[I'm_Lucky]

I live 15 min away from where this is happening... so crazy to think it could have happened to me.

[shari91]

Hostages tell @channeltennews gunman claims there are 4 bombs: 2 in café, 2 in Sydney Business District http://cbsn.ws/1vQEmdL ”

Cripes... that could be where the other two guys are that the dude saw. With the bombs maybe.

[shari91]

"Channel 7 got this confirmed that the flag says "no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger""

[Ace_of_Spades]

"Channel 7 got this confirmed that the flag says "no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger""

Is that the flag that IS are flying?

[Ghenghis Kahn]

"Channel 7 got this confirmed that the flag says "no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger""

fukking muslims!!!

[shari91]

Is that the flag that IS are flying?

Not sure.

[tony_come]

Sick ppl

[shari91]

This Ch 9 special is good right now for those who can watch it. It's showing the timeline since September.

[laclippers504]

Shame

[lilbpack1]

ISIL 1 aussies nil

[existential]

why do they let muslims into their country?

[The Giant]

Look at these losers taking selfies outside of the hostage situation:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...e-9924883.html

[Optional]

Well Australia is one of the most racist countries in the world. Whether it be about muslims, Indians or Blacks.

If that was true, every news story would mention how the police officer is white or the perpetrator was black/arab/asian/etc... or whatever race they are. But they don't.

Media would be all ultra PC sensitive about stupid things like pictures of people eating watermelon or fried chicken. But they aren't.

We would have headlines about some other "hate crime" in the news each day. But we don't.

I bet many of you cannot say the same about whatever country you are in right now!

Australia is very inclusive, fairly tolerant and not ultra sensitive to race issues compared to what I see in Europe or USA.

You won't see protests outside mosques over this in Australia... do you imagine that would be the case elsewhere? Or would we be seeing protests and attacks against Islamic groups already?

[shari91]

If that was true, every news story would mention how the police officer is white or the perpetrator was black/arab/asian/etc... or whatever race they are. But they don't.

Media would be all ultra PC sensitive about stupid things like pictures of people eating watermelon or fried chicken. But they aren't.

We would have headlines about some other "hate crime" in the news each day. But we don't.

I bet many of you cannot say the same about whatever country you are in right now!

Australia is very inclusive, fairly tolerant and not ultra sensitive to race issues compared to what I see in Europe or USA.

You won't see protests outside mosques over this in Australia... do you imagine that would be the case elsewhere? Or would we be seeing protests and attacks against Islamic groups already?

A friend in Sydney told me that Muslim women were already being targeted earlier today. I think she saw it on the ABC. This is going to be the same reaction as what happened after Cronulla. Ever since the terror alert was raised in September, people have been waiting for an excuse to lash out with justification. This has provided them with it.

[shari91]

....

[Ace_of_Spades]

If that was true, every news story would mention how the police officer is white or the perpetrator was black/arab/asian/etc... or whatever race they are. But they don't.

Media would be all ultra PC sensitive about stupid things like pictures of people eating watermelon or fried chicken. But they aren't.

We would have headlines about some other "hate crime" in the news each day. But we don't.

I bet many of you cannot say the same about whatever country you are in right now!

Australia is very inclusive, fairly tolerant and not ultra sensitive to race issues compared to what I see in Europe or USA.

You won't see protests outside mosques over this in Australia... do you imagine that would be the case elsewhere? Or would we be seeing protests and attacks against Islamic groups already?

Its all verbal racism. To be honest, i don't have a problem with it. Everyone is racist. In some form, you are racist.

[The Giant]

How far is this from you, Shari?

[Bbr]

Another dent into Australian racism. Too hard to recover when the actions of minorities triumph the efforts for resolution from the majority

[shari91]

How far is this from you, Shari?

I'm in Melbourne, this is in Sydney so another state. But I was asking Aussie friends the last time Australia had a hostage situation that didn't involve family members or whatever as I couldn't remember one. No one could give me an answer. Then on a news special tonight I learned it was 1984 when a guy held up a bank and eventually got killed by the cops on a bridge. So 30+ years. This stuff just doesn't happen here and I think that's why it's so shocking and terrifying for the entire country.

[The Giant]

I'm in Melbourne, this is in Sydney so another state. But I was asking Aussie friends the last time Australia had a hostage situation that didn't involve family members or whatever as I couldn't remember one. No one could give me an answer. Then on a news special tonight I learned it was 1984 when a guy held up a bank and eventually got killed by the cops on a bridge. So 30+ years. This stuff just doesn't happen here and I think that's why it's so shocking and terrifying for the entire country.

30 years since the last hostage situation? That's almost hard to believe. Stuff like this happens, well...way too often in the states.

Hopefully this guy is just a lunatic, and not a violent one.

[Optional]

A friend in Sydney told me that Muslim women were already being targeted earlier today. I think she saw it on the ABC. This is going to be the same reaction as what happened after Cronulla. Ever since the terror alert was raised in September, people have been waiting for an excuse to lash out with justification. This has provided them with it.

Yeah, sadly crap like this will bring out the worst. I hope you are wrong about a Cronulla type reaction.

If this ends in bombs you are probably right though. Still don't think Australia is especially racist though. It feels like immigrant Asians are way more racist than us to me.

[stevenash]

That looks like I can't breathe in black slang

Looks like "hands up, don't shoot" to me.

