Is this racist or fair enough? What do you think?

[moonunit100]

After hearing about Sydney not wanting to offend other cultures by putting up Xmas lights and that the State of South Australia let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's license with her face covered.

An Australian citizen had this published in a newspaper. (Edited to under 2000 words)

"IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.

 I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia.

However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

Our culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, if you wish to become part of our society, Learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our National Motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.it is because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, I suggest you consider another country as your new home,

We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, And we really don't care how you did things where you came from.

We will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all our country has to offer.

But once you are done complaining, about Our Flag, Pledge, National Motto or Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,

"THE RIGHT TO LEAVE".

If you aren't happy here then GO! We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted. 

 

 

[leminem]

Try living in what once was Great Britain.

[davidicus]

I do not think the letter is racist nor what is asked of the people who want to settle in Australia unfair.Civilised modern countries have gone soft towards the would be settlers by not insisting on assimilation within a determined time scale. New settlers should be made to pledge loyalty to their new homeland, learn the language and obey the laws, failure to comply should mean their deportation.

[moonunit100]

Great! That's what I think. Anyone else?

[jno]

Australia was founded as a convict colony, on the basis that the people already living there would be displaced or if necessary exterminated. Some Christian country.

[sinbag]

 

  I have had this sent to me along time ago by E mail with a lot of people sending  it on around the world only the one I recieved it was ENGLAND not Australia but like it states if the "cap" fits.

[Ouisch]

If an Australian, Brit or American moved to, say, Saudi Arabia, I'm sure they wouldn't bend the rules so that unmarried women go out unaccompanied.  I don't think Iran would suspend its rule about women covering themselves with chadors if you explained you weren't Iranian.  By the same token, folks from other nations that settle in a foreign country should be expected to adapt to that country's rules, regulations and traditions.

On a side note:  A few years ago we had a similar controversy in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit.  Dearborn has the highest percentage of Arab residents in the US.  A group of said Arabs took offense to the Nativity Scene that had been placed on the lawn of City Hall for the Holiday season.  That same deocration had been put up for years and years, but suddenly the ACLU got involved and it was a violation of the Muslims' civil rights to have a religious symbol erected on city property.  The mayor solved the problem, however, by selling that little plot of land to a private citizen, so they were free to erect whatever display they wanted.

[jenstar]

It sounds a hell of a lot like a rant by an American right-wing , neo-fascist religious nut to me. "In God We Trust" is a US national motto, not an Australian one.

[jenstar]

And as I suspected, here's the origins of this piece: http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/beamerican.html

[moonunit100]

Hi jenstar. I'm not sure that is the origin as it is dated 25-08-05 but it is exactly the same but with "America" instead of "Australia". In fairness, I've also found one for "Great Britain".

However, you've missed the point, my question wasn't "what is the origin of this text?" it was "do you think this is racist or fair enough?"

The fact it works for Australia, America and Great Britain seems to suggest to me it makes a valid point. But what do you think?

[jenstar]

But it DOESN'T work for Australia or the UK. The references are specifically American. As I said before, it sounds a hell of a lot like a rant by an American right-wing , neo-fascist religious nu. It's the sort of thing that would appeal to braindead, borderline-psychopathic rednecks with a cache of guns in their front room. So no, I don't think it's "fair enough".

[marcoddy]

I agree, but i will play "devil's advocate" anyway... I agree if we are talking about how annoying it is that countries and citizens have to bend over backwards to not "offend" people, when certain traditions have been there for years and years.... however, were the white men that settled in America or Australia respectful to the cultures of the people already there? The Aborigionals and the Native americans? No, we weren't.

2 wrongs do not make a right, I am aware of this, and I am NOT saying that this is an excuse for having to change traditions to pacify the PC brigade,but put into perspective, it has being going on for a long time.

Personally though, i agree. People SHOULD be respectful of the traditions of the nation they are joining.