i've been to bali too

what's happening in indonesia?

are more australian tourists taking drugs than ever before?
of course not

australians use drugs and will continue doing so
and indonesians use drugs and will continue to also

the increase in the number of australians charged with drug offences in bali
is indirectly caused by australia's involvement in the war on iraq

muslim people the world over
feel persecuted by the allies
mainly because they are

the muslim world feels an emotional solidarity that western nations don't know
a loyalty
and what we are doing to their brothers and sisters in iraq
is upsetting to indonesian muslims

that australia is assisting in this humiliation
after causing indonesia to lose face
by assisting east timor to gain independence
has generated righteous indignation
amongst the muslim electorate of indonesia

there is very little that is within the power of the indonesian government
that can be done to placate these feelings of powerlessness and rage

one small thing that can be done
to signify a rejection of australia's international behaviour
is to crack down on the drug-taking australian tourists in bali

the indonesian government is of course perfectly aware that to the average australian
having two eckies in your handbag
is pretty normal

but to the sensationalist sensibilities of rightwing indonesian nationalism
this is obvious evidence of the pollution of muslim culture
by morally degenerate infidels
a tide that must be stemmed

schapelle corby and the bali 9 are political prisoners
sacrifices of protest against australian mistreatment of muslims


michelle leslie

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