AMERICA NEEDS LEADERS LIKE JOHN HOWARD

One thing is for sure. Immigration, especially the illegal kind, continues to trouble many Americans. We have 20 million or so illegal Mexican aliens in our country and, pragmatically, there is no way that we can deport them all. Nor would we want to send them all back to Mexico because then we would be depriving ourselves of the cheap labor services they provide.

What bothers most American, including me, are those legal immigrants who converse in public using their native language rather than English, who prefer to celebrate their native holidays - Cinco de Mayo for instance - rather than the Fourth of July, and who demonstrate by waving foreign banners like the Mexican or Palestinian flags in our faces whenever they have a beef with our government's policies.

Apparently, Australia has its share of discontent over immigration. Its leader, Prime Minister John Howard, unlike our wimpy politically correct leaders, has spoken out forcefully on what he dislikes about those immigrants who reject Australia's customs. We could sure use some leaders like him in our country. That is why I am publishing his remarks in my blog. Not being a Christian, my only concern would be that if he had been leading our government instead of Australia's, his statements could energize the efforts of those Americans who want to use our public schools to promote Christianity to students holding other religious beliefs and who want to insert creationism into the sutdy of evolution.

Evidently, Prime Minister Howard made his remarks after he had angered some Australian Muslims by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Here is what he had to say:

'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.'