Some people think I'm grumpy, but as you can clearly tell from the picture to the left, I am nothing of the kind. I am in fact, a model of fun and cheerfulness.
You will of course be pleased to hear that I now sport a goatee which covers portions of my face - even at times such as the one illustrated. before you say it, however, this pixture (taken in 2010) was NOT the last time I appeared to be happy. There was the time in late 2011, for example when...oh never mind.
So what's got me thinking today? Well surprisingly enough, not Christmas. In fact, a couple of days prior to Christmas I read a news item which really caught my eye and had me nodding appreciatively.
The item in question was a report of a speech made by the Australian Prime Minister concerning the thorny issue of immigration, integration and the notion of sharia law for Muslim members of the community.
I found myself nodding because of what Julia Gillard had the courage to say; the words, I am sure, many people would like to hear from their leaders. I know this will not be a view shared by all, but you know what? It's a valid viewpoint, and one which has been too frequently shouted down or suppressed in many countries for fear of raising the howling voices of protest. It's not, in my opinion, extremism: it is instead an appropriate expression of the meaning of 'no'.
Here's what she said:
Prime Minister Julia Gillard - Australia
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.
Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she 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.'
'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.'
'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.'
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.
Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she 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.'
'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.'
'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.'
I speak now as an immigrant. I chose this country (Canada) as somewhere I wished to live, and where I wanted to have my children grow up and find fulfilling, happy lives. The difference between this country and my birthplace (England) is not particularly great. Even so, there ARE differences some of which are positive, and some of which are less so. Some of the differences are in fact infuriating, - some laws make little sense in their conception and enforcement. But (and Mr.Owen, my old English teacher, I make no apologies for starting this sentence with 'but') I CHOSE to come here, and in doing so I acknowledged that there would be differences to which I should expect to adjust. I asked permission to live in this country, I did not assume that I could come here and impose my culture upon those of my neighbours.
Ms Gillard has spoken loud and clear; she has spoken that which seemed to be unspeakable; she has stood up for her culture and against the unwelcome influence of a foreign culture. I applaud her on this issue if not on others. After all, why should a religious group (or any other group) have any right to try to impose their rules onto another culture? Is that kind of behaviour not actually tantamount to an invader's strategy? Why do western countries quiver even as they think about saying 'no' to religious groups or foreign cultures who shout or even scream for special treatment? This is a huge subject and I expect some will disagree with me on this - I welcome discussion.
To my way of thinking, sometimes the answer needs to be a firm 'NO' - and that answer does not amount to racism, no matter what the camera-hungry may wish to tell us.
What do you think?
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