The Truth As I See It

Someone forwarded me this email the other day. At first I just deleted it, but really it made me angry, and I feel that I have to speak out. What this person (whoever the original sender may have been) is proclaiming as "truth" is nothing but racist intolerance.

Subject: FW: Australia now - Canada tomorrow? Australia Now, Canada Tomorrow?????? Excerpts from an on going debate in Australia. This is true and can be checked at http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp Muslims who want to live under Islamic Shari law were told onWednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in abid to head off potential terror attacks. A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty toAustralia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister JohnHoward, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face acrackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard,hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if theydid not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made byparliament "If those are not ! your va lues, if you want a country whichhas Shari law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he saidon National Television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two lawsgoverning people in Australia: one the Australian law and another Islamiclaw that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independentcourts, democracy, and would prefer Shari law and have the opportunity to goto another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a betteroption", Costello said Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, hesaid those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to theother country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters thatMuslims 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, tolive by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basicallyclear off", he said. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday bysaying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or LeaveIt. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending someindividual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we haveexperienced 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 ourpatriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do Ihold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming toAustralia." "However, there are a few things that those who have recentlycome to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.""This idea ofAustralia bei! ng a mu lti-cultural community has served onlyto dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, wehave our own culture, our own society, our own language and our ownlifestyle." "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 becomepart of our society .. Learn the language!" "Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, rightwing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, onChristian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. IfGod offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world asyour new home, because God is part of our culture." "We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we askis that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment withus." "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 yourculture, but do not force it on others. "This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allowyou every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining,whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, orOur Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other greatAustralian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'." "If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to comehere. You asked to be here So accept the country YOU accepted." Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, Canadians will find thebackbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths ! This could apply to all of our Immigrants' both Legal and illegal If you agree , please SEND THIS TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW! If you disagree hit the delete button.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out -because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me -and there was no one left to speak out for me.

-Martin Niemoeller