James
Well there is a problem and especially around Sydney.
Its the Governments fault not theirs but there is little point pretending otherwise.
We ALL must make an effort to change it.
It IS annoyng not to find people speaking English in the shops of ur birth towns. Its insulting really.
Its just as annoying for people to pretend there isnt a problem.
Only by working really hard and being open and honest will we ever get anywhere.
We need Australians to open their homes on a Sunday afternoon and invite Muslim neighbours and we need Muslim Neighbours to do likewise.
Dont wait for the Government to suggest it because they were not smart enough to do it years ago.
That is why we have gangs of young middle East kids feeling they need to flock together and a bit left out.
Then of course we have our Aussie youth that frankly often needs a good kick up the You know where] to even begin to understand some of the things these others have been through before they entered this lovely country of ours.

TarynW,

Now I can agree with most your last post. A huge whack of understanding all round would do this country a world of good. However as you say, this requires effort, and what I find is that people aren't prepared to put in that effort. Instead they form an opinion based on incomplete information, or their own biases, and are not willing to even reach midway in an effort to understand the other side.

They say history repeats, and while people are willing to let it, it will.

James
Yes that is very true James. Its not just we Australians either.
Now getting back to this thread if you are dinky die I would welcome a email address to contact you on. Do you have a web site I can look at?

TarynW,

Yup, have a look at http://jamespurser.com.au , you can find contact details for me there.

Has anyone here ever read Evelyn Waugh's wonderful satiric novel, "Black Mischief?"

For an excellent review see:

http://www.portifex.com/ReadingMatter/BlackMischief.htm

My favourite characters are Dame Mildred Porch and Miss Sarah Tin of the Dumb Chums Club. (prob the RSPCA). They visit the mythical kingdom of Azania to spread the good word on animal rights.

Quotes from review:

The unsoundness of Dame Mildred is brought through when she writes to her husband,

I enclose cheque for another month's household expenses. The coal bill seemed surprisingly heavy in your last accounts. I hope that you are not letting the servants become extravagant in my absence. There is no need for the dining-room fire to be lit before luncheon at this time of year.

The letter is followed by diary entries that eloquently betray Dame Mildred's unbearable personality.

No news train. Wired legation again. Unhelpful answer. Fed doggies in market place. Children tried to take food from doggies. Greedy little wretches. Sarah still headache.
.
.
.
.
As the menu suggests, the ladies' mission has not been properly comprehended by the Azanians; this becomes even clearer when the sinister Viscount Boaz proposes a toast.

Ladies and gentlemen, we must be Modern, we must be refined in our Cruelty to Animals. That is the message brought to us by our guests this evening.

James
Thanks
Steven
This looks interesting. I will read it as soon as possible.
I dont have a great deal of time to repond now as its very late Am but its good to cross post with an intersting mind.
There is no easy answers I am afraid.
I just do my little bit in the hope it helps.
What I am personally careful of falling into the veggie trap because people then dismiss you as extreme.
I think if we work towards agreed small improvements and try to educate people we can make one change for the better at a time.
This is true of most things in life.
Wish there was an easier way.