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Diana West gives us some more clear thinking, comparing Douglas Wood with Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot in the Washington Times:
The cases of the kidnapped engineer and the "guilty" pastors are not really parallel. The Victoria state court is not a murderous gang of jihadis. But there's something similarly outrageous about the coercion brought to be bear on these men -- coercion at gunpoint in Iraq, or on pain of prison time in Australia -- to revoke the precious and essential Western liberty to speak freely.Such liberty is what compelled both pastors to flee their native Pakistan, where "blasphemy" against Islam can be a capital offense. And there's another connection: The Islamic doctrine of jihad that inspires the terrorists in Iraq is precisely what lies at the core of the Australian pastors' lectures and teachings, which are based directly on verses of the Koran and other Islamic texts.
What is car-wreck fascinating here is Judge Michael Higgins' conclusion that simply pointing out what the Koran says now constitutes outlawed speech in Victoria. During court proceedings, when Mr. Scot began to read verses from the Koran that denigrate women, a lawyer for the Islamic Council of Victoria, the plaintiff, cut him off, explaining that reading such verses aloud is itself an act of vilification. "How," wondered Mr. Scot, can it be vilifying to Muslims in the room when I am just reading from the Koran?"
How, indeed. As Robert Spencer has pointed out, at another point in the trial, the Australian judge was affronted that Mr. Scot had said that "the Koran promotes violence, killing and looting." Mr. Spencer writes: "In light of Koranic passages such as 9:5, 2:191, 9:29, 47:4, 5:33 and many others, this cannot seriously be a matter of dispute. Muslims have pointed to verses in the Bible that they would have us believe are equivalent in violence and offensiveness, or have claimed that the great majority of Muslims don't take such verses literally; but it takes a peculiarly strong resistance to reality not only to deny that such verses are there, but to charge one who pointed them out with religious vilification."
Mr. Nalliah, who plans to visit Great Britain to campaign against a similar vilification law now under consideration in Parliament, calls Victoria's shockingly totalitarian statute "sharia law by stealth." And so it is. In outlawing criticism of Islam -- which, so far, is the effect of the law -- Victoria has not only codified a peculiarly strong resistance to reality, but it has also adopted the practice of sharia-ruled states. This makes for a startling spectacle of free people placing a muzzle on speech, a limit on faith and a damper on inquiry.
Douglas Wood lost his freedom at gunpoint; Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot lost theirs by court-ordered political correctness. We know who rescued Mr. Wood; who will save the pastors?
Posted by Robert at June 25, 2005 9:59 AM
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Dhimmiwatch can get pretty depressing for precisely the reason that it is a daily reminder of that brave woman Oriana Fallaci's de-facto observation
" Civilizations don't die. They commit suicide. "
Tragic but true. The possibility is very much alive that this great judeo-christian civilization that prizes liberal democracy as the ultimate civilizational achievement for humanity will die of bleeding caused by cut wrists - slowly, unknowingly and unmourned.
Posted by: voletti![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 25, 2005 2:09 PM
The few are selling out the many. Soon there will be nothing left to sell. Stop the world, I wanna get off...or at least put on the brakes.
at June 25, 2005 4:35 PM
We should bombard this Victorian judge with e-mail protests!
We need to keep writing to Canberra and wake up the polit-props to do something about this.
This is one idiotic judgement. Whatever it takes: This must be exposed and reversed.
Needless to mention that the story was buried on page 6 of 'The Australian' when it came out.
This judge Higgins is a moonbat of the first order. He should be hanged for treason!
Posted by: Terminator at June 25, 2005 5:48 PM
Dhimmiwatch can get pretty depressing for precisely the reason that it is a daily reminder of that brave woman Oriana Fallaci's de-facto observation
" Civilizations don't die. They commit suicide."
Arold Toynbee said this first, and he was probably paraphrasing someone else.
at June 25, 2005 5:57 PM
Give Diana West a medal - not many media types have reported on this case!
I have worked with a close friend of one of the Daniel's, and they stated that this case WILL go to the High Court.
I see the following happening:-
1) We lose in the High Court and Islam is enshrined over and above every other belief system thanks to the rule of precedent, it will apply to every state.
2) The Conservative politicians do nothing and we all "happily" start to live in "our" Islamic Utopia (I wonder if all the Islamic ME'ers will flee Australia then, after all they were "refugees" fleeing Islamic States in the first place?)
3) John Howard shows some balls. This Precedent would allow the Federal Government to act, which to date it can't because of State v's Federal laws. Howard can then pass a law saying Freedom of Speech is OK, hopefully via a referendum to make it difficult for Labor and the PC left to change when they get back into power.
