Saturday, November 12, 2005
REJECTION OF SHARIA LAW = HATE
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Miranda Devine:
In the wake of last week’s counter-terrorism raids, Treasurer Peter Costello declared: “We will never be an Islamic state. We will never observe sharia law ... We will always be a democracy.”
Islamic extremists should leave Australia if they oppose a “secular state with a democratic system and independent courts—and equality for women”.
It seemed a reasonable, refreshingly unambiguous statement, echoing the sentiments of most Australians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Yet it was condemned as “unjustified, unacceptable and hatred-instigating” by the Lebanese Muslim Association.
So leave, already.
UPDATE. Powerline’s John Hinderaker applauds Costello. So does Italy’s Il Lupo di Gubbio, signing off with this Google-translated message:
Dear Dr. Costello, thanks, thanks, thanks of heart. It has illuminated me the day.
Costello’s full comments may be found here; a follow-up interview is here.