I thought it might be interesting to bring up the topic
for discussion on how each of us sees our country today,
Modern Australia -
and where we see it heading?

We started out with the "White Australia" policy. Then
we went on with "multiculturalism," and today we're a
wide mix of many different cultures sharing the one
country - and singing - "I am, you are, we are -
Australian!"

So lets discuss the topic and share our feelings on the subject.
Do we want - a melting pot, or a mosaic?

After spending many years in the police force, there is one race, culture, or ethnicity we should've prevented from settling here, but I shall not identify them, lest I'm called a racist or worse.

Foxy,

Australia remains an extremely desirable country to move to and there is a long line of people wanting to move here for many reasons.

The benefits I gain from living here provide as easy a life style as I would want.

I was born here so those benefits are a gift provided by chance - even the ability to work and invest to secure my future is a gift.

Australia has no official language so immigrants who cannot speak English will probably seek out others who can help them navigate Australian society.

Many seek out others with a similar ethnic and cultural background.

Most migrants more to cities as this is where they will most likely find support.

Migration is increasing at its highest rate at the moment.

Large cities probably resemble a mosaic.

None of those. It's a dog's breakfast.

There are diverse conflicting cultures that in time the most aggressive culture will be predominant. People of all races can live peacefully together, but not all conflicting hostile cultures can live and prosper as a community. The Governments have allowed cultures that conflict with western freedom culture to come to Australia. There is no conflict with race or skin colour, unless it is used for being a victim. The conflict is with world views and values within a culture.

Thank all for responding to this discussion.

I too was born here and like WTF - I think I've been
given a gift.

We appear to be a mixture of people and ancestries.
British exploration and settlement in stalled a powerful
white racial advantage and perhaps Australia's geographic
isolation helped us back then in being a melting pot
society rather than a salad bowl or a mosaic.

Today a variety of people from across the globe have
reached Australia and now we have more retention of
ethnic differences. Clearly Australia's ethnic mix is
becoming far more diverse and colourful.

Governments and society have rejected the "white only"
idea replacing it with ideas of openness. Times have
certainly changed.

I remember growing up and trying to fit in so desperately.
Trying to "sit on two horses with the one ass," as they
say. During the week- with the local Aussies, and week-ends
with the Lithuanian community. I'm sure that I wasn't the
only one torn between two cultures.

A melting pot is what Australia was back in the day -
when I was growing up, where a variety of different people
etnicities and races were expected to assimilate.

Then Australia became a salad bowl where the ethnicities in
our society were mixed together but they largely maintained
their separate identities.

Today, we have a mixture of people and ancestries but we
allow each culture to be displayed individually yet come
together as one.

Modern transportation has made migration easier and Australian
governments and our society has rejected the "white only"
idea. The mosaic idea seems to be the more realistic and
preferred one.

Who knows for how long.

In my view governments of the Labor and Liberal parties have betrayed the wants and interests of Australian's using social engineering and psychological warfare against them and turned them into slaves without influence over their own environment

This betrayal and slavery is embodied in the policy of multiculturalism.

A 2021 survey found that 86% of respondents agreed with
the statement that multiculturalism has been good
for Australia and 76% agreed that accepting immigrants
from many different countries makes Australia stronger.

It appears that we've moved past the stage when preserving
national purity in the form of the White Australia Policy
was seen as a necessity and towards a collective
understanding that an active migration program and thriving
multicultural communities have benefits for us all.

Today most of us don't regard multiculturalism and
interculturalism as new and foreign concepts. Cultural diversity
is now reflected in Australian attitudes, policy legislation,
and representation, and so on.

Things like various festivals, traditions, clothes, fabrics,
cuisines, and much more have become so woven into the norm
that we often don't categorize them as foreign.

This mosaic will probably continue to evolve and expand.
Australia is different today from what it once was. Change
is part of life. As our Australian story changes and
adapts so will our cultural landscape.

Surely we've all experienced the beauty array of coloured
lanterns, the joy of seeing ethnic dancers, walking through
Chinatown and smelling the rich aromas. We can all sit back
and watch the rich landscape of our vast Australian mosaic.

We are the "lucky country." And we shall continue to be as
long as we don't remain passive and continue to work at it.

Australia is no longer Anglo-centric. Our values (if we still have any) have changed. This year's appalling, unhinged attacks on Australia Day revealed the deep divisions in Australia.

We have done nothing to to educate immigrants about the virtues of democracy, the rule of law, or even the requirement to pick up their dog's sh-t in public places.

People will not rush to die protecting a country with an ideology that promotes cultural shame, and an economy where they can’t afford to buy a house, or even rent one - if there are any available because of mass immigration.

Australia  is rotting from within. Multiculturalism and  Wokeism,  climate-change hysteria, the lie that people can change their sex - are just some of the catalysts.

Our society is diminished by inflammatory rhetoric and
actions. It appeals to bigotry and brings out the worst
in some frustrated people.

We expect our political representatives to set the tone
for our society, not to be targeting particular groups with
hostility. Therefore we should be forthright in speaking out
against political appeals to fear and we should resist
attempts to divide Australians according to race or religion.

Today, we're faced with some challenging times in our race
relations. However, there is a responsibility for all good
citizens to stand up for tolerance and decency.

I watched Australia Day's Sydney Harbour Concert.
It was awesome. Plus as the sun rose on Australia
Day, Sydney Opera House sails were illuminated
with a special Aboriginal Artwork. It showed -
WungulOra (One Mob). A time for inclusion,
understanding and reconciliation. A reflective
start to the day. The day's theme being -
Reflect, Respect, Celebrate.

An awesome day for many of us.

Where Foxy see's "tolerance and decency" I see evil.

True Aussies don't.

There in lies the difference.

Lets have some fun.

I posted this on another discussion, where the
"Rule Britannia" brigade was trying to be dominant.

Not that there's anything wrong with that (smile).

A TRUE AUSSIE:

1) Shortens their words - G'DAY (ONYA).

2) Has a great sense of humour. Takes the piss out of ..

3) Is crazy about sports.

4) Believes everyone deserves a "Fair Go."

5) Calls Australia home.

6) Knows the words to "Waltzing Matilda."

AUSTRALIAN CULTURE INCLUDES:

Mateship

Egalitarianism

Authenticity

Optimism

Humility

Informality

Humour

Easy-going

Common-sense

whatever hearty dish was in that bowl has now attracted the maggots.

Australians of old didn't shout "Gas the Jews".

That's not the melting pot we were told we'd get.

The "pot" that Australia now represents is like the one that was once kept under the bed for people to piss in rather that go outside in the dark to the outdoor dunny.

Hi Foxy,
"Is Australia a melting pot, a salad bowl, or a mosaic?"
- More like a 'wall at the zoo the monkeys throw their feces at'.

Hi mhaze,
"Australians of old didn't shout 'Gas the Jews'.
That's not the melting pot we were told we'd get."

