“I do not accept there is underlying racism in this country,” Mr Howard said today following yesterday’s race riots at Cronulla Beach.
“I have always taken a more optimistic view of the character of the Australian people.”
I think he’s having himself on, certainly where it concerns at least a substantial minority. A very ugly redneck mindset exists among many Australians ….witness the reactions to things like Tampa, Schapelle Corby etc.
Mr Howard also dismissed any suggestion his government’s warnings about home-grown terrorists had fuelled the rampage.
“It is impossible to know how individuals react but everything this government’s said about home-grown terrorism has been totally justified,” Mr Howard told reporters in Sydney.
Interesting point of view in today’s Crikey by Stephen Fenely who poses the possibility that the anti-terror laws be applied against the ringleaders in yesterday’s proud efforts at Cronulla.
Morris Iemma, unlike John Howard, pulled no punches in stating that the violence was racist, saying:
“The Australia that I know and intend to preserve as Premier does not support that kind of violence and behaviour,” he said.
“They tried to hide behind the Australian flag today – they are in fact cowards.”
in condemning it as the ugly face of racism.
Meanwhile, the local MP, Bruce Baird has come out as something of an apologist for the local hooligans – obviously thinks they might vote for him. He claims the violence was revenge for the Bali bombings and the September 11 attacks. Sure, anything to justify the behaviour of a bunch of chromosome deficient morons with a gutful of grog (I also note from the television footage and pictures in the papers that VB wins hands down as the bogan’s beer of choice.)
Finally, a few more images of some fine examples of Australian manhood doing the country proud. Fuckwits, all of them!!!
I heard somewhere the new laws can only be used from Friday onwards due to a minor gazetting issue. So perhaps they will be used.
Since the different mobs were using mobile phone networks to send SMS, can’t these be traced? Unlike a phone call, SMS are going to be fairly easy to collect.
I am a bit worried about their beer of choice however as have half a slab of VB still in my fridge.