Be alarmed but not alert!

The Howard Government's pre-occupation with xenophobic policies and the promotion of irrational fear within the community appears to be paying big dividends. If public support is anything to go by, it looks like the Howard Government is here to stay.

On the back of recent comments made by federal treasurer and longtime aspiring PM Peter Costello, channel nine's 'Today Show thought it proper to bring Pauline Hanson back into the immigration debate. Hanson has always been candid when it comes to her views on refugees, indeginous Australians and migrants.

It appears Pauline has swapped politics for a job in real estate, but she wasted no time in offering policy advice to Peter Costello with a request for tighter controls over migrants taking out Australian citizenship.

According to Pauline, one of the biggest problems is allowing migrants to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge in groups. It appears that some 'New Australians' cannot be trusted to follow the official script. Apparently, the solution, according to good ol' Pauline, is to introduce 'one on one' ceremonies where officials can watch the blighters to make certain that future Australians say and mean every word of the pledge.

Meanwhile, Melbourne man Jack Thomas, nicknamed "Jihad Jack", has become the first Australian citizen to be convicted under new anti-terrorist legislation. Another coup for the Howard regime and yet another reason for mainstream Australians to engage in the politics of fear.

On a recent train ride I was stunned by a question posed by a uni student sitting opposite me. "I don't want to sound paranoid, but what's that ticking noise in your bag"? I read the fear in his eyes as a trembling finger pointed at my groceries that were concealed in a recycled carry bag. "That's my heart", I said. "I have a metal heart valve that makes a ticking noise". The student blushed and went back to reading his book.

Oh the Paranoia.