Hi LEO
no, I’m not saying there is a culture which spreads across all ethnicities here. I’m saying that there is a cultural flavor/texture which is predominant with AngloBritCeltic roots. (including Magna Carta)

This is borne out by ABS statistics, giving approx 74% of Aussies of such background. Please don’t misunderstand me, I don’t say this with a sense of ‘cultural superiority’ but of ‘difference’ from other cultures.

The differences of Anglo culture to say -Polynesian or Eastern European are noticable. We don’t greet people by rubbing noses nor by men kissing men on each cheek usually. Not that those things are ‘bad’, not at all, they are just ‘not our way’. But among their own group ‘go for it’. No biggy. Just don’t slobber on my left and right cheek when I meet you, the culture here is a good solid handshake :) Bron, there’s plenty of ‘good’ in other cultures, its just not ‘our’ good, in the legal and social structure sense.

It would be extremely unfair for a group of say Hispanic illegal immigrants to arrive in the US, then be graciously given an amnesty, and the next thing be screaming about ‘Why is English the language of education and not Spanish’ ?...(then the Chinese, the Vietnamese, Cambodians all say the same-but its unworkable), I Hope u get my drift.

SEAN and BRONWYN... my eyes are glazing over here :) .. I’m mystified about how my posts were patronizing or suggesting cultural “superiority” ? (curious look) Could you be more specific about what prompted this conclusion from my posts in this thread ? I get the impression that ‘superiority’ is something projected ‘onto’ my posts, rather than derived from them, because I don’t try to promote such an idea. I DO promote ‘difference’ and priority with the legitimacy of our existing (anglo/brit) culture as the prevailing one, but not on the basis that it is superior, simply that it’s ours, just as much as Polynesian or Asian is that of other groups. Help me out here, Bron.. “patronizing” and Sean.. “Pinnacle” ok :) chapter and verse pls.

Come back Lucy!
Where are you when we need you?
If you read this, please send us an email from on high - telling it how it REALLY was so far back in time: when the lions (and hyeanas)played; to the unappreciated benefit of our species, doiing us proud; when they prevented us from rabbiting on impossibly as we now do with present human numbers.
Africa, dear Africa - the origin for us all.
Colin

Although I think the sentiment is relatively obvious from previous posts, I thank most of you for your interesting posts. I do feel however, compelled to comment on the words of some.

Freidrich, surely you cannot be serious when you say: "I wonder if a white Australian would be allowed to question the arrival of black Africans into Australia?” It seems fairly obvious to me that the white Australian is a colonialist himself and, contrary to popular opinion, was not here first. Indigenous politics and issues are undoubtedly being suppressed under the current government, but I had no idea it was leading to people forgetting about this nation’s indigenous people’s existence!

That aside, I found this to be a very interesting article and I agree with your post alchemist. There is no doubt in my mind the problems in Africa can be solved through innovation and hard-work at the grass-roots level. The African people as a whole need to be empowered and the fact of the matter is that we are not doing enough to facilitate that. Whilst I do agree that only Africians can help the African predicament, I do believe the privileged people of the world (ie, 'the west') have a critical part to play. It is easy to wash our hands of the African problem and say ‘they’re all corrupt’. It should be everyone’s responsibility to limit the needless death of any human being, and it is something people seem to easily losing sight of.

And as for you, Philo, "The basis of Australian culture rests in the principle: All persons are equal", what rubbish. We have a history of treating people differently – I’m sure the stolen generation, the people going into their 5th year in a detention centre, the East Timorese whose resources we are openly stealing, even the single mother trying to put her kids through school whilst we give tax breaks to the CEO on 13 million a year can all attest to that. The fact is that most Australians are about as forgiving of difference as their small world and convenience allows.

I refer to my previous posts and add the following. J kenno I see your point of view but I find it difficult to reconcile how exactly the west can help anymore.

The west cannot be expected to contribute more and more aid when the past 3 decades have shown tens of billions of dollars to have little impact on the suffering of African populations. Intervening in the domestic politics of certain African 'democracies' to ensure aid is directed to where it is needed is not an option. The bleeding heart lefties would undoubtedly label this as patronising, paternalistic and ultimately racist.

Furthermore I cannot see how economic concessions to the OAU would be sensible either. The OAU is in a strong enough position to negotiate its own deals. Latin America has shown this is possible and indeed the OAU successfully campaigned in Doha for significant trade and pharmaceutical concessions. The problem is that those who lead/ influence OAU policy do not have a conscience nor a appreciation of the suffering of Africa. There ideology has been fashioned by communist Russia/ China and thus human rights is not at the fore of their considerations.

I believe that Sir Geldoff would be far better served to organise a concert at the gates of Robert Mugabe's palace- for it is within the walls of that institution (and the palaces of other African dictators) that the fate of Africa resides.

I am wondering Who are these privileged people , are they The Elite Looters, Liars, etc. of the Elititude Who know better and will tell us what is good, or is it the Hard working man earning his worth and trying- striving for better and earn his keep. You can certainly pick who gets paid by our tax dollars by the very nature of their contribution. No Idea.

perhaps the removal of trade tarrifs and subsidisation of uncompetative farmers by the 'west' (and east), allowing farmers in productive areas of africa to earn fair return for their work and thereby educate themselves and their children, would be a start?

nope, too hard, its much easier politicaly and economicaly to throw money and complain, than to adjust the global buisness model to minimise exploitation