R.P. BenDedek
Australian Anti-American Racism.
By R.P. BenDedek
Jun 25, 2005 - 10:10:00 PM

Three pieces of News that do all have a connection.

I was this morning reading the notice by Ken Anderson, entitled: "Policy in Effect on Anonymity", and I couldn't help wondering what sort of people live in "your" part of the world. I couldn't help but wonder if Ken's actions result from some threat made against him in relation to the issue of anonymity.

After reading that article I went to TechCentralStation to read two comments made in response to my comments in relation to an article entitled: My Grandfather and the Gulag, by Ariel Cohen.

I had said in reply to one commentator that, "I think your assessment of the Muslims controlling America is false and some would say that it is already happening."

He replied:

"Muslims - specifically, radical Muslims - are already starting to control America? What America are you living in? In the America I live in, I can't think of a single Muslim in the President's cabinet (let alone a radical Muslim). And I'm not even aware of any Muslims in Congress (certainly not in the Senate, although maybe there is one in the House). I doubt if you could name a single officer of the rank of general or admiral who is a Muslim. And this does not even count the fact that an incredibly small portion of Muslims are, in fact, radical Muslims, ones who would ever kill an American."

To this man's post, I replied:

Subject: Re: It's all in the attitude

1. I am not American but Australian
2. I don't live in America, but China
3. I have a disproportionate number of Muslim friends.
4. My daughter in law is native born Muslim (not Arab) and my son is a convert.
5. Your vision is limited if you relate 'control' to personnel in government departments.

I had thought that your previous remarks were tongue in cheek, but I see now that you were serious, in which case I suspect that you are far too 'innocent or naive'. I doubt that many Americans who don't actually live in foreign countries (living normal lives with the populace), can begin to understand the depths to which 'American hatred' runs. If you can't conceive of defeat, then you can't perceive your weaknesses.

After I finished with this post, I then went to the SundayMail Online Newspaper in Queensland Australia, and came across an article entitled: Students quit over anti-American slurs, by AINSLEY PAVEY 26jun05

The story relates that a number of American students have left Queensland Universities because of harassment by Australian Students. In the comments section to this article, I posted the following:

Mr Wanner said even female Australian students were verbally abusive. He warned the problem could "escalate into a very large brawl". WELL BLOW ME DOWN AND CALL ME PINK! Girls can  be verbally abusive?  Who could've guessed that?

I live in china and currently in addition to my teaching position, I am also a student studying with other foreign students. Even here, where both Muslim and Chinese make it plain that Americans are the scum of the earth, people are treated politely and with respect.

What a disgrace to the Australia I grew up under where everyone was given a fair go. Today we have a situation in which:

1. People are far too soft to take verbal flak because their human rights say they don't have to, and
2. Our constant harping about our human rights has made us selfish despicable ingrates far too ready to shoot off our 'self-appreciating' mouths.

I, for one, have never particularly liked Americans: because they are too conservative, too stand-offish, and too arrogant, but just two weeks ago I ran into a party of yanks who recently arrived in China for study. A nicer bunch of people I have never met, irrespective of nationality.

Arrogance makes people our enemies based solely on our arrogance, and not on anything they have personally said or done.

Between the American whimps and the Aussie AssH---es, this news article's content just turned my stomach. Thank God I now live in a civilised society! Three cheers for Mao!}

What to make of all of this?

Just this! Human beings are not inherently nice people. I don't believe in the 'Original Sin' religious concept, but I do agree that all humans are born evil, and their lives are spent trying to attain to a reasonable level of 'humane' behaviour.

I have at many times in my writings suggested that Americans really don't (in their hearts) understand the depths to which they are hated.

It is extremely naive or arrogant to think that you are God's blessed One (especially when you nationally reject your God), and trust in your National Strength to protect you from the world's Evil. If you can't conceive of defeat, then you can't perceive your weaknesses.

American hatred does not just emanate from third world countries.

I have been quite up-front in displaying here my personal feelings about the Americans I have met in my life. I have also written previously that Australia was wrong to follow the USA into Iraq. However, I have also written that the troops should not leave till there is peace. I present myself as I am, and I have a right to disagree with you on anything I feel like disagreeing with.

However, no one has the right to be willfully and arrogantly disrespectful of others. No one should be such a lowlife as to plan on humiliating others, of making them feel unloved, or unwanted, or totally hated.

We may not like certain peoples, their philosophies, their associations, or their countries, but we should have enough self pride to genuinely present ourselves in a decent and respectful manner.

When I was a police officer, on numerous occasions people said to me: "You really are a $%^##%^&*&*," to which I would reply, "Well, you are entitled to your opinion."

We live in a world of propaganda. Propaganda from other countries, our own governments, religous societies, irreligious societies and, most of all, propaganda from the Press. We live in a negatively geared world, fed daily with negative news, and depressing scenarios.

I recently encountered an African man, who said, "Judging by your smile you must be Australian!" We Aussies were always known for our friendliness. What a pity that we have so closely followed the human rights and other sectarian movements to a point where we are no longer known for our smiles and friendliness.

Sometimes when people ask me why I am always so happy, I reply, "I have to be happy because if I let the negativity of my life take control, I'd have to go kill myself. I couldn't bear it."

I guess at the end of the day, the thing I love most about living in China is that I am currently completely ignorant of all the bitchiness that may be around me, and I can easily remain happy.

Have a happy day!

R.P.Bendedek

Email: rpbendedek@hotmail.com

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

R.P. BenDedek (pseudonym) is a conversational English Teacher in China (Hubei Radio and TV University Wuhan), and writes for Magic City Morning Star News.

In addition to his 'Stories from China', he is the author of 'The King's Calendar:The Secret of Qumran' at www.kingscalendar.com.

The King's Calendar is a chronological study, of people and events listed in the Bible, Josephus, and The Damascus Document of the Essenes. It both confirms and challenges many cherished concepts in relation to Biblical Infallibility and Bible History, The Dead Sea Scrolls, the writings of Josephus, the Reign of Nebuchadrezzar, Moses and the Exodus, Jeremiah's Seventy year prophecy of the Babylonian Exile, Daniel's Vision of Seventy weeks, and discrepancies between the Septuagint and Masoretic Texts of the Bible.