Posting this pic in case anyone wants to know what 5,000 racist white supremascist protestors look like. Thanks for the ping. LOVE Mark Steyn!
Posted on 12/19/2005 3:57:45 PM PST by Pokey78
What's the deal with these riots in Sydney? You switch on the television and there's scenes of urban conflagration and you think, "Hang on, I saw this story last month." But no. They were French riots. These are Australian riots. Entirely different. The French riots were perpetrated by - what's the word? - "youths". The Australian riots were perpetrated by "white youths". Same age cohort, but adjectivally enhanced.
And, being "white youths", they thus offered "a chilling glimpse into the darker corners of Australian society", as Nick Squires put it last week, "with thousands of white youths rampaging through a well-known beach suburb, attacking people of Middle Eastern background. They were egged on by white supremacists and neo-Nazis."
Gotcha. White youths egged on by white supremacists. You can't make a racist omelette without egged whites. Cate Blanchett also subscribes to the Squires line and, no disrespect to our man down under, she does it rather more fetchingly. I'm goo-goo for Miss Blanchett in just about every movie she's made and I'd cut her an awful lot of slack.
But on Friday she toddled along to Dolphin Point on Coogee Beach wearing a white T-shirt showing the outline of Australia with the single word "THINK" inside and stood in front of a banner calling for "a wave of tolerance" to sweep the country (which sounds more like a tsunami of tolerance). And, even as I was still drooling like a schoolboy, I could feel myself starting to roll my eyes. At that point, Miss Blanchett unburdened herself of this great insight: "It's actually very clear and simple. Violence and racism are bad."
Thank God somebody had the courage to say it, eh? But isn't the problem, in Australia and elsewhere, that it's not quite that "clear and simple"?
Take "tolerance", for example. Wave-of-tolerance-wise, Australia for years has looked like New Orleans the day after Katrina hit. The broader Blanchett-Squires culture has been tolerant to a fault. In Sydney in 2002, the leader of a group of Lebanese-Australian Muslim gang-rapists was sentenced to 55 years (halved on appeal).
The lads liked to tell the lucky lady that she was about to be "fucked Leb-style" and that she deserved it because she was an "Australian pig". It was the sentence that was "controversial". As Monroe Reimers wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald: "As terrible as the crime was, we must not confuse justice with revenge. Where has this hatred come from? How have we contributed to it? Perhaps it's time to take a good hard look at the racism by exclusion practised with such a vengeance by our community and cultural institutions."
After 9/11, a friend in London said to me she couldn't stand all the America-needs-to-ask-itself-what-it-did-to-provoke-this-anger stuff because she used to work at a rape crisis centre and she'd heard this blame-the-victim routine far too often: the Great Satan, like the dolly bird in the low-cut top and mini-skirt, was asking for it. Even so, it's still a surprise to hear the multiculti apologists apply the argument to actual rape victims.
So suppose we do as Mr Reimers suggests and "take a good hard look" at "racism by exclusion". As Monday's Australian reported: "Sydney's western suburbs remained quiet yesterday after a call for a full day's curfew by Lebanese community leaders. Mohammed Elriche, 19, said he and his friends would have enjoyed nothing more than their regular swim at Cronulla Beach, but their parents had asked him to stay at home.
"His parents, Eddy and Samira, who have lived in Australia since 1972, said their five children would be allowed to go to the beach again only when the 'conflict is resolved and peace is restored' in the Sutherland shire region. 'If there's no more conflict, I will let him go,' Samira, 42, told the Australian in Arabic."
In Arabic? Let's suppose that Cate Blanchett got her wish and a tidal wave of tolerance washed into all those "dark corners of Australian society" taking the chill off the chilling glimpse Squires got. How are even the most impeccably diverse multicultural types supposed to welcome into the bosom of their boundlessly tolerant family a woman who prefers to speak the language of the land she left at nine? When it comes to "racism by exclusion", who's excluding whom?
There are no doubt "white racists" down under, but, as an explanation of what's going on, it's almost quaintly absurd. "People of Middle Eastern background" have prospered in Australia. The governor of New South Wales, Marie Bashir, is Lebanese, as is her husband, Sir Nicholas Shehadie, as is the premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks. Likewise, in my own state of New Hampshire, one of the least racially diverse jurisdictions in North America, the last Senate race was nevertheless fought between a Republican, John Sununu, and a Democrat, Jeanne Shaheen, both from Lebanese families.
