Today a colleague forwarded a chain mail to me that caused some debate in the office. It wasn't your run-of-the mill chain mail; no 'pass this on for good luck' etc. No this little missive started as follows:
"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...."
Howard was quoted as saying '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!'
Quite ironic from a nation that is born out of immigration you might think! While some may agree with some of these sentiments and the Australians have right to freedom of speech the worrying thing was how this was all communicated: The mail ended "Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths! If you agree please SEND THIS TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW"
This almost seems inciteful of more action and leaves quite a scary undertone. At best it is devisive. This leaves me to question where do we draw the line when it comes to freedom of speech. In this instance I think the line has been crossed.
Comments