For what it is ("a refugee's story"), it is clearly a sad one indeed. It reminds me of the story of a Darfuri, Nourasham, who managed to escape the genocide to Chad with her family only to have her husband killed because he tried to protect her sister from being raped.

Wherever we turn there is tragedy. For every tragedy we tend to seek a scapegoat. As we search our passions rise to a boil. And as we become more passionate we allow our judgement to be clouded. If ever this was showcased, it is here in this forum. The eagerness to assume the intentions/beliefs of a poster seem to go hand in hand with the apparent inability to view a user's comments with perspective.

Please forgive the self-righteous tones. I just feel it would be more rewarding for all the idealists amongst us to not neglect the grey areas in our theorising rather than limiting ourselves to the black and white. As for the issue of our immigration policy, it is clearly a complex one. Most posters here (regardless of the manners with which their comments were expressed) made some valid points which need to be considered when discussing the aforementioned topic.

So sure it can often be entertaining and/or amusing to make sly witty remarks (or blatant digs) in an attempt to carry out a point, but let's not forget that the reason why we are all here discussing such issues is because there simply aren't logical solutions which are ideal (ooops - in my opinion!)

Andrew, perhaps HD is only against Ukrainian refugees? Especially those illiterate Ukrainian taxi drivers types

Andrew
I applaud and respect what you have achieved and what you continue to try and achieve for the dispossed and disadvantaged in our community.
I don't have any respect for John Howard and I had none for Kim Beazley because of their inability to support and nurture the weakest in our society and for their lack of compassion.We'll see how Rudd goes.
I have no respect for people who criticise others and then haven't got the guts to put their name to the comment.They cannot be taken seriously.
Brave little bullies,I have been dealing with refugees since 1972.
But machos let me tell you a little more. When I left school I broke in horses in the Kimberlys and my best teachers and off siders were aboriginals.I got called up for National Service and became a very specialised soldier.I put myself through uni working on an oil rig and driving a taxi.
I joined a federal government department and was posted to Pakistan twice which included periods inside Soviet occupied Afghanistan taking pictures of Soviet installations,airfields,tanks and radio fascilities.While these tasks were being undertaken there was from time to time military activity.
I have worked in Iran, Saudi Arabia,Kuwait and the Yemen.I have also
worked in South Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.In all of these countries there were refugees both from internal and external causes and one of our responsibilities was to help and get to know them.
I have had tense moments( confrontations) with people of every religion,colour and political persuasion, mainly because people are people and from time to time they get upset,sometimes with justification and sometimes not.
I worked on the Refugee Review Tribunal for five years and witnessed at first hand the political pressure that this government sought to bring to bear on Tribunal decision making.
If the anonymous bullies wish to be taken seriously in the future put your names to your comments and apologise to Andrew Bartlett.Judging from your comments he has achieved far more than any of you have so far managed.As an Australian I am truely ashamed of you.
Bruce Haigh

Andrew
I applaud and respect what you have achieved and what you continue to try and achieve for the dispossed and disadvantaged in our community.
I don't have any respect for John Howard and I had none for Kim Beazley because of their inability to support and nurture the weakest in our society and for their lack of courage and compassion. We'll see how Rudd goes.
I have no respect for people who criticise others in this forum and then haven't the guts to put their name to the comment.
I have been involved with refugees since 1972.
But let me tell you a little more. When I left school I broke in horses in the Kimberlys and my best teachers and off siders were aboriginals.I got called up for National Service and became a very specialised soldier.I put myself through uni working on an oil rig and driving a taxi.
I joined a federal government department and was posted to Pakistan twice which included periods inside Soviet occupied Afghanistan taking pictures of Soviet installations,airfields,tanks and radio facilities.While these tasks were being undertaken there was, from time to time, military activity.
I have worked in Iran, Saudi Arabia,Kuwait and the Yemen.I have also
worked in South Africa, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.In all of these countries there were refugees both from internal and external causes and one of our responsibilities was to help and get to know them.
I have had tense moments( confrontations) with people of every religion,colour and political persuasion, mainly because people are people and from time to time they get upset,sometimes with justification and sometimes not.
I worked on the Refugee Review Tribunal for five years and witnessed at first hand the political pressure that this government sought to bring to bear on Tribunal decision making.
If the anonymous bullies wish to be taken seriously in the future put your names to your comments and apologise to Andrew Bartlett.Judging from your comments he has achieved far more than any of you have so far managed.As an Australian I am truely ashamed of you.
Bruce Haigh

Come on Bruce, MILITARY ACTIVITY, Im a former soldier and most of the family are, I dont want to scream fraud but there will be those who will.
Mate you were a shiny arse and we all know those who know you. Mate your just another in a long line of jokers whom the destruction of this fair country gives a nice fuzzy feeling to.

Good luck in your retirement out Mudgee way and Im sure ABC will let you natter on about this and that occasionally when global warmings getting a bit cool other than that a bucket mouth is a bucket mouth and prone to dribble.

CYA Bruce Ol Mate

Scotty,

Bruce is expressing an opinion about the article written by Andrew Bartlett.

I fail to see how anything you have said here in relevant to engaging in an online discussion.

C'mon, you can do better than that, surely?