Tonight's news—
1. there are 600,000 muslims living in Australia
2. a Lebanese Bakery was shot up last night
3. there have been five shoot-ups since Sungay

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

Balafre, you need to post again. The index says you posted here in this thread at 3.13am but it's not showing up.

Mark_, you need to post again. The index says you posted here in this thread at 6:08pm but it's not showing up.

Correction: it is showing up now!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

Tonight's news—
1. there are 600,000 muslims living in Australia

The U.N. estimates Europe will be 55% Muslim by 2040.
Wanna swap?

Meanwhile, in the US...

Sep 13, 2012 11:40pm
Secretary Clinton Delivers Powerful Religion Speech After Middle East Embassy Attacks

Secretary Clinton delivered a powerful and personal speech about religion at an Eid ul-Fitr reception, marking the end of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. The speech, at times, was a direct response to the attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East, and the deaths of four diplomats at the hands of militants in Libya.

In her remarks, Clinton repeated much of what she has said in the last two days. Namely that the Benghazi attack was carried out by a “small and savage group,” and that the United States completely rejects what she called the “inflammable and despicable” anti-Muslim film circulating the Internet. However, Clinton pointed out all religions have faced insults and denigration, but that’s no justification for violence. The response to such insults is what separates people of true faith from those who would use religion as an excuse to commit violent acts, she said.

“When Christians are subject to insults to their faith, and that certainly happens, we expect them not to resort to violence. When Hindus or Buddhists are subjected to insults to their faiths, and that also certainly happens, we expect them not to resort to violence,” said Clinton. “The same goes for all faiths, including Islam.”

She spoke movingly about her own personal beliefs as a way of re-enforcing her point.

“I so strongly believe that the great religions of the world are stronger than any insults. They have withstood offense for centuries,” said Clinton.” Refraining from violence, then, is not a sign of weakness in one’s faith; it is absolutely the opposite, a sign that one’s faith is unshakable.”

She asked the crowd to work towards building a world where if one person commits a violent religious act, millions of people will stand up and condemn it.

“We can pledge that whenever one person speaks out in ignorance and bigotry, ten voices will answer,” Clinton said forcefully. “They will answer resoundingly against the offense and the insult; answering ignorance with enlightenment; answering hatred with understanding; answering darkness with light.”

The secretary urged the audience not to be discouraged by the hatred and violence that exists, but instead resolve to do something tangible to promote religious tolerance in their own communities.

“In times like these, it can be easy to despair that some differences are irreconcilable, some mountains too steep to climb; we will therefore never reach the level of understanding and peacefulness that we seek, and which I believe the great religions of the world call us to pursue,” she reflected. “But that’s not what I believe, and I don’t think it’s what you believe… Part of what makes our country so special is we keep trying. We keep working. We keep investing in our future,” she said.

This year’s annual Eid event honored three young Muslim-Americans who are part of the State Department’s Generation Change program. The initiative, launched by Clinton two years ago, supports young Muslims to develop positive organizations and movements around the world.

Clinton acknowledged given deaths of the diplomats killed in Libya this week, the event had a more somber tone than in years past. But she also highlighted the outpouring of support the United States has received from the Muslim world. She thanked the Libyan Ambassador, Ali Suleiman Aujali, who gave a heartfelt tribute U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens ,whom he called his dear friend, killed in Benghazi on Tuesday.

“I must tell you, Madam Secretary, and tell the American people, that Chris is a hero,” said Aujali. “He loves Benghazi, he loves the people, he talks to them, he eats with them, and he [was] committed – and unfortunately lost his life because of this commitment.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics...lYzvg.facebook

I haven't heard of any protest happening here - in New York or any other states. The common acts of violence that gets headline news are gun violence like the shooting in the cinema in Colorado, the shooting at the Empire State Building and the latest that I've heard of was a shooting at a supermarket. The shooters - white, white and black. No Muslim violence these past few months and none since this movie thing but I'm sure Mark will be standing by to post it here should something happen involving Muslims, right?

^
Sorry Azul, that was so long that I only read the last sentence. I've been chatting with North Americans and they're horrified at what has happened here and in Europe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderland

The U.N. estimates Europe will be 55% Muslim by 2040…

I can't imagine that happening without a struggle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

^
Sorry Azul, that was so long that I only read the last sentence.

Does ageing affect reading abilities and/or attention span?

Doesn't seem to affect the High Commissioner for Human Rights though -- she has so many reports to read and she's 71...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navanethem_Pillay

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

I've been chatting with North Americans and they're horrified at what has happened here and in Europe.

I think a lot more Americans are pre-occupied with the upcoming elections (November 5th) - Obama was here (NYC) yesterday...

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

Does ageing affect reading abilities and/or attention span?…

It is affecting mine

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

…Doesn't seem to affect the High Commissioner for Human Rights though -- she has so many reports to read and she's 71...…

rich people like them have assistants to do their reading for them. They make "executive summaries"

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

rich people like them have assistants to do their reading for them. They make "executive summaries"

I didn't see her having any assistants whenever she was at the New York office...