All these successful politicians are of Lebanese Christian stock: that's to say, after a third of a century in their new countries, they weren't conversing with reporters in Arabic. It's not racial, it's cultural. And the cries of "Racist!" are intended to make any discussion of that cultural problem beyond the pale. In that sense, Sydney's beach riots are a logical sequel to what happened in France. From opposite ends of the planet, there are nevertheless many similarities: non-Muslim women are hectored and insulted in the streets of both Clichy-sous-Bois and Brighton-le-Sands. The only difference is that, in Oz, the "white youths" decided to have a go back.
These days, whenever something goofy turns up on the news, chances are it involves a fellow called Mohammed. A plane flies into the World Trade Centre? Mohammed Atta. A gunman shoots up the El Al counter at Los Angeles airport? Hesham Mohamed Hedayet. A sniper starts killing petrol station customers around Washington, DC? John Allen Muhammed. A guy fatally stabs a Dutch movie director? Mohammed Bouyeri. A terrorist slaughters dozens in Bali? Noordin Mohamed. A gang-rapist in Sydney? Mohammed Skaf.
Maybe all these Mohammeds are victims of Australian white racists and American white racists and Dutch white racists and Balinese white racists and Beslan schoolgirl white racists.
But the eagerness of the Aussie and British and Canadian and European media, week in, week out, to attribute each outbreak of an apparently universal phenomenon to strictly local factors is starting to look pathological. "Violence and racism are bad", but so is self-delusion.
Thanks for the ping!
Ping to others - Mark Steyn on Australia!
Wow! Very good read, thanks for posting
Maybe all these Mohammeds are victims of Australian white racists and American white racists and Dutch white racists and Balinese white racists and Beslan schoolgirl white racists.
Ping!
All the race baiters around here should read this too.
loving the steyn- thanks for the ping!
You the man, Steyn!
Say it like it is!
Youts Mark, Youts!
I agree. Mark Steyn's always got it right. Some talk show host, filling in for Sean Hannity, was reading a portion of a different article while I drove home....this one wasn't it...but it was also on target (as usual).
Oscar Wilde and H.L. Mencken, eat your heart out.
I need to get a special macro for "This is Steyn's best!" I keep thinking it after every column.
Cuts right to the heart of the matter. Liberals don't like that.
Starting?
Steyn has the guts to tell it like it is.
Steyn ping bttt
Steyn is a beacon of light in in a PC storm
If CBS had any brains they'd make this guy Rather's replacement and give him a free editiorial hand. Their rating would go sky high, they'd make a fortune.
But I forgot, they are not interested in money so much as political correctness. How do the stock holders put up with it?
Wonder how the lebs and pcqueer police are going to like getting f'd Aussie style.
Live free or die. Proud to learn that he's from the same state.
Posting this pic in case anyone wants to know what 5,000 racist white supremascist protestors look like. Thanks for the ping. LOVE Mark Steyn!
KNOW BESLAN to KNOW islam.
Steyn, laser sharp, per usual.
Dare to speak the truth, the Bill of Rights is not a suicide pact.
RELIGION IS NOT RACE!
SYDNEY STALKED BY TERROR (Story of group-rapes in Australia)
Daily Telegraph ^ | Augustus 03 2002 | CINDY WOCKNER
Posted on 08/02/2002 12:01:04 PM PDT by knighthawk
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/726673/posts
bump.
The Rise of Middle Eastern Crime in Australia
The Quadrant Magazine (Australia). ^ | January 2004 | Tim Priest
Posted on 12/12/2005 7:26:18 AM PST by 1066AD
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1538780/posts
Deportee had support of Iemma By Andrew Clennell November 18, 2005
Willy Brigitte … introduced to future wife by Mamdou Ndaw.
The NSW Premier, Morris Iemma, provided a reference in 1999 to a man who became a close associate of alleged terrorist Willy Brigitte and is the brother-in-law of a terrorism suspect arrested last week.
Mr Iemma recommended in the reference that the man, Mamadou Ndaw, be granted permanent residency in Australia. Last year Mr Ndaw was deported, reportedly on security grounds, by the Federal Government.
Mr Ndaw is the brother-in-law of Khalid Sharrouf, who faces a charge of conspiring to make explosives for a terrorist act after being arrested in last week's counter-terrorism operation.
Mr Ndaw and his wife, Miriam Sharrouf, introduced Brigitte to his wife Melanie Brown. Mr Ndaw, who is from Senegal, also reportedly got Brigitte a job at a restaurant after he arrived in Australia in 2003.
