With "friends" like this, who needs "enemies".

[Geek44]

Just as a quick add Bill. Phillip Ruddock, the then Minister for Immigration had the front to wear an Amnesty International badge whenever he appeared publicly...including when he appeared on TV defending the policies I've described above. HIS OWN DAUGHTER disowned him. They are now estranged. For more info on the detention centres...

Baxter hell, indefinitely filled with indefinite detainees: a page about the Baxter detention centre near Port Augusta, South Australia

Just so you know what we 'down to earth and likeable' Aussies are capable of mate.

[Wustenfuchs]

I may have shared this with you before Nick, somewhere else, but it's a good song worth repeating.

Steeleye Span "White Man"

Some sing of their glory,
few tell the true story.
most men they don't need it,
white man he kills for it.

They took to the seas,
searching for a land that they could call paradise.
stealing the breeze that carried them towards the sun,
with lust in their eyes and a gun in their hand.
they said we've found paradise,
think of the glory look at the prize we've won.

We know who they were,
they were the ones who killed their brothers.
to steal from others,
we know who they were.
they were the ones whose sons and daughters,
are doing it still.

And in their hearts what did they feel?
did they think they had the right to steal.
another man's land who had no name?
o they didn't think he'd feel the pain.

So they sailed away from their own country,
to another man's land far across the sea.
and they stole that land from the people there,
and they called that land Australia.

Why did he do it
white man?

They sailed away one winter's day,
to a sunlit land that was far away.
and they stole that land from the people there,
and they called that land America.

Why did he do it
white man?

[Horch]

I have no problem being a 'white man'. In fact, ya could say I'm rather proud of the fact. It could even make a good song.

[Geek44]

Indeed Horch, being a white man is fine. I just think we in this country (and maybe others, not finger pointing here mind) need to take responsibility for what we do. It's being a buch of arrogant, racist jerks that isn't fine. Personally, I don't consider myself to be a white man, I consider myself a man.

[Horch]

I consider myself both,white and a man. I am not racist nor am I one who prejudges others by their color,religion etc. As a matter of fact that so called song could be considered racist. If it were about blacks or Indians or whatever,who ever posted such gibberish would have been banned from this forum and most likely any other forum. Indeed,we all have to take responsibility for our actions no matter who. Singling out one race,in this case the whites and being condoned on this forum is pure hypocrisy.

[Wustenfuchs]

Being a "white" man is indeed fine, I didn't mean anything derogatory to white folks, I'm one afterall. I didn't write the song, Steeleye Span did, and I'm sure they didn't mean anything derogatory to white people. I think they were pointing out the history, and what people with power, guns, and lust can, and usually will, do. Regardless of skin color.

I agree with Geek, I'm a man before I'm a "white man".

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Wustenfuchs

Being a "white" man is indeed fine, I didn't mean anything derogatory to white folks, I'm one afterall. I didn't write the song, Steeleye Span did, and I'm sure they didn't mean anything derogatory to white people. I think they were pointing out the history, and what people with power, guns, and lust can, and usually will, do. Regardless of skin color.

I agree with Geek, I'm a man before I'm a "white man".

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Horch

I consider myself both,white and a man. I am not racist nor am I one who prejudges others by their color,religion etc. As a matter of fact that so called song could be considered racist. If it were about blacks or Indians or whatever,who ever posted such gibberish would have been banned from this forum and most likely any other forum. Indeed,we all have to take responsibility for our actions no matter who. Singling out one race,in this case the whites and being condoned on this forum is pure hypocrisy.

I agree to some extent here mate...but the folks who wrote the song were white. What I'm seeing here, is exactly what you're suggesting. White folks taking responsibility for white actions. That's not racist to me.
I think we're now on the 'slippery slope'. At this point, it's my intention to refer this thread to higher mods. It's never been my intention to cause offence here. If I have, I unreservedly apologize.
Peace.

[Wustenfuchs]

Originally Posted by Geek44

I agree to some extent here mate...but the folks who wrote the song were white. What I'm seeing here, is exactly what you're suggesting. White folks taking responsibility for white actions. That's not racist to me.
I think we're now on the 'slippery slope'. At this point, it's my intention to refer this thread to higher mods. It's never been my intention to cause offence here. If I have, I unreservedly apologize.
Peace.

My feelings exactly.

[Jim O]

I don't think that there was anything derogatory about those lyrics. It was European (white) people who colonized Australia and the Americas too, and took all three continents from their original "owners". That's historical fact Horch. If it were posted about other groups it might be untrue. Nevertheless, the words could be posted as quotes. Bill cited who wrote them. If you're offended take it up with the writer.

Carry on chaps.