a pretty good description. 

One if the things I have noticed is, women politicians appear to be more resilient when it comes criticism. I can’t recall being blocked by one female politician. Perhaps women are tougher, not so thin skinned. Perhaps they are interested in hearing what voters have to say about them; good or bad. As they say, there is no such thing as bad feedback. 

One of our female politicians in particular has copped a lot from me. That is Senator Jacqui Lambie. Prior to the election l was somewhat surprised to discover Ms Lambie was following me on Twitter. I followed her back. Why? Because whilst we will never share the same political beliefs, I respect her. She hasn’t taken the cowards way out and blocked someone like me who has criticised, her many times. That says a lot more about Ms Lambie and her values, respect for voters and commitment than it does the likes of Christensen, Marles, Burke and their ilk. 

As an LNP supporter and Liberal member it would serve George Christensen well to listen to centre right Liberals like me. For many of us, party loyalty is extremely fragile. The thread is frayed. I like many others are fed up with the grandstanding, the big noting and constant threats to destabilise. It's people like Mr Christensen who are driving the wedge ever deeper.

Australia: Are We Becoming the Land of the Sanctimonious?

There is an article in the the Weekend Australian today written by Emma-Kate Symons. It is one of those mischievous opinion columns with words like activist and pugnacious freely used. 

Seven and its Burkini family owe France an apology

But the article and some of the comment proves one thing. Australia is rapidly developing into the land of the sanctimonious. Ms Symons takes aim at Channel Seven with proclamations of thou shalt apologise. Commenters likewise declare I shall never watch your channel again. What rot. What happened to our spirit of fighting injustice? 

Ms Symons priggishly claimed Zeynab Alshelh and her (activist Ms Symons words) parents wore the Burkini on a French beach "to “show solidarity” with (radically conservative) Muslims and, featured the 23-year-old flaunting her burkini in an obvious attempt to bait Gallic sun lovers into religious and ethnically motivated hatred." 

Radically conservative? Radically conservative Muslims don't show their faces let alone don a Burkini and go to the beach. Worse was the claim, "To bait Gallic sun lovers in religious and ethnically motivated hatred?"  My God. Talk about gilding the lily to generate a comment. If locals did resort to ethnically motivated hatred doesn’t that say more about them than Zeynab Alshelh and her parents? 

As for the reader comments suggesting the perpetrators need to pull the stunt in Nigeria or Saudi Arabia. Sorry, but I believe you miss the point. You don't fix the problem in Nigeria or Saudi Arabia by caving in where freedom to choose how we dress has been a right that's been won. A right that is now being striped away. If people don't stand up for the erosion of rights in the west, then we run the risk of systematically losing more rights. 

Banning of the Burkini is a total over reaction by the French local authorities who have imposed it. A ban which has been over turned by the French High Court as unconstitutional. The Burkini is a simple item of clothing. The claims made in trying to justify the removal were absurd. Particularly the one about a health risk. If that were true I would think willies and bare butts flapping around in the ocean on nude beaches would be a bigger health risk. 

Removing external signals of modesty linked to religion is not going to fix the problem of radical Islam in France. Using women as weapons in the fight is appalling and should be resoundly condemned. 

Now for Ms Symons. Ms Symons is an Australian journalist who resides in the US. Her profile on the ABC highlights this in reference to Charlie Hebron. 

"We should have stood with Charlie Hebdo and others willing to fight for freedom of expression sooner, not just after the massacre in Paris.

Their fidelity to the fundamental values of democracy, even as many around the world and in France found their editorial line too "provocative" or "offensive", will long endure after these killers are brought to justice."

But it seems that same demand to show willingness to fight for freedom of expression. To fight for the fundamental values of democracy doesn't extend to Muslim women who just want to go to the beach. In doing so to dress modestly. Freedom and democracy for some but not for all. How sad.

Acknowledging a Good Job Doesn't Make Me a Devotee

It fascinates and annoys me that it's almost impossible to voice support for a political leader, without receiving at least one idiotic comment accusing me of slavish adoration. I’ve seen the same done to others so I’m not being singled out. 

The latest example happened this morning. I’d posted a Daily Telegraph news report from Simon Benson headed “Malcolm channels Abbott on refugees.” Along with my comment there was nothing wrong with that. As an LNP member it's what I expect. Border control and refugee management being a centre piece of LNP Policy. NOTE LNP Policy. 

It's also pleasing to see the PM is taking a tougher line and being more outspoken on the subject. In my opinion he’s done a good job in the US. Like many others, I was concerned he might have gone soft after winning the election. He hasn’t and I for one believe we should acknowledge that. It demonstrates to me he is listening to people. Surely a good thing. 

I received this response. 

