Here Here! For Tony Blair

Cheers and kudos to Tony Blair who says 'If you want to come to our country and live in our country, you should accept our values and our way of life. If you come here and engage in extremism or support terrorism, you will be sent back.'

Oh, for those of you who are 'news challenged' he's the guy from England.

I'd love to see America adopt that approach to citizenship and immigration.





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Comments

  • 33 Comments sorted by Votes Date Added
  • AMEN Don, abolutely!!!! right on - GO Tony Blair

    jmho




    scorpio

    Disclaimer: None of my posts are intended to discombobulate any persons. Should this happen, I would suggest taking a "mental health day" and getting over it.




  • And just who will define "our way of life". America is richer (in more ways than one) from the diversity we have in this wonderful land. I would not want to one of those "America -- love it or leave it" expousers! No way.
  • Of course Don, keep in mind that regardless of Blair's affection for Bush, he is a liberal socially and economically. Being of English descent, I do have an affinity toward the isle, but I'm not sure I would want to live there sonsidering their socialized society. Many of the early colonists fled Europe and particularly England because of the religious "take it or burn" attitude prevalent across the pond. This American experiment settled on religious tolerance as a tenet of our existence providing a haven to not only the Puritans, but also to the Roman Catholics, Baptists, Protestants and even the Jews. When the Irish, then the German, then the Polish, then the Italian immigrants came they assimilated themselves into our culture, learned our language, adopted our ways. It is disconcerting when many new groups come in and have no desire to be "American" but I'm not sure I want Americanism legislated or we may end up the persecution found in Europe several centuries ago.
  • I'm not trying to compare England with America or in any way support or condone their socialist bent, and I don't really need a lesson in England's politics. I'm just saying it's really refreshing to see the leader of a country, any country, stating that anybody that intends to come into that country has to conform to certain expectations or they will leave. Conversely, our approach, as forced by the ACLU and others is, anybody who wants to can jump into the magical melting pot and do what they will to destroy or redefine America.

    As an aside, the superintendent at the Greenwood, MS public school system, less than 100 miles north of me, just sent out a memo to all teachers that they cannot and will not admonish any child who sits down or shouts or wears a backwards cap or walks out of the room when the pledge of allegiance is being recited. This is what I call the Mexifornication of Mississippi by way of California, Vermont and Iraq.




    Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. But if it does, it does.
  • Politics was not the point. Conforming to a legislated set of mores and world view was the point. The Greenwood superintendent is wrong to not allow teachers to require a certain level of respect. But, on the other hand, I would be just as opposed to *enforcing* a requirement that students place their right hand over their heart and verbally recite the pledge every morning.

    America has been redefined over the years. A person resurrected from the late 18th century would think he is on a totally different planet, and not just because of the technological advances. Some of the redefinition has been positive, some negative.





  • Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. It is posted as personal opinion. If you find yourself offended or uncomfortable, email me and let me know why.
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-06-05 AT 06:13PM (CST)[/font][br][br]... sorry duplicate post.
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-07-05 AT 03:34AM (CST)[/font][br][br]I simply applaud the notion that people are not welcome who would build bombs or applaud the building of bombs, or who would slit throats and knock people out of the sky with shoulder fired rockets or condone same. What a concept! Kick those out who advocate these activities. I don't know what to say in response to Dasher's notion that this is a reflection of diversity. I just don't. My definition of diversity is not so broad as to include extremeists would kill or advocate the killing of civilians at random. I suppose in ten or so years we should be dismissing those activities by shrugging and saying, "Well, you know, that's just how they are. Let's pray for the families of those in the morgue."

    The planet will not exist as we know it if that sort of attitude dominates.



  • I do agree that we need to have better controls on who is allowed both into the country and able to reside here. There have been controls in the past based on quantity and health, but not necesarily politics. Back in the 20s and 30s we let communists come and go freely even though their world view was diametrically opposed to ours and some even advocated the overthrow of our government. To change our immigration policies now would mean a fundamental shift in our immigration philosophy. My concern is the unintended consequences.

