I have problems with the lifeboat analogy. I don't like the idea of
living in a Fortress Europe (or Fortress America for you transatlantic
cousins). I believe it would be better and more profitable for all
concerned to work on giving people who, overwhelmingly motivated by
poverty and lack of opportunity, set out on the journey to the "golden
West", reasons to stay at home. This, of course, would entail those of
us in the rich countries restructuring the way we look at - and act in
- the world. <<<<<<<Franman
Well it would be great if these people could get their own countries
in order instead of running off to somewhere else and demanding
service and recognition. It seems the only time rich countries get
involved in another country is when there is something to be gained
from the intervention. Meanwhile and usually the government from the
originating country is corrupt and oppressive leaving little for the
advancement of the people. Therefore it is understandable that there
are those that want to escape. The problem, as you identify, is the
failure of the immigration party to integrate with abandon, to accept
the fundamental values. So considering all that you might rethink the
lifeboat analogy because that's all countries are becoming for
immigrants who care not about assimilation, a life boat. Then there
is the problem of numbers and as I posted links to demonstrate how
numbers can influence "fundamental values", it is easy to see how a
country can lose its own identity by losing out to overpowering
immigrant influence. I can tell you that where I live it is getting
to be that English is nearing the point of being the second language.
The city caters to the immigrant culture because the city has
officially reached the proportion of "minority majority" and so I feel
like I'm the one who has to assimilate. California, New Mexico and
Texas have all become Minority Majority States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority-minority_state What this does
is demonstrate how Germany if left to the unchecked levels of
immigration will someday lose its valued heritage. When I visit
Germany I want to meet Germans not Muslims or Hispanics or any other
culture. So the bottom line is that the lifeboat can only hold so
many!
I went to a Chinese restaurant last month and heard this hideous music
which was designed to appeal to the customer base. I immediately
asked to speak to the owner who arrived shortly. I explained that
when I come to a Chinese restaurant that is decorated with authentic
Chinese art and furniture I expect to hear Chinese music. He
explained that he wanted to make the customers happy. After another
volley of explanation about Chinese ambiance and restaurant appeal he
began to understand and every time I go there he has Chinese music
playing which completes my dining experience. Basically it would not
make sense to play Chinese music at a Rodeo, which really makes the
point, and it goes on to Italian, German, Mexican or any other
cultural dining venue.
All this talk about food! Everyone from Minds Eye (active members
only) is invited to dinner, my treat. Let me know if and when you can
make it.
Slip
On Apr 3, 5:02 am, frantheman <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 2 Apr., 03:30, Slip Disc <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Simply, there is only so much room on a life boat and then some but
> > sooner or later some must be left to drown or the whole boat will go
> > under.
>
> I have problems with the lifeboat analogy. I don't like the idea of
> living in a Fortress Europe (or Fortress America for you transatlantic
> cousins). I believe it would be better and more profitable for all
> concerned to work on giving people who, overwhelmingly motivated by
> poverty and lack of opportunity, set out on the journey to the "golden
> West", reasons to stay at home. This, of course, would entail those of
> us in the rich countries restructuring the way we look at - and act in
> - the world.
>
> At the same time, I do not believe it is unreasonable to require from
> those who want to immigrate into our societies a genuine commitment to
> our fundamental values and a real intention to integrate - which does
> not mean giving up one's own identity. I see a problem here with many
> forms and interpretations of Islam, where the requirements of a
> divinely-given law (Sharia) do not allow for the acceptance of a
> secular, pluralistic societal order. The challenge is for sincere,
> moderate Islamic thinkers to develop Islamic viewpoints which
> positively embrace the secular, pluralist vision of society.
>
> I would also suggest that the same arguments would also apply fo many
> (mostly fundamentalist) Christians. And we need to be more consistent
> about our commitment to secularity. Obama's inauguration was bracketed
> by prayers and blessing from two Christian clergymen - something
> fundamentally incompatible with a secular society. And it is peculiar
> that many western nations have major problems (correctly, in my view)
> with young Muslim women attending school so swathed in clothing that
> you can only see their eyes, while having no problems with Catholic
> nuns and priests wearing religious dress as teachers.
>
> Francis
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