Monday, August 10, 2009

"We Need a Leader Like This" - Hoax? Who cares?!

What follows, thanks to Agent 17 in Florida, is a FWD that's been kicking around the Internet for some time. Headed "Whole World Needs a Leader Like This", it purports to quote Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd saying that Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law should get out of Australia.

What we have here is not a hoax, as some claim, but a case of mistaken attributions. As far as I can tell, the first Australian to give voice to this sentiment was former Australian Treasurer Peter Costello. Costello was quoted with approval by former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, in February 2006. Click here to read "Live here and be Australian". And note these quotes:

Morris Iemma [Premier of the Australian state of New South Wales], called [Mr. Costello's remarks] reasonable and practical and said immigrants should "leave the disputes, leave the extremism and leave the fights behind".

Pauline Hanson, the former leader of the One Nation party, said she was vindicated by Mr Costello. She added that "he needs to throw these people out of this country who do not embrace Australia".

What happened next was that someone blended Mr. Costello's remarks with an editorial called "Hello! This is America!" written by U.S. Air Force vetern Barry Loudermilk. The combined version then got attributed to John Howard. After Kevin Rudd succeeded Mr. Howard, Rudd's name was inserted to bring the FWD up to date. Here's the version Agent 17 collected.

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.

Who is really responsible for this "rant"? Who cares?!

Except for the part about speaking English, I agree! And so, I believe, do the majority of Canadians and Americans...not to mention Australians, New Zealanders and British. Thank God for the leaders who have the guts to stand up and say so!

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