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Down Under
Sydney Council bans Australian flag
2006-01-02
PLANS to fly Australian flags over the famous Bondi Beach pavilion were vetoed because of fears the symbols could incite more racial violence on Sydney's beaches.
Flying a national symbol of patriotism and unity would incite racial violence. I think that tells us everything we need to know.
In a decision met with outrage from locals, returned servicemen and ethnic groups, Waverley Council voted 6-5 against the proposal, declaring the popular beach should remain clear of flags to "remove provocation". Mayor Mora Main and fellow Green George Copeland led a block of Labor councillors including deputy mayor George Newhouse, Peter Moscatt and Ingrid Strewe in rejecting the proposal by Liberal councillor Joy Clayton on December 13.
Good to see that the Labor politicos have the same survival instincts as American Democrats.
The Australian flag and an Aboriginal flag were to be provided by Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull, who yesterday led a chorus of opposition to the decision.

He described the decision as "ridiculous" and remained hopeful council would do a backflip in the face of public backlash. "I just don't understand why such an iconic building on such an iconic location shouldn't have the Australian flag flying," he said. "It was just politically correctness which is sadly what you get often from the Left on councils."

But an unapologetic Mr Copeland said the council remained concerned about a repeat of the Cronulla racial violence. "The Australian flag was used by both sides as a symbol around which to perpetrate racial violence," Mr Copeland said.
Strange, not a word about Leb gang-boyz attacking white women on the beaches. I guess that kind of racial violence doesn't count.
"The people from Lakemba burnt the flag and the Cronulla people swathed themselves in it while pounding people. We didn't want to wave a red rag in front of either side on New Year's Eve."

Muslim leaders yesterday described the council's stance as misguided and presumptuous. Islamic Friendship Association of Australia founder Keysar Trad said decisions made on behalf of Muslims with no consultation only caused further division. "To suggest that Muslims would be offended at the sight of the Australian flag is naive. A great deal of Muslims call Australia home and they are just as happy to see the flag flying high," he said.
Don't know if Mr. Trad is one of the good guys, but he's correct in his statement.
The council has also offended community organisations which proudly fly the national flag. Police Association president Bob Pritchard said he could not envisage any context under which the Australian flag would incite racial tensions. "It (the flag) represents us all - it should not represent any separation of race or instil any feelings of racial tension," he said.

"This is political correctness taken to the extreme and is wrong."

Ms Main said yesterday concerns about racial unrest were only part of the reason behind the council's decision. "I don't think it's being politically correct," she said. "It's just that Bondi is not a ceremonial place. It's a place for recreation."
Something wrong with showing the national flag at a recreational site?
Posted by:Oztralian

#13  here in my little San Diego corner of the state we have a Marine, Navy contingent as big and kickass as any other in the world
Posted by: Frank G   2006-01-02 21:44  

#12  watch the blanket aspersions on California - unless ya wanna back up your big talk
Posted by: Frank G   2006-01-02 21:42  

#11  Oh, and I forgot to mention the moonbat mecca of the NY Times.
Posted by: 49 pan   2006-01-02 20:32  

#10  Dhimmitude has already happened in old NY. You did elect Hillary, the NON New Yorker Queen of dhimmitute.
Posted by: 49 pan   2006-01-02 19:42  

#9  And frankly, to a lesser extent, I think the rest of the country (except california) wouldn't take too kindly to bending over backwards to accomodate.

Haahahahahaha, ain't that the truth.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2006-01-02 14:01  

#8  No New Yorker is gonna bend to the whims of a taxi driver.

Snort. There's a good LOL!
Posted by: Steve White   2006-01-02 10:24  

#7  Agreed, Grunter. I live in NYC too. Dhimmitude ain't gonna happen. No New Yorker is gonna bend to the whims of a taxi driver.

for a number of reasons:
1. NYC is too much of a melting pot. There are all sorts of groups that want their way. muslims don't have dibs.
2. We've got more Jews than muslims in NYC. And the Jews have power (hell, the Mayor is a Jew). I don't think muslims can get far with foisting their culture on the rest of us!
3. muslims know they got it good here. I doubt they want to rock the boat

And frankly, to a lesser extent, I think the rest of the country (except california) wouldn't take too kindly to bending over backwards to accomodate.
Posted by: PlanetDan   2006-01-02 10:22  

#6  Thoth, that WA hospital story refers to WA as in Western Australia, not WA as in Washington State. In case you thought otherwise. As for dhimmitude in NYC (where I live)- I doubt it. Submission to the will of others just isn't part of the New Yorker's makeup.
Posted by: Grunter   2006-01-02 10:07  

#5  "This is political correctness taken to the extreme and is wrong."
You can damn well say that again.

A strong stand needs to be taken and soon.
Posted by: Jan   2006-01-02 08:13  

#4  Dhimmitude is coming to the U.S. very soon. It will start in NY and CA, and spread its puss filled infection everywhere from that point. It's already got a foothold in WA (See that whole WA Hospital adopts Muslim menu story), and the libnuts will have no problem in seeing the infection spread, as long as it will somehow hurt the anti-christ, George Bush.
Posted by: Thoth   2006-01-02 03:45  

#3  PLANS to fly Australian flags over the famous Bondi Beach pavilion were vetoed because of fears the symbols could incite more racial violence on Sydney's beaches.

Good God in Heaven....

These council members need their asses kicked up and down the beach.

Ms Main said yesterday concerns about racial unrest were only part of the reason behind the council's decision. "I don't think it's being politically correct," she said.

Bullshit.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2006-01-02 02:04  

#2  We understand the ming-boggling disconnect between national and local officials. Howard would personally hoist the colors and dare anyone to object. The Waverly Council fellates anyone who might shake a tiny fist in their direction.

Oz will be okay - the voters will remove these pathetic cowards if only the press will keep reporting their appeasing deeds. Whether it was a fight or fun, I never met an Ozzie who didn't have a tough streak and an in-your-face attitude. Their problem with surrender specialists and institutional moonbats doesn't run half as deep as our own.
Posted by: Chomomp Anguling3713   2006-01-01 18:59  

#1  Fly it and make them come to take it down. F*&king Dhimmis. Oz needs to rethink their Leb imports...since Lebanon is self-correcting without the heavy Syrian hand, maybe some boatloads of Lebs need to be shipped out?
Posted by: Frank G   2006-01-01 18:05  

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