Scary times ahead...

The Grumpy Kid slowly closes his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief at what he is hearing. Is this his culture? Is this his country? Rage pours forth from the TV News, a lady in a black robe amidst a group of furious men, surrounded then by another group of furious men. The Kid glances at his mum who is throwing worried looks at the television as she chops vegetables, at an increasing tempo.
"Mum, why are that all so angry at that lady in the black robe and mask thing?". Mum looks up and walks towards the TV, GK knows she's going to turn it over.
"Its absolutely ridiculous!", she pauses before the screen as a young Australian man is shown, talking calmly and then in a balaclava declaring his intention to walk down the street in protest, dressed in his scary outfit.
"This young man is probably only trying to make the point that these bur-qua cannot be a reason for anyone to be outside the law of Australia. But he's being so inflammatory!! Its all going to end with anger and violence if this is kept up. Australia is a land of religious tolerance. It is a multicultural, multi-religious, diverse community. We pride ourselves on taking people from all across the world and living in harmony together. Melbourne's colourful culinary kaleidoscope is due to immigration, for goodness sake. Since the goldfields, Australia has accommodated such a variety of cultures and this is where our strength comes from. Why is there this generation of anger and jealous .... well its nationalism isn't it!!  Where have they come from?..."
Suddenly she glances down at the Grumpy Kid who is a little wide-eyed now, his head cocked to one side like a curious puppy.
"So, they shouldn't be angry, mum?" She smiles and lets out her held in breath, the tension of the moment released by his innocent reply.
"They need to sit down together and talk about how to go forwards. They won't achieve anything by yelling and screaming at each other."
As if suddenly realising her point, The Grumpy Kid is nodding seriously.
"yeah, 'coz when Dad yells at the bloody umpire at the footy, it doesn't seem to help, hey mum? They always loose anyway!.
"maybe we should tell him when he gets home?" Mum is grinning now.

Please Australia, don't act this way in front of the kids. It is 2011. It is our responsibility to tackle these sensitive and difficult issues with the intelligence and delicacy that this age requires of us. We can no longer idly burn coal, throw rubbish out the window, use racist language or pretend in any other way, that we remain in the ignorant past. It is the responsibility of all Australian people to elevate our discussion from these rotting old ideas to the clean, new, early 21st century community of Earth that we are. Its a Global Village. Were all jammed in here together. Please don't make this harder than it is already.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-police-wont-seek-power-to-remove-veils-20110705-1gzt9.html
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-given-broad-powers-to-remove-facial-coverings-20110704-1gzer.html