Belly,
i did not say that those disagreeing know nothing. I am saying that the denialists aren't weighing others' views. The denialists may well be of a majority but that doesn't make them opponents in everything. I have considered the views of those whom I don't agree with on grounds of me actually being & thinking outside the square.
Am I to understand that trying to prevent this country from being overtaken by stealth with people whom not only I suspect to come by agenda rather than need is opposing my responsibilty as a citizen ?
Don't for one moment forget that as soon as the thinking individuals in our authorities find another way of getting ahead of the smugglers, they too find new tactics.
btw. Do you know of drowning or shooting fatalities due to australian action ?
You're right Belly opinions are windows but you still can't see anything in the room when the curtains are drawn so as not having to see what's going on outside..

Rich ALGORE suggests that we should...

<< CHARGE THE CAPTAINS AND CREWS WITH PEOPLE SMUGGLING AND JAIL THEM FOR 10 YRS AND ADVERTIZE IT FARRRRR AND WIDE IN INDONESIA.

He says;

<< I think that will stop the boats. Nothing else will.>>

Yes I think that this will probably do the trick, or at least cut down the number of boats to a much smaller rate, and quickly.

At any rate, if there was the will within the government, the issue could be easily dealt with.

By crikey, if it is not dealt with decisively by the next election, Labor will be out on their ear, Abbott will a shoe-in and the Greens will be history.

We've just simply GOT TO tackle the issue of asylum seekers head-on and decisively.

So, currently it seems that Gillard is being held to ransom by the Greens over this issue.... assuming that she really does desire to deal decisively with the problem as she said she would when she took up the prime-ministership.

And surely the Greens can see that they are very strongly alienating the majority of the Australian voting public by being seen to be facilitating the ongoing, now very regular and increasing rate of arrivals, and that they are going to go down very hard at the next election unless they adapt their policies accordingly.

The answer?

Well, what if the Greens were to simply agree with Gillard, and Abbott, that onshore asylum seeking has to stop.... in exchange for a much-improved input into refugee and international aid issues through our formal programs, including a somewhat larger intake of the most needy refugees.

Vastly more people could be helped if we did this, and it would be aimed at desperate people who really need assistance.

With the same sort of expenditure (or considerably smaller) that we are now putting into dealing with onshore asylum seekers, we could help probably five times as many people in greater need.

This is so simple and obvious ... isn't it?

If we have an orderly and fair list of asylum seekers then as the boats arrive we should take all their details down and tell each of them where they stand in the queue, what their number is etc.. That may mean keeping them in detention till their number comes up...however long it takes. They will continue to be fed and clothed and have free medical attention and education for all children but will not be allowed to apply for permanent visas or mixing in with the Australian community at large till their number in the queue comes up.

This is being fair to all those African genuine refugees still in asylum camps in parts of Africa. The Afghanis will still be ahead by virtue of being in a safer place and assured of clean drinking water and better food and medical attention and education for their children.

What do you readers think of this plan?
No one intends sending them back where they came from but the African refugee and asylum seekers will feel they are being fairly treated. After all, what is so special with these boat drop-ins that they have a right to tell us what we have to do for them? Is an Afghani worth more than an African?

socratease

Last two posts are interesting.
So here are my thoughts.
Remember we are talking of a total of under 6 thousand, so far more will come.
The form a line idea would be counter productive once here it seems almost sure you will stay,we would need a city sized center.
Greens Ludwig, in my view unfortunately, prosper not die via this debate.
They will grow their vote on this issue not fade away.
A DD election would cut their numbers but keep the balance of power in their hands, maybe.
The rights and wrongs of what I am about to say will have me branded red neck.
But the truth is enough Australians share my view, it is the fact these boat people are Muslims that brings about the concerns,like it or not its true.
Labor under Gillard will not recapture the voters, wish it was not true but it is.
Even if tomorrow both sides got together and said no more boat people send them all home, the Greens would get far more benefit than any one else from it.
Middle to high income day dreamers who never live in contact with enclaves are driving policy's few support, this issue may change the government.
Australians are unhappy both party's must work out a way of controlling this.
Or give sea Worthy boats to millions from allover otherworld looking for a life and let them come.

Actually, Julis has a few more disused camps and centres that she's found all mover Australia. She has a mission to fill them all up. No sense letting them go to rack and ruin. The heritage people dont want them.So Julia aims to put them to good use. There will be at least another20,000 more to accomodate before we see the last of the boats coming.
There's only one way to stop the poor demented woman. That will come in a couple of years.

socratease

I love socratese's argument. At the moment, some people like to claim that the boat people aren't queue jumpers, because there is no queue. The government should create a queue by publishing a list of people awaiting settlement here. Every time a boat arrives and are accepted as refugees, we would know exactly who is missing out and perhaps a few journalists could tell their stories.