Foxy,

I don't understand this throwback to the fifties. I don't see anybody trying to force Australians to dress in a certain way (except those morons who are so opposed to the hijab) or speak another language besides English (except those morons on the proverbial buses), which the vast majority of immigrants and refugees seem to have learnt, except many women - but that's been a problem since the War:

I was talking on the bus with a lovely old Greek woman who came out here in the fifties, but, working a a shoe factory, never had the opportunity to properly learn English, but certainly through no fault of her own: that's how it was when you're working on a machine all day, making shoes for Australians.

And as an atheist myself, nobody has forced me to somehow believe in their religion. I have had some extended conversations with some pretty girls from the Jehovah's Witnesses and gained far more pleasure from the encounter than they did, I'm sure. [A good trick - keep it up.]

No doubt we will soon hear from the Waldorf morons about both the myth that all immigrants are on welfare AND the one that they are all taking our jobs.
Consistency doesn't matter when you are bigoted.

Go for it, boys.

Joe

Joe,

Thank You.

OK but tell me those unhappy with the current form of multiculturalism are not in big numbers grandchildren of ww2 migrants
Fact is tell me Poland Hungary and far too many countrys have not elected far right governments because of this problem
In fact look with eyes wide open, at the worst of the Muslim faith, even refusing to stand in our courts
Mostly bitter women, but again,
Tell me what our fate would be if we tried that in a Islamic country
Love kindness care all you like but do not kid your self some would cut your head off and not blink an eye

Belly,

Yes, indeed. There are many on the Islamist fringes who would do as you say, with interest.

But not all Muslims ? Not all Muslims are Islamists - in fact, I'd bet that many wear their religion lightly, as do most Christians, and see the mosque as a social place, a meeting place, with the sermons as an add-on. And Muslim women perhaps even more so, a chance to get out of the house. Yes, Muslim men may have very backward views on women's rights - something like Australian men did generally only a few decades ago. But current Australian life and experience will rub the edges of that.

Muslims make up a small fraction of our immigrant fellow-citizens. So the Islamist fringe is a small segment of a group which is a component of our overseas-born Australian brothers and sisters. We certainly should be vigilant about that tiny fringe, but we certainly shouldn't be painting anybody who looks different, or dresses funny, or eats weird food, or speaks in a funny language, as our enemies.

So you have little to fear from the vast majority of our overseas-born fellow-citizens. But of course, if you wish to retreat to your fifties man-cave, go for it. I don't think anything will change your mind - certainly not sense.

Joe

Dear Belly,

Your fears I feel are unwarranted.

We have an institutional framework in this
country and the rule of law which applies
to us all. Whoever breaks the law has to
face the consequences.

On the news today for example, a Vietnamese
tourist brought in pork to Australia. Pork
is currently banned because of overseas contamination.
Their visa was cancelled and they were sent back.

As for how people are treated in Muslim countries?
Each country has their own laws - and it's always
best to check before going to see if you want to visit.

There are certain countries that I wouldn't dream of
visiting because I am not prepared to take the risk.
And if those people do choose to come to our country -
they also have to face the consequences of their
behavior. We expect people to abide by our laws. If they
want to practice their own customs - they can do so as
long as they don't break our laws.

Our governments are very mindful of our interests
and security - and due to what we have in place -
our country has encountered very few problems compared
to those in Europe and elsewhere. For us vigilance and
planning (programs and policies) has been key.

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