If the PC/ bribed judges see number 3 happening, they will delay the court case verdict until AFTER the next election - where upon Labor stands a good chance of winning. Again - we will all be "heads down and bums up" while the traitor judges retire on their Islamic Legal Fund (which actually does exist in Australia) oil money.
If this happens, then I say the time is rapidly approaching to take up arms, both against Islam and the traitors in the government who have allowed this - plus Islamic immigration (and all the PC bleeding hearts). Anyone keen to form a "group"? I DO NOT WANT my child to live under Islamic rule, let alone to lose the BEST country in the world to Islam (sorry to all you non Aussies out there - I am biased! If its any consolation I have told my wife that I would like to flee to the USA - Southern States - when all is lost!)
at June 25, 2005 6:26 PM
3dtime: do you live "dau-own undah?"
Posted by: Kepha at June 25, 2005 10:27 PM
The most ironic part is that ASIO raided several Muslim homes in Melbourne and Sydney this week - 'suspected' of being members of a radical Islamic group who were planning terrorist attacks in our major cities.
In the houses raided, ASIO agents found lots and lots of 'literature' from the Brunswick mosque, instructing 'good Muslims' to learn self defence, to lie to and hate non-Muslims, and identifying Australians as their 'enemies'.
This proves exactly what the pastors have stated and it should be used in evidence at their appeal.
There is a lot of hatred for Muslims right now in Australia - and the 'moderate' ones haven't escaped blame for bringing this blight upon us. After all, where could the would be jihadis hide if there were not a large Muslim community prepared to either support them, or to turn a blind eye.
If ever there were an argument against continued Muslim immigration, this is it.
Please, everyone, write or email the judge in question. There are far too many so-called 'activist' judges in Australia, who are panting for the opportunity to change our laws to suit their traitorous beliefs.
Any judge who makes an obviously biased judgement like this one, favouring an imported violent sect over Christians, is a traitor to their country and to their own people.
Posted by: DianaC at June 25, 2005 10:54 PM
Judge Higgins is obviously more suited to judicating in such cases as neighborhood fencing disputes.
If, as Diana reports, he did state that quoting from the Koran is outlawed speech, then he should never have had anything to de with this case in the first place.
this is a problem that will repeat itself ad infinitum until we appoint judges who are knowledgeable in the subject the are judging.
one would imagine if one has faith in justice that the charges will be dismissed on appeal.
If not Australia is in deep trouble..
BTW C10 is showing the long awaited interview with Dougy tonight at 10PM Brisbane time.
Should put the cat amongst the pigeons at the ABC and the Melbourne Age!
at June 26, 2005 2:53 AM
Our own society is our own worst enemy. The Islam-appeasers, who can be found in governments, media and churches. Don't forget the Anglican and Catholic churches were happy about this law, and even testified against the pastors. We can't blame this solely on the left. Some churches have become nothing more than loony social activists.
I don't know if emailing the judge would change anything. He's too far gone and wouldn't change his "thinking". Letting Bracks know would be good, and John Howard. Point out the hatred and intolerance they found in that literature from the Brunswick mosque. Personally I think Bracks told the judge how the verdict should go. It was pre-arranged. The judge twisted what the pastor said, denied witnesses for the defendents, and then allowed the withholding of important evidence - the Koran. The trial was a sham. The whole case was a sham. We can only hope for common-sense and decency in the appeal.
Posted by: feralee at June 26, 2005 4:14 AM
Is there some way for Higgins to be disciplined, or even removed from office?
Claiming that reading from the Qur'an is a way of vilifying Islam simply cannot be allowed to stand. He needs to be taken off the bench, possibly for a new career as a defense lawyer for whatever Australian analogue to CAIR exists. He will enjoy it. He will do swimmingly.
Posted by: Hugh at June 26, 2005 10:38 AM
I'm beginning to wonder if the 'West' is even worth saving. Has anyone seen Celebrity Love Island? The Turner Prize? Our politicians sound like middle management, our soldiers sound like social workers, and our journalists cry over the deaths of mass-murdering terrorist psychopaths. Soon it will be illegal to criticise those who consider us to have the ontological status of urine and feces. And soon it will be illegal to smoke in public places, and citizens will be encouraged to snitch on those who dare to light up. If this is the 'West', then whoever wants it is welcome to it.
Posted by: Doctor Phibes at June 26, 2005 9:08 PM
Kepha, yes I do - I live in and LOVE (well minus the Muslim influence, and the growing PC do-gooding influence in) Australia, and was born and bred here.