^
They were there despite your not seeing them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

rich people like them have assistants to do their reading for them. They make "executive summaries"

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

I didn't see her having any assistants whenever she was at the New York office...

Actually the length of that post would be acceptable for any CEO etc... to read. Anything longer than three pages is usually ignored.

Seemed an alright length article to read to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

^
They were there despite your not seeing them.

Uhh, my desk was right in front of her office - I would have seen any of her "assistants". Why are you making things up in your responses?

It's true that the Human Rights officers and interns like me would help summarize long reports (and I mean pages of pages of reports) but the High Commissioner is well informed on any of the issues she has to deal with and the summarized reports could still be about 3 pages long.

These are human rights issues dealing with international human rights laws, human rights treaties and dealing with State Parties -- people would have to have the brains, maturity and conviction to deal with these issues rationally, diplomatically and practically. Not to be influenced by emotions, fears and stereotypes...

Here is a list of the Special Rapporteurs on the various human rights issues - I can assure you that most of these SR are 50 years old and above...

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Themes.aspx

^
I'm sorry, I don't have time to respond. It's after 10 and I have to get to bed to read some Virginia Woolf.

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

Does ageing affect reading abilities and/or attention span?

Doesn't seem to affect the High Commissioner for Human Rights though -- she has so many reports to read and she's 71...

It's not an age thing.

It's just a "meanwhile in the US.... <cut and paste> slab of text".

I too skim over your long winded cut and paste jobs because I know that it's not your contribution but the writings if someone else. We can go read it ourselves if u provide the link.

U don't even point out bits that you find particularly interesting.

You are just the voice over guy ".....meanwhile over in ....". Anyone can do that on the Internet. There's even a spell check and grammar checker function to help out Internet voice over guys. At least in the movies/tv they voice over guy has to have an appropriate voice....

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark_

^
I'm sorry, I don't have time to respond. It's after 10 and I have to get to bed to read some Virginia Woolf.

Of course not.

But you'll have all the time for more fear-mongering and spreading your thinly disguised disdain for all things Muslims and Islam.

You know what they say, Mark - if you're not part of the solution, you're a part of the precipitate.

I'm aware that you've done a lot work on gay rights and gay issues in your younger days but you're obviously not interested doing any positive work with regards to this matter. Do you even know any actual Muslim Australians? Like are you friends with any of them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayTee

It's not an age thing.

It's just a "meanwhile in the US.... <cut and paste> slab of text".

I too skim over your long winded cut and paste jobs because I know that it's not your contribution but the writings if someone else. We can go read it ourselves if u provide the link.

U don't even point out bits that you find particularly interesting.

You are just the voice over guy ".....meanwhile over in ....". Anyone can do that on the Internet. There's even a spell check and grammar checker function to help out Internet voice over guys. At least in the movies/tv they voice over guy has to have an appropriate voice....

And here comes JayTee whose only messages to me have been adversarial (like the last one which I didn't even bother responding to because he accuses me of being anti-American - not realizing that I'm in New York RIGHT NOW and loving it).

If you're not gonna bother getting to know me* JayTee, I'm not gonna bother responding to ya. Cheers



*at least I've been reading and observing Mark's post messages for the past year so I know what he's about whereas you - know nothing about me I suspect...

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

Uhh, my desk was right in front of her office - I would have seen any of her "assistants". Why are you making things up in your responses?

It's true that the Human Rights officers and interns like me would help summarize long reports (and I mean pages of pages of reports) but the High Commissioner is well informed on any of the issues she has to deal with and the summarized reports could still be about 3 pages long.

These are human rights issues dealing with international human rights laws, human rights treaties and dealing with State Parties -- people would have to have the brains, maturity and conviction to deal with these issues rationally, diplomatically and practically. Not to be influenced by emotions, fears and stereotypes...

Here is a list of the Special Rapporteurs on the various human rights issues - I can assure you that most of these SR are 50 years old and above...

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Themes.aspx

But that's crazy! You sit in front of your window all day long to see who's coming or going? That's impossible. You're not old enough to do that!!

I agree with JayTee: I too find your posts a bit long..I'm just not motivated to read it when they're that long.

I also agree with the peeps being against ppl (muslim or not) who try to kill any discussion on islam. That is not healthy. There is never gonna be any love if it continues like that.
it is very difficult to be part of the solution if you can't even talk about it.

You can call me stupid, I can take it, have been called maaaaaany other things! I wear the badge with pride!

Meanwhile in Europe, over & out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

And here comes JayTee whose only messages to me have been adversarial (like the last one which I didn't even bother responding to because he accuses me of being anti-American - not realizing that I'm in New York RIGHT NOW and loving it).

If you're not gonna bother getting to know me* JayTee, I'm not gonna bother responding to ya. Cheers



*at least I've been reading and observing Mark's post messages for the past year so I know what he's about whereas you - know nothing about me I suspect...

