When in Rome .....

Brains

A section of a rant by John Howard, the former (and it should be stressed, former,) Prime Minister of Australia an a TV interview


Quote: '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. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'
'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our 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 LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.' unquote

Whilst typically blunt, lets face it, the Aussies call a spade a spade, is there anything intrinsically wrong with the sentiment, is this a way forward for every country, like it or leave it. You can tinker to improve it, but don't try to change it.

Or is it bigotism, racist, sexist, xenophopic rant ?

Discuss....

portuguese mike

My gut feeling is that he does have point. i think that an imigrant to a country should be able to practice their own beliefs and follow their own customs in so far as that it does not either contravene the laws of that country nor impinge on the freedoms of others. However, i don't think it seems fair to expect another culture to change or give up its beliefs/way of life to accomodate you beyond that point. it's a bit like someone inviting themselves to your house then changing the thermostat settings, the tv channel and pouring your booze down the sink because it offended them.

Mind you his comments do seem a little rich coming from the former prime minister of a country originally populated by aboriginals though.

LangerDan

You've been Snoped,,,http://www.snopes.com/rumors/thisisamerica.asp

bagpusscp

I supose the same has been said through out history in many Countries. Indeed how many churches are there in non christian nantions? .Having said that its all a lesson from history .I believe mankinds best hope is multi faith in all countries only then will misunderstanding and fear be removed . This must start at school . As for the aboriginals the same can be said about indigenous peoples the world over .How far back in history do you go?

don key

When I was in Rome I did the sensible thing and got on a plane

Clever Pun

don key wrote:

When I was in Rome I did the sensible thing and got on a plane

:?:

Rome is an awesome place...

don key

Clever Pun wrote:

don key wrote:

When I was in Rome I did the sensible thing and got on a plane

:?:

Rome is an awesome place...

I was having a bad day, was shown the Coliseum and thought the Italian brickies had had nothing to do for a few years in the fifties or sixties, turns out they had brick 2000 years ago, the guy I was wyth was leaning on me to visit Pisa and I just couldnt get it that he wanted me to visit the biggest architectural disaster ever. Rome is full of pefect people dressed to the nines and its embarrasing to walk their streets in English national costume.

Salsiccia

don key wrote:

Rome is full of pefect people dressed to the nines and its embarrasing to walk their streets in English national costume.

When I'm in Italy I spend most of my time trying not to look like a tourist - and fail miserably most of the time... I still try though!

You were right not to bother with Pisa, though. 3 things to see, and all in the same place.

sing_for_absolution

portuguese mike wrote:

Mind you his comments do seem a little rich coming from the former prime minister of a country originally populated by aboriginals though.

Indeed. It seems he has a short memory.

Clever Pun

don key wrote:

Rome is full of pefect people dressed to the nines and its embarrasing to walk their streets in English national costume.

what were you wearing? bumbag socks and sandals?

I always get stared at abroad being tall and I've got quite a lot of ink

synchronicity

I'm originally from Australia & for 28 years I lived in Hurstville, a SUPER chinese zone, bigger than the china town in the city of Sydney. Here's what I wrote on the subject:

Am I really a racist? More like culturist…
“Multiculturalism” or “Immiscible Cultures”?

I do think the apology by the Priminster Rudd was a step in the right direction...

DavidBelcher

don key wrote:

turns out they had brick 2000 years ago

Indeed they did. Obscure dredged-up-fact-of-the-day; parts of St Albans Abbey are made from red bricks recycled from the ruins of Roman Verulamium!

David

don key

Clever Pun wrote:

don key wrote:

Rome is full of pefect people dressed to the nines and its embarrasing to walk their streets in English national costume.

what were you wearing? bumbag socks and sandals?

I always get stared at abroad being tall and I've got quite a lot of ink

Supertight dream jeans, the dream wasnt based on the contents but how he got into them in the first place, I am also very tall with stick legs that are three foot long, although born on this island I am not ingenious as I livid abroad for 18 years and piked up a bit of an accident while travelling. The bumbag socks and sandals ,although very sexy are a minority sport not appreciated by bum swellers of aRoma.

Can you do a link to the ink as Im sure your tentacles have mislaid a letter.

don key

don key wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

don key wrote:

Rome is full of pefect people dressed to the nines and its embarrasing to walk their streets in English national costume.

what were you wearing? bumbag socks and sandals?

I always get stared at abroad being tall and I've got quite a lot of ink

Superlight dream jeans, the dream wasnt based on the contents but how he got into them in the first place, I am also very tall with stick legs that are three foot long, although born on this island I am not ingenious as I livid abroad for 18 years and piked up a bit of an accident while travelling. The bumbag socks and sandals ,although very sexy are a minority sport not appreciated by bum swellers of aRoma.

Can you do a link to the ink as Im sure your tentacles have mislaid a letter.

don key

don key wrote:

don key wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

don key wrote:

Rome is full of pefect people dressed to the nines and its embarrasing to walk their streets in English national costume.

what were you wearing? bumbag socks and sandals?

I always get stared at abroad being tall and I've got quite a lot of ink

Superlight lean jeans, this is based on contemporary news of the ay as I was quite famous but how did we get into this the first place, I am also very tall with stick legs that are three foot long, although born on this island I am not ingenious as I lived abroad for 18 years and picked up a bit of an accent while travelling. The bumbag socks and sandals ,although very sexy are a minority sport not appreciated by bum swellers of aRoma.

Can you do a link to the ink as Im sure your tentacles have mislaid a letter.