Their only problem was that they didn't apply for a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

The other important thing to note here is that this is something that happened here. You're right to say that they've integrated well into our society and understand what is not acceptable behavior, however if this happened somewhere else in the world then I'm sure the response would have been different. Its almost like there is a double standard in that Islam must be respected, but other religions are jokes

It is a Bible, a book... every one is a holy relic? I don't think so.

I don't think it proves anything about anything really, other than the fact that like everything else, to generalise about anything or anyone is wrong.

Some people do things the right way, some do things the wrong way.

Hmmm...

Monty Python makes the "Life of Brian": death toll/riots = few
Some wacky Danish guy draws Allah with a bomb: death toll/riots = lots

I think our lot has a better sense of humour.

Anglo Australian society has generally, I think, taken a turn-the-other-cheek attitude to this sort of behaviour, particularly since the Cronulla riots last year, which was as much "our" fault as it was "theirs". This latest incident has gone relatively un-mentioned in the media generally and on right-wing talkback radio in particular. Interestingly, a report was released last week which blamed talkback in particular for inciting and encouraging the riots. I wonder if they're afraid to say anything?

You can piss on the bible and burn the flag all you want. It doesn't change their meanings or what they stand for and it won't change Australian society one bit. It only makes the kid with his dick out and the matches look stupid, and makes it harder for his father to make a living.

Burn a flag instead. Then god will not get mad. Is god as hateful and as intolerant as those who so care so much about bound paper?

Early scriptures were found in a cave. They used it for toilet paper. We should hate them as well?

What it is made from is irrespective of the issue - Be it a flag, a book or a cup is not the point. What is important is what the "item" represents.

I agree. Pissing on the Bible is not so much about the action, it's the symbolism. Like saying, "Piss on your religion!" or culture, or whatever.

To me it is the same as being called a nigger or honkey... if you are ok with who you are, it does not affect you. It cannot be an insult if you do not think your race is a bad thing.

Thats what makes America such a great country - its "within your rights" to piss on a bible or burn our flag. Oh, just don't do it in front of me, cuz its "within my rights" to kick you're effin' ass - and gladly!

I see you did not get my point.

waay off subject here, but--if saying nigger is not a bad thing, why did Michael Richards apologize to a stunned America? were those black guys in the audience not "okay" with being black? I doubt it. Or, was it if ANY black person might take offense, he had to apologize? by that argument, the boys who pissed on the Bible were wrong because somebody, somewhere might have been offended. Like showing the bottom of your shoe to some Arabians---they simply take offense at that.

Thank you for that, I'm going to hijack it for a bit I think.

I did not say being a racist is not ignorant and thinking that the difference of melanin makes one "different" is not the height of stupidity.
Two, very different things.
My statement is about those who get offended.
If you are ok with your religion, race, nationality and who you are, you cannot get offended by such simpletons.
BTW, I think burning a flag is a perfectly acceptable form of protest.

If someone punished a father for a son's protest actions, they are far more ignorant than that son could ever be.

So do I.

I didn't word my reply well...what i mean is, should we assume that black people are ok with being black? of course! if they are ok with it, saying nigger shouldn't offend them because they are OK with themselves. Why did Jesse Jackson and others get upset with Richards when he said it? I am assuming here that Jesse is ok with being black. This doesn't have anything to do with RIchards being a racist (though he is, I believe) it has to do with the notion that if blacks are OK with themselves, which we assume they are, why apologize for an offensive remark at all? It shouldn't affect the black community AT ALL.