Australia ex-PM Howard attacks 'multiculturalism'

[Peikko 1,575]

that and bloody ignorance.

The moment that the United States delcared its independence and fought for its manifest destiny, is the moment we created our own culture. Oh god forbid that it's a prodominently 'white' culture and that's where people seem to have a problem. Because anything that whitey does culture wise is just racist, bigoted, and against anything and everything right.....

Please. It's time people realize that if you don't keep an established cultural boundary, then you're going to lose your nation. No rule of law will save you from that without that boundary. It's why you need to speak Englsih to become a US Citizen. Of course people seem to forget this little tid-bit.

You need to pass a test in Basic English, a very generous test it is too - you are only required to be correct in one out of three attempts. That said, so what? The ability to speak a smattering of English in order to become a citizen, what does that prove about American culture and how does speaking Spanish or any other language for that matter threaten anything?

However, I'll indulge you Paul, can you give me some examples of 'American Culture' that need to be protected from these immigrants who threaten to overwhelm it with their failure to correctly assimilate? Perhaps American football is in danger because all the immigrants from south of the border prefer soccer?

I think native American culture, such as it is, will die out within a few generations.

It may well do so, and yet BY and Paul care naught for that, that's not the 'culture' they want to protect because that's not proper American.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

There is clearly a lot of things that was not legislated by the United States founding fathers because at the time, it was simply not even a thought, let alone an issue. For example, being able to protest at soldiers funerals stating God killed them because they are F-gs, then claiming it's their right.

The protests at soldiers funerals kills me. A disgusting abuse of freedom of speech.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You need to pass a test in Basic English, a very generous test it is too - you are only required to be correct in one out of three attempts. That said, so what? The ability to speak a smattering of English in order to become a citizen, what does that prove about American culture and how does speaking Spanish or any other language for that matter threaten anything?

However, I'll indulge you Paul, can you give me some examples of 'American Culture' that need to be protected from these immigrants who threaten to overwhelm it with their failure to correctly assimilate? Perhaps American football is in danger because all the immigrants from south of the border prefer soccer?

It may well do so, and yet BY and Paul care naught for that, that's not the 'culture' they want to protect because that's not proper American.

Right. I think the experience of the native Americans is not unlike that of new zealand Maoris or the Australian aborigines – all of whom are fairly insular social groups whose cultural experience has become inextricably associated with the social problems in those communities.

[Ban Hammer 13,659]

Another pithy comment. By rights I should report the pair of you for insulting and baiting.

i'm just providing visual enhancement to the reading challenged.

[Heracles 417]

The protests at soldiers funerals kills me. A disgusting abuse of freedom of speech.

And would totally illegal in AUS.

[Heracles 417]

I'm not talking about illegal immigration, the point is simply that culture is organic and ever changing, as is language. It always has been. There is no clearly identifiable, pure culture anywhere - in any country. The assumption that there is comes from dubious nationalism.

Wars, movements of population and immigration affect cultural development. You can't stop that any more than you can stop the sun from shining.

I don't know where you have traveled before but the vast differences in culture is the first thing that hits you when you enter another country.

Heck, it can be seen in the US, between Caucasians in various sections of the country, let alone people with foreign cultures. I've certainly never meet anyone with a NJ / State Island Italian culture outside the US, yet I know quite a few Italians overseas.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't know where you have traveled before but the vast differences in culture is the first thing that hits you when you enter another country.

Heck, it can be seen in the US, between Caucasians in various sections of the country, let alone people with foreign cultures. I've certainly never meet anyone with a NJ / State Island Italian culture outside the US, yet I know quite a few Italians overseas.

So what? NJ isn't Italy. Who knew...

You know what I realised? Mexico isn't Spain!!! Gasp!!!!

Edited October 11, 2010 by Ron Burgundy

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Please stop with the personal attacks and insults. You can disagree with and discuss the contents of the comments but attacking the poster of the comments is a TOS violation.

[Danno 1,228]

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'.

Now this is the post that was charming too me.

In the effort to remake the Culture.... Libs like to suggest there never was a dominate culture.

Sorry MC, I have lived here all my life and the very culture you see on 50's and 60s' TV was real and was pervasive in most parts of the country.

and it wasn't all white, though whites accounted for the vast majority, there were Blacks as well and a few "others".

The problem with your suggestion is.... there are too many people alive who lived it.

Where were you in 1965 that you would know anything about it?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

They're a totally different kettle of fish, so you are using them as a red herding.

We are all talking about modern day migrants that are moving to western countries [by choice], yet do not care to respect the country's culture, let alone want to assimilate.

That would be you.

No BY, it is not a red herring. Native Americans are the only indigenous culture in America and their culture should be respected. American culture is a mish mash of historically European cultural traits and more recently more diverse populations. To imagine the US as 'English' only is to misunderstand its history quite spectacularly.

There are multiple indigenous cultures among Natives in North America, not just one.

Were but lost the territory. That's how the cookie crumbles.

Nevertheless, another red herring argument. So because the Spanish were once here hundreds of years ago, illegal aliens who are not here legally yet want to stay here, should not bother learning English right? Same goes with the recent Tsunami of Islamic migrants to European nations or Australia, they should just be able to migrate, set up shop, and not make the slightest effort to assimilate right? Almost to the point that the locals are sneered at by them. Sure as hell can make the effort to collect the dole payments, but just not for anything else.

Boo hoo! Boo hoo! The Europeans are getting back what they used to give to others. Boo hoo!

[Sofiyya 1,687]

that and bloody ignorance.

The moment that the United States delcared its independence and fought for its manifest destiny, is the moment we created our own culture. Oh god forbid that it's a prodominently 'white' culture and that's where people seem to have a problem. Because anything that whitey does culture wise is just racist, bigoted, and against anything and everything right.....

Please. It's time people realize that if you don't keep an established cultural boundary, then you're going to lose your nation. No rule of law will save you from that without that boundary. It's why you need to speak Englsih to become a US Citizen. Of course people seem to forget this little tid-bit.

You must be very, very young, like 12. In just the 50+ years of my life, the US has had several cultures. It certainly doesn't have the same culture it had in 1776.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

That would be you.

There are multiple indigenous cultures among Natives in North America, not just one.

Boo hoo! Boo hoo! The Europeans are getting back what they used to give to others. Boo hoo!

Maybe not for long though eh. Western Europe is starting to clean house, and I'm guessing with the current political tide here, the US will follow Western Europe's lead very soon. Some culture/religion/peoples have clearly worn out their welcome so to say.

[Peikko 1,575]

Now this is the post that was charming too me.

In the effort to remake the Culture.... Libs like to suggest there never was a dominate culture.

Sorry MC, I have lived here all my life and the very culture you see on 50's and 60s' TV was real and was pervasive in most parts of the country.

and it wasn't all white, though whites accounted for the vast majority, there were Blacks as well and a few "others".

The problem with your suggestion is.... there are too many people alive who lived it.

Where were you in 1965 that you would know anything about it?

Libs? What are you on? Cultural identity has nothing to do with political ideology, although certain Nationalist political ideologies like to pretend it does, that suits a very insular and nasty agenda, do you subscribe to that? That said, please, tell me what bastions of American culture are currently under threat? Apparently football is safe, what about baseball?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Maybe not for long though eh. Western Europe is starting to clean house, and I'm guessing with the current political tide here, the US will follow Western Europe's lead very soon. Some culture/religion/peoples have clearly worn out their welcome so to say.

You wish. Tell us how Europe is cleaning house, and why the US would feel the need to do so.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

You wish. Tell us how Europe is cleaning house, and why the US would feel the need to do so.

melting pot EOM