Dear examinator,

Thanks.

Sadly, I'm beginning to see you're right.

I really expected more from someone with a pseudo
like "Horus," (Egyptian - solar deity).
But I guess this guy's got the
qualities of a goose, not an 'eagle.'
And I expected even more from Paul -
whose opinion I've respected in the past.

A pity.

Examinator,

You have the gall to suggest I'm missing the subtelty of the topic? Mate, we'd find your education lacking before you exposed any gaps in mine.

Foxy,

I'm not against immigration. I don't hate coloured people. My antipathy to multiculturalism is not like that at all.

I have friends of different cultures, one of my good mates is a punjabi sikh. I totally respect his culture and religion.

My point isn't that we should be excluding people based on race or culture. My point is that we should looking to welcome people who want to become a part of our community, wherever they come from. I don't expect that new arrivals should just shed all of their beliefs and practices, but it is only reasonable that those which come into conflict with ours, should be left behind.

By the way Examinator, most of Asia, larges swathes of Europe, most of Africa and South America are monocultures. The VAST majority of them are quite happy with what they've got.

Indeed multiculturalism virtually ONLY exists in westernised democracies. These democracies are facing growing problems from vocal minorities who are using multiculturalism to replicate the conditions which exist in their home countries, largely against the wishes of their hosts.

Being opposed to multiculturalism doesn't mean I want to ban the greek festival or Chinese new year. What I am opposed to is the idea that you could come to Australia and NEVER learn english. I am opposed to the idea that you could come to Australia but hate Australians and never mix with us. Essentially I am opposed to the idea that it is OK to transplant your home culture here in its entirety, even if it conflicts with our way of life, and never need to move outside it. I don't believe that makes for a healthy community.

Foxy,
No one is above criticism – not even St Phillip!

And, judging by your own comments about other posters from time to time, you seem to subscribe to that principle, also.

There are going to be times when we disagree on issues, that’s human nature; that's what OLO is all about –no hard feelings.

Cheers!

Dear Horus,

I don't think Philip Adams is a saint.
I don't know him that well.
I quoted from his article in The Age
because I thought it relevant to this
thread and it summed up the atittudes
of a generation during that period in time.

Dear Paul,

I understand your point of view, and appreciate
your explanation.

You may be interested in the past Australian Government's
stand on this issue. The following website may be of
interest to you:

http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/multicultural/issues97/macpape5.htm

I did a cut and past from this article in my previous post.

Cheers.

Foxy,

Virtually all of the benifts that accrue from multiculturalism can also flow from assimilation. It just leaves out the problems.

Dear Paul,

Yeah well...I'm beginning to see the light
of day, and not only hear what you're saying,
but finally getting it as well. (I think).

It was actually Antonios's post on examinator's
thread about defending Australia that shocked
the heck out of me. And made me realize how
naive I was in quite a few areas...

So there you go - you live and learn - right?
(And still die stupid, as Dad would say).