Lefou13

This is not "fluffy" rhetoric. I can recall when protestants and catholics didn't intermarry; when Italians and Greeks preferred to marry within their own group. This is entirely natural in a new country. However, this has moved on without causing friction nor any disruption to society as a whole - and different groups do now intermarry. However, our newcomers, whether they were from Europe, or Vietnam, or elsewhere, never tried to dominate our society. They wanted to become loyal citizens and contribute to this country which they adopted as their own. Our dominant culture remained the dominant culture and other cultures contributed rich elements to it, for which every Australian should be grateful. These once "newcomers" are Australians in every sense of the word. Our modern Australia is that which they helped to create.

I have agreed that there is an element within Muslim society that is divisive - not all Muslims - but unfortunately certain ones who apparently are at odds with mainstream Australia, which by its very nature include every other Australian group within it. This is definitely a worry. I don't know what the solution is. Perhaps when immigrants intend to come to Australia, they should be better informed of our expectations. Perhaps this is a failure on the part of our Australian departments overseas. I don't know.

Certainly, from what we have witnessed, some migrants do not accord us even the basic courtesy of being in our country. This is deplorable. This would be the same for any person entering another country and culture.

Dear Danielle,

Again, well put. I agree with you - supplying new immigrants with as much information as is possible about Australia - its history and heritage, its land and its peoplle, and of the unique national culture which has evolved over time should be mandatory.

Education is the key.

Posted by Lefou13,

Thanks everybody! This is all getting a little 'fluffy' though. Speak YOUR minds. The last post read like a government PR response.

Are we all blind??
Lefou13
Ok I am not know for fluffy comments so I will speak my mind.
In truth you are both right and wrong. I have worked with Muslim leaders for several years.
Yes we have had our little tiffs.I find them interesting people in general. They are far more forgiving them some of us. They do not hold grudges as a first option.

Young wrong about Muslims not being able to marry non Muslims.
Its no different to Greeks or whatever. Did you know that Saddamms right arm man was a Muslim? Did you know that until the warChristains were free to practise.
Not so now as most have been murdered .

On another thread there is a perfect example however of what you are warning of.
Somebody is saying to me = Well as we know have enough people we can form our own party andvote you out.
Umm- We exchanged a few words.

You might be interested to know most of the posters supported him not me so yeh i get where you are coming from.
I will post the link so you can see what i mean. What I am annoyed about is this-
MOU between our leaders not to make imagration a pre political issue and not to vote on policys for imagration.
The public have a right to voice their feelings and are being gagged.

I apoligise for typo but its the soft wear( which is new)
In all I think our Governments have made a right royal hash out of things.
There are really very nice Muslims.
There are also those who would never ever do anything that was against allahs demands.
You must understand they do not seperate religion from laws
There is Australias real problem and its a big one .

I will bet every thing I own we have people from European background here in this forum.
Mum told me of the fears refos, post ww2 migrants would take over our country some had, not thankfully her.
Multi culture's is not a problem, some migrant groups seem very much to be of real concern.
Look at those 1945 to 1960,s migrants today, see you will find it hard to know them and the grand children.
Sorry I do not fear other cultures, I do have concerns about some from within some cultures but also hope from others within that same culture.
2 working days ago this Aussie boff head stood in a Que watched a post mistress test three you late teen age girls ,first time I ever saw the test.
The only question I heard was what are your rights as an Australian? would you know without prior information?
One cried broke down, I stepped out of line and said , you will get it next time no worries, welcome ,have a great life.
I was shouted at by the post mistress a migrant herself she never had to pass this test, yet she sees her task to be filling young girls with fear?
We humans are strange we judge on race or color not actions.

"There is NOTHING 'un'compassionate about expecting newcomers to fit in to the existing social structure. When you have a new baby.. you expect him/her to fit into your family social rules....right?"

Yes, BD, and you make that baby feel welcome and you do everything in your power to help it adapt to its new environment. And you expect visitors to your home and people in your broader community to do the same. And you provide that assistance and guidance for as long as is needed in the knowledge that that baby will develop into a fully fledged and CONTRIBUTING member of your family and society. In fact it is quite likely that it will be that baby who is providing for you in your old age.

"Thanks everybody! This is all getting a little 'fluffy' though. Speak YOUR minds. The last post read like a government PR response."

What is this Lefou13? Some sort of call to arms? Aren't the reasoned responses of Danielle and Foxy quite what you were after? Are only racist and hate rants welcome on your sordid little thread?

It's this sort of paranoia, spreading throughout and infecting our once tolerant and welcoming nation, that is the very reason that many newcomers do find it difficult to feel accepted and to make their way in their adopted country. No wonder they can be inclined to resort to the comfort of their own familiar customs and to look for the company of people from their homeland. I'm sure most of us in the same position would react in much the same way.

Welcome back Bronwyn!

It's been a while since we last heard from you.

So glad that you're still with us and thanks for your well argued
input.

This thread could certainly use more like you.