It took Western Europe several hundred years to escape substantially (if not completely) from the clutches of religious fundamentalism, and as a multicultural society we need to facilitate the understanding of our fundamental claims to freedom of association and a religious choice notwithstanding our personal beliefs.

Toleration of minority beliefs is the hallmark of a civil society, and leading by example is probably the best way to have this idea spread through the world. Unfortunately when dealing with religious bigots, of all religious persuasions, it is difficult to bring logic and fair play to bear. It is refreshing to hear the call for freedom of expression and minority rights from more recently arrived members of Australian society.

Let’s continue to hear from him.

Whichever way you look at it, Khatami is on the road telling it like he sees it…a welcome development for an Iranian leader, that’s for sure……’cos without the mighty Iran onboard, there will be no lasting peace in the Middle East.

With Israel already well & truly unhooked from the Middle East’s real politik, and with Iran & Hamas & Fatah increasingly recognising the region’s real politik, I can see some future for Obama’s Middle East strategy.

However, his Middle East strategy has to be well under way within 12 months of his election, or the Zionist lobby will undermine the whole of his Administration, in concert with the military industrial complex lobby & the almighty American Medical Association.

Just wait till the dirt starts circulating in the not too distant future as the Obama Administration takes on the 3 most powerful, sleazy, amoral lobby groups in the global history of politics.