I'm more than happy for you to use the ignore function on me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

Do you even know any actual Muslim Australians? Like are you friends with any of them?

I dated a Muslim guy last year. He had a strange obsession with making sure none of the food we ate had pork in it, but he was more than happy to gobble on my cock. I found it strange. I'm sure if his god were real he'd have more of a problem with eating cock than eating pork. But he was young and still hadn't managed to find his way out of the magic stories he was raised with.

And he only wanted sex, which quite frankly wasn't that good with him so we parted ways.

The other guy I dated last year was born Muslim but he had the good sense to become an atheist like all smart people do. He was much better in bed and could hold a conversation. He was very nice and i could easily imagine settling down with him but Unfortunately he was still too attached to his ex and didn't realize it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wysi

That verse will get all mixed up as she starts to age and her skin starts to sage.

Are there any spelling mistakes in it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayTee

I'm more than happy for you to use the ignore function on me.

Aww did I hurt your feelings?

I just don't understand where this hostility and assumption is coming from. The last time we exchanged messages was around March or April on the Sexual Racism thread and then you disappeared and then you're back - and your first message back to me was accusing me of being anti-American (your take on my post was way off).

http://www.samesame.com.au/forum/sho...ria#post578595

So, coming from my perspective, here's this guy who I haven't chatted in a long while but still harbors negative feelings towards me (kinda petty and vindictive no?). So would it be in my best interest to engage with someone like that?

But I'm an adult - I can talk to you if you withhold the negativity and assumptions because life is too short to be having fights and drama man. And err my current NYC life is far too interesting for me to spending too much time online. Sorry. Maybe when I get back to Melboring, I'll be invested in petty online arguments and vendettas again

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

Aww did I hurt your feelings?

Not at all. I'm quite indifferent to it.

Quite frankly it would be more convenient if u did ignore me, thats y i suggested it.

But thanks for the condescending tone. Nice to see some peoples righteousness can be counted on when it's needed....

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayTee

Not at all. I'm quite indifferent to it.

Quite frankly it would be more convenient if u did ignore me, thats y i suggested it.

But thanks for the condescending tone. Nice to see some peoples righteousness can be counted on when it's needed....

Okay then - let's not respond to each others' post messages from now on. I don't need to add anyone to an Ignore list for me to do that.

But before we go on ignoring each other - I gotta ask, where did you get the GIF for your avatar - he kinda looks like a guy I hooked up a few weeks ago. It's probably not him but I do know he post YouTube stuff though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayTee

I dated a Muslim guy last year. He had a strange obsession with making sure none of the food we ate had pork in it, but he was more than happy to gobble on my cock. I found it strange. I'm sure if his god were real he'd have more of a problem with eating cock than eating pork. But he was young and still hadn't managed to find his way out of the magic stories he was raised with.

And he only wanted sex, which quite frankly wasn't that good with him so we parted ways.

The other guy I dated last year was born Muslim but he had the good sense to become an atheist like all smart people do. He was much better in bed and could hold a conversation. He was very nice and i could easily imagine settling down with him but Unfortunately he was still too attached to his ex and didn't realize it.

some people would puke at the thought of eating chicken other than the white meat (breast). others don't eat meat at all. i think if you grew up not tasting something and suddenly you taste it, it might make you throw up!

during uni years i stopped eating pork. after a few years i started eating again, and initially i really hated the taste of it! and up to now i cannot stomach the taste of lamb! never will i eat lamb!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayTee

Are there any spelling mistakes in it?

she would not easily know as it will all be in reverse when she tries to read it on the mirror!

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

Okay then - let's not respond to each others' post messages from now on. I don't need to add anyone to an Ignore list for me to do that.

But before we go on ignoring each other - I gotta ask, where did you get the GIF for your avatar - he kinda looks like a guy I hooked up a few weeks ago. It's probably not him but I do know he post YouTube stuff though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by wysi

some people would puke at the thought of eating chicken other than the white meat (breast). others don't eat meat at all. i think if you grew up not tasting something and suddenly you taste it, it might make you throw up!

I'm pretty sure he didn't grow up tasting cock either, but he managed to swallow that whole without a problem.

I'm guessing the pork thing was more a religious thing,

The fact that he talked about wanting to get married before turning 30 was a bit of a give away....

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayTee

I'm pretty sure he didn't grow up tasting cock either, but he managed to swallow that whole without a problem.

I'm guessing the pork thing was more a religious thing,

The fact that he talked about wanting to get married before turning 30 was a bit of a give away....

Is his name "Fahed" by any chance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by azulmelb

But before we go on ignoring each other - I gotta ask, where did you get the GIF for your avatar - he kinda looks like a guy I hooked up a few weeks ago. It's probably not him but I do know he post YouTube stuff though...

His GIF is of the actor Kellan Lutz, my guess by what he's wearing probably taken on the set of Generation Kill. Good mini-series. Well I liked it anyway.