Michael Smith wrote:
> 
> Lechithao wrote:
> >
> > Subject: US and Canada should boycott Autralia for its racist population
> > From:  (Hakman Vo)
> > Date: Thu, Jul 9, 1998 01:09 EDT
> > Message-id: <19980709010>
> >
> > It look like Australia is the most racist nation in the world, more
> > than South Africa. If it is not Pauline Hanson and the One Nation
> > party would have never made it to the Poll or to Congress.
> >
> > In the US, racist groups like KKK, White supermacist, Louis Farakahn
> > have never made to the poll because the Americans are not as racists
> > as Australians.
> >
> > It is time for people of conscience in the world to boycott
> > Auustralia: no travelling to Australia, no buying anything from
> > Australia, no friendships with racists Australians, etc.
> >
> > We have bycotted South Africa and Nike shoes for their immoral
> > behaviors. Now it is time to boycott Australia.
> >
> > Please write your complaints on Australian racism to your Senators and
> > Congressmen.
> 
> I assume that this is a troll.  With an AOL posting address, and the use
> of the word "Congressmen" it's just begging for a flame.
> 
> However it still worries me, so I'll bite.
> 
> Is Australia the most racist country in the world?  I would have said
> the least racist.
> 
> I'm at a slight disadvantage.  I haven't travelled overseas. 

I have, and I agree with Michael. Australia (except for about 23% of
Queenslanders who voted for One Nation, a probably similar % in the NT
and WA who believe similar stuff) is generally one of the most tolerant
nations on the planet.

I visit Malaysia regularly: there's incredible hidden racism and
intolerance there: it's more overt in Indonesia. Apartheid, remember,
was the South African government's _official_ policy. The Australian
government has no such official policy...

All that said, I think we have to do a more thorough job (as a federal
Liberal Senator recently told me privately) of understanding the
alientation and frustrations of people in the bush. The small farm
allotments of many in Queensland, for example, won't ever provide a good
living for a whole family - much less their progeny in the next
generation. And yet Chinese can come here and either bring their wealth
or get rich in business... and on the other hand 'the aboriginals spend
a significant proportion of my taxes of grog' etc. etc. and these
simplistic conspiracy statements need better responses from our
parliamentary leaders.

-- 

Shalom!  Rowland Croucher                     ()

         John Mark Ministries - resources for pastors/leaders         
      (Bookroom, library, and worldwide F.W.Boreham Trading Post)
WEBSITE  (1200+ articles  1000+ links  1500+ visitors a day)  
                  http://jmm.aaa.net.au