I Bronwyn am aware we inhabit the left side of politics.
But can not change views I hold just to fit in.
Yes we get great migrants from every part of the world.
Yes including boat people/refugees.
However can we say only good people try to come?
Do you see in me a ranting right wing loony?
I think my concerns about bringing not multi cultures but a different stand alone culture to our country are well founded and shared by many.
This thread is from a trouble maker, uniformed maybe, but bent on insulting my culture .
I can find so very much that concerns me about such as him, on the streets of our city's.
Face it, we can not breed out the hate, note have that dream of multi cultures if some want only their culture and values not the country's they come to often without being invited.

Belly

<< I Bronwyn am aware we inhabit the left side of politics. But can not change views I hold just to fit in. >>

Yes, we both 'inhabit' the Left of politics, though as I've said to you before, you're a way to the Right of me on most issues. That's okay, the Left is a broad church. There will always be differences between those on the Green and Progressive Left and those like yourself on Labor's Right.

I understand where you're coming from and don't expect you to change your views. All I ask is that you treat the views of those further to your Left with the respect they deserve, which you mostly manage to do. :)

<< Do you see in me a ranting right wing loony? >>

No I don't. I see in you a good man with a good heart and a good mind. I always enjoy reading your posts. I do get exasperated with you at times, as I see you being very selective with your compassion. You have it in spades for children and the working class, but can come across very harshly when it comes to animals and refugees. You do at times keep company with the loony Right, as do I on the odd occasion, but I always see in you a more balanced and reasonable approach.

<< This thread is from a trouble maker, uninformed maybe, but bent on insulting my culture. >>

The insults, Belly, have been flying both ways. While you see Iftikhar's comments as uninformed, he I'm sure has exactly the same opinion of you. Don't you see the need for finding common ground and establishing sensible and civil dialogue?

Fighting fire with fire is just not the solution. Every time we take that approach - as in Iraq, Afghanistan, Abu Gharib, Guantanamo - we just further fan the flames of hatred and pour oil on the inferno threatening to engulf us all. We have to find another way and it's up to the more reasonable amongst us to take the lead.

Bronwyn before this post I re read the first one in this thread.
I often do, do you know I and just maybe you think the author is right about some things he wrote?
But do we want Islamic law to fix it?
I truly left the very left because I do honestly think they stand in the way of progress.
Standing with open arms ready to hug this bloke to your chest is madness.
What he and his type want to replace our culture with is a nightmare, true a horrible nightmare.
I think with all my heart we could fix drug over use if we wanted to.
That we could find a living wage and a job for every one, that Social security could be for the old infirm and true needy.
That people have a better life if they get a chance to earn it.
I believe slums can be cleared and homes built but I also know much more about city slums in this country and Europe that are self sustaining, and helped to stay slums by people like our author.
He not I said his people do not want to assimilate, in that case I ask that those who think that way never ever come to my country.

Belly

I fall in line with Bronwyn and her call to offer friendship rather than hostility.

I also know that my gut reaction to Iftikhar's opening post was the same as it is for Christians demanding separate schools, government funding and blaming all society's ills on non-Christians, or in this case non-Muslims; complete revulsion.

We try to communicate with Christians (which I know is difficult - I am thinking of Runner). Therefore, I agree with Bronwyn that we should apply the same approach to Muslims if we are ever to reach a level of mutual acceptance of each other. Assuming Iftikhar is a terrorist just because he is Muslim, is like assuming Runner is a terrorist because of his extreme religious views. I am already having second thoughts about that last sentence, but I am trying to make a point.

As Brownyn noted immediately following Iftikhar's post:

<< Private and/or religious schools only perpetuate difference and division. They do nothing to promote a fair and harmonious society. >>

That is the message we have to get across to all fundamental-religious people; that holding isolationist views due to religion is the cause of many of our problems and continues the hatred.

You would remember the old saying:

"Give a dog a bad name.....

I see Fractelle the goodness in what you and Bronwyn are saying.
And I understand we must and indeed do offer friendship and help to Muslim migrants.
I am not red neck, but this bloke concerns me.
He looks to me , well may be, a second generation Muslim in Britain.
He came here this time and at least one other to insult and provoke us.
Find another reason for this thread if you can.
Like it or not generations of men not unlike me, have had to take up arms to defend our freedoms.
Without shame I believe lies and deliberate lies are weapon for such as him.
If political correctness would let me I could tell a truly interesting story about young Muslims born here.
Let me tell you this much, I looked after them as union members , socialized with them, drank yes beer with them.
Saved their jobs, but within all 4 of them was a hatred for me and my country that I could never have forgiven.
Love and kindness will not stop a madman.

Hello *Ifti*

R u still there?

I am wondering, what kind of a *Muslim* r U?

R u a Soonee, a Shia, a NU .. a Mohomadia perhaps?
I don't know all the different kinds but you could share something of this with us if you wanted to couldn't you?

Do you like coffee, and Sheesha and like to hang out with the boyz & talk politics?