Thank you for your support PALE. You're quite right about my attempts to inform my colleagues about the oil crisis or increasingly severe climatic conditions, however many of them are openly concerned about the numbers of migrants entering the country. The only reason I persist with preaching resource depletion ( but gently these days) is because, like all my friends, family etc, I want to pre-warn them about the possible repercussions of a future without oil and living in a country that politicians have, for years, treated like one vast and never ending quarry. I admire my friends and colleagues and love my family and yet it's a hard message to get out there.
I had an open and bitter argument with one of my sons concerning "peak oil." He understood exactly what I was saying, but preferred not to know. The very thought of losing his expected lifestyle caused him to direct the grief and anger of such a notion directly at me. It pains me to see him doing so well and knowing that the life he continually plans will most likely end in tears, but I daren't mention it to him again.

Back to you James. Perhaps you should do your own poll to ascertain as to whether or not Australians are concerned about immigration levels. I believe Dagget to be right in that immigration levels are much higher than the Government would like us to know. I've thought to start another post about it, but I doubt the randomness of OLO would be reflective of the general population.

Aime,

I have conducted my own poll amongst people I know, both those would consider themselves supporters of the right and of the left.

Amongst those conservatives their concerns about immigration relate more to security and cultural dilution rather than any resources issue. Amongst the left the concern about immigration is more about our country meeting its international obligations regarding refugees and ensuring that the process is fair and transparent.

As I said, I am more than happy to have a real discussion about resources and the populations affect on our usage of such, however once race/cultural bias comes into it, thats when I stop, because generally those who hold such biases tend to be intractable, believing any who think differently to be "do-gooders" or "lefty whingers".

Correct me if you believe I'm wrong James, but I don't think I've said anything that could be construed as being culturally biased or racist. This isn't about race, creed or color. This is about my belief that we should at least create a status quo on population for a decade or more until we see just where the two major issues confronting mankind are heading......the end of cheap oil and climate change.

And with all due respect James, you're reference to polling people you know isn't indicative of how the general Aussie population feels about immigration. No matter how much you might wish to deny the fact, people you know don't always reflect their true thoughts for the very simple fact that you DO know them. They may simply be reacting to the way they think you want them to react. Also, how many were there? I believe you need to poll at the very least, one thousand people, ten thousand would be better, to ascertain any real depth for the issue at hand.

Aime,

I should have been more clear who I was aiming that last post at, it wasn't you, because as you said, you hadn't said anything that would lead me to believe that you were racist.

As to the sample size, by necessity it was restricted to those people I know. I do not have the funding to be able to conduct a poll of the type you have suggested, though I would be interested in seeing the results.

James P

It would be helpful if you adressed your reply to the person its directed.- In this case it was myself.

Yuo SO wrong about me its laughable. No James I am not racist.
As a matter of fact I am the only one here who actually works very closely with Muslim Leaders of Australia.

To the best of my knowledge I am the only one to have a MOU with
them.

You can see me here on "their" web page by clicking on HKM where you see the doves .
http://www.afic.com.au/

Aime is correct and your - Simple.

Not that I can see that has much to do with Whats wrong with the Demcrats.
Pehaps Amie later may another thread ane I will find he time to log a few things.

James you dont ave to have a party to involed in projects.
Just two weeks ago I called a meeting between Muslim Leaders Aboriginal Leaders and Ministers in QLD to open a plant for export with aboriginal councils Muslim People Reginal Aussies.

I also intend to open a Ag school for boriginal kids with training and a culture center.
Its a start with a great deal more to be done. I have been working on it for two years.
But if everybody just got in and did something instead of grandstanding the country would be better off.

I just wish we had more Amies and less James in this country.
No I am not racist and you idiots that accuse everybody of being racist because they have an opinion are not what I call Aussies either.

TarynW,

Seriously, I applaud your work with muslim groups on animal welfare. I also support your efforts to provide skills training for aboriginal kids. However comments about walking up streets in Sydney and not finding anyone who speaks english are not that helpful and lead me to believe that while you may feel comfortable with some groups, you don't with others.

If you want to call me an idiot and "un-australian" because I hold views different to you, then be my guest that's your right. However don't expect me to agree with you, or the concept of "un-australian" a trite little phrase usually trotted out by people so that they don't have to deal with the other persons ideas.