Asylum seekers

[Gingernuts]

However, then I find myself asking the question - What if I had been born in a different country where I didn't enjoy the same rights I do here? What would I do? It's easy to sit back and say "piss off ya bluggers" but we've been born in the 'lucky country', the worst we may have been subjected to is some race based persecution in the playground or at the local pub. None of us have ever been the victim of out-and-out genocide/percecution based on race or religion in this country (yeah I know, White Australia, but we won't open that can of worms here!), so what would we know about what they are running from and how desparate their situation is?

I'm with you Choccies, in the end I don't know what to think about this one.

I will preface this by saying I'm not 100% sure about these, but:
Weren't the Tasmanian Aboriginals virtually hunted into extinction?
Ask any Aboriginal about how "Blackfellas" at Elliston got it's name.
Around the time of WWII, children in some parts of SA, particularly German townships, being forced to write right handed because it was felt left-handedness was a sign of being complicit with the Germans

Yep - that's why I referenced the White Australia policy as an example of the few times percecution has crept into our country in my post. I certainly agree that it has happened at certain stages in our history. I was mainly trying to make the point that the majority of us haven't really been subjected to severe persecution or threat of death simply because our skin is a certain colour or we believe in a certain god.

[FlyingHigh]

However, then I find myself asking the question - What if I had been born in a different country where I didn't enjoy the same rights I do here? What would I do? It's easy to sit back and say "piss off ya bluggers" but we've been born in the 'lucky country', the worst we may have been subjected to is some race based persecution in the playground or at the local pub. None of us have ever been the victim of out-and-out genocide/percecution based on race or religion in this country (yeah I know, White Australia, but we won't open that can of worms here!), so what would we know about what they are running from and how desparate their situation is?

I'm with you Choccies, in the end I don't know what to think about this one.

I will preface this by saying I'm not 100% sure about these, but:
Weren't the Tasmanian Aboriginals virtually hunted into extinction?
Ask any Aboriginal about how "Blackfellas" at Elliston got it's name.
Around the time of WWII, children in some parts of SA, particularly German townships, being forced to write right handed because it was felt left-handedness was a sign of being complicit with the Germans

Yep - that's why I referenced the White Australia policy as an example of the few times percecution has crept into our country in my post. I certainly agree that it has happened at certain stages in our history. I was mainly trying to make the point that the majority of us haven't really been subjected to severe persecution or threat of death simply because our skin is a certain colour or we believe in a certain god.

No worries GN, you are right, the vast majority of us would not have a clue what its' like.

[Mr Miraculous]

IMO Australia should shut the gates. We cannot afford to let our country get over populated because in the end it wont be a 'free' country. Unfortunately I dont think the government will shut the gates out of fear of being touted racist and in saying that the people saying it will mostly be fellow Australians. Its an unfortunate situation

[Psyber]

Screaming "Racist" is now a common form of manipulative behaviour used by people to try to get their own way, by emotional blackmail or public pressure, rather than accept due process.
And I'm not just talking about asylum seekers...

[redandblack]

It's not difficult, Psyber.

A racist is a racist. It's often easily judged, so if it's used maniputively, it would be obviously so.

Covering up racism by claiming it's not is far more common.

[Psyber]

It's not difficult, Psyber.
A racist is a racist. It's often easily judged, so if it's used maniputively, it would be obviously so.
Covering up racism by claiming it's not is far more common.

I'm not sure which is more common, and which is happening is not always that obvious at first, if you are trying to be objective and assessing it and not fooled by your own perspective.
But over time a pattern tends to emerge and reveal which is which.

[Dog_ger]

Will anyone put their hand up to personally sponsor these people...?

Lets make a list of the safooty.net Do-Gooders..!

And the amount of money they are prepared to part with....

All moneys to be paid to Dog_ger and I will pass it on.....

Have your say but be prepared to back it up.

The List is ZERO

pm me and I will publish the register...

[dedja]

Will anyone put their hand up to personally sponsor these people...?

Lets make a list of the safooty.net Do-Gooders..!

And the amount of money they are prepared to part with....

All moneys to be paid to Dog_ger and I will pass it on.....

Have your say but be prepared to back it up.

The List is ZERO

pm me and I will publish the register...

OK I'll play your silly game ...

Do you believe that unemployed people should get some relief from society? If so, are you then going to personally sponsor the unemployed yourself?

Or maybe we should start a list of the morally bankrupt while we're at it?


So as a relatively wealthy country we can't accommodate a few hundred people in need who arrive by boat (those that are classed as genuine), but we are happy to accomodate those that flaunt the visa rules by flying in and overstaying their welcome, which is how a majority of illegals originate.

