Don't Let the Door Hit Ya in the...

By: Jason Colthorp - Email

Posted: Wed 4:32 PM, Aug 19, 2009

Is the Australian PM's "Take it or leave it" attitude right for America?

I got this in an email recently and thought it was amusing and even thoughtful... until the end of it when whoever sent it asked me to pass it along so "we could get everyone to think this way." That's usually not good for humanity.

However, the guts of it is interesting and you may have already seen it. The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd caused a ruckus recently:

"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, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he 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.'

Honestly, it was nice to hear a political leader drop the political correctness and say what's on his or her mind. Plus, Rudd is right! However, the people circulating this in the U.S. who think we need to start slamming doors and shipping folks out need to remember-- America was founded a little differently than Australia.

Ours was not founded on just Christianity, but on the FREEDOM of religion. America is the melting pot, by our own design, and without reciting the entire plaque on the Statue of Liberty, WE are the ones who decided to welcome any and all along with their cultures.

That said, I know illegal immigration and such is a complex issue and I'm not about to profess any real knowledge about how to solve it. I just like to point out to the "Forward Folks" (people that forward all the kooky emails) that what the Australian PM said may be right for his country, but it may not be right for everyone else's, including ours.

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