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Taking the sharp edge off our fears : Comments
By Andrew Bartlett, published 27/1/2006Andrew Bartlett argues Australia needs to put some serious resources into multiculturalism and migrant settlement programs.
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Posted by Yobbo, Monday, 30 January 2006 5:20:15 AM
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The problem as I see it comes in comments like the one from Amel, Monday, 30 January.
I am speaking for myself when I say that I believe that everybody is racist, of course to different degrees and against different cultures and for different reasons. The problem with ‘some’ people and cultures is that they don’t want to allow others to even “think” negative thoughts about their culture or race or say anything that they don’t want to hear. They want to control our thoughts and actions and force us to believe 100% that they are pure and they are right. If we don’t, they expect us to keep it to ourselves so that we don’t offend them or make them angry. If we don’t act like they want us to act and don’t say what they want to hear we are automatically referred to as “racists” and discredited. It’s a process; it’s a type of bullying. Now back to my previous little example on my other post - in Australia if you had to choose from two people and one was of your own culture/race, say Aussie, and the other was say Muslim and you chose your own. You could be accused of racism and maybe even sued. We have lost our Freedom of Thought and Freedom of Choice. We should be concerned as this is a free country and we should have Freedom of Choice without automatically being discredited, considered racists, and our rights removed. Otherwise we risk being taken over because those that keep calling us racists have Legislation on their side. Those that do not allow you to think or have preferences, ideas, opinions without calling you a racist in that negative tone are the ones that are truly racists as they seem to think that they are perfect and superior and that they can do or say no wrong. Thanks Merideth. I don’t see myself as a racist in the negative sense of the word. I do however, have preferences and I have my reasons, some reasons probably more worthy than others – who doesn’t? Posted by Jolanda, Monday, 30 January 2006 9:08:12 AM
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Kay,
I knew what you meant, and your post was not “rather stupid”, it wasn’t stupid at all. You were referring, rightly, to ‘shouters’ – those people whom you know are angry and spluttering and spitting when they use upper case. It is universally seen as rude and ignorant to use upper case. It’s a pity we cannot underline or italicise things we want to make a special point of. I’ve tried it, but it doesn’t work on OLO. Don’t worry about ‘articulation’. You express your views simply, honestly and politely. This has always been the best way. Some of us tend to waffle a little. Keep on keeping on. Posted by Leigh, Monday, 30 January 2006 11:00:47 AM
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It is very necessary to point out the racists in this discussion, especially those who attempt to subvert the hard won freedoms Australia enjoys. Racism is contrary to Australian values and it sickens me how that tiny minority want to stain our national reputation, damage our community spirit and hinder our economic progress.
When decent people hear a racist argument, they discard it -- it's worthless. They pity the person who presents it and wonder why do they do it. When Friedrich claims that the contributions of non-white Australians would fit onto a postage stamp (28jan2006) one can only react with astonishment. It clearly fits the definition of racism and like all racist arguments it is clearly wrong. The rejection of racism unites us. It is one of the pillars of peace and prosperity, both locally and internationally. Rejection of racism is also an important spiritual teaching. Jolanda's defence of racism (30Jan2006) is as pathetic as the idea itself. She says she is not a "racist in the negative sense of the word." Well, there is no positive in racism. She claims that discrediting racism is a type of bullying. That is like saying discrediting bullying is a type of bullying! To everyone else, please continue to discuss multiculturalism, community values, overpopulation - whatever you like. Discussing these topics critically does not mean you are racist. Rejection of racism is jointly supported by conservatives, moderates and progressives alike. Posted by David Latimer, Monday, 30 January 2006 12:42:09 PM
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http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/001307.php
I have just read the .PDF file above, referred to by Martin Ibn Warriq in his post on Sunday 29th January. It has been a revelation to me! Thanks a lot Martin; you are doing a service to the Free World. This is absolutely chilling stuff, and makes me glad that we only have a small Muslim population here. I recommend every poster on this site to read it. It will make you realise that what we face, in the so-called “Religion of Peace”; i.e. Islam, makes all arguments about Multiculturalism and Racism, Immigration etc. look utterly puerile. Posted by Froggie, Monday, 30 January 2006 1:36:28 PM
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Let's test Andrew Bartlett's claim that mass immigration is good for us. First, no one disputes that there are cultural benefits to having some immigration or that there are uniquely talented people who would be an asset anywhere; the issue is the huge numbers. Sen. Bartlett himself admits that huge numbers aren't great for the environment. According to the ABS in its last two Measuring Australia's Progress reports every environmental indicator has been getting worse except for urban air quality. I doubt if many of us really appreciate such things as houses built wall to wall at the sides and backs in our cities or permanent water restrictions. Growthist politicians sometimes bring up Yellow Peril invasion issues. Leaving aside why China, say, would want our deserts when it can't populate its own, modern countries are defended by technology, not masses of cannon fodder. Consider Israel if you doubt this. If the politicians thought that we were in danger of invasion they would be pushing for nuclear weapons and missiles, not more people, especially not from places that might prove hostile.
The recent draft Productivity Commission report on immigration found no significant economic benefit to the existing population, even if you put zero value on environmental deterioration or congestion and resource shortages. This matches the 1997 report "The New Americans" of the US National Academy of Sciences. There are no shortages of labour in Australia. The former head of Centrelink has estimated that real unemployment is 15-18%. 16% of the working age population are living on welfare, as opposed to 3% in the 1960s when we really did have full employment. The US actually provides a good test case. There were open borders in the early 20th century, but after some very bloody rioting between American blacks and migrants after WWI, immigration was essentially reduced to zero net from 1921-1965. Urban wages tripled in the 1920s and there was huge and widely shared economic growth after WWII. Why is the minimum wage there now worth less than in 1960 (www.epinet.org)? Posted by Divergence, Monday, 30 January 2006 4:03:53 PM
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Dumbest. Idea. Ever. Humanitarian refugees are the worst of all performing migrant groups. It would be much better for Australia to accept zero humanitarian entrants and simply increase our intake of skilled tradespeople. We only take refugees out of the goodness of our hearts, they are a net drain on the rest of Australia.
"The religious views of some fundamentalist Muslims are intertwined with political ideology. This does present significant problems."
"Significant problems" like actively plotting to kill people who don't share their religion.
"However, it won't be tackled by trying to cut ourselves off from mainstream Muslims. That would make the problems worse.
Fundamentalist Jews could also be said to be intertwined with a political ideology. This also causes problems, but trying to cut off contact with all Jews wouldn't help either."
What a disgusting example of moral equivalence. Please feel free to go ahead and point out all the examples around the world where innocent people have been targets of violence by Jewish extremists.
Ridiculous stuff. Stop trying to whitewash Islam and people might take you more seriously.
The fact is that Andrew cannot come up with a good answer to my question of why we should continue to accept Islamic immigrants when we could easily fill our quota with people who adhere to more peaceful religions.
Instead, he tries to make out that all religions are equally evil. This is so obviously not true it's a joke.