Dear Bazz,

Ah but that is the question.
Which are the problem groups?
And on what do we base which ones
they are?

Thirty years ago assimilation sounded
like a noble political idea, but in
practice it smacked of cultural genocide.

Surely it would be better to give our
ethnic minorities a choice between
the invisibility of assimilation and the
drama of separateness. A choice of the
extremes or of any point between. They have
a right to be different, to practice their
traditions (as long as they don't break our laws),
to remember their languages.

Yes this has caused problems in a society that
sees homogeneity as not only desirable but
mandatory. There have been tensions between the
ethnic groups and "us" not to mention
between and within the ethnic groups themselves.
Sadly, many of the problems that have developed have
impinged on the children of the communities,
as they fight their disapproving parents for
the right to blend in, for the right to
choose a partner "outside."

And we have wanted to intervene when we saw those
children subjected to extreme authoritarianism.
But in the process we've had a more vigorous
exciting Australia, and in the end, through
discussion and interaction, surely today - we can sort the
problems out, as we've always done

I served twenty years in the Australian military for which service I was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Anthonyve,
With all due respect, I know people who have worked for half a century in jobs like hospital cleaners, carpentry, water supply, road works, freight delivery, food industry & the list goes on. None of them ever received any recognition let alone medals for their diligence. They're battling away on a lousy pension. I also know people who received awards similar to yours but I'm still wondering what was so extraordinary about doing their jobs ?
But going back to the topic, you as an armed forces man yourself should be able to tell us why we spend trillions on our armed forces when anyone who wants to gradually take over Australia without a fight just has to roll up here without papers & claim refugee status. Just imagine what we could do with all the money saved if we did away with the armed forces who seem to be just symbolical these days. The money saved on all the hero romp'n pomp alone would support many families.

Well Lexi, we could start with the moslems and then who next comes
to attention. The rest might see the writing on the wall and change
some of the activities that are causing us problems.
If they don't like it the airport is still there.

In any case immigration is now redundant.
We need to stop all immigration.
We need to conserve our resources for our own present people.
It is now time to look after ourselves and let the rest look after themselves.