- Well the old Australia's gone and not coming back.
We're 'multicultural' now, so get used to it.

- And since when did any politician ever keep a promise you naive fool?

Even now I can openly say that there are many IDF who should probably just be lined up against a wall and shot for the atrocities they've committed.
Probably should also remind you that there's no Star of David on the Aussie flag, you genocide supporting shill.

Good Morning Folks,

Thank you for your responses.

I remember when Australia was British and we all had
British passports. We sang "God Save the Queen," and
the majority of the population either came from Great
Britain or Ireland and were very much of British descent.

Today Australia is a completely different nation.
Those born overseas or having parents and family who
were born overseas is increasing at a rapid rate.

We're a nation of approx. 27 million people ( ABS). We
make our own decisions. We have our own form of
government, our own culture and identity and sometime
in the future we may be ready to have a conversation about
appointing our own Head of State.

With the death of Queen Elizabeth - the Elizabethan era is
now over. Perhaps it's time for the Australian era?

Perhaps it's time for the Australian era?
Foxy,
The legacy of the Goaf has shut the door for that opportunity

AC,

I appreciate that over the past few months I've made you look quite the fool and that, consequently, you're looking for pay-back, but even for you that was quite the deranged tantrum.

I post that I'm not in favour of those calling for the gassing of the Jews and somehow in your moronic logic that makes me a " genocide supporting shill.". Struth, what a dill.

According to the OECD, Australia suffered the biggest drop in living standards in two decades.

Caused by the political class and other elites? The handing over of manufacturing to Communist China?

That’s what Professor David Flint thinks; he also thinks that the elites won't be “satisfied until, as a result of their efforts, we follow Argentina into Third World status”.

At the time of Federation, we were the second richest people in the world. Now we are twentieth.

Meanwhile, we have perfectly pointless and economically suicidal Net Zero shoved down our throats. And we keep electing career politicians instead of “sound” people to call out the stupidity of mass immigration that lowers the CDP per person and further impoverishes Australians.

Now, if I can talk to those with a measurable IQ....

The Australia of the 20th century was built by Europeans - first north-western Europeans and later by southern and eastern Europeans. But European nonetheless. It was a nation with European values, European attitudes to individual freedoms, democracy, religion and economic activity.

That all began to change when Fraser (truly the most disastrous of all Liberal leaders) bought into multiculturalism. Importing communist fleeing Vietnamese (something Whitlam opposed) was one thing being that they were largely Europeanised, but bringing in multitudes of middle-eastern, north African and Sahel Africans is very different.

These people do not come to Australia to enjoy its culture and values. They come to enjoy access to the wealth the 20th century Europeans created. As to the culture and values, they are more than happy to see it eroded - eg "Gas the Jews".

Now I know that there are many exceptions to this and there'll be someone here telling us of Omar who opened successful fruitery (or whatever) to disprove the rule. But I'm talking in the macro sense.

Adam Smith opined that there is a lot of ruin in a country ie it takes a long time to spend down the endowment of generations. But we are doing it.

Much of western Europe is now grappling with the results of the unrestricted importation of alien cultures. We, largely due to the efforts of Howard and (especially) Abbott ("Stop the Boats) have, so far, avoided those problems.

But the current leadership is working hard to reverse that.

Newly-revealed Albanese bungling of visas of the scum his government let out of detention - even though they were told to release one person - is just one more indicator of what a piss pot Australia has become under Albanese, who won't take responsibility for his idiot ministers and burgeoning public service. How the hell did such a madman become prime minister!

Albanese is obviously using multiculturalism, importing of undesirable people and potential terrorists to divide us even more; to make us hate each other, to be on tenterhooks, to be frightened in a typical Communist manner of control.

Dear Foxy,

«Is Australia a melting pot, a salad bowl, or a mosaic?»

Australia is a continent!

Yes, Australia is a continent. That's very perceptive of you
Yuyutsu.

It also is home to the world's oldest continuous cultures
and has Australians who identify with more than 270
ancestries. Having this rich, cultural diversity is
considered by many to be one of our greatest strengths.

But of course each of us can only speak from our own
experiences. Ours has only been positive. We live in a
high-rise apartment building. Many of the residents are
Chinese. Our family doctor was also Chinese - he retired
and our current GP told us he's from Persia (Farsi).

My eye-specialist is from Pakistan. Our cleaning lady
is from Sri-Lanka (the one before her was from the Sudan).
Our dentist is from Greece. Our green-grocer is from Italy.
And the list goes on.

My own family is a mix. From Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian,
British, Scottish, Swedish, German - and still not finished.

When I was in hospital and later in Rehab - I was treated
and cared for by people of various backgrounds from -
Maltese, Indian, Thai, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, to
name just a few.

We also should acknowledge the fact that it wasn't just
Europeans who settled in this country. Let's not forget
the Afghans (cameleers), South Sea Islanders, Japanese,
and of course the Chinese on the Gold Fields.

Also there were different mixes amongst the convicts as
well. English jails did not discriminate.

Australia is a mosaic.

Dear Foxy,

Thank you for sharing your lovely experiences and observations,
even though I wonder what have they to do with your question.

Australia carries a large variety of people and other animals, that is very nice:
All these people and animals depend on Australia, but Australia does not depend on them, nor on how they relate with each other.

Modern Australia today is a multitude of cultures,
experiences, beliefs, and traditions. It owes its
accomplishments as a nation to all the contributions
of more than 300 ancestries from the First Australians,
to the newest arrivals.

Dear Foxy,

«Modern Australia today is a multitude of cultures»

What is modern about Australia? it existed for 100 millions of years, separated from Gondwana around 100 million years ago, then became a fully independent continent around 30,000-35,000 years ago.

Australia supports a multitude of cultures - but is not identical in any way with the cultures it supports: Australia could continue to exist just the same with or without these cultures.

«It owes its accomplishments as a nation to...»

Hold your horses, Australia is not a nation, Australia is a continent, there is no such thing as "nation" except in human imagination, thus no "accomplishments" thereof.

«to all the contributions
of more than 300 ancestries from the First Australians,
to the newest arrivals.»

It is nice to have all this variety of people, and just like you I am glad to be living among them, but that has nothing to do with this flawed and imaginary concept of "nation".

The notion that 'diversity is strength' is mere sloganeering. Its just a fact-free assertion There is no evidence that multicultural societies are 'stronger', more resilient or more success than monocultural societies. Indeed the exact opposite.

There has never been a long term successful civilisation where there were multiple cultures co-existing on equal terms. To be sure, there were places like Rome where many cultures lived cheek-by-jowl but there was always a dominant culture (that of the Latins) and the rest were 'tolerated'.

It is claimed that Australia is a successful multicultural society, but in truth, the jury remains out. To date, multiculturalism exists by cannibalising the successes of the previous monocultural Australia.

We'll know more in a few generations, but, given what's happening in Europe, its not looking promising.

