both sides of where I live have people who have done time for drugs. One is Indigeneous family and one is white. Do my best to help them but must admit with small grandkids living with me I am cautious. Police visit the area very often and have witnessed women being beaten in my front yard, blood splattered on my front door, windscreens smashed and a lot of very anti social behaviour. I think what Foxy suggests is a good idea but not always practicable. Thought of moving many times however prefer to to take out another loan after having paid off mortgage. House a couple of doors up gets completely trashed about everyn 2 years the inhabtitants usually get evicted. Price you pay for having a little scots blood and doing things of the cheap. r u allowed say that or am I being racist to myself.

There are such things as cultural traits Runner. I think you're fine as you are. I know you are not saying that the white and indigenous drug issues are cultural in the normal sense of the word. Drug addiction is a difficult problem. A little tough love is sometimes required. Ayn Rand believed that if the leaders in the community act in their own self interest this will create opportunities for other parts of the social structure (including those attracted to drug culture). I'm not an acolyte of Ayn Rand but she makes some interesting points. She indicates the "looters" and "moochers" are the scum of society. It's very sad to see potentially productive people perhaps losing confidence in the system and going down a destructive path. I believe perhaps wrongly that good strong healthy families and communities can make a difference in the path people follow. Patrick Deneen says that the church used to be the centre of the community and guided and supported it- there were some issues with the church as there are with contemporary liberal communities- but the majority of the community were happier.

Canem Malum,

It's very deceptive to say that Lithuania is
made up of a homogenous group of people.
Sovietization of imported Russian colonists
has taken its toll and the populations of cities like
Vilnius and Klaipeda still reflect this today
where more than 50 % of the population is made up of
imported Russian colonists.

The population of Lithuania is falling and will continue
to do so as people flee to the West for a better life.

runner,

I'm sorry that you have such unfortunate experiences
in the area where you life. Hopefully you will be
able to move sooner rather than later.

We have been very lucky with our choice of
suburb here in Melbourne.

Our experiences have all been positive.
Even the recent open day that was held at our nearby
mosque - where over 1,000 Victorians joined in
reflection, conversation and solidarity after the
Christchurch massacres. The tremendous outpouring of
love and compassion - gave hope to everyone during
these deeply troubling times.

People's spirits were lifted by the mateship and shared
humanity displayed.

Thanks needs to go out to the Victorian State Government,
Victorian Police, Islamic Council of Victoria,
The Interfaith Network, Victorian Multicultural
Commission and various faith leaders whose leadership
and ongoing support was instrumental in the success of
the Mosque Open Day.

This open day now promises to be an annual event.

We've just received our local newspaper and
it features the results of a massive project
that was undertaken. They asked every year 12
school captain in Melbourne to tell them how they
and their generation can make a difference to
the community in the future.

I've been reading their responses to one question
that was put to them all: "What difference can
your generation make to the world?"

The answers - like the students themselves - are
insightful.

Students from local schools were featured, but more
than 160 responses were listed online.

This weeks cover of the newspaper featured the
captains from 26 schools across Melbourne to the city.

According to the editor in chief - the whole thing
was an uplifting experience as they watched how the students
interacted. Just minutes after meeting for the first time
they were chatting like they had known each other all their
lives, comparing stories.

And when quizzed as a group on issues such as mental health,
or social media, bullying, they were measured and thoughtful
in their answers.

The editor said they all showed a maturity well beyond their
years. It seems that our future is in very good hands.

Hello there FOXY...

We're very fortunate with our neighbours; we get on with them very well indeed. One needs to understand and forgive their little failings and foibles too I guess, as they just importantly, need to do so, with us as well. Having repaired the glitches, it should all be smooth sailing, thereafter, hopefully.

As a former copper, I should say there are more troubles with neighborhood disputes than anything else within the domestic scene. For this reason, one must try to get on with them for the sake of neighbourly peace. It gives you a far better chance of not falling out, over issues that might otherwise, mean nothing to you, but are essential to them. Good topic FOXY.

runner nothing racist in that
Sadly some truths are unavoidable
Rather say it like it is than wimper on about poor start in life, no doubt however that is what the children in those houses are getting
We, far too often, water down bad things by claiming upbringing is the reason, truth is some are useless