Progressive Aussies?

Contradiction in terms? Obviously not. Look at Germaine Greer, for Christ's sake. Still, it does make you think when you see that Greg Chappell has been having a go at Shoaib for his action, while crowds in Australia continue to shout "no ball" as Muralitharan bowls. Do they realise, I wonder, that they're watching one of the best bowlers ever? Would they be so vociferous if he were Australian? Obviously not, but you see what I'm getting at. That made me laugh a couple of years ago when it was revealed that pretty much all of the Australian bowlers exceeded the legal limit at the time. Suddenly a lot of ex players down under went a bit quiet. I don't know, but they may just be a link between what is said in the papers and what's said in the stands (by the likes of those who have been having a go at South Africans, for example).
So is this article by Peter Roebuck tongue in cheek or not? He makes such a habit of saying ridiculous stuff that it's hard to tell. Also, whenever I read his articles, not only do they piss me off because of his ill informed views on the cricket (suggesting, for example, that Ian Blackwell should replace Ashley Giles after the Lord's Test last summer), but he also seems quite happy to slip in more than his fair share of near racist comments (a fair share being none). I quote: "People keep banging on about rights and so forth (though not in China)". Mmm... is he trying to suggest that no Chinese people support human rights? Stick to the cricket, Pete. Actually, stick to something else in which I'm not at all interested, like errr... I don't know. Badminton?
Finally, and 'cause it's a bit related, and 'cause it's pissing me off: those cartoons by that Danish paper. Not big, not clever. Very sad, in fact, as is their reproduction throughout Europe. I've got nothing against freedom of speech, but there's a difference between speaking freely and being extremely insulting.