Posted on 12/14/2005 12:39:14 PM PST by knighthawk
NSW Premier Morris Iemma has called on people not to renounce their Australian identity in the face of intimidation by Lebanese gangs - even if it means being bashed.
His advice came after victims of rioting in Sydney told how they were asked if they were Australian before being attacked by large groups of Middle Eastern men.
Mr Iemma said that if approached, people should say: "I'm Australian and this is Australia and this is a country that is here to be shared by all.
"(We are) Australian and proud of it and they're not going to - with baseball bats or with those kind of questions - change the response they get."
He said if he were approached by such a gang he would say he was "proudly Australian", even if it meant being attacked.
Mr Iemma also warned troublemakers that a 500-strong anti-riot squad would be in place over summer to deal with the violence.
"These people have effectively declared war on our society and the values that we hold dear to our hearts, and their behaviour will not be tolerated," he said. "Force will be met with force."
His comments came after NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam said tough new police powers to be rubber-stamped with Coalition support in parliament today did "not go far enough".
Trumpeting his new laws, Mr Iemma on Tuesday said rioters' cars would be confiscated.
But Mr Debnam said he had been told at a private briefing with government officials that instead of being confiscated, cars would be impounded only for seven days. "Seven days is an inconvenience, not a punishment. The cars should be sold," Mr Debnam told The Australian.
But he said the Coalition would support the laws.
NSW Police Minister Carl Scully said the police presence would be increased this weekend, as SMS messages encouraging more violence circulated last night.
Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said text messages urging violence were "a form of terrorism". But he said whole SMS networks could not be shut down, as they were used by emergency services.
The police response to the riots came under the spotlight last night when it emerged that officers were ordered to stay away from a gathering of Lebanese men in Sydney's west on Monday.
The Seven Network said a police incident report instructed officers to stay clear of Punchbowl Park, from where gangs later travelled to the riot hotspot of Cronulla.
Superintendent John Richardson denied the allegations.
"We received information that cars had started to gather at Punchbowl Park. A car crew was sent and reported back that there were 10 cars and approximately 40 men there," he said. "There were no offences being committed and the car crew was ordered to withdraw and observe from afar. There was no trouble and sending police in would only cause trouble."
NSW Premier Morris Iemma has called on people not to renounce their Australian identity in the face of intimidation by Lebanese gangs - even if it means being bashed.
Lets see this "Wanker" put his money where his mouth is.
That is without doubt the only solution for this problem.
If so, one would not have to even answer the thugs (verbally) if they ask with baseball bats.
Not sending in the police allowed the crowed to grow bold and resulted in the ensuing riot on the beach. This guy has no idea who law enforcement works.
I honestly don't think that AQ or JI actually started this. I think at its beginning, it was just a bunch of Muslim punks that got off on harassing the beachgoers--sort of like teenage gangs do anywhere, crossed with the self-righteousness and sense of "moral superiority" that only militant Islam can provide. But terrorist leaders are not stupid, even as many of their followers are. They can see opportunity. And this is a huge opportunity to undermine one of the few countries in the world that's been a stalwart supporter of us in the War on (Islamic) Terror.
You'll see at least an attempt at a 7/7-style bombing in Sydney inside of five years, "in revenge for Cronulla." Bank on it.
}:-)4
..."These people have effectively declared war on our society and the values that we hold dear to our hearts, and their behaviour will not be tolerated," he said. "Force will be met with force."....
Who does he mean by "these people"?
So far, the government and the press have been on the side of the Jihadis.
The dangers of PC.
It's okay to beat up Westerners - they've been way to successful over the years anyway.
In response, the Aussie parliament banned almost all personal ownership of firearms.
There is no concealed carry of any kind.
""I'm not supprised at the reaction of Aussie youths.
They are probably sick and tired of the leftist Govt. there
coddling the Muslims..who only see it as weakness.""
The Frenchies stayed home and never lifted a finger of resistance when the muslims rioted there. WE always knew the French were weak. That country is gone....not worth the time of day if they won't fight for themselves. History is very clear about the French.
Now for our Aussie Friends......Take the fight back to them dirty Lebs! Show em whose boss! Oi OI Oi!!
Lots of innocent people will be hurt/killed without proper defenses.
I would carry anyway, better to be tried by 12, then carried by 6.
"NSW Premier Morris Iemma has called on people not to renounce their Australian identity in the face of intimidation by Lebanese gangs - even if it means being bashed."
The only thing wrong with this is the missing part where your answer is a .44 magnum slug.
I basically told him that the bra boys did not draw first blood. The only apologys need go to the innocent victims of the riot at the beach, not the muslim community as a whole....
I'm interested in his response...
Amazing. Iemma is jumping on the nationalist bandwagon. But, he just can't help himself, turning even this into pacifist defeatism, and would merely have Australians proudly bleat "I'm an Aussie" while they're being beaten to a pulp.
apologies...sorry!!
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