Hayfever Season
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After an anxious start to the season, many of our Shire's farmers are enjoying one of the best finishes to Spring that we have seen for many years.
Those now cutting hay are welcoming the stretch of fine weather that has finally arrived.
In some areas the grass is so thick and high that it is going down and lodging.
The stock though are certainly appreciating the feast laid out before them and for the most part are in top condition.
Unfortunately the market prices have been fluctuating widely of late making it a bit of a lottery as to what price you receive for your sale animals.
A 20 cents/ kg fall on say, a 700 kg cow adds up to you receiving a disappointing $140 a head less than what has been on offer.
However, generally speaking, the prices overall have been very pleasing.
When riding through some paddocks that have been spelled, your quad bike results in huge amounts of pollen being propelled into the air.
It appears like clouds of smoke billowing up from the disturbed grass, so great is the volume.
This means billions of minute pollen particles are pouring into your eyes, nose and throat, triggering very severe attacks of hayfever in those who are susceptible.
Ryegrass is probably the worst culprit here.
For those who are affected, an antihistamine tablet should be swallowed at least half and hour before venturing into the paddock as the symptoms can be debilitating this year.
Terrorism in Paris
No one can adequately express the shock, revulsion and scale of the Islamic terrorists' recent carnage in Paris.
Many of us, for example, could hardly have imagined what it would have been like as a parent to learn that one of your children was being held hostage in the Bataclan theatre, perhaps lying prostrate in an aisle pretending to be dead while over 100 theatre-goers were being shot around them.
As the terrorist attacks were eventually repulsed, the bodies counted and the horror and futility of it all sank in, minds turned to what not only France's reaction would be, but also our own response and that of other countries.
These varied from French President, Francois Hollande's declaration of war on ISIS through to US President Barack Obama's more amorphous approach.
This diversity of world views is captured in the expressions of our own citizens.
Watching TV debates on this issue, talking to people that you run into in town and reading the different opinions of those who contribute to the Letters to the Editor columns of our major dailies also reflects this wide range of views.
Though the list is certainly not exhaustive, below is a summary of many points commonly raised on both sides of the debate.
Some of us, of course, will be able to support certain of the arguments of both camps.
Those Favouring Tolerance
A central theme constantly put by advocates of this viewpoint is that we should tone down our rhetoric and be careful not to vilify all Muslims because of the deeds of a very few.
It is probably the most consistent argument they make.
They invariably state it up front in any such debate and return to this point constantly to discard what they label as the other side's more aggressive approach.
In rejecting any hard line action, they stress we should not overreact to any alleged offences as they come from only a very small minority.
If we adopt a 'them' and 'us' position, we will only fall into the trap of dividing our community and doing what ISIS wants.
They also emphasise the importance of not stereotyping a whole group in society, such as Muslims because of the odd bad egg.
They say such condemnations border on racism, are Islamophobic and should be called out for what they are.
Any such actions only reveal an ugly and ignorant side to us which is borne out of intolerance.
They further say we should instead be doing more to assist the Muslim community by "reaching out" and showing more tolerance and understanding to these people.
They are really no different to any other group.
If we act appropriately they will respond and eventually contribute to our society and enrich us all.
They also add that any perpetrators are not really Islamists at all.
Some argue their actions have nothing to do with religion as Islam is a religion of peace.
In summary, Muslims are good people who are unfairly maligned.
They are gentle and peaceful citizens who would not do these things and should not be subject to any harassment or stridency.
If anything we should be taking in more people from the Middle East to show our compassion for their plight.
Those Favouring Action
The other side of the debate has totally different arguments.
They point out that most Muslims killed in the world are killed by other Muslims, such as Sunnis slaughtering Shias.
They have been doing this for centuries and not only will they continue to do so, but with so many of them living overseas now they are starting to replicate their actions in Western countries.
While the perpetrators of terrorism in the West may be in the minority, it is obvious even to blind Freddy that they have a much wider support in their community.
Statements from most of their leaders including every Grand Mufti seem to condone these terrorist attacks.
They add that there seems to be no shortage of adults, including those in the mosques, who radicalise the susceptible youths.
What is alarming, some argue, is that these people are absolutely fixed in their beliefs and are totally impervious to any reasoned view but their own.
Realistically they will never rehabilitate and assimilate with the rest of us.
They also point out that this brand of extremism is rare if not non-existent amongst all other ethnic groups here such as Hindus, Buddhists, Jews or whoever.
These groups don't go round engaging in terrorist acts.
Every terrorist in jail in Australia, without exception, is an Islamic terrorist.
While those on this side of the debate acknowledge that most Muslims are good and decent people, contributing to the community, it is glaringly obvious that a troublesome minority are intent on causing enormous disruption and cost to Western society, including Australia.
Some of them claim they will never rest until the non believers and infidels are converted or killed and that strict Sharia law is imposed on all of us all.
If they are not stopped now then democracy, freedom and our way of life will become a thing of the past under Sharia Law.
The more of them we allow into our country, the worse the problems will become.
They say we are not racist for holding these views as we are judging people purely on their actions.
After all, we both tolerate and welcome all nationalities and cultures into Australia providing they contribute to make this a better place and respect our way of life and rule of law.
This includes allowing everyone to follow whatever faith they wish and to treating women as having equal rights to men.
Anyone who prefers a system that exists in another country is free to leave and live there.
They also add that they reject the claim that Islam is a religion of peace.
They say there is no evidence of this in their hostile actions to others and certainly not in their frequent statements of intent to murder all Jews.
While acknowledging that a majority of Muslims do not advocate the killing of others, the leaders of their community are reluctant to come forward to correct and repudiate such statements.
The arguments and counter arguments are put with varying degrees of credibility and conviction.
At this stage of the debate only one thing is certain - that these conflicting points of view will rage back and forth for quite some time yet.
Let us all hope that a reasoned position prevails in the long run.