Still, those who just want it to be true, will continue to assert without evidence, that we are a successful multicultural society and that 'diversity is strength' despite things like calls for genocide of one of the cultures and things like Sudanese crimes gangs, Lebanese tit-for-tat executions and Chinese infiltration.

Rose coloured glasses help not see the truth.

Afternoon mhaze,
"Struth, what a dill".
- Yes, but you're a tolerable dill, and we all have to put up with you nonetheless.

Now, a dill like you probably doesn't understand this
But some people are criticising the 'slaughter' of innocent Palestinians.
And others like you are are criticising those who are criticising.
- And that's because you defend the slaughter of the innocents.

It would have been just as easy to speak out against those committing these atrocities;
(i.e. the 'cause')
But no, you take a different route, you criticise the criticisers.
(i.e. you criticise the 'effect'.)

Here's the clincher
'If Israel wasn't doing what it was doing;
Pro-Palestinians might not be saying whatever it is they're saying'

Seems kind-of stupid on your behalf complaining about the effect but not the cause, doesn't it?
- But don't let me stop you when you're making a fool of yourself, by all means - please continue.

No AC I was criticising those calling for the genocide of the Jews. That's it.

Now we know that you are rather favourable toward genocide provided it is of the 'right' people, but not I.

It seems to me its possible to be critical, highly critical, of the Israelis if that's your desire without calling for the extermination of them all. But that's just me.
"But some people are criticising the 'slaughter' of innocent Palestinians". Criticising is one thing... calling for the extermination of those being criticised is quite another.

But the biggest issue in regards to THIS thread is that calling for the extermination of a group that forms part of multicultural Australia rather puts paid to claims of a successful multicultural society especially when we have people like AC (and let's face it, he's not a lone voice here) trying to excuse the calls for genocide.

Dear Mhaze,

«There is no evidence that multicultural societies are 'stronger', more resilient or more success than monocultural societies.»

First we need definitions:

What is a society?
What makes a society strong?
What makes a society resilient?
What makes a society successful?

With different expectations, some could interpret a set of facts to indicate a strong, resilient and successful society while others could interpret the same facts to indicate a weak, fragile and failing society.

«To be sure, there were places like Rome where many cultures lived cheek-by-jowl but there was always a dominant culture (that of the Latins) and the rest were 'tolerated'.»

Rome according to me was not a success story - most who lived under the Roman empire suffered and had a miserable life. They were persecuted, enslaved, exiled and heavily taxed. It was the Romans who for example invented the crucifixion: Remember the gladiators? Maybe the lions were happy!

" There was a time when to be Australian was to be English,
only sunburnt. There was a time when to be Australian was
to be a dangerous criminal, but far enough away geographically
from normal people. "

"There was even a time when to be Australian was to be a giant
short-faced kangaroo, and it's amazing that today barely
anyone even remembers what life was like back then."

"As national identity has changed in our own lifetime, it
changed in our great grandfathers' lifetime, and even in their
great grand-parents'. Before Gallipoli nobody knew Australians
could fight in trenches. Before Errol Flynn nobody knew
Australians could be sexy in front of cameras. Before Julia
Gillard nobody knew Australians could be women."

" Australia is a process of revelation, of unveiling to the
world the surprising facts, facts about ourselves that nobody
knew."

" I guess what I am saying is we should let the celebration
of great Australians be not only a reflection of our past, but
a salutary lesson for our future. We need to learn from
Weary Dunlop and Caroline Chisholm and Vincent Lingiari, and
all their historical kin, so that we can become the Australians
we aspire to be, and more importantly, create the Australia we
aspire to live in."

"But even while we do so, let's remember the words of a great
Australian whose identity remains a mystery to this day:
There's never been a more exciting time to be Australian -
than right now."

Taken from the book - "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie: Questionable
Histories of Great Australians," by Ben Pobjie.

That all began to change when Fraser (truly the most disastrous of all Liberal leaders) bought into multiculturalism.
mhaze,
Grasby wasn't in that administration ? he was in the previous one, the one that did away with discipline & opened the gates ! At least that's how I seem to remember it all. Of course I couldn't possibly be totally certain after all, we could only go by what the media showed us.

Australia is fully committed to multiculturalism,
the doctrine that several different cultures, rather
than one national culture can co-exist peacefully
and equitably in a single country.

Hence the mosaic metaphor which supports the idea
where many cultures exist collectively in one place
and are supported as one by the existence of others.

The beauty of a mosaic is not due to merely one shade
of tile, but because of the appearance of many -
which collectively form a beautiful bigger picture.

It's not often that I say this but Kudos Yuyutsu.

mhaze said "multiculturalism exists by cannibalising the successes of the previous monocultural Australia."

Kudos mhaze.

Foxy said "Australia is fully committed to multiculturalism"

Answer- Peta Cretlin said in one segment that according to Hawke's memoirs (1984) both Labor and Liberal colluded to keep issues of immigration out of the town square. So it if Foxy means that "both sides of the uniparty are fully committed to multiculturalism against the will of the Australian people" then this sounds correct.

Looks like our culture now is also selling weapons to kill innocent civilians.

http://twitter.com/CaptCoronado/status/1767648209139028152
NATO backed Ukrainian forces launches Australian made cardboard attack drones to attack city center in Belgorod, Russia!! NATO launches all out assault on Russia! Is the Australian proud?

Yuyutsu tells us "First we need definitions"...and then proceeds to provide not a one!!

Yuyutsu "Rome according to me was not a success story - most who lived under the Roman empire suffered and had a miserable life."

Well it did survive for more than 2 millennia - the longest empire in human history. Perhaps your understanding of Rome might be a tad lacking.
As to "suffered and had a miserable life", well they were different times. But things are all relative. Rome spent most of its history trying to hold back others from trying to gain entry into the Roman world. Things might not have been all roses in Rome but they were a hell of a lot better than outside the Rome world which is why outsiders wanted in. Still for some, if they didn't have mobile phones and smashed avocado toast, life must have been intolerable.

From Foxy: "Australia is fully committed to multiculturalism,"

No... the Australian political class is fully committed to multiculturalism. The people have never been asked.

Speaking of definitions.... Australia is unquestionably multicultural ie we have many cultures in the one polity.

But there's a difference between being multicultural and having multiculturalism which is a political policy. That policy tries to assert that all the multiple cultures are equal and equally valuable and where that is clearly not so, the government will make it so.

Its a policy that is doomed to fail.

mhaze- I thought it was a step in the right direction that Yuyutsu realised that definitions and a baseline are necessary before trying to come up with solutions. It's a classic error to try to solve a problem before understanding it- a "corollary to ignorance" is perhaps to assume that different people have the same definitions of phenomena. Trying to solve an algebra problem without saying v= velocity, t= time, s= displacement- instead just writing the equation v= s/t. Sometimes communication is in shorthand but if it's too brief it can lose meaning- and becomes perverse. Remind's me of the difference between a syllogism and an enthymeme.

