aqvarivs

You say: 'You can not separate out ethnicity and culture, they develop from the same place and time.' If that's true then what about culture's connection with the following: gender, age, education, religion (or lack of it), employment, income, social class, migration experience, abilities, family history, involvement in war or civil upheaval?

All sociologists would argue that these elements have a bearing on culture. Ethnicity is but one element in cultural formation.

On semantics, telling me to get a new dictionary because you don't like the definition of a word you didn't understand is peurile. I use both the Oxford and Macquarie - highly reputable.

I see you ducked my challenge to show how 'ethnic and cultural councils' are (or can be seen to be) 'another layer of government'. And you managed to squeeze in an allegation of 'reverse racism' and 'socialist utopia' too. Nothing like a distracting distortion when you are losing your grip on the real issues.

I took up your suggestion to scroll up a couple of post to see your 'list of duplication is in plain english'. I see that your list is introduced with the rubric: 'The Federation monitors a wide range of issues including: social welfare; employment; language policy and immigration. In undertaking this work, FECCA monitors a wide range of issues...'

My dictionaries' definitions of the word 'monitor' don't run to duplication any more than the RSL's work in monitoring current defence matters makes the RSL a duplicate defence services.

FrankGol, Hit any online dictionary or flip through any printed dictionary and the word, elide, is defined as, to leave or strike out; to suppress or alter; omit; curtail; abridge. Usually in reference to the written word (as a vowel or syllable).
But, in your world, if you can make it mean the exact opposite or something completely different, good on ya!

I'm using culture as, -the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; I'm not discussing pop culture or those who think they have acquired culture by taking a walk through a museum. Or hair splitting to turn an argument.

I'm not alleging reverse racism. I am a witness to yours as in. “Are you including organisations run by people of Scottish and English background?” Your assuming my specific ethnicity or culture. That's racist. My post was about the many, many councils for ethnicity and culture, not a singular ethnicity or culture, and pointed out that their impact on governing was so large that a Federation of Councils has become necessary.

Yes, I noticed their use of the word monitor. I got a laugh out of that too but, I also know they advocate, exert influence, and are supported by tax dollars. If ethnicity and culture is just a benign happenstance, why the plethora of 'councils'? What need of a federation of councils? And why do all these ethnics and or cultures need to monitor government agencies? Are some ethnicities or cultures being withheld their rights under the constitution? Being withheld from voting. The areas they live in not having representation? Withheld access to social welfare, employment, courts and justice as citizens of Australia?

Yes, I say duplicated because under the title banner of “Ethnic Communities Council of New South Wales” (for example) is “Supported by the Government of New South Wales through Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW”. Making it a defacto agent of government. The trail of tax dollars follows:

1. Federal Government
2. State Government
3. Community Relations Commission
4. Ethnic Communities Council

aqvarivs,

You told me to ‘hit any online dictionary or flip through any printed dictionary and the word, elide, is defined as, to leave or strike out; to suppress or alter; omit; curtail; abridge…’

So I did and, yes, the word has the meaning you found. But, read on old chap.

Here’s the Compact Oxford Dictionary (both online and hard copy versions):
‘elide • verb 1 omit (a sound or syllable) when speaking. 2 join together; merge.’

The Oxford Dictionary - the standard setter for world dictionaries in the English language - hardly gives credibility to your claim that I don’t know when you are eliding ethnicity and culture. Not to mention your elision of the second meaning of ‘elide’.

But enough.

I see you are now conceding that culture is more than ethnicity: ‘I'm using culture as, - the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group…’

But I also see that my asking the question: ‘Are you including organisations run by people of Scottish and English background?’ makes me guilty of two sins in your mind. By the very asking of that question I am guilty of ‘reverse racism’. Moreover, to ask that question is to make an assumption about your ‘specific ethnicity or culture’. And that too is ‘racist’.

Racist? Reverse or forward, how so? I am not the least interested in your ethnicity or culture (or race for that matter). It’s totally irrelevant - as is mine. I asked the question to ascertain whether you were using the term ‘ethnicity’ in an inclusive way or excluding English-speaking ethnic groups.

Your weak argument about the power of ethnic groups just gets weaker. That the many councils should federate is no more sinister a strategy than the same employed by the State branches of the CWA or any other national lobby groups.

You laughed that ethnic groups ‘monitor’ but, these creatures presume to ‘…advocate, exert influence, and are supported by tax dollars.’ Just like the CWA, community arts groups, disabilities advocates and the RSL. Subversives all, eh?

"Subversives". No Frank, but I see it finally clicked for you. "Lobby group". My ORIGINAL POINT before you began to pontificate and use circular arguments to prop up your multiculturalism is no more than colourful hats and dance steps routine. I'm glad you now acknowledge that MC has become an aspect of Australian governing.
As for your sad, angry little wordplay and injecting words into others post to imply a negative is most puerile. Words like 'subversive' and 'creature' to inject your personal ugliness. Oh well. Can't solve all your issues in one night. That you finally acknowledge ethnic and cultural councils as lobby groups paid for by tax dollars is sufficient to the day.
Tomorrow we'll ask why, if the Constitution guarantees protection of the rights of all citizens, and all are equal under law, ethnicity and culture must be an issue of governance.

aqvarivs

Oh, so that's it. I get it. It's not being federated but being lobby groups - that is the problem with ethnic groups.

Now let's see, will you contact the National Farmers' Federation and tell them, or will I, that by being a lobby group you get to run the country as the fourth level of government? Who will contact the Children's Welfare Association and let them know they are supposed to be governing?

But wait, I think I'm still a bit confused. You say: 'I'm glad you now acknowledge [did I?] that MC has become an aspect of Australian governing.' And 'Tomorrow we'll ask why, if the Constitution guarantees protection of the rights of all citizens, and all are equal under law, ethnicity and culture must be an issue of governance.' Does that mean that any 'aspect of governance' or any 'issue of governance' is to be condemned? Wouldn't leave much for governments to do would it?

I note you don't pursue your crazy allegation of reverse racism. But what's your answer on my question about Australians of British descent? And please don't reveal your ethnicity - I never asked for it - I wouldn't want to be accused of reverse racism by not asking for it or of forward racism for asking for it

PaulL,

Howabout this one?

Paul L: I haven't got a brain... only straw.
Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain?
Paul L:I don't know... But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking... don't they?
Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right.

No bananas for guessing where this came from, but it is So profoundly apt.