[stevenash]

Its all verbal racism. To be honest, i don't have a problem with it. Everyone is racist. In some form, you are racist.

No one is born a racist.

[Ace_of_Spades]

No one is born a racist.

Pretty damn close.

[shari91]

I've removed that Facebook pic due to her family's request as they have been told it was made either at the coercion of the hostage taker or he made it himself and they're concerned that it might put her at risk.

Giant - Yeah it is pretty unbelievable. I had assumed that some had happened before I moved here or I'd just forgotten them but 30+ years ago is astounding. It's a shockingly good stat for once but of course that's why people are responding how they are now. There's history to this one though. In September there was this guy - can't remember his name - who started ranting about ISIS and urging Muslim Aussies to attack. Then the terror alert was raised to high and reports started coming out about "chatter" about an attack on either Sydney or Melbourne CBD. (This is why I ditched our AFL Grand Final tickets even though they were in a box and free as that would be a great place to take out 90k+ people at once). Then this guy actually went over to Iraq and was apparently killed quite soon after somehow (good) but he'd managed to round up quite a few Aussie Muslims to their cause. Then there was some shit that went down in Brisbane and Sydney, and then in Melbourne with a kid going postal, and now here we are. They warned about it and now there seems to be two brothers of this hostage taker out there with bombs. It's just mind blowing because as we know from previous experience, the chances of checking every alleyway, back pack, rubbish bin, office desk, etc is nil.

[Optional]

Where are you reading about the other two guys Shari?

Ive got the TV on but they are saying almost nothing really.

[shari91]

Yeah, sadly crap like this will bring out the worst. I hope you are wrong about a Cronulla type reaction.

If this ends in bombs you are probably right though. Still don't think Australia is especially racist though. It feels like immigrant Asians are way more racist than us to me.

I think Australia is very racist. I've said that many times before but much of it comes from people who weren't born here. Obviously I wasn't either but again obviously I don't experience racism nor anything much to rile up about. But even from so-called fair dinkum Aussies there's heaps of racism. Not with everyone obviously but it extends to everything from why they can't afford a house (it's all the Asians fault) to people protesting a mosque being built on the Sunshine Coast I think it was earlier this year with excuses like their prayer times will cause more traffic (at 5am??!!) to all the shit you see posted on Australia Day re be Aussie or go home, stop the boats, etc. Selfishly none of it affects me so I tend not to care a lot of the time but I hear it constantly. Even amongst those who should supposedly know better ie not cashed up bogans with Southern Cross tattoos. It doesn't make Australia a bad place - I love it here! - but it's just a symptom of a newish country struggling with immigration and assimilation as many did and will in the future.

[stevenash]

Pretty damn close.

Racism is picked up, or in other words, it's learned, from a parent, friend, or whatever.
No one comes out of the womb, born thinking, "I'm white skinned, I am better than the babies that are black skinned".
Or "Mommy and Daddy are Jewish, we are the chosen ones", or "Mommy and Daddy or Catholic, we are better than the Jewish" etc etc etc

[shari91]

Where are you reading about the other two guys Shari?

Ive got the TV on but they are saying almost nothing really.

Here's where I first read it earlier today although they seem to be updating it so the time keeps changing... it was up there when I first posted in here http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nat...370a6e929ea32c

And that backs up what was said earlier on Ch 10 and then posted on the hostage's FB... there are two more guys

[Optional]

I think Australia is very racist. I've said that many times before but much of it comes from people who weren't born here. Obviously I wasn't either but again obviously I don't experience racism nor anything much to rile up about. But even from so-called fair dinkum Aussies there's heaps of racism. Not with everyone obviously but it extends to everything from why they can't afford a house (it's all the Asians fault) to people protesting a mosque being built on the Sunshine Coast I think it was earlier this year with excuses like their prayer times will cause more traffic (at 5am??!!) to all the shit you see posted on Australia Day re be Aussie or go home, stop the boats, etc. Selfishly none of it affects me so I tend not to care a lot of the time but I hear it constantly. Even amongst those who should supposedly know better ie not cashed up bogans with Southern Cross tattoos. It doesn't make Australia a bad place - I love it here! - but it's just a symptom of a newish country struggling with immigration and assimilation as many did and will in the future.

I guess it's perspective. And hard for me to be objective as an 8th generation WASP Aussie. You are probably in a better position than me to judge than me.

[stevenash]

NBC morning news is leading with the Australia story, I'm just getting up to speed here, the presser was kind of vague, I guess the authorites don't want to specuate.

[Optional]

Here's where I first read it earlier today although they seem to be updating it so the time keeps changing... it was up there when I first posted in here http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nat...370a6e929ea32c

And that backs up what was said earlier on Ch 10 and then posted on the hostage's FB... there are two more guys

I wish we knew where the other two went!

[stevenash]

You would think one of those sharp shooters in the video NBC just showed could pick off the terrorist.

[shari91]

You would think one of those sharp shooters in the video NBC just showed could pick off the terrorist.

They won't until they locate the other two guys. If they kill this guy there's the worry that the other two will set off the bombs. They could've taken him out hours ago if there wasn't this threat hanging over them.

That's why mainstream media now has blanked out reporting all of his demands.

[stevenash]

Shari?
What's the best news link?

I'm here right now

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-1...ration/5967232