    Along the same line, I recently read that the US was demanding that Iran better control their porous borders to better control terrorists if we were to resume relations with them. The irony is that we are unable to control our own borders.
  • I don't think it's the same thing. To say 'accept our values and our way of life' doesn't mean a culture can't celebrate diversity and recognize differences in people. But none of those 'visitors' need to try to convert, corrupt, control, or even cause a major movement to change the visiting country. I believe 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.'
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-07-05 AT 10:06PM (CST)[/font][br][br]xclap

    However, I am absolutely stunned that Don is raising his (rebel) flag and applauding the Prime Minister, a devout follower of Labour (if Tony were dead, he'd probably be spinning in his grave). The earth has now spinned off its axis and we are all doomed. I would also suggest that Hell is now several degrees cooler than once thought.

    But, more to the point, let's look at Don's arguments individually:

    "simply applaud the notion that people are not welcome who would build bombs or applaud the building of bombs," Has the collective memory and written history of the American Revolution eluded you, Don?

    "or who would slit throats and knock people out of the sky with shoulder fired rockets or condone same." Except, of course, our Special Forces, SEALS, Combat Controllers, Rangers, CIA, etc. in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Colombia (sorry, that's drug-related and has no relevance), Malaysia... they are all not only trained to, but do engage in such activity.

    Don't forget - Tony Blair's sentiment could easily be expressed against us (as in US) by Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia or (much to our embarassment) just about anyone in the EU! We, as the only superpower in the world at this time, have a responsibility to make sure we practice what we preach!!!

    When one points a finger at someone, there are three more pointing back at him.

  • Why is all the blame put on the immigrants. Why not blame the home grown hate groups-KKK, Aryan nation etc.

    What is wrong with a peaceful protest including simply refusing to recite the pledge. I remember having to say it every morning in school (before there was one nation under God) and it was
    done by rote rather than any understanding of what it is suppose to mean. I would much rather have a peaceful protest than someone who born here blowing up a building (as in Oklahoma City).
  • [font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-08-05 AT 09:56AM (CST)[/font][br][br]Its not about race, culture, religion or even country. Its about ignorance, hatred, and spiritual and moral decline, and it comes in all shapes, skin colors, religions, countries, states, neighborhoods, families.

    But in response to the original post, Here! Here! If you don't like this or that country and how they do or don't do things, then don't go there. Certainly don't go with violent intentions of blowing up innocent people in office buildings and subways! If you do, be ready to get kicked out, thrown in jail, or whatever it takes to protect ourselves.
  • >[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON
    >08-08-05 AT 09:56 AM (CST)[/font]
    >
    >
    >But in response to the original post, Here!
    >Here! If you don't like this or that country
    >and how they do or don't do things, then don't
    >go there. Certainly don't go with violent
    >intentions of blowing up innocent people in
    >office buildings and subways! If you do, be
    >ready to get kicked out, thrown in jail, or
    >whatever it takes to protect ourselves.


    Do you hear that America -- Get out of Iraq.

    I am in complete agreement with the above - as long as it is in light of the specifics of over-throwing another government (even one which I would not personally approve of).

    However, as a participant of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's, which I personally participated in -- I could never condone an attitude of acceptance at any price or of my way or the highway. There is a reason we love free speech, privacy rights, fairness, law and order, etc., and I don't want to give it up because of fear of "terrorists" of any kind.


  • I disagree, We are not in Iraq unwanted. There are some that don't want us there, they are the same ones that are bombing everyone by suidcide. There is enough consensus from others in Iraq who do want our support. We weren't UN-invited in Afghanistan either! We are in Afghanistan because of the Pentagon missing a few blocks, two very tall buildings falling down in New York. We are doing our best to make sure it doesn't happen again. That's the only invitation required.


  • I respectfully disagree, NG. We labored under the misconception that we were wanted in South Vietnam, too. I see very little difference between Iraq and Vietnam other than geography.

    Afghanistan was our only legitimate call and we should have concentrated our efforts there.