My first thought was to fire a missile back, but that just brings me down to the same level. So I simply pointed out Turnbull is not and never was my beloved and mentioned there are no original thoughts. 

It was Mark Twain who said in his own autobiography, “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.”

He is right. Only a fool doesn’t take good ideas, run with them or improve them. 

So why are political expressions of fairness and support so often turned into accusations of slavish devotion by detractors? Who knows. Childishness? Maybe. Comment for comments sake? Perhaps. Stupidity and ignorance? Likely. Inability to see beyond their own prejudice? It wouldn’t surprise me. To be annoying? That is definitely a positive. 

I was taught to believe in fairness and to acknowledge a good job or good deed when warranted. That is underpinned by a commitment to generosity that I associate with my upbringing. It is after all a basic Christian value. That doesn’t make me a slavish devotee. 

A Challenging Question - What Would I Do?

The debate that's taking place following Pauline Hanson's first senate speech prompted me to share this. 

On my fight back from KL last week, I watched the movie/documentary on the life of Malala Yousafzai. What an inspiring young women she is. How fortunate she is to have her father  Ziauddin in her life. Ziauddin Yousafzai has been a champion for women’s rights all his life. As a teacher, he insisted (and encouraged others) that girls be allowed to attend the school. I particularly like this quote of his, "Education is not simply to learn to read and write. It's emancipation. It makes you free." I believe that as well.

There were several points both Malala and Ziauddin made in the documentary that made me think. It made me question. I wonder what I would do if I were ever faced with the choice; speak out, fight or flee. Hopefully I will never have to test myself and find out. 

It also highlighted that it’s all too easy for people like Pauline Hanson living in a country like Australia to throw broad arrows at Muslims. Hanson’s claim she is talking about radical Islamists doesn’t stack up. A quick read of her senate first speech highlights her references to  “Muslims” 19 times. In pointing this out, I am not stupid and I don’t dismiss the real concern over radicals. But, radicals take many forms. Islamist radicals being just one. Albeit, the one that solicits the most coverage and comment. 

Back to Malala’s story. 

When the Taliban first came to their valley (SWAT) many people welcomed them with open arms. The Taliban spoke to the issues that people struggled with. Ziauddin’s was dismayed. As an educated man he knew what the Taliban were all about. 

It wasn’t too long before the Taliban completely took over and began to murder people. When Ziauddin received death threats for speaking out he still refused to give up his activities to educate children. Or to stop warning his friends against cooperating with the Taliban.  Even after his friends were murdered, he would not be silenced.

I can see a similarity between why the villagers from Malala’s village and other villages initially responded positively to the Taliban and why certain people gravitate to Pauline Hanson. They are voices for those who feel they are not being heard. Or, their needs are not being met. Before anyone erupts I am not putting Hanson in the same bucket as the Taliban. I’m merely pointing out that those who purport to be speaking for ‘us’ are not always our friends. There is usually a reason why they do it. We are yet to discover what Pauline Hanson’s agenda is. I have my suspicions but will keep that to myself for the time being. 

In the case of the Taliban they spoke to the villagers about their commitment to living by the teachings of Quran. To the villagers this spoke of freedom, forgiveness and equality. The women in particular craved freedom. The villagers believed in the true teachings of Islam where women have rights. But hundreds of years of cultural suppression had taken a toll. Malala made an interesting comment about culture and her mother. When living in Pakistan, Malala's mother covered her face in public. Malala said it had nothing to do with religion. That was the culture. Now the family lives in the west Malala's mother simply wears a Hijab.

As Malala's father had warned, things changed quickly for the people of Malala's village. By the time the villagers understood what the Taliban were about, (that they were terrorists, radicals) it was too late. 

Ziauddin had been preaching the importance of education for years. Malala as a young girl was equally passionate sharing her fathers views.  They understood that lack of education keeps people in poverty. They also understood that ignorance due to the lack of education meant people didn’t reason or question as they should. This leaves people vulnerable to manipulation. They were seeing this manifest all too graphically in their own village. 

I've heard it said many times that terrorists like the Taliban, ISIS, and their ilk have a common mission to keep people uneducated. People are easier to control that way. The Taliban summarily burnt down schools and banned children from attending schools. It started with girls being banned but soon extended to boys. ISIS banned formal education. Instead they brainwash kids with their ideologically bastardised radical form of Islam. In Malala's village (as in many others), the Taliban not only destroyed schools, they destroyed videos and they confiscated and burnt TV's. When you think about it, that’s similar to the Nazi's in burning books. History repeats. 

Some brave souls fought back, but they were soon silenced. The Taliban read the names of the dissenters out over loud hailers. The Taliban would then come to their homes and take the dissenters away and kill them. Their dead bodies dumped in the streets had the desired effect of instilling fear into the villagers. Speak up and die or be silent and live. Its a very tough decision.

