Double standards - Page 5

DJDD · #81 02-09-2009, 11:44 AM

how is that two posts:
- one about the hassles of a member of IIS trying to become a citizen of a pretty good society
- and one about a potentially tragic story with a happy ending (the lost then found Vic minister)

become threads with extreme political rantings and the like?

a bit of tolerance and fewer B&W views of the world we live in and maybe threads would not be locked and feelings (possibly) hurt.

maybe a box of chill pills are in order...

Karls48 (Karl) · #82 02-09-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Unless you can trace your bloodline back 40,000 years to the first boatload to Australia, I reckon we're all immigrants.

And that goes for almost any country in the world. Almost none of current inhabitants are the original settlers. There is a lesson in it – Pull together or you are going to loose what you got.

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #83 02-09-2009, 01:14 PM

Fair enough point Matt. I guess we all have personal prejudices and mine have shown up here.

Politicians dictate policies such as immigration laws, and our previous government has been extremely prejudiced against foreigners. In the early years of the Howard government, I worked for Centrelink and I saw the changes that occurred with the Howard government, and how it affected foreigners and newly arrived immigrants, including refugees. It wasn't pretty.

At the moment, most western countries are racially discriminating against anyone of a middle eastern or Islamic origin, by deliberately altering immigration acceptance at a policy level. Worse, we're seeing the general public get carried away with political lies that meet hidden agendas, because they are ill informed, or just simply racist. As I said in an earlier post in this thread, how many people give dirty or suspicious looks to those of middle eastern appearance today? I'm just picking one example of bad political policy.

I feel sorry for people like Duncan who get screwed by idiotic laws. The sad thing is that most western countries are going the same route as Australia. It doesn't help that our laws are heavily influenced by Christian beliefs, which are discriminatory to most other religions I might add.

DJDD - I find it amazing how people have such thin skins. You're basically having a go at me because I've made several statements etc, which you dislike/disagree with, so you choose to publicly belittle me by saying "rant", and then you have the rudeness to shove "intolerance" in my face? Oh please. Pot meet kettle.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

No worries, Dave.

It's just my belief that you can't be selectively tolerant...

As far as pollies go, I understand where you're coming from, but again, must preach a little moderation.

I have met, interviewed, got to know, many types of political animals over the many years I've worked in the media. Many fall into the category into which you have the entire bunch pidgeon-holed...but there have also been many exceptions. I've met (and know) many who get into the caper for very altruistic and decent reasons, only to be ground down by the party machine or thwarted by the ever-changing mood of the electorate itself.

Were they weak? Were they misguided in their belief that they could effect change from within? Perhaps.

What I do know is they are our most obvious hope of 'getting things done' within the confines of the democracy which exists, and surely are a better alternative than not having elected representatives.

There's good and bad in all walks of life, as you very well know, and it's not fair to brush an entire group of people because of the failings of those among them.

Cheers...and all the best.

DJDD · #84 02-09-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpastern

DJDD - I find it amazing how people have such thin skins. You're basically having a go at me because I've made several statements etc, which you dislike/disagree with, so you choose to publicly belittle me by saying "rant", and then you have the rudeness to shove "intolerance" in my face? Oh please. Pot meet kettle.

Dave

Hi Dave,

no thin skin here. I don't dislike/disagree with your comments- its an open forum (with some restrictions). In fact, some of your comments I agree with and some I don't. I can understand your frustration at the present system of government and society, especially when you feel that so many or our citizens are just following along blindly instead of opening their eyes to reality.

sorry that you got the impression that I am having a go at you or belittling you. That was not my intention. As usual, the impersonal nature of the internet gets in the way.

Of course, my comment was related to the very political tone that has been set by you and others . The intolerance comment was not directed at you but at some other posts about whether we should accept or pay for the risky behaviour of others.

overall, I was surprised that two fairly innocuous threads had become so very politicised, with extravagant but heartfelt comments made in posts.

peace out.

cheers,
DJDD

FredSnerd (Claude) · #85 02-09-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

Hi Dave,

no thin skin here. I don't dislike/disagree with your comments- its an open forum (with some restrictions). In fact, some of your comments I agree with and some I don't. I can understand your frustration at the present system of government and society, especially when you feel that so many or our citizens are just following along blindly instead of opening their eyes to reality.

sorry that you got the impression that I am having a go at you or belittling you. That was not my intention. As usual, the impersonal nature of the internet gets in the way.

Of course, my comment was related to the very political tone that has been set by you and others . The intolerance comment was not directed at you but at some other posts about whether we should accept or pay for the risky behaviour of others.

overall, I was surprised that two fairly innocuous threads had become so very politicised, with extravagant but heartfelt comments made in posts.

peace out.

cheers,
DJDD

Hi DJDD

Well you know the immigration issue is a bit like that. It is pretty political. I'm surprised you are surprised.

DJDD · #86 02-09-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

Hi DJDD

Well you know the immigration issue is a bit like that. It is pretty political. I'm surprised you are surprised.

maybe...
I was commenting on two threads at the same time, which muddied the waters.

astroron (Ron) · #87 02-09-2009, 02:39 PM

"Muddy Waters"
That sometimes happens when threads get sidetracked and they loose their original purpose.

DJDD · #88 02-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

"Muddy Waters"

isn't that a song ?

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #89 02-09-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

isn't that a song ?

No, Blues player

FredSnerd (Claude) · #90 02-09-2009, 03:22 PM

Hey Duncan, I was in Glasgow once, many years ago, loved it. You're not related to that guy Macbeth done in all those years ago by any chance. Messy business.

DJDD · #91 02-09-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

No, Blues player

ah yes, just wiki'd it. what a wonderful thing is wiki.

astroron (Ron) · #92 02-09-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toryglen-boy

No, Blues player

And a great one at that

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #93 02-09-2009, 06:52 PM

Tis cool DDJD - I misunderstood your earlier post, my apologies.

Anyways - Duncan - I hope you get naturalised really soon. Australia can always do with decent people.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

Hi Dave,

no thin skin here. I don't dislike/disagree with your comments- its an open forum (with some restrictions). In fact, some of your comments I agree with and some I don't. I can understand your frustration at the present system of government and society, especially when you feel that so many or our citizens are just following along blindly instead of opening their eyes to reality.

sorry that you got the impression that I am having a go at you or belittling you. That was not my intention. As usual, the impersonal nature of the internet gets in the way.

Of course, my comment was related to the very political tone that has been set by you and others . The intolerance comment was not directed at you but at some other posts about whether we should accept or pay for the risky behaviour of others.

overall, I was surprised that two fairly innocuous threads had become so very politicised, with extravagant but heartfelt comments made in posts.

peace out.

cheers,
DJDD

Jen · #94 02-09-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

Note to moderators, we need an new icon, waving an Ozzie flag!

yes we sure do but we have this one this is close enough

Opps back on track good luck Duncan