Good Morning Folks,

So much to think about.

Of course national unity could become impossible if
people see themselves only as members of certain
ethnic or racial groups rather than as citizens of
a common country.

Also, there will always be those who will further want
to re-inforce the dominance of the dominant culture.
This could lead to a reaction in which the dominant
culture sees itself in need of recognition and
protection. Look at the rise of some of our political
parties - One Nation comes to mind.

Yet so far - One Nation remains a minority - and may well
disappear in time. Many cultural groups are eagerly
becoming part and parcel of this country - with few problems
thus far. Most cultures are adapting and becoming part of
the mosaic.

Government policies and programs have certainly helped

I may live in a bubble but I have not been aware of huge
problems amongst the people in the communities in which
I've lived. My experiences have all been positive.
And hopefully this will continue to be the case with the
right leadership of our country.

I view multiculturalism as a central characteristic of our
shared Australian identity alongside our First Nations
traditions and our British institutions. Our country's
identity continues to grow from pre-settlement to today and
into the future. And, I think our future with all of us
working together shall be a positive one. We need to make it
so for our grand-children and future generations.

I shall repeat what I posted on another discussion:

The work of a society and culture is never done. These
conversations about how we integrate people and how
we reconcile the past, present, and future are very
important.

Reconciliation will never be possible if people who aren't oed anything keep demanding compensation & apologies !

Dear Mhaze,

«Yuyutsu tells us "First we need definitions"...and then proceeds to provide not a one!!»

Because any definitions in the social realm would be subjective.
Unlike "v=velocity, t=time, s=displacement", when it comes to human wishes we are most unlikely to agree on definitions.

What kind of society do we want, which we could then call "a success"?

Here Foxy writes, for example: "Of course national unity could become impossible if..."

Well excuse me, Foxy seems to have that subjective desire for national unity - I do not, I detest national unity, so how could Foxy and I ever agree on a definition for a "successful society"?

Yes, Rome survived for 2 millennia, that is a fact.
Was that good that it was able to harass and devastate so many people for that long, including by forcing its culture and "religion" down their throats?
- Not by my private definitions!

Nor by theirs: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/parshat-vayishlach-what-have-the-romans-ever-done-for-us/

---

Dear Canem Malum,

«I thought it was a step in the right direction that Yuyutsu realised that definitions and a baseline are necessary before trying to come up with solutions.»

But do I even want to help others to find solutions to what they consider to be their "problems", where I would be hurt by them achieving their particular goals?

---

Dear Foxy,

«Of course national unity could become impossible if
people see themselves only as members of certain
ethnic or racial groups rather than as citizens of
a common country.»

Yes, that could be ONE possible reason, among many.
How about not wishing for national unity in the first place?

Yuyutsu,

Surveys have indicated that over 80% of Australians are
fully committed to multiculturalism - the doctrine that
different cultures can co-exist peacefully and equitably
in a single country.

You question whether it's necessary to support national unity.

None of us are obliged to have unity with hateful people.
None of us are morally bound to support hearts that
discriminate against other human beings because of their skin,
their nation of origin, their gender, or their orientation.

None of us have to support people who brandish such polluted
hearts and continue to actively brandish and actively
perpetuate inequity and the stoking of division and
discrimination.

We can all be conscientious objectors in a war against this
kind of activity in this country.

Dear Foxy,

«over 80% of Australians are
fully committed to multiculturalism - the doctrine that
different cultures can co-exist peacefully and equitably
in a single country.»

What is there to "commit" to?
And why is a "doctrine" needed?

I am most happy and blessed to be surrounded by people of all different cultures,
I do not need to commit to this or have a doctrine about it - it comes naturally.

«You question whether it's necessary to support national unity.»

No, I never questioned multiculturalism - I oppose national unity, but I wouldn't dump that baby with the bath-water.

The remainder of your post indicates that you did not understand what I wrote in my previous post - please read it again.

Yuyutsu,

I think my posts are quite self-explanatory and clear.
Perhaps re-reading them may clarify things for you.

It's good to learn that you support multiculturalism.
In which case you should know what its doctrine is and
why national unity is important.

The Racial Discrimination Act came into force in 1975.
Yet despite this legal protection too many people in
this country continue to experience prejudice and
unfair treatment because of how they look or where
they come from.

Today we still have people who believe that some races
are inferior or superior to others.

And that is something as I stated early - we can all be
united against.

Dear Foxy,

I think I do understand your posts, they are clear enough,
but sometimes I do not understand why you address them, or parts thereof to me of all people, regarding issues I have not even said anything about.

«It's good to learn that you support multiculturalism.
In which case you should know what its doctrine is and
why national unity is important.»

I am most happy for multiculturalism as a living fact, not as a doctrine, and certainly not as an attempt or a means to achieve national unity, which I detest.

Yuyutsu,

You're the one who addressed me in this discussion.
I responded in a manner I thought appropriate.

Regarding multiculturalism?

I'll repeat what I stated earlier.

I view multiculturalism as a central characteristic of our
shared Australian identity alongside our First Nations
traditions and our British institutions. Our country's
identity continues to grow from pre-settlement to today
and into the future. And, I think our future with all of us
working together shall be a positive one.

Canem Malum wrote: " I thought it was a step in the right direction that Yuyutsu realised that definitions and a baseline are necessary...."

Fair enough, if you think definitions are required. But saying we need them and then not even attempting to provide them smacks of someone desperately trying to look erudite and not quite nailing it.

Things like successful, resilient and strong are relative. A society is successful relative to others. Rome was successful relative to all other societies of the era.

Britain was resilient relative to other nations of its time. (It no longer is - so its less resilient compared to itself from a different era).

Australia was a very successful society and continues to surf on those previous periods. We can tell its relatively successful compared to others by the fact that so many from other societies want in, which is the same way we know Rome was successful.

According to Yuyutsu Rome "forced] its culture and "religion" down their throats?

Well again that shows an appalling misunderstanding of Rome. The conquered and/or absorbed didn't need to have the culture imposed - they universally embraced it and even after the fall of Rome, its conquerors continued to live by its culture. A perfect example is Greece whose culture 'conquered' Rome rather than the reverse - hence the saying Rome conquered Athens and then Athens conquered Rome.

And Rome didn't impose religion - it allowed others to live their religion while incorporating local religions into the Roman deities

Dear Foxy,

«You're the one who addressed me in this discussion.»

I did, but it was not on the topic of multiculturalism, which I did not mention in a word and was never on my mind even.

«I responded in a manner I thought appropriate.»

Yes, about your present favourite topic, which is fine, but then there was no need to address that post to me.

«I view multiculturalism as a central characteristic of our
shared Australian identity...»

OK, that is your view, just please don't say "our" when addressing me on this, because I do not share that identity or any other false identity for that matter. I am not a continent!

«Our country's identity continues to grow from pre-settlement...»

