2009 Sydney Forum

The Sydney Forum is Australia's second-largest annual gathering of right-wing crackpots. The paranoid wackos have one thing in common — the conviction that Jews, Freemasons, homosexuals, Gypsies, Jesuits, anarchists and communists are all agents of subversion under the control of a ruthless global elite directing world events to their advantage...

This year's Forum attracted approximately 50 attendees. Organisers and featured speakers included David Astin, John '911 Was An Inside Job!' Bursill, disgraced former Thales employee Nicole 'I ♥ Horses. And Hitler' Hanley, disgraced former Macquarie University academic Andrew 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' Fraser, Welf 'Volksfront Australia' Herfurth, James '110% White' Saleam, Terrie-Anne 'Fuck Off We're Full' Verney, Andrew 'BANANAs' Yeoman, "Harry Fritz-Gerald Beahrends" and Steve Grey.

The Forum was held on Saturday, September 26 at Petersham RSL (7 Regent Street, Petersham) and on Sunday, September 27 at The Bunker (725 Princes Highway, Tempe).

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• 2009
• Sydney
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[Hausfrau28]

@Andy Fleming:

I'm glad you can grasp semantics.

Sure, there's heaps of literature out there which I'm familiar with, however telling me to go and read it is the equivalent of someone asking a rightie about their stance on something and the rightie telling them to 'just go read Mein Kampf'. Sure, it's down on paper (and one of the most boring books ever written) but I'm not looking for a verbatim answer to why you oppose 'fascism', ...

[AndyFleming]

@Hausfrau28 That's a rather disturbing analogy, one which presumably illuminates your political perspective. It is also, moreover, an inappropriate one. Be that as it may, there are other flaws in your argument, none of which have much to do with fascism as such. Thus, just as it's not necessary for me to attend the Labor or Liberal Party conferences in order to arrive at a reasonable understanding of either party's programs, policies or histories, neither is it necessary for me to attend the...

[AndyFleming]

Sydney Forum in order to understand Australia First, B&H or Volksfront (or a number of other fascist groupuscules and their ideologies). Secondly, if you have difficulty understanding why a person might oppose something, it would seem rather pointless then asking why they don't support a gathering in its cause. Finally, you've failed to point out how my understanding might be flawed, or how it may be distinguished from that great lump known as 'Teh Left'.

[Hausfrau28]

@AndyFleming

Whinging? I'm not the one with videos of innocent people using their right to free speech being insulted and barricaded out of a public venue by you and your friends.

I'm purely trying to ascertain why these protests continue, and why no left-wing group or individual can give a good reason (other than claiming to already know enough to make an informed decision) why they choose to protest instead of using the opportunity to listen and learn.

All your leaflets, websites and prote

[AndyFleming]

@Hausfrau28 First, there's only one video, and it largely consists of still photos of those addressing the Forum (detailing their organisational allegiances to various fascist groupuscules) and others of those attending the Petersham RSL. Secondly, I'm not sure what you mean by "these protests". Thirdly, leftist groups have published many statements on why they protest fascism and fascist assemblies. Finally, you should try to edit your commentary so that it ain't cut off mid-sentence as otherwi

[Hausfrau28]

@AndyFleming

'that' go to these things, not 'what' go to these things. Another shining example of University education.

It shocks and saddens me that you can claim to be an open-minded individual but refuse to learn about something that you don't like or agree with, but that you're more than happy to screech long-winded recycled propaganda about.

How can you form an educated opinion of something when you have absolutely no concept of what it is other than the biased information you've subjec

[AndyFleming]

@Hausfrau28 My use of the term 'what' in preference to 'that' is a stylistic tic I sometimes employ and I'm well aware of it being incorrect. Beyond this: you assume that in order to learn about the views of Australia First and allied groups I need to attend the Sydney Forum. This is simply untrue. Nor do I screech(?); rather, I ridicule. If you wish to debate some particular political position you're free to do so. You haven't and I can only assume that you enjoy having a whinge. *shrugs*

[Hausfrau28]

I want to know why you would decline the opportunity to educate yourself on something which is ever-evolving.

You are opposed to what you've been told, not what is fact, and therefore you've just proven my original point.

[AndyFleming]

@Hausfrau28 I got my invite late. But I wouldn't go anyway: fascists are not my scene. Plus, I reckon I already know a bit about the wingnuts what go to these things.

[Hausfrau28]

The left are openly invited every year. I don't understand why they refuse to attend and have a reasonable debate rather than just forming a smelly human barricade out the front.

2011 - take a seat, zip your trap and open your ears. You will come out at the end a more informed being. Whether you agree with the politics or not, you will at least then know more about your opposition.