We're basically reproducing the whole problem here. Seems to me if we'd never used the word Aboriginal here it would be a lot simpler.

On other issues I mostly agree with Rainier and Frankgol, which suggests that we have more commonalities than differences. To me that seems to be the only place left to start solving these problems. And a lot of other problems as well.

aka,
As I recall it was you and FrankGol that attacked eet. You attacked "whites" generally and FG said EET was telling porkies, in other words saying he was a liar.

Nobody has said or indicated that the problems of alcohol, violence, child abuse and drug abuse are purely problems aboriginals have, yet you seem to think that. Of course others have the same problems, and more, but, acording to the reports, no where to the same extent as in aboriginal communities. It is aboriginals that are dieing 20 earlier than the rest of us. eet mentioned ear problems and other problems because of poor hygene. Its funny that FrankGol didn't come across these problems in his 20 years experience, especially when he thinks the remote communities do not have adequate medical clinics.

I seriously do not think you people really want any improvement to aboriginal health. You simply want to keep playing the victim and collect more and more "sit down" money. You still have not put up any suggestion for improvement

Using terms like "sit down money" isn't about solving the problems. They're about finding problems with stereotypically perceived Aboriginal attitudes and they say more about the attitudes of those who use them than about Aborigines or the causes of their problems.

Most helpful Banjo.

Banjo

Your defence of eet is touching but wrong-headed. I did not need to call him a liar. I let his own words and their obvious contradictions speak for themselves (as with you). His claim that "Aboriginals are the most prodded, tested and over serviced segment of the population in the country" is simply absurd. No need for me to call him a liar - his words demonstrate his character.

The real issue is that eet threw that absurdity into the debate to make his point that it was all 'their' fault and that everything that could be done had been done.

I did not say that there are no serious health and social problems among Indigenous Australians. Far from it. What I was contesting was eet's analysis of the problem (and now yours).

Likewise, most of us know full well there is no shortage of positive recomendations for improving the lives of Indigenous Australians. You could start with the forgotten recommendations from the "Bringing Them Home" Report (HREOC) and any of several major reports specifically dealing with health issues. The key issue is that of listening to Aboriginal voices and getting them actively involved in developing solutions. There are many non-Indigenous people like you and eet who think they know what's best for Indigenous Australians.

Your own approach is, frankly, perverse. Quote: "you cannot help those that will not help themselves." And you get worse. Quote: "I seriously do not think you people really want any improvement to aboriginal health. You simply want to keep playing the victim and collect more and more "sit down" money." Do you expect to be taken seriously when you assert that people deliberatly take 20 years off their lives for 'sit down money'? I thought 'blaming the victim' mentality went out years ago; but you obviously keep that crude analysis active in your head.

Most problems based on nothing-to-do situation to which case managers contribute with lack of jobs but advising.

FrankGol,
What spin are you trying to put on here? I have been around a bit and Know a little bit about human nature. Try the spin on others, not me.

Firstly, eet said "ask any remote nurse and they will tell you etc. etc". He was emphasising that medical services in most aboriginal communities was adequate or more so in some cases.

Is he right or a liar? Are the remote nurses liars too? Or don't you know and are simply calling him a liar because it suits your agenda? Now he also said that heathy foods are cheaper than rubbish, and gave the mark up for sales. Is he lying here too?

He also said aboriginals know what the healthy foods are. Is that a lie too?

My comment about not being able to help those that won't help themselves is a true saying. One sees it everywhere. Obese people eat cream cakes, chips and gravey, etc. Diabetics not sticking to their diets, Those with kidney disease eating fish and chips laden with salt. Smokers and alcaholics are and drugies are more examples.

For your information, the local aboriginals refer to their welfare as "sit down money", so it is hardly an offensive term. It does amuse me though when welfare recipiants call their welfare "pay".

My comment about "you people not wanting improvement to aboriginal health" was directed to aka and her ilk and some of the other posters on this thread. You are in a different catagory. I think you don't want aboriginal health to improve because lefties can use the poor health to try and get some political gain. You are not the slightest bit interested in aboriginal welfare.