Australia's identity is that of a continent.

I am not aware of any indications that it is presently growing.

---

Dear Mhaze,

«The conquered and/or absorbed didn't need to have the culture imposed»

So conquering other peaceful people by the sword is just fine?

«And Rome didn't impose religion - it allowed others to live their religion while incorporating local religions into the Roman deities»

Ever heard of Christianity?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_pagans_in_the_late_Roman_Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_persecution_in_the_Roman_Empire

I think I heard once that when people joined the Roman Empire, their life spans immediately increased by 20 years

Kudos Armchair Critic

Yuyutsu,

You entered my discussion of your own accord.
And the topic under discussion "Is Australia
a melting pot, a salad bowl, or a mosaic?"
A topic which very much involves the issue
of multiculturalism.

When you addressed me - as I've told you - I replied
in good faith. If you
found it so objectionable - you were under no obligation to
both read it or continue to respond to what I posted.

It appears to me that you're not interested in a discussion.
I'm not interested in arguing with you.

We should be able to have civil debates about matters of
race, culture, and identity.

With all due respect, seeing as my topic
for discussion does not interest you, you're welcome to leave.
But, Kindly do not try to de-rail mine.

Thank you.
_________________________________________________________________

Now back to the topic:

Multiculturalism today is very much a reality of our society.
We see it all around us everyday in our cities, in our
schools, universities and work places, on buses, trains,
trams, in all places. We mix with those from
different backgrounds.

For the most part most of us are comfortable with the reality.
Surveys have shown that public acceptance of multiculturalism
has been consistently high

Dear Foxy,

In your introductory post, you mentioned "multiculturalism" as one option and "White Australia" as another.

Here is what you said:

«We started out with the "White Australia" policy. Then
we went on with "multiculturalism," and today we're a
wide mix of many different cultures sharing the one
country - and singing - "I am, you are, we are -
Australian!"»

That seems to present a skewed one-dimensional EITHER/OR situation (perhaps also including whatever is in between), whereas my response was NEITHER. I refuse to limit myself to that one-dimensional scale.

In my response I objected to your use of "we" as in "We started" or "we're a wide mix". That is nonsense, there exists no such "we", nor do I sing that stupid song, "I am, you are, we are Australian".

Australia is a continent, just that.
By God's grace and by God's grace alone, this continent generously supports many people and animals, each being a world unto its own and deserving of self-determination.

That some people arrogantly declare themselves a "state of Australia", as if it was them who created this land, then dictate policies in an attempt to forcibly determine who may and who may not live in this continent, is simply wrong and abusive - and I don't care whether their policies are to create a melting pot, a salad bowl or a mosaic: humans have no moral authority to tell others where and where not to live in God's land.

There, I now spelled out my initial response, "Australia is a continent!", more explicitly, in case you have not understood it in the first instance.

"So conquering other peaceful people by the sword is just fine?"

Well that's not even close to what I said, but when you've painted yourself into a corner you might as well double-down, eh?

We are talking about culture and the relative strength and attractiveness of various cultures, NOT the relative morality of international war. Rome's culture was superior to that of its neighbours as seen by those neighbour's desire to adopt that culture once they were absorbed into the Roman world. There are any number of examples of people's begging Rome to be let in. But as we've seen your knowledge on Rome seems to be rather lacking so these nuances will have gone over your head.

"Ever heard of Christianity?"

Rome as an empire existed for 2 millennia. Picking out one or two incidents from that and pretending they are the whole story is somewhat fraught. Its like asserting that a patient who got a pass on cancer wasn't healthy because of that pimple on their nose.

Besides, Christianity was imposed on Rome, not the reverse

Foxy wrote: "Multiculturalism today is very much a reality of our society."

Yes it is. But not because its inherently part of the culture or inherently accepted by the populace. As I said above, multiculturalism is a government policy and as a government policy it can be changed at any time.

Currently that policy is about indoctrinating the populace and, especially the kids, into the notion that all cultures are equally valuable, equally strong, equally resilient. There is no evidence that any of that is true - and when its clearly false such as with female genital mutilation, the facts have to be suppressed - but, the lack of evidence is papered over and the people are offered slogans instead. Diversity is Strength is just something that is said so often that it remains unquestioned. But questionable it is, or ought to be.

Multiculturalism exists on the carcass of the previous successful culture. Its yet to be seen if it can continue to do so. It has more chances of surviving in Australia than almost anywhere else on the planet simply because we have managed to keep the numbers of people in alien cultures to manageable levels. Not so Europe or, increasingly, the US. But with the governments' bias toward higher immigration, Australia's advantage may not last.

The Roman acceptance of different people into the fold certainly benefited the new entrants, but it shortened the life of the Empire. Intrusion on Roman culture was one of the reasons for its downfall. A similar thing is now happening (via multiculturalism) in Australia and the West in general.

I note that Foxy has reached the hissy fit stage (her response to Yuyutsu) as she always does when the threads she uses to lecture us all don't go the way she intended.

Multiculturalism is being used by the Albanese regime to divide and rule.

The Albanese regime represents the biggest threat from a government that Australia has ever experienced.

Australia, like any other country, is just a lump of various elements we live on. It's the people that matter; and the people now are divided tribes with no common loyalties or interests. Just the way Albanese wants it.

Yuyutsu,

I can only be responsible for what I post. Not for
what you understand and interpret. I did not give
options as you claim and to which you objected.
I stated historical facts of our country's
history and how it has evolved from what it was
in the past - to what it is today.

You're entitled to your objections about multiculturalism
and how you view it - but you're not entitled to put
your versions of what I posted onto me.
_____________________________________________________________________

ttbn,

I'm not the one throwing "hissy fits." And We can do without your
usual finger-pointing and personal attacks on me. They're
getting boring and predictable. Surely you can do better. And have
more substantive arguments to add to this discussion.

Try reasons instead of volume.
______________________________________________________________________

Now back to the topic:

According to the Human Rights Commission Australia's
experience of multiculturalism has been different from
those of other parts of the world. It's true that
multiculturalism is a troubled state in many liberal
democracies. But, this is not the case in Australia.

Ours is a success story not a failure. However it is a
success story that the Commission says demands our
vigilance. Public policies should aim to bring
people together into a national community rather
than prevent them from doing so.

We've been fortunate thus far that our governments have
succeeded with their policies and programs and these
have made Australia attractive for so many people.
Watching some of the Citizenship ceremonies in
Canberra on Australia Day - one can see the joy and
emotions that people express in becoming part of the
community.

"I am, You are, We are - Australian."

Just as we look back with scorn and horror at the things that people believed said, wrote and thought back in the past, so will people look back at the garbage going on now:

. Multiculturalism and the belief that all cultures are equal
. A harmless element (CO2) causes climate change
. The destruction of cheap reliable power in favour of expensive, unreliable power
. Racial obsession
. Identity politics
. A democratic country in thrall to a Communist dictatorship, just for money
. Allowing that Communist dictatorship to get away with spying a cyber-theft
. Having a government less than a third of the people wanted
. And everything else we are getting wrong.