[Hondo]

Dog_ger most of us part with 15-40% of our money already ... it's called taxes!

Some of that goes to welfare for those without as much as we have and some of those come from other countries. We don't need to spend anymore than we do already for our Govt to accomodate the small (in world terms) rate of current immigration.

Some of us even spend a bit more and sponsor children overseas Some of us even (I know, I can't believe it either) donate money to assist people in other countries who have suffered a natural disaster like a tsunami.

If that makes me a do-gooder then add me to the list!

[redden whites]

Dog_ger most of us part with 15-40% of our money already ... it's called taxes!

Some of that goes to welfare for those without as much as we have and some of those come from other countries. We don't need to spend anymore than we do already for our Govt to accomodate the small (in world terms) rate of current immigration.

Some of us even spend a bit more and sponsor children overseas Some of us even (I know, I can't believe it either) donate money to assist people in other countries who have suffered a natural disaster like a tsunami.

If that makes me a do-gooder then add me to the list!

[Dutchy]

IMO Australia should shut the gates. We cannot afford to let our country get over populated because in the end it wont be a 'free' country. Unfortunately I dont think the government will shut the gates out of fear of being touted racist and in saying that the people saying it will mostly be fellow Australians. Its an unfortunate situation

How is Australia ever going to be over populated? 90% of our country is currently uninhabited

[Punk Rooster]

IMO Australia should shut the gates. We cannot afford to let our country get over populated because in the end it wont be a 'free' country. Unfortunately I dont think the government will shut the gates out of fear of being touted racist and in saying that the people saying it will mostly be fellow Australians. Its an unfortunate situation

How is Australia ever going to be over populated? 90% of our country is currently uninhabited

& 90% of our country is un-inhabitable...

[redandblack]

Dog_ger most of us part with 15-40% of our money already ... it's called taxes!

Some of that goes to welfare for those without as much as we have and some of those come from other countries. We don't need to spend anymore than we do already for our Govt to accomodate the small (in world terms) rate of current immigration.

Some of us even spend a bit more and sponsor children overseas Some of us even (I know, I can't believe it either) donate money to assist people in other countries who have suffered a natural disaster like a tsunami.

If that makes me a do-gooder then add me to the list!

Me too

[Psyber]

Dog_ger most of us part with 15-40% of our money already ... it's called taxes!
Some of that goes to welfare for those without as much as we have and some of those come from other countries. We don't need to spend anymore than we do already for our Govt to accomodate the small (in world terms) rate of current immigration.
Some of us even spend a bit more and sponsor children overseas Some of us even (I know, I can't believe it either) donate money to assist people in other countries who have suffered a natural disaster like a tsunami.
If that makes me a do-gooder then add me to the list!

That's why I do everything legal to minimise my taxes.
I like to decide whom I give money too, not leave it to the largesse of those who are not spending their own money, and therefore tend to give it our for PC and vote buying reasons.
[The Salvos, the Women's and Children's Hospital, and the Little Sisters of the Poor, tend to be on the list, and I just gave a donation to the scholarship fund at Adelaide University.]

[redandblack]

I applaud your donations to those charities, Psyber, but I respectfully think that your reasons are unsound.

Taxes spent on so-called PC items would be a tiny fraction of money given to the wealthy through Superannuation laws. To give credit, at least you don't hide the fact that that helps you.

It's all very relative and selective.

[Bully]

give them tasmania

[Psyber]

I applaud your donations to those charities, Psyber, but I respectfully think that your reasons are unsound.
Taxes spent on so-called PC items would be a tiny fraction of money given to the wealthy through Superannuation laws. To give credit, at least you don't hide the fact that that helps you.
It's all very relative and selective.

Yes R & B, I see your point about relativity.
If one were strongly committed to "society", whatever that is, and being looked after, one would accept the chosen administrators of society harvesting the wealth and distributing it.
If like me you have a drive for autonomy in the 97th percentile you would find it unacceptable to trust their choices, and prefer to keep the money you earn and make your own gifts.
If this were a truly Socialist country I would leave and seek asylum elsewhere, through proper channels of course.

[redandblack]

I'd be interested to hear where you'd head for.

A non-socialist or non democratically elected government country.

Perhaps one of the South American or African dictatorships

[Psyber]

I'd be interested to hear where you'd head for.
A non-socialist or non democratically elected government country.
Perhaps one of the South American or African dictatorships

I've heard Liberia was nice - you just paid bribes instead of taxes. I don't know if it has changed, but it used to be why most of the world's ships were Liberian registered.
Rupert still likes the US, but possibly I'd get the UK Right of Abode I'm entitled to, then move elsewhere in Europe - Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco?
I'd have to review their tax policies...

[Choccies]

Sweden is always an enticing option....