Sneekeepete “whose post war achievements rest on the shoulders of an army of people who did not speak english well”

What utter rubbish.

The “post war achievements” of Australia are not merely limited to digging holes through the Snowy Mountains or being able to cook souvlaki and even if they were I would note the professional engineers who guided those who did not “speak English well” and the tax payers who, through the elected government, funded the digging project, mostly spoke English well, as a first language.

I am not sure what twisted sense of self deprecation invokes some folk to make such stupid and hapless comments. I guess, from other posts of the same source, I can only presume it is the affirmation of a deep rooted sense of personal inadequacy.

As for “I will not even begin to talk about the nonsense suggested about other tests”

Thank you for sparing us, if your views on that are anything like your views as expressed, you have saved us from boredom and yourself from public humiliation.

I think I might run a competition.

To find out what there is which is more useless than a someone who comes here and posts a declaration to “not even begin to talk”.

Oh regarding “spooked by Tampa, Bali and 9/11”

I am trying to find the link of logic which ties Tampa, Bali and 9/11.
Bali and 9/22 were acts of violent terrorism perpetrated by the most evil of men, whereas “Tampa” was an ocean tragedy, initiated by the selfish desire of some individuals to enter Australia by clandestine and illegitimate means.

Whatever the “logical link” between Tampa and the other 2 events is, it must be pretty twisted too.

I would like to comment on AdrewElder’s observations. My feeling Andrew is that your wretched of the earth are usually the unsettled and unstable from their nation. They did not fit into their previous society for all sorts of reasons. They come to us with their baggage of issues. We pay a heavy price for accepting them and this is reflected in the Lebanese Muslim problem we have now. The Cuban experience is another example. Castro emptied his prisons and sent them off to Florida where the price is still being paid today. I don’t Habib’s history but he turned out a gift from hell and is now determined on supplementing his social security payments with damages claims against the Australian taxpayer.

My two bobs worth on citizenship.

Firstly a citizenship test has nothing to do with someone entering Australia as some have wrongly claimed. It is to gain citizenship for those permanent residents, and others, already here.

Secondly. The proposed minimum time, of four years, one has to spend here is just that, a minimum. It is not citizenship in four years or get out as some have wrongly claimed. It will not matter if someone is here twenty years before applying for citizenship.

I believe Australian citizenship has been too easily obtained. It is worth far more than simply living here for two years. The right to vote and the right to stand for election are worth more than that, without even considering social security benefits and another passport.

Like sage, I too was surprized at the thousands of 'Australians' in Lebanon we had to assist to get out of the place. How is it possible that so many would be in such a small country? I wonder how many were living there and getting our social security. If they had duel citizenship, why did they not ask their 'other country' for assistance.

Not just Lebanon, perhaps we should have a very close look at all other 'Australians' that live in other countries that enjoy far lower living cost than we do.

The author draws a long bow to suggest that any test for citizenship is withdrawing the welcome mat. Other countries have a test, why should we not do similar.

Oh Colonel! - let me start with the Tampa Bali 9/11 correlation - each event has been used - Tampa first - then the others followed - to beat up myths associated with Muslims and Islam and swarthy types in general- and for those of that particular mind set this has been used to further marginalise any one who deosnt fit the poorly articulated mould of appearance and values(puke)

And while I did not mention those who managed the - using your example Snowy Scheme - that fact does not diminish from the efforts of those who dug the holes - or contributed in a raft of other ways to industry science commerce agriculture and the yarts - with or without a grasp of the mother tongue - perhaps I should have used the word "many" or perhaps "some" - in front of post war achievements to gaurd against silly misinterpretations

Then we get to the self depracating assumption - I cant for the life of me find any evidence of self deprecation in a few lines that support migration - and then to use that rather wacky iterpretation as indicating some other form of inadequacy is even sillier - I am a shameless opinionated self promoter - every one knows that - and I fell pretty damn good about myself - so the twisted logic remark really rings hollow here.

And I am now really tempted to talk about the other nonsensical tests suggested - but perhaps another day.

Yours in constant bewiderment at the fear here - The Sneekemeister

A number a posters are sadly correct when they assert that Australian citizenship has been devalued immeasurably as a result of Australia's overly lenient citizenship laws. Here's a little fact - Australia has the most lenient citizenship laws in the industrialised world. No wonder I've heard Australian citizenship referred to as a "bargain", especially if your a third world immigrant seeking access to Centrelink funds. The biggest tragedy is that some of us actually made sacrifices to become Australian. As a result of German nationality laws, my father lost his German citizenship when he was naturalised here back in the 1970s. My father's decision to become Australian effectively deprived me of the right to live and work in the EU. Considering the ease at which Australian citizenship is now obtained, I'm beginning to feel that my family was short-changed.

For some people, an Australian passport is just another one to add to the collection. However, for the rest of us, handing out Australian citizenship like confetti is a slap in the face.

HI REMCO

I noticed with interest your point about the cake is best when 'mixed'.

Could you look at this article I wrote and comment ?

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=164#3027

Its on a similar theme I think.
Cheers mate.