Friday, September 08, 2006

A sad Australian week - vale Steve Irwin and Peter Brock

Despite the fact that I was not enarmoured of Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter, I do have to acknowledge his tragic death at the age of 44. In fact it was with a shock on Monday that I first read the news on the Internet that the man known as the Crocodile Hunter, who made Australians sound so ridiculous with his "crikey", was dead as a result of the barb of a sting-ray entering his heart. He did not stand a chance in the attack because the toxin of the barb is deadly.

Today, I learned, also via the Internet, the shocking news that my favourite racing car driver, Peter Brock, also known as Peter Perfect, was dead, as a result of a car crash in a rally in West Australia. Who would think that the man who believed in preaching the gospel of safe car driving would die in a car accident. It looks like he swept the bend too wide and the car went out of control on a slippery surface.

These two popular figures in Australia made an impact with people in all walks of life. Peter Brock tried to bring happiness to children, and Steve Irwin did the same. Each man made an impact in his own chosen field. They were dedicated fathers to their children, and that is just so apparent in the way that Steve Irwin was pictured with his children and wife. He showed no fear towards the animals that he cared about in his Australian zoo. He was passionate about caring for the environment and especially the animals. His legacy will live on.

Peter Brock's legacy is different because he was a racing car champion, having won the Bathurst 500 (miles) and 1000 (kms) 9 times, as well as winning other driving championships. He used the number on his car to drive home the message about .05 as the blood alcohol level. He was always very safety conscious and that is what makes his death, as the result of a car accident all the more shocking.

I am not even into motor sports, but when it comes to Peter Brock, well I used to watch in fascination, and hope that he would be the winner. Now I have learned more about the man, and how he always signed autographs for his fans, even when all other drivers had disappeared from the track. I have learned about how he encouraged our Olympic team in Athens, and about some of the larrikin things that took place in Athens (via Laurie Lawrence). I have learned so much more about this man who dedicated his life to bringing home the message on how to drive safely. Yet, his seat belt and safety helmet could not save his life.

It has been a very sad end to a week that started out in a sad way. My God keep both of these men safe in His arms, and may their families be consoled in their grief.

Monday, September 04, 2006

The "Azzam" Threat: A prelude to Future Jihad in America

Counterterrorism Blog: The "Azzam" Threat: A prelude to Future Jihad in America

There has been a new twist in the fight against Jihad in America. Al Qaeda have introduced the Tokyo Rose of Jihad. His name is Adam Gadahn and he has made a vide in which he has issued the obligatory request for Americans to convert to Islam. This is a very serious threat and it cannot be underestimated as far as the wide ranging implications of this latest development.

Forget all the mushroom fodder about American and British foreign policy. That is only a pretext for furthering the Jihad movement without raising suspicion from the moonbats on the left wing side of politics, who are falling all over themselves in their own fight against the American President.

Walid Phares from the Counter-Terrorism blog has noted the following:

1. The hand behind the message: The message is indeed "American". The message is directed to the American and Canadian people at the hands of a traitor American.

2. Who is it destined to? It is basically addressed to those who will carry a "jihad in America", possibly asserting Adam Gahdan as their leader. This move has pierced the linguistic shield of America's media and reach US citizens directly, as a way to spread confusion amongst those who do not understand the real meaning of JIHAD.

3. The ideological platform: Al Qaeda's movement is world wide and in the United States is seeking total annihilation or conversion of the enemy: American and other democracies.

4. Argumentation tactics: the speech writer is appealing to all who hate Bush and Blair.

5. The enemies of Jihad: the speech writer names a number of intellecutal enemies including Daniel Pipes and Robert Spencer. He praises the Dhimmi and brainless George Galloway.

There are some more troubling aspects to the message in relation to the claim that there are jihadists at work in the armed services. However, what is more typical in the message is that the west is to either convert to this facist Islam or face the fire.

There are journalists who remain steadfast enemies of western civilization. They are fools because they cannot see what they are doing in their zeal for the Islamic cause. They are dangerous and they are traitors to all of our western countries.

Islamic facism remains a culture of death. They care nothing for the lives of others which is the antitheis of the love of life that comes from being one with God who is LOVE and Mercy.