There is no clear dividing line between defence and aggression and because the dividing line is blurred there needs to be major discussion of why Australian troops overseas are seen as defenders rather than aggressors.
The issue of terrorism has always had argument that bombing terrorists will cause terrorists to bomb. Why are we always so slow to recognize this? Do we have to stamp violence begets violence on each Australian’s forehead before it is remembered?
When there is thought of putting troops in other countries, there needs to be search within for our own violence.
There are cases in Australia of people demonstrating against the building of mosques. What happened to freedom of religious expression? More than that, if Moslems feel they are being discriminated against in Australia will this cause them anger and radicalise their youth?
Does the terrorism we feel we need to fight overseas actually ferment in people who discriminate against Moslems in Australia? Does the creation of a terrorist threat actually start with people who fear Islam?
These sort of questions need to be thrashed out before there is any thought of sending troops overseas.
There also needs to be forums for people to discuss their fears of Islam and forums for angry Moslems to explain their anger. Repressed anger is more likely to vent in bombings. I have yet to read a list of Moslem grievances in major daily newspapers.
Humans can easily fall into warmongery. Lest we forget.
Geoff Dawe, Uki.
