The textbook, “Power and National Politics” by Northcote High School teacher Paul Gilby and published by the Victorian Association of Social Studies Teachers (Melbourne, 2006) , is one of two texts being used in schools for the new national politics subject and correctly raised the Elephant in the Room matter of “state terrorism” in relation to violent policies of the US and US-backed Israel (Paul Gilby, “Power and National Politics”, Victorian Association of Social Studies Teachers, Melbourne, 2006).
However this truth-telling caused controversy in US lackey and pro-Zionist Australia with calls for the banning of the book as a textbook in schools from right-wing politicians, notably Julie Bishop (presently Australia’s Foreign Minister under who Australia has become the world’s strongest supporter of Apartheid Israel after the US) (Paul Heinrichs, “Textbook links US, Israel to “state terrorism””, The Age, 10 September 2006: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/textbook-links-us-israel-to-terrorism/2006/09/09/1157222384098.html ).
Below are some letters to The Age newspaper (Melbourne, Australia) re Zionists and politicians demanding the banning of a politics book for high school students and mentioning US and Israeli state terrorism: http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/he-who-shouts-loudest-not-necessarily-the-best/2006/09/16/1158334730192.html?page=fullpage .
“Blinkered view
Paul Heinrichs reports that the Federal Government has asked for the immediate withdrawal of the text Power and National Politics by Paul Gilby from classrooms teaching a national politics subject in high schools (10/9). Given that the subject is politics, one would think by its very nature opposing views are a necessary ingredient in this course! The very terms terrorism and state terrorism have controversial definitions and players on both sides of the coin can argue either that they are freedom fighters or acting in self defence.
This needs to be understood by students of politics just as much as understanding why states like the US and Israel have come to be seen by their critics as engaged in state terrorism. The issues of whether states use fear of terrorism in a cynical manner and whether the West is reaping the harvest of its foreign policies are topical issues also worthy of debate, given the world we live in and need to understand. Students need to be made aware that these are the debates swirling around the topic of terrorism. Without that, it seems to me one would have a very blinkered education in politics.
DORA McPHEE, Melbourne
The truth will out
I can only applaud Paul Gilby's courageous exposure of the Howard Government's frolicking around the legitimacy of its anti-terrorism policies. Even better than the hundreds of freshly brightened young minds are the futile attempts to reap whatever freedom is left in "freedom of speech". This is an art often practised by those who venture to breathe the tainted air of spurious government principles. If our students aren't supposed to learn about the government's endeavours in the eyes of one who may offer his/her criticising opinion, who exactly are they supposed to learn it from? I for one don't think it really matters.
Whether the government's quest for omnipotence can be changed or not, the dawn of the educated man or even the wholehearted observer renders ignorance unheard of and truth the cornerstone of every diplomatic solution.
ALEX KARKAR, Hawthorn East
Teacher stands tall
Teacher Paul Gilby is correct over "state terrorism" - the Coalition politicians are wrong.
Seven thousand Western civilians (including Israelis) have been killed by "Muslim-origin non-state terrorism" over the last 40 years. In contrast, the post-invasion avoidable mortality (excess deaths; deaths that should not have happened) in the Occupied Palestinian, Iraqi and Afghan territories currently (September 2006) totals 0.3, 0.5 and 2 million respectively - roughly 60 per cent avoidable under-5-year-old-infant deaths and due to occupier violation of the Geneva Conventions that demand that occupiers keep their conquered subjects alive.
US-Israeli state terrorism indeed. Censorship of Paul Gilby would be gross denial of the awful truth.
Dr GIDEON POLYA, Macleod
Bouquets and brickbats
Paul Heinrichs' article says that about half of Victoria's high school political science students use a textbook which declares that the United States and Israel have been linked to "state terrorism". As an American expatriate who closely follows the actions of his native land, I congratulate the state of Victoria on its willingness to let its students learn the facts. Bravo and well done!
The article goes on to say that federal Education Minister has called on the Victorian Government to withdraw the book. Her action only goes to show how unwilling Australia's government is to face reality.
Yours in support of truth,
BOB JONES, New Zealand”.