The Opposition made the revelation yesterday, releasing the reference in question time. Mr Iemma said he would search his electorate office files about the case.
The reference was signed on November 22, 1999, and refers to Mr Ndaw's work for Amnesty International and Bosnian refugees.
It was written under Mr Iemma's ministerial letterhead. He was then minister for public works and minister assisting the premier on citizenship.
The letter reads: "I am pleased to provide this reference for Mr Mamadou Ndaw, whom I have known in my capacity as his local member of parliament for over two years."
Mr Iemma's letter describes him as a "sincere and gentile [sic]" man.
Sources in the Muslim community said Mr Iemma's former staff member, Mamdouh Habib's current lawyer Stephen Hopper, wrote letters of reference that Mr Iemma would sign in his Lakemba electorate.
Mr Hopper said yesterday: "I don't think I could disclose what I did for Morris. If his signature is on it, he's the man to speak to."
Mr Hopper described Mr Ndaw, who later became his client, as a "very articulate and smart guy but I don't think he was a security risk in any way".
A spokesman for Mr Iemma, Ben Wilson, later confirmed Mr Hopper was involved in the preparation of correspondence for Mr Iemma's signature.
Mr Iemma later said in a statement it was the "normal work of MPs" to make "representations on behalf of their constituents on a wide range of issues."
He said that apart from providing the reference for Mr Ndaw, he also made "representations" to the then immigration minister, Philip Ruddock, on behalf of Mr Ndaw, who was seeking refugee status, in 2000. "I am advised this application was unsuccessful," Mr Iemma said. "I reject this odious attempt by the NSW Opposition to play politics on the issue of national security."
Last night, the Government introduced its terrorism bill to Parliament. Unlike its Commonwealth counterpart, the bill does not prevent people in detention informing others they are being held. The bill also provides for oversight of the use of preventive detention orders by the Ombudsman.
The orders are to be obtained through a Supreme Court judge. The bill threatens police officers with two years' jail if they inappropriately question those who are subject of the orders.
Lawyer-client conversations can be recorded but the discussions not used in court.
The bill also requires that raids not be carried out at night unless strictly necessary.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/deportee-had-support-of-iemma/2005/11/17/1132016927239.html?oneclick=true
Steyn-swoon...
These days, whenever something goofy turns up on the news, chances are it involves a fellow called Mohammed. A plane flies into the World Trade Centre? Mohammed Atta. A gunman shoots up the El Al counter at Los Angeles airport? Hesham Mohamed Hedayet. A sniper starts killing petrol station customers around Washington, DC? John Allen Muhammed. A guy fatally stabs a Dutch movie director? Mohammed Bouyeri. A terrorist slaughters dozens in Bali? Noordin Mohamed. A gang-rapist in Sydney? Mohammed Skaf.
bttt
"Oscar Wilde and H.L. Mencken, eat your heart out."
I agree! Isn't that awesome?
Awesome/elegant/profound/masterful.
Good post!
Bloggers at the G&M made some disgusting comments about the Aussies. About what you would expect at the G&M.
Completely spot-on. To Hades with Said-ist multiculturalism.
Crying out “racism” is the political correct term. Indeed, these people are not only delusional, but deaf, dumb and blind.
Somehow this seems to have escaped the notice of those earnestly seeking "root causes." I would venture a guess that Ms. Blanchett would not agree that failure to wear a scarf over her hair was a justification for rape. I would venture another guess that she hasn't thought of that. Yet.
Another Steyn home run. The guy just nails it on topic after topic.
>>>You can't make a racist omelette without egged whites.<<<
Mark Steyn nailed it. I am growing increasingly weary of the "Boy who cried Racist". I am growing even more intolerent of "intolerence". And I am mad as hell at "multiculturalism".
George Washington, in his Farewell Address, stated: "With slight shades of difference, you have the same Religion, Manners, Habits & political Principles. You have in a common cause fought & triumphed together."
I am one of those who have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles as George Washington. If you are one of those, then you will understand this statement: It is time we take back our country.
Thank you very much!
Steyn "gets it" again... Thanks for the ping.
"I would venture another guess that she hasn't thought of that. Yet."
Isn't she a blonde?
Don't we all? No one touches Steyn alive today. In the past, if you combined Mark Twain and HL Mencken, you might have a fair facsimile of Steyn. He's that great.
Can you add me to the ping list?
I like you.
What's with your page? LOL!
Steyn keeps this up and he may be called a white nationalist one day.
A new smear codeword which is being overused.
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