  • As I understood Mr. Blair, Dasher and Whatever, he has no ill intent regarding those who want to protest or dissent. My understanding of what he said would not be tolerated related to Muslim Ministers/leaders who affirm and advocate what the terrorists did as a good thing that should continue, and those in apartment buildings who gathered together to build and harbor bombs and who marketed or provided those tools and supplies. Surely you can see the difference.

    Has nothing to do with diversity or welcoming immigrants. Whatever always has a real burr under her saddle blanket regarding anything Southern. I never knew a member, but, it's my understanding the KKK existed and still exists in Northern cities moreso than Southern. And it would be my guess that even those people were at some point immigrants.

    Being Jewish, she surely knows of the agreement in Israel with Mr. Blair's remark.



  • I believe the Aryan Nation is mostly located in the west. I would not even disagree about there being KKK chapters all over the country.

    Being Jewish, I certainly know that Israel agrees with Mr. Blair. Which is why I think they should return to America all those "settlers" who have moved to the Gaza strip and are "working" very hard to prevent the withdrawal of Israelis from the Gaza Strip.

    Don- I know there is a problem with immigrants..however, I think we should be more concerned about the homegrown terrorist. Furthermore, with the exception of Native Americans, all of us are either immigrants or descendents of immigrants.
  • Another consideration, many of the terrorists involved in 9/11 had spent many years in the US in some cases living on the surface normal American lives. Not too different than how some of the our spies abroad operate. Then, bang! one day they hit and hit hard to retaliate against some peceived wrong perpetrated by us ugly 'mericuns. How do we identify those who fall into this category? I look at some of my neighbors and wonder. I look at our Muslim ee's and wonder.

    Dchr9203 stated above that it is not about race, culture and religion. I disagree. It is about all of those. Why did the terrorists hit us on 9/11? Why did they attack Spain? Why England recently? It's about all that and politics which has permeated race, culture and religion.
  • The kkk grand dragon, or wizard, or whatever they call him is a guy by the name of McQueeny and today resides in Merrill, Wisconsin.
  • Larry, I'm sure you're the expert, but there as many divisions and threads of the Klan as there are varieties of wheat bran. There is no 'one' grand dragon nor one 'grand wizard'. There are groups, chapters and Klecticons or whatever they call them in every state in this country. There is no common creed, no commonality, really, at all, other than meddling, pissing people off and making general fools of themselves.

    As I have said here many times, I grew up with and respected from the age of four; Jews, Italians, Mexicans, Chinese, Greeks and (my God!) Presbyterians! I never knew the klan had anything against any of them until maybe 20 years ago and I'm not even sure about that.

    And as for the Aryan Nation, I don't even know who they're supposed to be other than a bunch of nuts secluded in the woods somewhere West of northern Arkansas.

    For those of you who think I have Klan members living within 50 miles of me, I suggest you have them living within 20 of yourself.





  • Presbyterians, too!? Don, just as I have thought all along, you are a closet liberal. I can't imagine what you will reveal to us next.

    We have had clan activity in the not too distant past within 25 miles of where I live. Actually, it was a little more prevalent a few miles across across the border in PA.
  • Just to let you know, there are conservative Presbyterians!
  • Just kidding about the Presbyterians of course. Both my kids were 'Baptised' in that faith. Although some say they are going to hell because they were not immersed totally under water. A lot of people who WERE immersed are going to hell. But that's another discussion.





  • I am Presbyterian, although I did not grow up in the Presbyterian Church (and Ray I am definitely conservative). I grew up Independent Missionary Baptist, Nazarene, and Southern Baptist. I have been dunked and sprinkled, I see no difference, either way it is still a public profession of my faith, which, I believe, is the sole purpose of baptism. To me, it is not important what my denomination is, it is that I worship and support the church in my community.

    I will say that I see some similarities in the Presbyterian Church and government. We have a committee for everything! x:D
  • HRinFL, I am more concerned that you play the trumpet.
  • Raymond, you private-mail far too many people and learn far too much personal stuff. I was sure you would have picked up on the ceremonial dunking.





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