"but I still believe that people
are basically good and decent - and given half
a chance they won't disappoint."

Lexi I suspect that depends a lot on the values they are raised with. History shows too many large scale examples of where that's not been the case to believe that it's innate. Human slavery has existed in one form or another for much if not all of human history and has at times had wide acceptance in western history.

We've mostly heard of the atrocities committed in Nazi Germany, Stalinist USSR, Maoist China, Cambodia, Rwanda and other places. Those were not the actions of a minority in those communities, they were the consequence of the majority either endorsing or failing to stand against great evil. They involved large numbers of people willing to act in the most vile manner against fellow human beings.

There are some teachings of the monotheistic religions which teach a very negative view of those outside their faiths or those inside the faith who don't do it right. Christianity had it's time where some very vile acts against others were carried out based on what was widely believed at the time, there appears to still be a strong following among some muslim groups for a very negative view of non muslims.

I don't believe that holds for all muslims or all Lebanese but I do think that there are some serious issues around some groups which should be addressed directly and which various governments seem to prefer to avoid.

R0bert

Dear RObert,

I agree with you - there are attitudes and beliefs
that are based on misconceptions about people founded
on the fear of difference, including differences in
customs, values, religion, physical appearance and
ways of living and viewing the world. This includes
negative attitudes towards the use of different
languages "foreign" accents or the use of non-standard
variations of a dominant community language.

These beliefs are reinforced by prevailing social
attitudes towards people who are seen as different and
are often a reflection of the values which underpin
social relations and institutional practices.

The fact remains - in this country all Australians
are equal under the law. This means that nobody should
be treated differently from anybody else because of
their race, ethnicity or country of origin, or because
of their age, gender, marital status, disability,
or because of their political or religious beliefs.
Government agencies and independent courts are
obliged to treat everyone fairly.

This subject is an unpleasant one.
It was always going to be.
Lexi, I refrain from posting links to the 5 u tube Lebanese gang story's.
And the Lebanese Rape gangs.
But wish you would find them and have a look.
Tell me what thoughts come after, about the pure hate, directed to wards Australians,by second and third generation Australians.
Yes past events, but what has changed,little, the hate remains for sure.
A separatism is apparent,and no doubt we all of us, including post ww2 migrants can in part be blamed.
But so too can the enforced separation of different culture and religions.
Underline religion, our very different faiths,for some demand separatism.
Those rape victims,some 14 years old,heard these words,*you deserve it because you are Australian*
It happened,it did.
Almost every night shoots are fired in our streets, do we say no! we must not target race!
Or do we confront the facts and ask what can we do about it?
Are matters such as this to be walked around because some one will be offended?
I am not calling for returned racism.
my thread asks how can we do better.
May I set out for debate a few ideas.
No prison for traffic fines and small issues, offenders fined and made to work to pay it.
Review the law take all assets from convicted people of some crimes.
Expand a police boys club like thing to a community center in every suburb, for every race to mix to gether.

Dear Belly,

I certainly don't have a problem with people
who break our laws being held to account and
going through due process in our courts same as any
body else who breaks the law.

I look upon Australia's cultural diversity as a
strength which makes for a dynamic society.
But of course its a given that this society
exists within a framework of laws. What is asked
of everyone who lives in this country is that
those who come here and wish to live here make
an overriding commitment to Australia - to its laws,
to its values, and to its people. Living in this
country one has certain obligations and that applies
to all of its people.

Lexi,
You said,"I look upon Australia's cultural diversity as a
strength which makes for a dynamic society.
But of course its a given that this society
exists within a framework of laws. What is asked
of everyone who lives in this country is that
those who come here and wish to live here make
an overriding commitment to Australia - to its laws,
to its values, and to its people. Living in this
country one has certain obligations and that applies
to all of its people".

That is quite fair and I agree. Now the question is, should we continue to allow those groups to immigrate that have shown us they cannot/will not abide by our laws and social standards? There are groups like the Croats and Serbs, who continue to hate and fight each other and the Lebanes muslims who have nothing but contempt for our society. Other groups practice forced marriages, oppress women and perform FGM on young girls. Should these groups be allowed to continue to come here?

Alien cultural practices are very difficult to change, so if these groups continue to arrive, what do you suggest we do to get them to integrate.

Lexi it is a little unfair to include all migration, even all Lebanese or Muslim Lebanese in this issue.
Few, very few, are not aware of the contributions migration has made to this country.
Our current Prime minister is a Migrant.
It simply is wrong to use the whole to defend those involved here.
We can not however overlook,or ignore, unchecked Lebanese Muslim Migration, during the civil war, marked the explosion of Sydney's current and past drug and street wars.
I want clearly, to remind those who are grand children of post ww2 refugees/migrants, are more often than not harsher in criticizing those responsible for these issues.
Tacking multiculturalism on, as a defense is unreasonable, and untrue.
From what previous group of refugees did a hate for Australians come.
Right now,as is the case with every day modern life, from ho la hoops to yo yo,s pop stars to new dances a copy cat culture is emerging, of street shootings, as youth take the cowards way, shoot instead of a short punch up then its over.
My links are to police, former state leaders hardly racists.
I question a world that refuses to ask the real questions on things like this.
Why this group.
Why the hate.
Should we review our migration policy's,how many live forever on welfare in this group, are we paying for big family's who too will never work?
Are we content to shield the truth in fear of it uncovering things we do not want to hear.
Is the path to truth racist?