"Anti-terrorist authorities in Sydney," from AAP, with thanks to Danlew:
Counter terrorism authorities have descended on Sydney's west after a shooting linked to the Iraqi election added to tensions heightened by the historic ballot.Witnesses said two men with guns aimed at a number of cars and shops, and fired five shots during a melee involving 100 people on the main street of Auburn, about 11pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
Police said four men, including one hurt by a ricocheting shotgun pellet, were treated for minor injuries.
They said the shooting followed a clash on Saturday involving protesters from an anti-election group and voters outside a polling booth in Auburn - one of Australia's nine out-of-country polling stations for Iraq's first election in 50 years.
But NSW police Superintendent Allan Harding said he was satisfied it was an isolated act committed by criminally motivated people.
On what basis did he arrive at this satisfaction?
OT:
Timbo:
I left you a message on the DW Jan. 26 "Sheiks of hate . . ." thread.
CGW
"On what basis did he arrive at this satisfaction?"
My personal opinion: On the basis that his higher-ups told him to say this, probably. Afterall, look what happened during the Sydney rapes shameful debacle. Cops knew what was going on. But it took a current affairs program to reveal the ugly truth and the lies of authorities who desperately wanted to keep Australians in the dark as to the racial aspects of these horrendous crimes, and hence more girls at risk.
I think the majority of Australians are quite savvy as to the problematic nature of Muslim immigrants, but it doesn't stop many in State govt from insisting there is no problem. Highlighting the fact that these cretins act just like they do back in their hellhole mother countries and won't assimilate or respect Australian rights or people, puts their precious multicultural dogma in a bad light. Can't have that. Those cretins are their loyal supporters come voting time.
Thanks CGW
I did see it... thanks for your support.
I quite like the name "Troll" in fact, a better name than Timbo me thinks, but it's too late to change. Anyway, a few months back I called Sonofwalker a Muslim - which I now know is not the case, so I really can't complain if anybody has had a go at me as well.
As for some of my posts being in bad taste. Yes they are - I do this because.... well, I don't have an excuse really. I just do it. I can't help myself. But JW/DW has not "summarily deleted" any of my "offensive, slanderous, or otherwise annoying" posts yet. Perhaps I'm not trying hard enough.
As for my so-called anti-Americanism, I don't feel comfortable with that term. I think that American foreign policy has been seriously misguided for half a century. I think the last true overseas US political/military victory was the Korean War - personally. I feel concerned that the USA (the West's powerhouse) does so much damage to itself. Nevertheless I feel no contempt for what America is, I just wish your nation would look inwards more instead of outwards. You can't fix the world. If you had sensible gun laws, an isolationist foreign policy, universal healthcare, and were to outlaw Islam as a dangerous cult, I would be the most pro-American foreigner you could meet.
Please be careful with this anti-American label. There is a world of difference between being hostile to the American government, and being hostile to the American nation (system & culture). Americans often get very confused over this issue. Muslims hate your nation and system, their criticism of your government is merely a facet of their cultural antipathy. Europeans may really disagree with your government sometimes, but they don't necessarily dislike your country and who you are.
I would love to be completely and utterly wrong about Iraq also, but as the above story illustrates, I doubt it. I would love to buy into Bush's dream of a moderate democratic Iraq and of democracy spreading throughout the region like the domino theory, however I think your government is chasing rainbows.
Time will tell.
ABC News Radio
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/lawrpt/
Listen and weep
..............................
Feralee - I'll buy that!