Australia ex-PM Howard attacks 'multiculturalism'

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100929/wl_afp/usaustraliapoliticscultureislamhoward;_ylt=AgtqigwmaubTIalWgD4TPjsfYhAF;_ylu=X3oDMTNkZnZmZDVvBGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDEwMDkyOS91c2F1c3RyYWxpYXBvbGl0aWNzY3VsdHVyZWlzbGFtaG93YXJkBHBvcwM0OARzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNhdXN0cmFsaWFleC0-

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Australia's former prime minister John Howard has attacked "multiculturalism" in English-speaking nations, saying that some sectors have gone too far in accommodating Muslim minorities.

The blunt-talking conservative, who led Australia for 11 years before losing 2007 elections, said Tuesday on a visit to Washington that the "Anglosphere" needed to take greater pride in its values and achievements.

"This is a time not to apologize for our particular identity but rather to firmly and respectfully and robustly reassert it," Howard said at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank.

"I think one of the errors that some sections of the English-speaking world have made in the last few decades has been to confuse multiracialism and multiculturalism," Howard said.

Howard pointed in particular to Britain, whose Muslim community came under a spotlight after the 2005 bombings on the London transport system.

"I am a passionate believer in multiracialism. I believe that societies are enriched if they draw, as my country has done, from all parts of the world on a non-discriminatory basis and contribute, as the United States has done, to the building of a great society," he said.

"But when a nation draws people from other parts of the world, it draws them because of the magnetism of its own culture and its own way of life," Howard said.

"People want to live in the United States not because of some futuristic ideal of multiculturalism, but because of what they regard as the American way of life and American values," he said.

While in office, Howard faced criticism from his opponents that he aggravated anti-Islamic sentiment through tough anti-terrorism laws and tighter immigration controls, including a test on "Australian values."

Howard said he welcomed Australian Muslims and hailed the recent election of Ed Husic, the son of Bosnian migrants, as his country's first Muslim member of parliament.

But Howard, who enthusiastically supported former US president George W. Bush's invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, warned that Islamic radicalism posed a real threat.

He criticized those who would make cultural identity "mushy and unclear and undistinct," rejecting the "assumption that the way to win favor from extremism is to make yourself a little more attractive to that extremism."

Howard hailed what he called the values of political freedom and rule of law of five "Anglosphere" nations -- Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

Howard said that India shared some characteristics with the group. He also called for greater cooperation with Indonesia -- which he hailed as an emerging model for moderate young Muslims -- and Japan.

But Howard said that the "Anglosphere" clearly held different values than China. Howard's Labor Party successors have sought to expand relations with China, a major consumer of Australia's raw materials.

Howard said his government maintained strong ties with China but added that the key to the relationship was to focus on business and "not to obsess about our philosophically different approaches to the challenges of the world."

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Howard is on the nail!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

While he's 'right' on his ideas, he's wrong about the United States today.

It's pure economics is all it is today and people want to bring their culture with them and implement it here.

Assimilation doesn't seem to be in the vocabulary, especially in the Hispanic community that continuosly grows out of control and works to make us a part-Spanish speaking nation more than anything else. Just look at how we've bowed down to that in the last 20 years. It's quite sad and pathetic really.

The United States hasn't done jack to keep its own culture. Instead we've let whoever wants to come in here and put theirs in effect to do so.

[Peikko 1,575]

While he's 'right' on his ideas, he's wrong about the United States today.

It's pure economics is all it is today and people want to bring their culture with them and implement it here.

Assimilation doesn't seem to be in the vocabulary, especially in the Hispanic community that continuosly grows out of control and works to make us a part-Spanish speaking nation more than anything else. Just look at how we've bowed down to that in the last 20 years. It's quite sad and pathetic really.

The United States hasn't done jack to keep its own culture. Instead we've let whoever wants to come in here and put theirs in effect to do so.

I'm sure the Native Americans would wholeheartedly agree with you, theirs is after all the only culture that is indigenous to the US.

Interestingly enough, some 'native americans were both french and spanish speakers - interesting, no?

[Heracles 417]

I'm sure the Native Americans would wholeheartedly agree with you, theirs is after all the only culture that is indigenous to the US.

Interestingly enough, some 'native americans were both french and spanish speakers - interesting, no?

What does that have to do with the point Paul is making?

[Peikko 1,575]

What does that have to do with the point Paul is making?

He doesn't have a point - he wants to keep something that simply doesn't exist - except in 50's and 60's movies. Native American culture does exist however, and should be put center stage but no one gives a damn about it whereas every large immigrant group to the US has and does retain cultural traits from their homelands - it is what makes America what it is today - there is no cookie cutter American culture that is English speaking and 'white'.

[Heracles 417]

He doesn't have a point - he wants to keep something that simply doesn't exist - except in 50's and 60's movies. Native American culture does exist however, and should be put center stage but no one gives a damn about it whereas every large immigrant group to the US has and does retain cultural traits from their homelands - it is what makes America what it is today - there is no cookie cutter American culture that is English speaking and 'white'.

Yes, how awesome to have a system where a growing number of people stick to their own and have little interest in assimilating, let alone learning the language. It's no wonder you see nothing wrong with this regarding Islamic immigration.