Is Australia a melting pot, a salad bowl, a mosaic?

No. It's a lunatic asylum run by the lunatics, with other lunatics making excuses for the situation, brainwashed into think everything will be OK.

" Australia's celebration of nationhood and
national identity has progressed over the
200 years. Over the years Multiculturalism
flourished in Australia and people from across
the world made Australia home."

"Australians feel proud to be Australian and
proud of the values that characterise Australia
today."

I remember having worked and lived in the US
for close to ten years - when I finally decided
to come home - I saw a copy of the "Australian
Women's Weekly," magazine at the air-port -
the nostalgia and emotion I felt was intense.

" Brisbane-based Reena Augustine who is also
Multicultural Ambassador shared her thoughts with
SBS Hindi. She says being an Australian means
being part of a society that preserves individual
cultures and backgrounds, at the same time it
instigates equality and responsibility amongst
all."

"She added, "It means being all around the world
in one corner. It means showing my culture next
to many different other ones (mosaic), with
full respect and passion for multiculturalism.
It means that if you love something and you believe
it, you can make it happen."

She believes that Australian society offers opportunities
to everyone. For her Australia
is the land of opportunities and multiculturalism.
As it is for many others.

There's more at the following:

http://sbs.com.au/language/hindi/en/article/what-does-being-australian-mean-to-you/516fp2hst

In this wonderful country that prefers foreigners to locals, and fast tracks visas for said foreigners from Gaza in no time flat, Irish comedy writer (Father Ted e.g) and anti-transgender activist, Graham Linehan, has been waiting in New Zealand (no trouble getting in there) for weeks for a visa to enter Australia.

Australia is the only country in his many travels where this has happened.

He has been unable to find out why he hasn't been able to get a visa. But it's getting harder and harder to find out anything. The hard Left Albanese regime censors everything, especially things and people that don't follow its doctrines.

In the meantime, Foxy just gives us more junk references from the very same people and organisations she lifts her "opinions" from.

Good Morning Folks,

Here's the link again that I gave earlier and left out
a letter. My apologies:

http://sbs,com.au/language/hindi/en/article/what-does-being-an-australian-mean-to-you/516fp2hst

It is an interesting read. It shows the love and passion
that so many people
feel making this country their own. Of course as we can
see from some who post here there is a vast chasm between
yhose who do have love in their hearts and
those who don't, are insecure, and display symptoms of
severe mental health issues.

As I wrote earlier none of us are obliged to have unity
with hateful people. We are not morally bound to make
peace with a heart that dehumanizes other human beings
because of their skin, their nation of origin, their gender,
their orientation, or if their opinions and politics
differ from ours. We need to remember for our own sanity
that we:

We don't have to support people who brandish such
polluted hearts and continue to actively brandish
and actively perpetuate inequality and the stoking of
division and manufacturing discrimination.

We can all be conscientious objectors in a war against
this kind of country. That's why no matter how much the
supporters of people like Pauline Hanson may bleat -
they will not make much headway and will eventually
die out. For which we can all be grateful.

Once again my apologies. I have problems with my
eyesight and a very old computer. Here's the link again:

http://sbs.com.au/language/hindi/en/article/what-does-being-an-australian-mean-to-you/5l6fp2hst

All these junk references!

Junk references are those that are wrong, irrelevant, misleading, corrupt, uninformative, useless, or purely rhetorical. There is no way of knowing whether the person using them has actually read them; if they have just thrown them out hoping nobody will check them; whether the references have been verified by other parties.

For people expressing opinions they are totally useless. If a reader has an opinion different from a poster, that opinion is not going to be changed just by one or more extra versions of that poster's opinions.

They are super-dooper waste of time for people who have multiple goes at getting them right, and then blame an inanimate computer for their inabilities. Added to her problems is the naivety of thinking that anyone but one of the very few raving lefties here will be turned by the SBS and the ABC.

References and citations are for academic purposes. They are a waste of time on social media and anywhere OPINIONS are expressed.

I will own up to NEVER reading what just amounts to another version of the same opinion I disagree with, or what is actually just the source of the posted opinion. People who can't sink or swim on their own OPINIONS on a site called ONLINE OPINION, need to look elsewhere for entertainment.

ttbn,

My goodness I must have again hit a nerve with you.
I sincerely apologize for apparently upsetting you
so greatly. I can assure you that I do read all of the
links I give - and they are carefully chosen by me
to back up my posts.

Perhaps, I should have consulted you first prior to
selection - as to what would be acceptable to you and
not considered a "junk reference, "by you. All I have to go
on is being a professional qualified and trained
researcher with over 30 years experience.

Still I appreciate your passion and interest in me and
in whatever subject I happen to choose. We do have a history
on this forum and no matter how often you promise to leave
me alone - you find me to be some sort of magnet. I guess
I should be flattered and not just concerned.

A pity that you didn't read the SBS link. It related to
the opinions of migrants - which was the topic under
discussion after all. Or are you saying their opinions and
experiences don't matter and you consider it all "junk?"

In any case we are obligated to not violate the forum's
rules against personal attacks. Members of the forum are
expected to treat each other politely and if they continue
their vindictive behaviour the Moderator may consider
suspending accounts.

BTW: I have explained in the past that I have problems
with my eye-sight (I need operations) hence my mistakes
with the links and my antiquated computer does not help -
but I'm fond of it.

I ask for your patience and understanding.

Try being the decent chap that I feel you really deep
down are.

Dear Foxy,

«I can only be responsible for what I post.»

That goes without saying.

«Not for what you understand and interpret.»

Has anyone suggested otherwise?

«I did not give options as you claim and to which you objected.»

Have you not introduced the topic of "White Australia" versus "multiculturalism"?

Yes, I object to both.
And for the very same reason -
I object to states and their governments making policies as to who may/should or may/should not live in a given country or continent.

«We've been fortunate thus far that our governments have
succeeded»

Please do not include me in your "we": It is none of my fortune that YOUR government succeeds or even exists.

«"I am, You are, We are - Australian."»

«"Australians feel proud to be Australian and
proud of the values that characterise Australia
today."»

I could expect better than such infantile slogans from someone whose family survived and escaped the U.S.S.R.

«"It means that if you love something and you believe
it, you can make it happen."»

If she believes what she says then it means that she is living in a dream, or on hallucinogenic drugs.

Yuyutsu,

I shall give your comments the attention that they deserve.

Cheers.

Now back to the topic:

Here is a link on the advent of Australia's
Multicultural Society from Britannica, for
any one interested in more history:

http://www.britannica.com/place/Australia/The-advent-of-multicultural-society

I think for a country to be truly multicultural there must be shared values at some point ... or at least a respect for "the other" ...

