Of Monitoring And Muslims

I emailed the Prime Minister of Australia today. I wasn't too happy about his anti-terrorism efforts and I thought I should tell him. Monitoring Muslim schools and mosques isn't really what I'm for. I've decided to post my email to him below (I've edited out my name). Drop him a line here.

Dear Prime Minister Howard,

Not to question your judgment or decisions to ensure the safety and "values" of the Australian people---but I strongly believe someone should. Now I'm sure that an email requesting you to stop your measures of monitoring Muslim schools and mosques probably won't do a bit of good; I simply figured that if there can be one more voice of opposition, there might be a better chance of rash decisions being stopped before they get out of hand.

Your statement, "We have a right to know..." carries quite a lot of weight for the Muslim people in your country and across the globe. Now, I'm sure that you have the best interests for all your people, which makes me question if your political decisions are always right in line with your values. You know, that knowledge that keep you doing what's good and just, that tell you what's right and wrong. Is it possible that the new actions to have intelligence agencies spy on places of religious worship and education aren't really what you want, but rather another group that supports, and might have elected you wanted?

Said simply: they aren't the right changes to make. This will accomplish nothing to ensure the values and security of the Australian people. The best it can do is erode the civil liberties of each and every Muslim individual. It doesn't matter if they are a minority, nor if they might have had their rights trampled on before. It's the wrong thing to do and you are aware of that. To simply fall back into the arms of your supporters will make you ignorant. That's the last thing a developed country needs with the power it has.

By all means I encourage you to stop your futile actions. I call them futile only in the context of a nation governed by true morals and liberty which includes freedom of the individual (the Muslim community) and always the freedom of thought no matter what position you hold in society (I don't think I need say who that's intended for).

Yours,

Midguard

And always remember Prime Minister: Though your status now may guarantee power, it can never guarantee you respect.