Pericles.. I have no argument with BI lingual signs... I have a BIG issue with mono lingual signs which are not in the language of the host country. This should be common sense.

You are portraying my suggestion of intermarraige in the most extreme ways.. "Forget your country of origin when you arrive at the border" is not exactly what I'm saying.

Let me ask more closely to home.. would you have a problem with your daughter or son marrying someone of Greek or Italian or Asian heritage ?
I sure hope not :)

As long as we don't emphasize diversity to the point of alienating sub cultures, these kinds of things should (as C.J. said)..happen in any case.

How are we less enriched culturally by allowing our ethnic roots to fade and embracing an all encompassing 'Australian' identity ?

If we are so desperate for 'difference' we can jump on a plain and fly to Tasmania..oops.. I mean Singapore etc.

I think on balance, history is on my side in this. Diversity always breeds and reinforces racism and cultural polarization. It's a matter of
a) Degree.
b) Vulnerability to exploitation.

The very fact that some people want to insist on monolingual non English signage in Marrackville is a clear and unambigious 'sign' of racist exclusionist attitudes. If it is 'not' that.. please explain how it isn't when by definition, racial discrimination is the treatment of others less favorably on the basis of their race or language.
This should be good :

Boaz:

"As long as we don't emphasize diversity to the point of alienating sub cultures, these kinds of things should (as C.J. said)..happen in any case."

That is a complete distortion of what I actually wrote, which was

"The irony is, of course, that in the absence of "shady elements" (like Boaz, for example) who wish to stir up mob violence to further their own agendas, then it is inevitable that within a few generations we will have the kind of 'melting pot' society that he supposedly advocates. However, this end is delayed by the increasing attacks by members of the dominant culture on minority groups, which result in hardening of communal and religious boundaries and the radicalisation of some individuals located within them."

i.e. the exact opposite.

With respect to the contrived isue about signs in Marrickville shops, it's interesting that the shop that apparently most incenses the dog-whistling mayor deals exclusively in Asian-language videos (see http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sign-of-the-times-plan-to-require-english-on-shops/2006/10/22/1161455611143.html ).

What exactly would the point be in them advertising in English? In the case of other shops, surely it'a a case for the market - if insufficient potential customers can read their signage, then business will abviously amend their signs accordingly, or they'll go broke. This is well discussed at http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/10/23/2896/#more-2896 .

Boaz has the wrong end of the stick... yet again.

Boaz, you write:

>>I have no argument with BI lingual signs... I have a BIG issue with mono lingual signs which are not in the language of the host country.<<

The signs in Gerrard Street were/are monolingual. I had/have no problem with that. I do not find it insulting that people choose to communicate with each other in their native tongue, and that they perceive no value in providing me with a translation - presumably on the basis that the information would be of no value to me anyway.

>>"Forget your country of origin when you arrive at the border" is not exactly what I'm saying.<<

But Boaz, when you protest - as you have, many times, on this forum - that you come across Greek people who still regard themselves as Greek, that is precisely what you are saying.

>>I think on balance, history is on my side in this. Diversity always breeds and reinforces racism and cultural polarization.<<

On balance, I think you are totally and utterly wrong. Let us take Edwardian England as an example. They were, in that golden age before the first world war, almost a caricature of Englishness. The upper classes still roamed their estates and their daughters "came out" as debutantes. Cockneys were lovable, Yorkshiremen practical, Tynesiders dour... the list of cliches goes on.

Now think for a moment the absolute melting-pot of countries, cultures and histories that made that society over the centuries...

Diversity created the culture that for a brief moment in history made the English relatively important in world terms. It didn't last - nothing does - but that doesn't detract from the underlying theme and message: diversity is a positive force for good, if you allow it to be.

>>The very fact that some people want to insist on monolingual non English signage in Marrackville<<

Correction: at issue is the council's insistence that an English translation is provided.

Dear Pericles
my arguments have been described as 'most impressive' by a key figure in Marrickville and he requested that I forward the email to all counsellors and expressed appreciation for my support. Just put down the phone.

Clearly we are at odds on this issue. Just as we are on the issue of domestic pets :) our cat...oops... 'the cat which freely lives with us by its own choice' has had kittens.. and there is a veritable love -fest going on with us adoring them... and she, the mother enjoying her newfound fame... all family. She even rewards us with catching the odd rabbit... or rat...

On this topic issue I won't seek to persuade you any further as I think I've covered the ground adequately. All I can say is that you have neglected the pathway, and only looked at the end of the journey.. all the intrigue which went on between the Nobility and their connections to outside powers... c'mon man.. you know how much trouble that caused. Even the RC/Anglican issue..... thats 'difference' and look how many people lost their heads over that.

All in all, I appreciate your input otherwise how could I re-think ideas.

C.J. seems to think you have dealt my argument a mortal blow, and said as much in the "don't be different" thread, referring readers to here