I lived in Malaysia for over ten years and can attest that it is a truly multicultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-racial success. I loved waking to the sound of the call to prayer at dawn. We all shared our feast/holy days.

Unfortunately, I can't call Australia a multicultural success.

A few years ago, Sheik Halali of Lakemba Mosque defended a group of men of his congregation for raping Australian women because they wore no head scarf. He referred to these women as "uncovered meat".

Recently Sheik Abdul Zoud of the Western Sydney congregation gave a series of hate-filled antisemitic speeches, saying that jihad was the only solution for Allah. Indeed, he stated that none of the caliphs conquered the world by peaceful means. They conquered it through jihad for the sake of Allah; that jihad is the only solution when it comes to infidels (we nonbelievers).

There are a number of Muslim men who have been arrested for attempted terrorist attacks .... one being on the MCG during a match, another at Holdsworthy Baracks.

How do we bring this Islamic group to be part of a truly multicultural Australia?

Good Morning WhiteMouse,

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you for contributing to this discussion.

Australia has certainly had some challenges.

What with extremists within groups, and people making
controversial statements and behaving badly, including
criminal behaviour. Yet we need to take things within
their context and we can't blame entire groups for
the actions of some within their group be they Muslim
Clerics, White Supremacists, or even politicians -
like Pauline Hanson.

The Sydney experience that you're talking about caused
quite a controversy. Sheik Taj Alhilali
was the Islamic cleric who compared women who did not wear
scarves to "uncovered meat." This happened in the early
2000s - decades ago. He said that they were provoking men
and if they got raped -- they were "asking for it."

The Board of the Lakemba Mosque Association decided to ban
him from making sermons and he apologised for his
comments. The cleric died in Egypt last year at the age of 82.

This cleric was considered one of the most controversial
figures in Australia at the time after making contentious
remarks.

We need to keep in mind however that there is cultural
diversity within the religion of Islam . Of course Islam
challenges the mind-set of our society - but Muslims have
lived peacefully in this country for over a century.

The oldest mosque on the east coast was built in Brisbane
in 1908 by early Muslim Australians who settled in the late
1800s. Today 42% live in Greater Sydney, 31% in Greater
Melbourne and 8% in Greater Perth.

The peak Islamic authority is the Federation of Islamic Councils
and they're the ones that deal with issues of religious
significance.

Apart from extremists within groups we have Muslims, Jews,
Christians, and others, who work together in our communities
Inter-faith organizations that try to bridge
the gap of misunderstanding and they are doing a good job at it.
The organization - "Together For Humanity," is just one
example which was founded by Rabbi Zalman Kastel. Rabbi
David Freilich is another name worth mentioning, from the WA
Jewish community.

There's many more.

"but Muslims have lived peacefully in this country for over a century."

Yeah well Curtis Cheung might disagree - if he was still alive....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Parramatta_shooting

Mohammedans live relatively peacefully in most countries or locations where they are in small minority. But things change dramatically when they become a larger minority at around 10% of the population. At that point they begin to agitate, peacefully and not so peacefully, for the implementation, in part or whole, of their religion.

Australia doesn't currently have that problem largely thanks to the efforts of Howard ("We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances under which they come" ) and Abbott ("Stop The Boats"). These two so changed the conversation in Australia that even those who favour large immigrant programmes (like the current government and opposition) run for cover when they're identified as being soft of restricting immigration from the alien cultures.

WhiteMouse has posted here before and doesn't need a welcome from a poster not actually tasked with the job of welcoming anyone; especially one so unobservant

A good post, WhiteMouse.

However, from your previous observations, you will know that no matter what is said contrary to Foxy’s opinions, she remains in denial, and goes on, and on, and …….

ttbn,

Thank you for your comments. I welcomed WhiteMouse to
my discussion and thanked WhiteMouse for the comments.
I'm sorry that once again that seems to have hit a
nerve with you. And again I apologise for not asking
for your permission first. I'll check with the Moderator
whether I should do so in future.

One good thing. You do inspire me. Here's a few thoughts:

It seems I've got a bitter enemy
Whose heart to hate he gave
I'm becoming sure he'd like to see me die
So he could dance upon my grave

But then such is a quirk of fate
The poison in his heart
May just hasten his miserable life
And force him to depart.

Now back to the topic:

Here's a few thoughts from economicst - Esther
Rajadurai:

" The Australia we currently live in has been shaped by
decades of successive waves of migration and this has
helped to strengthen the cultural, economic, and ethnic
diversity of our nation."

"Australian multiculturalism has always been a nation-building
endeavour that has
been committed to preserving and fostering the national
identity and the democracy of the nation. This significant
cornerstone must be preserved and
nurtured in order to best provide for successful future
generations."

Is Australia a melting pot, a salad bowl, or a mosaic?

We might be a country lead by imbeciles and with a lot of excess bread.

Chinese buyers cancel, postpone Australian wheat buys amid global surplus
http://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/chinese-buyers-cancel-or-postpone-australian-wheat-buys-amid-global-oversupply-2024-03-14/

>>SINGAPORE, March 14 (Reuters) - Chinese wheat importers have cancelled or postponed about one million metric tons of Australian wheat cargoes, trade sources with direct knowledge of the deals said, as growing world stockpiles drag down prices.
News of the moves comes after the U.S. government reported cancellation of more than 500,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat exports last week to China, the world's No. 1 buyer, with international prices trading close to three-and-half year lows.<<

Russian wheat knocks down global prices as grain stockpiles mount
http://www.nasdaq.com/articles/russian-wheat-knocks-down-global-prices-as-grain-stockpiles-mount

USDA retains forecast for Russian wheat exports at 51 mln tonnes this season
http://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/100273/

You all see where this 'Hate Russia and China' mentality is leading us?

I guess the cancelled grain will be a boon for Coles and Woolies;
- But it will cost a few Aussies and other Western citizens the farm itself.

And blowing up Russian oil refineries isn't helping things either.
It just creates supply shocks and increases crude prices for everyone, And also increases revenue for Russian itself.

We've seen countries doing more harm to themselves and their own citizens because the leadership is hysterical with the 'Get Putin and Xi' agenda.

How much did Scomo cost us in experts with a big mouth to China a few years back?
He was the moron who didn't close the borders or quaratine properly.
Is anyone counting the cost of this foolish and continuing 'take sides' endeavour?

Foxy, an economist cares only about growth and GDP, if immigration helps achieve that faster, then that's all that matters to them, its successful.

They aren't looking at it by the drawbacks that are created.
They see those drawbacks as the cost of doing business.
A small number of people get all the main benefits and it's all of us especially the least among us that must carry the costs.

So if you live in a suburb that's overrun with Muslims or African youth crime, waiting 45 mins for an ambulance and cant even get a bed once you get to the hospital, or the local road upgrades have been frustrating you for the last 12 months, that's the price you have to pay so that others can continue to live in mansions and their gated communities.

