Picture of the Day - Australian Riots
A man is attacked outside his home in Cronulla in the Australian riots. That's one brave cop. Taking on that situation with only a can of pepperspray. Hats off to you, sir.
posted by mikevotes at
6:02 AM
10 Comments:
Thanks for spreading the story. Given I am native to that area I find the whole thing difficult to deal with. Doubly so when the Australian Prime minister denies any real issue behind this behaviour, as well as any international concerns.
John Howard's gocernment, promoting hate as part of their anti terrorism agenda, are well and truly implicated in this outbreak of stupid violence.
By
Cartledge, at 12:18 AM
The Holy Spirit's message today on The Christian Prophet blog seems to say that Muslims create a backlash against themselves by insisting on feeling separate and different.
By
Christian Prophet, at 1:42 PM
Sorry, I can’t feel sympathy for the Muslims. They have proven themselves enemies of all that don’t adhere to their thoughts and religious ideas. If people hate and resent them it is because they have engendered that by their attitudes toward the rest of the world. If Muslims want to attack others then they should be prepared to BE attacked.
By
Anonymous, at 1:57 PM
The previous Michael is not Micheal the Tubthumper. - Mike
By
mikevotes, at 2:32 PM
People, please...
Don't confuse "Muslim" extremists with regular Muslims. Should we assume that all the various groups that associate themselves with Christianity, such as the KKK, the Westboro Baptist Church, Army of God, et. al. are the authoritative voice of Christianity?
Also be careful to not confuse social unrest, brought on by discrimination, such as just happened in France, with al Queda sponsored terrorism.
By
Isaac Carmichael, at 10:41 PM
Good points, Bob.
The presentation I've read on this is that it started with gang confrontations between the two groups. Why there were gangs, why there was conflict, what the underlying issues are, I have no idea. Like many pictures of the day, this one just grabbed me. I wasn't really after a point here, I don't know enogh about the situation to comment too intelligently.
I just saw this series, and the violence in it, and that incredibly brave policeman, and then them both being chased away. It grabbed me as something.
And, yes, in the warminded xenophobia there is a tendency to group everybody with the worst. There's this Paki guy I talk with at one of my favorite restaurants, and one day we got to talking, and he talked about some of thr things he's been through since 9-11. It's horrible the racism(?) this poor little bookish guy has been through. Beyond his accent, he's more American at this point than Paki, and yet he's had stuff thrown at him.
Eric Rudolph was a Christian extremist, and yet we're not cracking down on evangelical churches.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 7:40 AM
Thanks for bringing up the Sydney white riots, ignored by everyone who jumped up and down and pointed at the Paris non-white riots.
"Muslims create a backlash against themselves by insisting on feeling separate and different."
That's exactly what they used to say about the Jews. And what they still say, when there's no microphones, about blacks.
And I dare any Christian to run a Google search on "Christian Reconstruction" or "Dominionism" and tell me that these fanatics aren't enemies of the entire rest of mankind - with a possible agent in the White House.
The difference: we're white and we're rich, so we must be right.
By
Anonymous, at 3:28 PM
Yup, anonymous, it's kind of the way that Puritans used to think, and it's very common down here in Texas.
I am economically successful, an it is god's blessing, therefore I am one of God's select. And any who aren't successful are "not right with god."
It's really a terrifying convolution of god, economics and morality. Plus, it gives the claimant a position of superiority, and after all, what was Jesus about if it's not looking down on the less fortunate.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 3:59 PM
There is some very interesting analysis on the Sydney riots, I would direct interested readers, in particular, to: James Jupp: A place under the sun for all Australians (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17559574%5E7583,00.html)
There was undoubtedly an element of racism, such as is common among young hooligans around the world, though it is more a handy excuse than a deep seated hatred.
Comments reflecting on the religious aspects are way out of line. Australia is not a deeply Christian country, and few of the so called ‘Lebs’ have any standing with the Mosques in Sydney.
I find it distressing that evangelicals are so quick to overlay their preferred world view on every adverse event on the planet. As it happens, both sides are now making some sort of effort to resolve conflict. Many have expressed real shame at their stupid actions. AS much as anything, these appalling events serve as an eye opener to all of us.
By
Cartledge, at 5:03 PM
I don't know if you'll ever see this cartledge, but that is a pretty good article you cited.
By
mikevotes, at 12:54 PM
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