Surprised by the overwhelming no. of Australians who think Australians should keep quiet if they are subjected to Racist sledging. There should be 'ZERO' tolerance to racism.

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Looking for support are we ? Feeling a little insignifigant ?

Perhaps you should ask what the pre tour agreement on the the word "Monkey" was before you start stupid threads. Mmmmmm ?

I'm looking forward to the Australia Vs Australia A Test matches. Maybe we'll get some competition and less whinning

In a way, this poll does not surprise me. Australian culture is unique in many ways. This is a culture that strongly values freedom of speech, even if it offends. It is a culture who despises "dobbing"

Insults are regularly given and taken by Aussies. It is called "taking the mickey" This was always the way it was, and in many ways was used as a term of endearment. Even racial comments were par for the cause and rarely caused offense.

But since the much lauded "multi-culturalism" that has taken place since the 70's, officials have taken a heavy hand to it. And people do not like it, because it imposes on our cultural heritage.

Same with "dobbing" The acceptance of dobbing is what has given us the police-state "terrorist hotline"

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Finally a proper reply worth debating.

I am afraid "Freedom of speech....even if it offends" does not sound very civilized to me. I do not know how things go there in Australia....I would love to go there one day and try to find out for myself, but in India and in most other countries I have visited any speech which intentionally offends another person is not allowed and is punishable by law. However, even if offensive speech is allowed and accepted in Australia, they should 1. take care not to bring that culture to the cricket field and 2. Take care not to over react when someone talks back to their sledging.

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

I think in some ways you would appreciate our culture DomainK. Our culture may not seem "civilized" so to speak, but it is one that is positive and dynamic. Being constrained by convention can be self defeating after all. It is no mistake that such a small country punches so far above it's weight.


Well it is illegal now of course. I am merely referring to how things were up until the early 90's.


Australia comes down very hard on this issue nowdays DomainK, have no doubt.

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I'm confused !

How does the crowd's chant of "Monkey" at Mumbai sound civilized ?

Care to explain ?

How many times previously has Symonds been called a "monkey" by Indian players before it has resorted to this.

I am sure a warning would have been given by Ponting long ago, yet one thrillseeker Harbahjan just decided to push the envelope one more time.

I notice in the video footage he was patting Ponting on the back a fair bit and trying to to get Ricky to change his mind. Just like a naughty boy who was about to get his prized toy Tonka truck taken off him by his parents for doing something "naughty" pleading for one more chance.

Why isn't Anil Kumble's integrity getting questioned here.

Why should Andrew Symond's put up with these taunts that single him out, not other Australian players in his own country.

A greater dis-service would have been done if Ricky Ponting did not have the guts as a captain to complain about what was happening to one of his players.

It sounds about as uncivilized as someone calling India 'monkeyville'

Good to know they were arrested and not just evicted.

Quite rightly so. Hope there is good proof against banning Harbhajan like there was for Lehman.

I agree, when the proof comes out, rub them out for good. Do you agree ?