Peter Adamis 29 July 2014. Everyone recognises the Uncle Sam recruiting poster of the Civil War except that in this case it is a satire recruiting poster for ISIS with Osama bin laden image on the front. This poster would not appeal to the average Aussie as it has no meaning to them and in fact would be looked upon as a joke. That is Aussie humour for you. A copy of the complete article may be downloaded by clicking on: MISGUIDED AUSTRALIANS SEEK AN ISIS TERRORIST CAREER & MISADVENTURE
However being a terrorist and/or being associated with a terrorist organisation is no laughing matter, especially if one lives in one of the many volatile hotspots on the globe. It’s also un-Australian to be linked in any way with terrorist activities or even to be seen supporting terrorism. However, according to the AFP and other security agencies, that is exactly what is occurring right at this moment. For the life of me, I cannot fathom any son of mine and I have four of them being attracted to fight in a war or being involved in an organisation that has been associated with terrorism. My own parents like many others post WW2 travelled to this country we call home Australia in the hope that they would be providing a better life for their children. They have achieved their aim and in doing so created another life for their family.
The parents of these men who in some cases are mere young boys fighting and or being involved in terrorist activities have left the safety of their homes in Canada, Australia, Great Britain and the USA based on information fed to them by skilful ISIS propagandist. This is a shame and one asks the question what were the parents dong at the time to dissuade their sons from leaving the safety of Western shores to be involved in a conflict far from home. Did not their own parents escape from such upheavals to seek a better quality of life in the western world. Do the parents honestly believe that their children will not be arrested should they return back home.
I was discussing this very same problem with two dear friends and asked their opinion on the subject at different times and locations. My question to both was: “Whom would you fight for if Australia was at war with you country of origin”? Even though they may have been born in Australia country of origin meant no matter how many generations. One was a young man in his early twenties and a business man who deals on a daily basis with a diverse background of employees and the other was a practicing Medical doctor in his late thirties.
In both case these two members responses mirrored each other without the knowledge of the other. I was not surprised by their responses as I had also been asked this very same question when I was a soldier in the Australian Army. My response at that time (I remember it well) was Australia. when asked why, I responded by saying that Australia of course because it was home. I also added as a joke that the bloody bullet from the other side does not differentiate between faith, colour and country of origin.
My two friends who by the way do not know of each other said that no war was just as innocent lives were killed, both said that no matter what the situation was that Australians should not be involved in. But the best of the responses was that both had indicated that terrorist organisations were recruiting young men to fight in a war not of their choosing by using online media, appealing to their Islamic faith. What is interesting about these two friends is that although both are Australians, their faiths differed. One was an Anglican and the other was of the Islamic faith
I can find no comfort or reason as to why young Australians of the Islamic faith feel that it is all right to travel overseas and become embroiled in terrorism. Do they honestly belied that what they are doing is just and do they honestly believe that their faith advises them to take such a path. They are but dreamers who live in the past and the enlightened ones amongst the western world of the Islamic faith can see that a life of terrorism is not the way of the Prophet.
The days of killing, trampling beneath the horses hoods the innocent, the raping of women, the pillaging, the slaughter of innocent and the murder of non converts belong to a bygone era. or so I thought. However I was sent tthree links that led to other links describing the horrors faced by civilians and military personal alike in war torn countries such as Syria and Iraq.
Just watching the video clips made ones stomach churn to say the least and one wonders why these videos are not removed or at least blocked by the providers as being provocative and disturbing. These videos found on websites such as LIVELEAK. and SHOEBAT are disturbing and must be watched with caution as they are not for the faint hearted. ISIS is attempting to return people back to an era that no longer exists and that people want peace. The images that may be found on line are revolting to say the least and it would not come as surprise to those who have a good understanding of propaganda, cgi and image manipulation to understand that not all of the images and videos being displayed on social media re for real. And yet they appear to appeal to the naive and to those who are seeking ‘so called glory’ in the name of something they do not truly understand.
Should parents and community organisation be counselled and advised of the dangers and pitfalls or do we leave as always to our law enforcement and security organisations? Australian security and law enforcement agencies have the skills, knowledge and expertise to monitor and combat such home grown terrorism but it is the Australian public that needs to be educated using online media and other methods to create an awareness on what is occurring right beneath their noses. What can we do to help is another question.
My guess is to ensure that all Australians recognise that no longer is Australia safe from terrorism and that terrorism can strike on our shores at the most unlikely of times and places. Vigilance, educational, training and community awareness is paramount. Furthermore support measures be provided that will allow our law enforcement and security agencies to be either prepared to monitor identify, prevent and take action necessary to safe guard the interests of Australians and Australia. What those support measures will entail is matter for government to decide.
The Voice from the Pavement – Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Contact via Email: [email protected] or via Mobile: 0409965538