During his tenure, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told to get out of Australia. The comments occurred as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques. Howard is quoted as saying…

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom’ ‘We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society. Learn the language! Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us. This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE !! If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.

While the former Prime Minister John Howard’s courageous statements definitely offended some radical muslims and extreme liberals, his ethic is to be commended and his frank diatribe should be a wake-up call to the American public that we should not live in fear and intimidation, nor should we allow our government to take away our personal freedom as a security measure. Considering the Bush administrations inadequate and sloppy handling of national security, we are reminded of this quote by Thomas Jefferson…

“When the government fears the people, you have liberty. When the people fear the government, you have Tyranny.” - Thomas Jefferson