Hamlet, abyss, Banjo and Boaz-David
Every time I write something here, one or all of you tell me that deep down I really think the opposite. When I write that Hamlet beats the fear drums, you say it’s to reveal that part of me agrees with him - that there is something to be feared. When I tell you about the recent poll on Australian values, you think that deep down the respondents answer in the way they think they should, rather than how they really feel deep down. The 'repressed Hansonite' hidden within all of us will (with a little helpful probing by BOAZ_David) emerge and reveal that we really agree with you.

abyss, I love it when you talk dirty to me (Freudian slips, the Hansonite within, cultural nihilism, ethno-ist and my selfish Germaine-Greer-like position). I think you must have done one of those wicked social science/humanities university courses to learn such wonderful dirty-talk.

BOAZ_David, I think you went to the same university as abyss. I love your theory on tolerance being drummed (drums of fear?) into every one and then being drummed out by showing them intolerance (though I was a little anxious to learn that you sometimes speak from the hip rather than the brain).

Banjo, it’s comforting to know that, if we do away with multiculturalism, taxi drivers would allow guide dogs. However, it’s also comforting to know that the law of the land doesn’t have to be followed because of multiculturalism. I’ll use that defence next time I’m up before a court.

Mates, I can’t match your logic and your way with words. I’m throwing up – the white flag of surrender.

Frankgol, could you please clearly state your definition of multiculturalism?

Then please tell me the advantages to Australia of this policy:

There are a couple of conditions: please don't talk about food, dancing and the like. I can get recipes from books.

Please don't also try to persuade me of an economic benefit from immigration, because immigration does not require multiculturalism.

Please explain why we should accept that groups with world views, or at least views of what constitutes 'the good life' that are different, or are indeed opposed to those currently held by the host culture.

You see, that is what it comes down to, a host culture coming in contact with a multitude of other cultures, and trying to accommodate them, whilst they try to carve a niche in the host culture's physical, sociological and political space.

Please tell me the strengths of diversity? Where does the benefit to a society come from its components having different goals, aims and ideals?

Multiculturalism benefits the cultural groups that obtain benefit from the host culture, but what benefit does the host culture obtain?

I wait to be educated and convinced.

Well said Hamlet I could not have put it better myself.

Chris C – The Aborigines culture is being preserved as best it can. If you call wearing pants, driving cars and modern medicine a negative effect on Aboriginal culture well I guess you are right

Perhaps I can help Frankgol answer your questions Hamlet : oh, and I will talk food - and economics - so dont go laying out terms and conditions in these pages -

If it werent for immigration and indeed multi culturalism the most exciting condiment we'd use is pepper.ha! brilliant

Multiculturalism also increases the range of goods and serivces we generate - not just the volume as blunt immigration might - I get the feeling your cool with immigrants so long as they only increase demand for sunblock,cheddar cheese and white bread - with increased diversity comes the capacity to expand export options; plus the strip shops look better - more languages more colour more movement - things that sparkle capture my attention - there are more sophistacted arguements but time is a wastin'

Accepting that others hold different world views and letting them live here does not mean we adopt those views - it also suggests that our veiws are well developed and can withstand challenges to those views - or can they? hmmmm!?

wishing to keep other takes on the world at arms length is a bit weak - keeping them at arms length also pre supposses we are right for ever and ever amen - surely we need to question our selves, our values our intentions our methods - unless of course we've got it down pat

The host culture - benefits from the challenge - like a student who asks the master "why do you do that?" - if the answer is because "I always do it that way" there is certainly room for an examination of old tired habits.

Diversity is one antidote to boredom - progress is born out of competition between ideas not out of a blind acceptance that what worked in the past is good enough - unless of course your Amish.

Whacko! FrankGol,
You are starting to get something right at last
You say
"However it is also comforting to know that the law of the land doesn't have to be followed because of multiculturalism"

This is exactly what some immigrants believe and indeed it has been used as defence in our courts or in attempts to reduce sentence.

This is the attitude of the Melbourne taxi drivers and other Muslims that are rude and arrogant to females.

These people need to modify their conduct to conform with our standards of behavior. Multiculturalism encourages division.

We are a mono-cultural society, but flexable and tolerant enough to allow non christian religions and other cultural practices providing they are not unlawful or against our customs.

Integration needs a lot of encouragement and is a two-way street. We have done our bit by being inviting and receptive, now it is up to the new comers to be flexable.

What a crock Sneekee...

"If it werent for immigration and indeed multi culturalism the most exciting condiment we'd use is pepper.ha! brilliant"

So wrong, no explanation necessary. Multiculturalism came in, in the 70s... you suppose pepper was the most exciting condiment available then? Eeeerp! Wrong. Exciting?

"Multiculturalism also increases the range of goods and serivces we generate"

Multiculti has increased government services - billions of dollars have been wasted creating and supporting them. Billions of dollars that could have been better spent. Billions of doallars have also been spent on imports as well. had a look at our balance of payments lately. mind you Multiculturalism is not required to import goods... just a demand.

"Accepting that others hold different world views and letting them live here does not mean we adopt those views"

No but we are expected to TOLERATE them and this causes division and disharmony within our society.

Anyone with a computer or half a brain can successfully get the "world view" Sneekee. Multiculti unnecessary.

"The host culture - benefits from the challenge - like a student who asks the master "why do you do that?" - if the answer is because "I always do it that way" there is certainly room for an examination of old tired habits."

LOL... cultures change on their own in that respect, just like work cultures... work practices change. Traditions however are often kept as a measure of respect to the past and those that came before.

"Diversity is one antidote to boredom"

I'm sure there are other more sensible antidotes. I certainly don't need Multiculti to relieve my boredom.

Australia is not insular... we do have contact with other countries and peoples... in a gobalised world this is moreso than ever in the past. Multiculti is unnecessary.

Now... how about trying to put forward some real benefits for Multiculti and not just empty rhetoric.