Truth The Aussie Way

BILLINGSGATE JOURNAL (Dateline Sydney, Australia)

BULLETIN: Sometimes even a posting by the storied Dr. BILLINGSGATE can be superseded by an article from an outside source. In this case I am quoting a release from today's Investor's Business Daily titled, "Truth The Aussie Way":

Courage: Radical Muslims continue to threaten the foundation of civilization, but the West can't bring itself to talk candidly about Islam. An inspiring exception can be found Down Under.

While our own leaders, despite a few mutterings about "Islamofascists," let political correctness get the better of them, a spokesman for the Australian government has reportedly "read the riot act" to Muslim leaders.

Not what you would expect from the chief of Australia's office of multiculturalism and immigration. But Andrew Robb didn't hold back as he spoke to 100 Australian imams last week- end in Sydney.

"We live in a world of terrorism where evil acts are being regularly perpetrated in the name of your faith," said Robb. "And because it is your faith that is being invoked as justification for these evil acts, it is your problem. You can't wish it away, or ignore it, just because it has been caused by others. Instead, speak up and condemn terrorism, defend your role in the way of life that we all share here in Australia."

Will Robb apologize? Of course not. He has nothing to apologize for, and Muslim extremists wouldn't except it anyway.

But the point is well-taken: If Muslims wish to live in developed nations, they should exercise their religious freedom according to civilized norms. And that includes refraining from violence and speaking up about the violence carried out by their co-religionists.

Robb's bluntness is characteristic of the government of Australia's no-nonsense prime minister, John Howard. It's even weighing a citizenship test that examines immigrant's knowledge of Australia's history, culture and system of representative government as well as their commitment to the country's "common values."

Howard himself has called Muslim migrants to task for refusing to embrace Australian values and has urged a full integration into Australian society. This would include learning English and treating women as equals rather than inferiors. Will someone else in the West second his commitment to candor?

We're not asking for a blanket rebuke of all Muslims or a condemnation of their religion. We just want mainstream Muslims to rise to the challenge and denounce the terrorism carried out in their god's name. When they start doing that -- and there are enough of them to force change -- then non-Muslim leaders won't have to.

Western leaders should have no fear of inflaming Muslims or anyone else by speaking the truth. The fear should be in what happens if the truth is continually swept under the rug.

BILLINGSGATE REJECTS ISLAM !

BILLINGSGATE JOURNAL (Dateline San Diego)

BULLETIN: Trust me. In my rejection of Islam, it wasn't the thought of losing the opportunity to frolic around with 72 virgins that I most lament. With so much vested in my decision to renounce the religion of Mohammed, it's with profound regret that I must turn in the camel that was issued to me. Although becoming attached to one's camel has some precedent in Muslim history, it is virtually unheard of that in two short weeks a relationship between a man and his camel could become so intimate. As you know, camels are quite aloof and usually not easily drawn into a bond that to most people thwarts the natural law.

To the unwashed, who are incapable of understanding such a relationship, I can only offer my sympathy. Old "One Hump," possibly the finest example of Camelius dromedarius to ever belch and fart in my backswing, has been relegated to ferrying common ragheads once again. He will be missed by me and my foursome.

FACTOID: As veteran readers know, Dr. BILLINGSGATE doesn't make existentially spiritual decisions without good reason. Therefore, for those demented enough to care, I will offer the following explanation:

In a speech that Pope Benedict XVI made in Regensburg, Germany, earlier this week, he said that "violence, embodied in the Muslim idea of jihad, or holy war, is contrary to reason and God's plan, while the West was so beholden to reason that Islam could not understand it."

He began his speech to the students and faculty at Regensburg University by quoting a 14th century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologus, in a conversation with a "learned Persian."

"Show me just what Muhammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached," the pope quoted the emperor.

It is understandable that some readers, including both the subhuman jihadists that plot against me, and those of you handcuffed by the restraints of secular shallowness, might not fully fathom BILLINGSGATE'S transition from dromedary to pope. My response is that until you have walked the fairways of life with a camel, you will never be able to comprehend the reasoning of either the Pope or the Good Doctor.