http://www.smh.com.au/yoursay/2002/10/14/
Monday October 14, 2002
Have your say
Share your experiences, reactions and thoughts about the Bali bombings.
This topic is now closed - this is what you said.
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I am astonished by the comments of those who blame the Bali bombing on John Howard and Australian Government support for USBritish policies in regards to fighting terrorists - whoever and wherever they are. Howard didn't bomb young kids in a Kuta disco. These youngsters were blown up by a pack of slimy cowards who weren't interested in ANYBODY's policies- they simply get their kicks from murdering as many 'infidels' as they can. Women, children, innocent bystanders, Christians, Bali Hindus, it doesn't matter. Of course it's ridiculous to blame Islam as a whole, but those Muslims among us who even remotely think Osama bin Laden and his ilk have a point and therefore secretly support him might want to think again. The sad thing is, there are even non-Muslims who rush to the barricades to once again tell the world that, really, it's all our own fault because we dared to say that Bin Laden and other terrorists are sick creeps who must be stopped no matter what. These believe we shouldn't say things like that, we should just keep quiet and stay in our hideyholes and maybe those nasty people might not notice us and throw their bombs at somebody else. Apres moi la deluge. It's all been seen before and these people will keep crawling from under their rocks from time to time to preach their message of appeasement before scurrying back to safety. I am not a fan of Mr Howard, and even less of Mr Bush, but can't see how they could take any other course than the course they're taking now. Enough is enough, it's going to be a long hard road but these brave Muslim so-called 'fighters' should be stepped on like the cockroaches that they are.
Neil Naessens
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I am an Australian living in Israel. I want to give my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this sensless terrorist attack. I want to wish a full recovery to the injured.the Israelis are horrified by this terrible attack on innocent people, we know the feeling. and anyone naive enough to think that keeping a low profile will keep harm at bay are wrong.religious terrorism has no rhyme or reason, its not about self defence, its about slaughtering anyone who does not share the same belief.its a sad sad day.
Aussie in Israel
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The people of Oregon are profoundly saddened by this terrorist outrage. The streets of Portland and cities across the US Pacific Northwest are blossoming with Australian flags - as fellow inhabitants of the Pacific Rim, we are anguished. And just as we aided our brethern in Japan after the Kobe earthquake with medical personnel and humanitarian supplies, we will also search out ways to do what we can to help Australia.I won't pretend to proffer advice on the political course of action Australia ought to take. I am in no way qualified to do so. But know that, whatever Australia must do, we will support you and render aid, and that we regard Australians as brothers and sisters - across America, and especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Kenyon Jones
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The Balinese are majority Hindus (and Hindus do not involve themselves in cowardly attacks globally). They are not to blame. It is most likely an Islamic faction from elsewhere in Muslim Indonesia - Java or Sulawesi. Until we stomp the Islamic extermists and contain the immigration of Middle Eastern people into Australia our standard of living will continue to decline and we will live in fear. Don't bank on Ibu Megawati for an answer as she is ineffective. Allied special forces need to go in and take out these extremist'leaders'. Also, Indonesia needs outside rule or to be split up as it cleraly cannot manage itself. It will never progress and that will hamper Australia and the Region's capacity to grow.
Michael
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As a nation our most important asset are our values. Freedom, democracy and justice. Our country is built on them, our forefathers fought to maintain them. How dare the appeasers suggest we give up these values in the hope the terrorists dont notice us. How on earth do the appeasers think the situation will improve if we do nothing? These evil people are not interested in talking - any suggestion otherwise is just plain stupidity. Australia as a nation has never taken a backward step in defending its values. Now is not the time to start. Moderate peace-loving muslims have nothing to fear. Islamic extremist terrorists must be and will be eliminated.
JC
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I frequently read and sometimes contribute to SMH's 'Your Say'. I have been following the comments all day (yes, I have work to do, but...) I feel so sad and angry and frustrated that I can't do anything to stop this nightmare. Firstly, I would like to thank SMH for providing this forum. I am delighted to see how many Americans have sent their messages of support. I am also glad to see that ALL the expressed opinions have been printed. I sometimes forget that people don't see things the same way (naive, I know). But judging by these comments, one thing is for sure - THERE WILL NEVER BE PEACE ON EARTH. I'm sorry, but as long as there are 2 or more people there will be 2 or more opinions and the struggle for supremacy will continue. BTW personally I am all for the indiscriminate blasting of anyone who is even mildly suspected of the Balinese attrocity. And that is whilst I consider myself quite reasonable and can sympathise with the plight of the Balinese and the innocents of Iraq, etc. At the end of the day, it will always be eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. We just don't know any better. I can admit to it, but knowing that I'm wrong does not lessen my longing for revenge. Nuke 'em, reason with them, send troops, have a cup of tea - doesn't matter. We are all doomed, but we may at least try to survive by fighting back instead of sitting on our hands. Sorry, it's been building up...
very sad Red
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Thanks the the Americans who have posted on the forum. It is nice to know that we are not alone in our grief.Again we are at war.
