With the ideas / laws, that Biggles reported in his posting here, just a couple of days ago I received an email from an Expat in Sai Gon, another Australian, (and of course a bike rider also) outlining how the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, feels about things in an address he gave to the Duma on 4th February this year about the tensions with minorities in Russia.
Vladimir Putin, quote : -
" In Russia live Russians. Any minority, from anywhere, if it wants to live in Russia, to work and eat in Russia, should speak Russian, and should respect the Russian laws.
If they prefer Shari'ya Law, then we advise them to go to those places where that's the state law. Russia does not need minorities.
Minorities need Russia, and we will not grant them special privileges, or try to change our laws to fit their desires, no matter how loud they yell 'discrimination'.
We had better learn from the suicides of America, England, Holland and France, if we are to survive as a nation.
The Russian customs and traditions are not compatible with the lack of culture or the primitive ways of most minorities.
When this honorable legislative body thinks of creating new laws, it should have in mind the national interest first, observing that the minorities are not Russians. "
The politicians in the Duma gave Putin a standing ovation for 5 minute +
Added to the bottom of this email was - Quote :-
" I, myself and most Australians would stand applause for at least 20 minutes if our Prime Minister would address the Australian people this way. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE ! "
For my own personal 2 cents worth, replace the words 'Russia' or 'Russian', with 'Australia' or 'Australian' and I'd agree 110%.

Although, it's often been said I tend to stand way, way, way off to the right of Atilla the Hun with some of my political views.

Being born in South Australia, and Jewish as well, with a Vietnamese wife - - - guess that makes me a 'racist' as well

Just asking what the &*#% is happened to Australia these days ???

The interesting thing I observed, is although this was a public speech, made openly in the Russian parliament and widely reported in the media around the world, there was NO MENTION, NO QUOTATIONS, NO REFERENCES AT ALL in the Australian media.

Now just why is that ???

Has Australia become a nation of whimps ?

Too scared to say what we might think or feel in OUR own country ???

VAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM !