A True speakers corner rant

[DIVE BUDDHA]

Originally Posted by Garf

We swap the roles around regularly

strange ive heard the same thing lol

anyway im not guna hijack this thread as its bringing out the true feelings of the masses

[Druid]

Originally Posted by PeeBee

I was sent this in an email today and was told is taken from a speech by John Howard of Australia... any comments?

Your email ain't very quick, is it?

See this old YD thread, variations of this rant have been doing the rounds for years.

[sailorbuoy]

This is what the Imigration Minister has to say on the subject of "Harmony Day" last year ....

“It is a day to celebrate the many steps Australia has taken to free itself from discrimination and racial hatred, but also a day to reflect on the challenges that remain and to renew our commitment to overcoming them,” Mr Robb said.
“These values include respect for the rights of the individual, tolerance of differences, a commitment to the country’s laws, the equality of men and women and the ‘fair go’ attitude that is about acceptance, fair play and compassion for those in need.
“These values have served us well and have helped us to successfully settle more than 6.1 million people from some 200 countries since 1945.

Do i detect a shift in Aussie policy?

Anyway, Britain is, as Britain is. If you don't like it you can always join Mr Howard.. I for one value the society we live in and don't give two hoots about religion, language, race or otherwise.

I am surprised... I thought Aussies were a little more culturally adept.

[Steve S]

It wasn't enough to keep Mr Howard in office

Safe diving,
Steve

[outlaw13]

This e-mail has been bouncing around for years and is being used as right wing racist propaganda. The reality is that the UK benefits greatly from immigration. I benefit greatly from immigration by living in a culturally diverse society with all that it brings in terms of food, music, art and much more.
The vast majority of immigrants do learn English they even change their names to English names and speak English in front of their kids in order to assimilate quicker.
As for promoting Christian values in schools you can certainly stick that where the sun doesn't shine. I really don't see very much difference between Christianity and Islam. They are both tools used by sections of society to gain advantage. And all the horrors currently being dealt out in the name of Islam have been dealt out in the name of Christianity in the past and more.

[Sixsquid]

Yes indeed. All power to the guy ...

However,

I think you'll find, that while some could be said in Britain, it would be inappropriate to say that all UK immigrants had the choice. I'm pretty sure many years ago some immigrants were 'brought' into the UK, or at least encouraged, due to an element of British nationals that felt above some menial jobs and with the advent of reduced males after 2 world wars were more than happy to boost the working classes.

I don't disagree with the sentiment I merely suggest we remember those that perhaps did not make the choice and, to some extent were abused. Every situation is different. Basic respect for one another would go a long way I expect.

Just some thoughts ...

[Alun]

It does have to be said though that the first imigrants into Australia did have a choice - steal that loaf of bread or don't...

[PeeBee]

Hmm, I have mixed feelings and when I posted this I knew that it must have been an old speech, but I thought the sentiment was worth discussing. I have lived in many different countries and been in the ethnic/linguistic/religious minority but I've always tried to respect the laws, customs etc. of any country I have lived in. I always took the view that if I didn't like the way they did things then I was always free to go home. I also took the view that if things weren't right in the country then it was up to the nationals to sort it out not outsiders. Or put another way, people get the government that they deserve. I lived in Romania for 4 years during the Ceaucescu communist era and was very pleasantly surprised when the Romanian nationals had the courage to stage a revolution.

I agree that the diversity (religious, ethnic and political) in this country makes it the rich place that it is, this richness makes us prone to change, but I also believe that change must be done in a democratic manner, although that does depend on having a true democracy in place to allow it. I don't want to "preserve" the old ways just because I'm comfortable with it, I welcome change but only where it is by the will of the majority not the people with the biggest bombs or loudest voices.

So Yes immigrants should be welcomed but only if they integrate into our society, contribute to it and accept the laws and principles on which it is founded.

Rant over.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by Alun

It does have to be said though that the first imigrants into Australia did have a choice - steal that loaf of bread or don't...

almost there but not quite, there were settlements long before transportation became the norm.

and I beleive that if aussies want to get rid of immigrants changing culture they should probably pack up the tea chests and leave now, the aboriginals had it first.

and yes this is a change from what I said in the original thread dragged up.

[stevechesh]

Originally Posted by Garf

Agree 100%. we should, effective immediately, kick out of the country anyone who doesn't speak English. No wait, that used to be french. Yes, that's it, kick out anyone who doesn't speak French. Arse, I forgot the romans. Latin, yes, Latin, let's kick out anyone who doesn't speak Latin. Haha, I've got it, Saxon. That's the fella. Shitster, the bloody celts. Right Gaelic, any of you bastards don't speak Gaelic, let's get rid of you.

Arse, this isn't working the way I want it to. I know let's not actualyl base it on the originating language, let's just set a date like, oh I dunno, "today", and then kick out anyone who doesn't speak the same langguage as todays ruling / upper / wealthy class, and the religious moderate. That's bound to be fair and keep everyone happy and not lead in any way, oh no, to stagnation.

Isn't it?




hello?

well, actually. . . . English is a combination of languages. Are you all sitting comfortably? then i'll begin. . . . . . .

the Britons were found by Caesar in Southern England, who used Runes to represent familiar things. The Roman alphabet was received from the early Irish monasteries and Roman handwriting was then establised by Saint Augustine. Beowulf wrote one of the earliest poems in 'old english' in 1000AD. In 1066 after the Norman conquest a professional class of scribes was established in the monasteries. Latin then became the language of the ruling classes, and "English" was only used for recitation. Between 1150 and 1250 AD, the native language changed into a modification of the latin alphabet used by french scribes. Then there is a gap of nearly 2 centuries. During 1150AD, middle English was introduced as a new language by the Normans.

Still with it? A little later on, the Jutes from Jutland, The Angles from Schleswig and the Saxons from Holstein (who all spoke similar dialects of "German") invaded. The Britons called the invaders Saxons. Saint Gregory called them Angles, and Alfred called his language English. Camden calls it " Lingua anglosaxonica".

A combination of all the above (Latin, French, Saxon/German dialect etc etc etc) then became "English Language" as we know it at around 1500AD. The time of the printing press.

God, i am a right boring old fart!