There was one piece in the movie where a BBC journalist asked school girls if they were willing to write a daily blog about their life. One young student volunteered. When her  father found out he forbid her from doing it. The father was terrified his daughter would be discovered and killed by the Taliban. I can understand the fathers reaction. As it transpired, Malala ended up blogging for the BBC. Championing the education of girls.  

Malala's father Ziauddin was one who would not be silenced. As you would expect the time came when his name was read-out. The family were forced to flee. But that didn’t silence either Malala or her father. They continued to speak out and champion education and rights. 

Power and control; silencing by fear. The displays of dead and mutilated bodies is a pretty powerful deterrent. The fear of death. Thankfully, people like Malala and her father refused to cave in.

Malala's father put it succinctly when he said of self appointed Islamic extremists. It has nothing to do with Islam. He went on to say "they are not about religion, they are about the radical ideology of power and control.”  It's frightening when you consider how easy it is to trap people. But I guess desperation drives that.  And in the west it's often isolation and marginalisation. We can scoff. Many do. But I believe those who are closer to the problem than I am.

We know what treatment Malala received for speaking out. She wasn't the only girl wounded on the bus that day. But she was the main target. She was critically injured. Who knows why she survived and has gone to lead a productive life against all odds. I like to think it was her destiny, her mission in life. If that is true she is most certainly fulfilling it. Her bravery and her courage is astounding. Her conviction so much stronger. Her father equally so. These are exceptional people. There are many like them, who battle day in day out against the extremism, violence and suppression. We should support them. Not attack them.

It's easy for us who live in the safety and security of the west to sit in judgement. But as I stated in the beginning, I wonder what I would do, given the same circumstances. Would I be as brave as Malala and her father. Would I stand up and fight or would I be silenced through fear.

When people like Pauline Hanson attack Muslims, she is attacking people like Malala and her father. She is attacking people like the poor villagers of SWAT who were manipulated by radicals. When she demands an end to Muslim immigration, she doesn’t differentiate between the manipulators and the manipulated. The good or the bad Muslim's as she so quaintly put it in her senate speech. Hanson’s approach is, just ban everyone. Her justification being; terrorism, take-over and inability to live with western values. 

Sadiq Khan, Lord Mayor of London made a very relevant statement in an address in Chicago this week. He raised the point about playing into the hands of extremists when he said, "We play straight into the hands of those who seek to divide us, of extremists and terrorists around the world, when we imply that it is not possible to hold Western values and to be a Muslim.”

He is right. Thousands and thousands if not millions of Muslims already do live very happily with Western values and laws. Thousands in our own country do. 

It would serve Ms Hanson well to heed that advice. By all means we need to talk about peoples fears and concerns. They are real. What we don’t need to do is tar everyone with the same brush. Or as we say 'gild the lily' as Ms Hanson did in her speech to the Senate. Plucking numbers out of the air with no fact supporting it. That just makes people more fearful.

Perhaps Ms Hanson (who is not well educated or indeed articulate) just struggles to convey her message. If that's the case, she needs help before she causes more damage. Because the message she is currently spreading is dangerous despite her claims. It detracts from real and honest debate.

Thankfully I don't have to risk my life like Malala and her father Ziauddin. I don't have to flee my birthplace to be safe. But I do have voice and a pen. I will continue to speak out about all types of radicals and that includes people like Ms Hanson. I wonder what her response would be if Malala and her family applied to migrate to Australia. I think I will write to her and ask her.

I’ve attached a link to Sadiq Khan’s address below. I think it's well worth a listen. 

Social Integration - Challenge of Our Age

Political Debate in Australia - A Whimsical View

This stems from reading comments in newspapers like The Australian. They reminded me of a song my parents introduced me to. It's been a fav ever since. The song is: 

Jethro Tull; Living in the Past. 

And so, a selective snippet of the lyrics with a couple of descriptives added.

We'll go walking out (As the Abbott "will be back, Abbott will be back" deserters did and they are still chanting this from the sideline) 

While others shout of war's disaster. (These are the wise ones who can see the alternative and the result of destruction from within=Labor back in power & a basket case for a senate. But still the deserters throw hand grenades; supporters and MP's alike) 

(Thus enters the DelCon chorus) 

Let us close our eyes,  (Well they do say ignorance is bliss) 
Outside their lives go on much faster. 

Oh, we won't give in,
We'll keep living in the past.

Oh, we won't give in,
Let's go living in the past.

Oh, no no we won't give in,

We'll keep on living in the past. 

Meanwhile a substandard corrupt Labor grows stronger. The dissidents scream louder and the destruction continues. Keep it up and we all go down with the ship. As we know those who live in the past struggle with reality, they really can't accept change and are totally oblivious to the impact of their actions. 

You simply can't go back.