Grant in London
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A lot of people in Have Your Say have expressed sentiments against the Howard Government based on the fact that their stance is the same as that of our allies. I am not a Howard Government fan myself. I'm a pacifist. But I also appreciate that the war on terrorism is in many ways a war about ideals and values rather than a war on a specific country - alot of people fail to see that. This kind of terrorism is not just about targeting the US. Or Australia or any other country per se- it is really targeting people that share those values or those beliefs. So people argue that Australia has been targeted for standing by its allies? Sorry- maybe I missed something- should we in fact feel bullied and intimidated in not supporting our belief systems and way of life? I personally value having the opportunity to differ from others in my opinion without fear of persecution. As on this site. And anyone that believes that, that believes in their freedoms, that is anti-terrorist, is already at war.
Vanessa (Canberra)
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Australians all over the world are shocked and saddened by the events in Bali. Living in London, there are many of us who share your pain. considering we think we live too far away to be in any real danger, maybe its time to wake up and realise, we are just as much at risk as the rest of the world. My thoughts are with all friends and family who have lost someone.
Laura
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As a young Aussie in the UK I was shocked and saddened to learn of the bombings of 12-October.I hope that the people who say America 'deserved' September 11 now realise how shocking terrorism is. To those of you who still believe that we bring this on ourselves through our foreign policy, I invite you to explain your stance directly to the families of the victims. May we find peace, even if it must come through war.
Tom Shanahan
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Just like the attrocities and witch hunts in the Spanish inquisition, we now have a religious war. We don't conform to this minority groups beliefs so we suffer at their hands. Terrorism is another name for a religious war and these extremists need to be brought to justice. maybe another Christian Crusade in the name of God and righteousness is needed.
Frank Burns
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I'm an American with a strong love of Australia and nothing good to say about Bush. I'm terribly sorry to hear of this tragedy. Aussies have been right next to us from WWI onward. It's time for the US to step up and be there for our cousins. It's like a death in the family.
B. Johnson
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Its a shame that so much of what has been written is about politics and Australias stance on Iraq and the USA. The tragedy here is that innocent people (mostly kids) from Australia and from all over the world have been murdered in a callous and unjustified act of violence. Perhaps we should think about what this means to the families and friends of these people and leave arguments about politics for another day.As an Australian i feel a great loss. Today is a sad day for all people..... but especially for us as a country. Innocent no more!!
Haj
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A war on Iraq will bring more terrorism. To destroy their weapon of mass destruction will bring more disasters in our own backyard. It will only increases the force of terrorists from Middle East of elsewhere because of rising hatreds. Terrorism is wrong!!! It is irreasonal to kill the innocents but perhaps we should think about why people killed themselves to make a statement???. Loving peace is not an act of a coward but the most effective way of stopping wars and sufferings.
A neutralist
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I wish to express my sincere regret to the families of those who have died in the senseless bombing in Bali. I also wish to send my best wishes to those who were injured for a speedy and complete recovery for those who were injured and to their families for courage and strength to endure while they recover. May God shed his love and light upon you in this most trying of times and give you grace and peace.Elizabeth Coote, Toronto
Elizabeth Coote
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Sorrow, and Sympathy for all the injured, dead, and their relatives.It looks like the Terrorists, the Modern-day Thugee, are going to have to be hunted.Best Wishes to AustraliaNeil Frandsenretired Seismic SurveyorLethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
NEIL FRANDSEN
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Let all the terrorists and other killers put themselves in one part of the world destroy each other let the rest of us live our lives in peace.
Peace
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Why?, has been asked frequently today.....The people that did this horrible thing, hate us. Thats why. Regardless of the notion that US policies in the middle east may have spawned this hatred, or that the PM was too vocal in his support, any questioning or search for a reason is irrelevant. That they hate is enough. Hate is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and it deserves to be met head-on and stamped out. Our duty now is not to ask why it exists, or to fear it. Ours is not to blame or to point fingers. Our only course of action is to move completely and decisively against the hate which has so horribly taken our brothers sisters; making orphans, widows and childless mothers out of our fellow Australians. These agencies of terror and the religious fanatics who worship in temples of hate will likely not stop when presented with reason, or compassion, or diplomacy, or logic for they are monsters. Perhaps, the policies of the west did assist in creating them, but they are monsters nonetheless and deserve our wrath. Plato said that only death sees the end of war. Well, that means us or them to me.
Slim Domingo
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My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones. One wonders if there is any place else on this planet that is safe from such barbaric attacks. This is an attack on human beings and must be stopped right now.I pray for the family friends of the victims, in BaliIndonesia and overseas.
Mourits R - Jakarta
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