But I see my freedoms disappearing slowly. As a kid I used to take off in my back yard (40HA) and go shooting (mainly snakes, wild dogs (they'd attack my stock) and targets). I could go fishing in the dead of night and my folks wouldn't have to worry about some psycho abducting me (as seems to happen all to much these days, the worst that would happen might be the odd bit of bullying or punch up).
I am old enough to remember the "Multi-cultural" change in my school classes, and how that changed society forever. How we expected the Greeks, Italians, and Chinese to integrate into our society, that said, they are still "Western" cultures.
But groups that followed in the 70's and 80's were allowed to keep their language and culture - which wasn't all bad, while I am friends with a few Buddhists, married an Asian women (she's hot!), many call me racist for my views (which I find amusing).
Most non Muslim Asians are happy to live amongst us, and WITH us, rather than insist we do things their way. I went to uni with some of their kids - and they fit into our Aussie culture beautifully on the whole (that said I wouldn’t be keen on a Temple on my door step - but I wouldn't care about a Christian church so much - which is why I think all new religious places of worship should be in industrial areas or large acreage areas). They are not compelled in the same PHYSICAL way to retain their parent culture, should the wish to leave it – their folks get angry, not even – pity the Muslims don’t do the same.
That is, people who come here should accept our ways, not try to change them. The only exception to the rule in my book on this is the Australian Aboriginal, I think they have the right to object to "our ways" so long as they are independent of our taxes - I think our hand outs are destroying them also. In some respects, what goes around comes around – what happened to the Australian Aboriginal thanks to unmitigated immigration will also happen to us via Islamic Immigration.
But in the last ten years we have had more and more Islamic people "fleeing" from Islamic countries. Then they call for an Islamic state here. They want to change our laws, they want to change our school uniforms, our education - everything.
The Greeks, Italians, Vietnamese, Chinese, on the whole, HAVE NEVER WANTED THIS. Why are the Muslims different? Why - Because of the Koran.
Some cultures can work together, some can't. Some cultures are GOOD, others are BAD. The "West" needs to discern this more.
at June 26, 2005 10:53 PM
Above should read Greek and Italian are Western in culture (not so much the Chinese)
Posted by: 3rdtimelucky at June 26, 2005 11:05 PM
Googled the "Civilizations don't die, they commit suicide." quote (I thought Toynbee got it from the Nietzsche-lite dullard Oswald Spengler), and, on the page that has a way to do citation research -called: "Brainyquote" there is a:
"PUNCH OUT GEORGE W. and get a free SONY PSO or Nintendo DS" animation.
Showing a moving image of the caricatured president, with pathetic little cartoon fists raised, weaving laft and right, while the prize seeker is encouraged to smash his face... to win a SONY/NINTENDO prize.
Is this fitting for a major corporation to advocate the smashing of the president for a gift?
Who would sit for this in the boardrooms of SONY, as an appropriate use of advertising dollars, and a good way to promote their (often violent) devices to 'youth'?
Smash the president? For a toy?
htt://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/suicide.html
Apropos that is is on a page devoted to suicide, since this subconsciously abets the self-negation of the West. (Is that the point? The assumption that nihilists will be looking up the word, and will want to smash Bush while they are there, for profit?)
I've never been a fan of GWB, but you shouldn't encourage this societally-corrosive silliness in time of war.
Do the Saudis own SONY?
Posted by: BigSleep at June 27, 2005 1:37 PM
Sorry- glitch in the hyperlink above- the "p" dropped:
http:///www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/suicide.html
Posted by: BigSleep at June 27, 2005 1:39 PM
The gremlins are glitchering galore! (An extra "/" this time...)
One more try:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/suicide.html
(Fingers crossed...)
Posted by: BigSleep at June 27, 2005 1:43 PM
Curious-
for the above "suicide" quote/Smash the President link-
(the third time's a charm- it finally works)
the site has 'switching' ads -on the right hand side of the page, so you will have to hit the "refresh" key (F5) a dozen times before 'Smash Bush' ad reappears, but, as I refreshed through the "Free Smileys" etc., another curious ad came up, for a way to win an "X-BOX"- "Hit the Mailbox and win a free X-Box 360". (Depicting a leering yahoo with a baseball bat, leaning out of a passing car window, and swinging at a roadside mailbox".
Now they encourage vandalism as well at assaulting the president to advertise their junk?
Bizarre. (Is X-Box also SONY?)
The Suicide of the West continues, subliminally.
Posted by: BigSleep at June 27, 2005 2:00 PM
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