You certainly will not see other countries losing their identity and culture to migrants, only Anglo nations seen to have this problem. Though, with folks like yourself, who seem to deem it as some sort of bizarre badge of honor, I am not surprised. Ironic though, that those who do share your view, seem to cheer on others holding onto their identity. Weird..

[Peikko 1,575]

Yes, how awesome to have a system where a growing number of people stick to their own and have little interest in assimilating, let alone learning the language. It's no wonder you see nothing wrong with this regarding Islamic immigration.

You certainly will not see other countries losing their identity and culture to migrants, only Anglo nations seen to have this problem. Though, with folks like yourself, who seem to deem it as some sort of bizarre badge of honor, I am not surprised. Ironic though, that those who do share your view, seem to cheer on others holding onto their identity. Weird..

You are not getting the point BY - multiculturalism IS the identity of the United States; that is fundamentally true. White English is Not the sum total of what America is, or ever was culturally. US culture is no more threatened by the majority Vietnamese speakers in my local health club than it is by Rachel Rays predominantly Italian cuisine that dominates prime time tv.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

You are not getting the point BY - multiculturalism IS the identity of the United States; that is fundamentally true. White English is Not the sum total of what America is, or ever was culturally. US culture is no more threatened by the majority Vietnamese speakers in my local health club than it is by Rachel Rays predominantly Italian cuisine that dominates prime time tv.

and this is where you are very very wrong.

multi-culturalism isn't the United States. We are a melting pot where everyone melts into one idea of freedom based on simple rules of law that make it generally fair for most people.

We aren't a nation can survive if everyone lives in their own little world.

Assimilation/melting into one is a very important part of maintaining a national identity.

[Heracles 417]

You are not getting the point BY - multiculturalism IS the identity of the United States; that is fundamentally true. White English is Not the sum total of what America is, or ever was culturally. US culture is no more threatened by the majority Vietnamese speakers in my local health club than it is by Rachel Rays predominantly Italian cuisine that dominates prime time tv.

Actually it's you who as-per-usual does not get it. Multiculturalism does not and should not equal another group migrating to a country and pushing out the dominant culture, be it intentional or not. It's also why a growing number of countries are putting a stop to such shenanigans.

If I willingly migrate to Japan, I respect the Japanese ways. I certainly should not be able to setup my own town and bring in even more Aussies to take over, with little intention of interacting or assimilating with the Japanese.

and this is where you are very very wrong.

multi-culturalism isn't the United States. We are a melting pot where everyone melts into one idea of freedom based on simple rules of law that make it generally fair for most people.

We aren't a nation can survive if everyone lives in their own little world.

Assimilation/melting into one is a very important part of maintaining a national identity.

Quite true as well.

But you know what they say about melting pots, things eventually turn to ######.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

and this is where you are very very wrong.

multi-culturalism isn't the United States. We are a melting pot where everyone melts into one idea of freedom based on simple rules of law that make it generally fair for most people.

We aren't a nation can survive if everyone lives in their own little world.

Assimilation/melting into one is a very important part of maintaining a national identity.

Exactly. I see a lot of segregation in the US, just as I see it in parts of Australia too. "This is the black/spanish/chinese part of town".. what the hell does that mean? It should be "this is X street".. there shouldn't be this kind of segregation. "you need to be bi-lingual to get a job here".. so the people that MOVED here don't need to be bilingual? What about if I'm in the "french" part of town, do I need to speak french? Before you know it I'm gunna need to speak every language under the sun just to do my weekly grocery shopping...

[Peikko 1,575]

and this is where you are very very wrong.

multi-culturalism isn't the United States. We are a melting pot where everyone melts into one idea of freedom based on simple rules of law that make it generally fair for most people.

We aren't a nation can survive if everyone lives in their own little world.

Assimilation/melting into one is a very important part of maintaining a national identity.

No, you are wrong because you have a very narrow minded view of what 'assimilated' American culture consists of. You find the speaking of other languages threatening, when the reality is that this is part and parcel of what it is to be American, and always has been. Are you going to tell Native Americans that they must always speak English now and let their native languages die out completely?

[Heracles 417]

Everybody brace yourself, following her absence, Cleo is about to go on her latest Kumbaya crusade.

[Peikko 1,575]

Exactly. I see a lot of segregation in the US, just as I see it in parts of Australia too. "This is the black/spanish/chinese part of town".. what the hell does that mean? It should be "this is X street".. there shouldn't be this kind of segregation. "you need to be bi-lingual to get a job here".. so the people that MOVED here don't need to be bilingual? What about if I'm in the "french" part of town, do I need to speak french? Before you know it I'm gunna need to speak every language under the sun just to do my weekly grocery shopping...

Oh woe is you - people must always speak English to suit you.

Everybody brace yourself, following her absence, Cleo is about to go on her latest Kumbaya crusade.

Another meaningful and relevant post from BY.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

If I willingly migrate to Japan, I respect the Japanese ways. I certainly should not be able to setup my own town and bring in even more Aussies to take over, with little intention of interacting or assimilating with the Japanese.

Agreed. I would never do this. It's incredibly rude and yet "the norm" in the US and Australia in some parts as well. I am quite proud that Australia has an english component to it's immigration process (and non-immigration too). Also that there are english-speaking requirements to get citizenship. The reason WE can do this is because Australia's actually come out and declared its national language as English. America has not and the way it's progressing it will be spanish and english as the national languages.