[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BRAVO TO THE AUSSIES
______
HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, one of my constituents, Rip Kirby, sent me
the following article and asked that it be placed in the Congressional
Record.
Mr. Kirby was the Founder of the Baseball Chapel for the minor
leagues of professional baseball. He is a respected Christian leader
and an outstanding American.
Many people in this Country and really all over the world are
becoming fed up with ``political correctness.''
I would like to call this article to the attention of my colleagues
and other readers of the Record.
Bravo to the Aussies
I had seen this before, but felt it worth sending again and
again to see if our government can have the guts to follow
suit.
If anyone has a link to the White House, send it. Though
doubt that anything will be done. But maybe in time we can
make a difference with as many decent politicians we can
elect.
This country needs to get God and human decency back into
our society and stop letting others take advantage of our
freedoms.
I and most Americans see nothing wrong with the stance that
Australia has taken. They deserve our applause.
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.''
Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American
citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing
the same truths!
____________________