Foxy

As I said, you go on and on - and then some. You are so defensive. You need to have the last say, no matter what. I won't know of course, because I've reached my upper boredom level for the time being, but I'll bet the house you will be back, yapping at me like a female Jack Russell terrier the moment you see this post.

I love the way that you thank everyone for their posts, as if they were applauding you after a performance: even though most posters generally disagree with you on everything you say.

You don't ‘hit any nerves’ with me; but if it helps to think it does, fine. You need all the help you can get.

“Back to the topic” - one of your cliches. WTF cares what someone called Esther Rajadurai thinks! If she wants to sound off on OLO she should do so. You could give her a big welcome. In the meantime, the opinions you give here should be your own, not someone else's.

But, perhaps you don't really have a mind of your own, being so big on quoting other people and institutions as you do. A real “Second Hand Rose”.

Hi Armchair Critic,

You're right. Although our society is strong. and on
the whole - positive. It is not perfect. And despite
the billions that migrants have and do contribute to
the Australian economy and despite the wide ranging
public support for a multicultural Australia,
there are voices that continue their call of dissent.

Yet despite the resurgence of extremist groups and the
sniping of mainstream politics most Australians according
to the surveys are still declaring multiculturalism a
success.

Having said that, we of course cannot ignore the sad and
disturbing incidents that do occur. I'm by no means in
denial as someone stated. However I'm a "glass-full" kind
of gal. Always have been or at least tried to be. Despite
the attempts of trying to bring me down with a thud.

Therefore as a society we must combat the negativity if we
are to build on the progress we've made. We need to make
positive efforts towards cohesion across all sections of
our society. I believe there is a unique spirit in this
country which is not encumbered with set definitions
regarding religion, race, or place of birth.

It's an attitude, a spirit of community and togetherness
that wants to contribute something towards the greater good.

This is something that the majority of migrants gain upon
arrival in Australia which according to surveys, continues to
grow and strengthen over time.

ttbn,

I know that you find me difficult.

1) I am very sorry.

2) I shall try to be good.

3) 1 & 2 are lies.

4) You can F-off!

Foxy,
Wow ! You could teach a Brown Snake how to be venomous !

Indyvidual,

Brown snakes don't need any lessons. They already are
venomous. Besides, we should all stay away from
snakes, especially the human ones.

Cheers.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has tied the knot to long-time
partner, Sophie Allouache, in a stunning ceremony in her
hometown of Adelaide.

Senator Wong wore a fire-engine red suit, a traditional symbol
of good-luck, of happiness, and the beginning of a good life
free from evil spirits for brides at Chinese weddings.

Her partner, Sophie Allouache, wore a traditional white gown
with large sleeves. The Labour frontbencher shares 2 daughters
with her partner who she met nearly 20 yeras ago in 2006.

Congratulations to them both!

After years of hard-fought reforms to legalise gay marriage
Senator Wong celebrated at a Woodside Winery. "The Bird in
Hand/" The Prime Minister who had flown in for a speaking
engagement ahead of the wedding attended the festivities with
his partner.

Penny Wong's mother married a Malaysian man at a time when
The White Australia policy was still in place. And of course
back in those days gay marriage was not something that
people talked about. Times have changed. Governments heard
the resounding voice of the Australian people with their
mandates for change, for equality, especially for fairness,
a "Fair Go," for standing up for many families - and change
happened.

"Senator Wong wore a fire-engine red suit, a traditional symbol of good-luck"

'traditional'? where do you get this tripe from Foxy?
Do you really just believe everything you read without thinking about it?
I may be wrong on this and not keeping up with the times, but I thought that traditionally when a woman marries she wears a wedding dress?

Maybe Penny is not actually the bride?

I better not go there.
I really don't care to inadvertently think about what goes on in her bedroom.

Hope they both had a nice day.
(But it won't stop me expressing my dissatisfaction / berating her at a later date if required)

Hi Armchair Critic,

I'm surprised that you were not aware that in Chinese culture
red is traditionally an auspicious colour that
represents joy and celebration and is widely used in festivals
and special events such as weddings. Hence Senator Wong's
choice of it.

It may interest
you to know that wearing red wedding dresses has been a Chinese
wedding tradition since the Ming Dynasty over 650 years ago.

Armchair Critic,

I do my research before posting.

I had assumed you did the same.

As for Senator Wong's wedding?

I guess that we should not be so concerned or judgemental.
It's something that is her business = we shouldn't make it
our burden. What happens in her private life is not a
matter for public debate - unless she chooses to share it
with us. And even this time, she kept things to a minimum
for the public to know. It was a private affair only for
her family and close friends.

I just happened to want to show how times had changed in this
country and I was very happy for her.

I was hoping that this discussion would engage in
coversations about the state of Australia and the
future of what we collectively and individually hoped
to build.

I was confident that the issues we explored
would resonate and help provide better connections
and understandings from people with lived experiences
and also those with worldviews from
different backgrounds. This was an attempt to explore
different viewpoints.

I have a lot on my plate at the moment. So for that
reason I'm out.

See you all on another discussion soon.

Hi Foxy,
I think I may have put my foot in it in my last comment.
I foolishly only read half your comment before I started tapping out my response
Anyhow, thanks for providing the extra info.

Hi Folks,

.With Easter just around the corner
here's another perspective
on the Easter Bunny:

When I was just a tiny tot
There's quite a lot that I forgot
There is one thing I won't forget
The Easter Bunny who made me fret

It happened as I do recall
At my local shopping mall
A bunny grabbed me in surprise
Right before my parent's eyes

He scared the wits right out of me
He covered my eyes so I couldn't see
Mum did her best to calm me down
To make me smile instead of frown

Mum laughed and tried to make it funny
But to me he was a scary bunny
And being grabbed by this unknown
I screamed and wanted to go home

This should be a warning to all parents
Little kids are so easily scared
They shouldn't be put into situations
For which they're really not prepared

Whether it's with an old bloke called Santa
Or a big-toothed rabbit with large ears
If the kids don't know these odd-looking creatures
Being grabbed will raise their fears

So please remember, come December
Not all Santa's mean a lot
Little kids are far, far, happier
With the presents that they've got

And each Easter do not fuss
A giant rabbit 's not a plus
But a chocolate one that's dark and sweet
Will always be a favourite treat!

HAPPY EASTER
I'M HERE TO SAY -
HAVE A REALLY LOVELY DAY!

Fortunately, Passover is not about bunnies or Chocolates, but about salvation.

Josephus,

Not for everybody - and certainly not for tiny tots.

Josephus,

The poem I wrote is about the Easter Bunny from
a tiny tot's point of view. It's meant to be taken
in fun.

It's not about Easter as a Christian festival.

Also Passover to which you referred in your post
is a major Jewish holiday and it celebrates the
Biblical story of the Israelites escape from slavery
in Egypt. This year Passover begins on 22 April and
ends on Tuesday 30th April.

Easter Sunday is on 31st March.