(no subject)

[dewline]

Today, I start with a couple of thoughts.

One: Vacuuming needs be done this morning.

Two: Railfest 33 over at Algonquin College sounds interesting. Hoping to attend at least part of the fun there today.

Three: Angela Merkel is Wrong.

More thoughts on other topics later...

Comments

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

Three: Angela Merkel is Wrong.

I assume you are reacting to this news item (http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/10/16/germany-merkel-immigration-multiculturalism.html).

The problem is that, in a situation ominously similar to that found in the late Roman Empire, the immigrants (mainly Turks and Arabs) are failing (or, perhaps, refusing) to integrate into the (supposedly dominant) German/European culture.

Should we let history repeat itself and Islam (including Shari'a law and "honour killings") take over Europe? [Unfortunately, the most obvious alternative is try and increase the local birthrate and encourage more locals to learn the necessary skills. Funny how that isn't working -- women don't want to be baby factories and young people are more interested in doing other things, like being on the dole and watching TV.]

I hope I'm being cynical here ... but events like the murder of Theo van Gogh six years ago (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_van_Gogh_(film_director)#Assassination) make me feel that way. :-(

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

I don't necessarily agree with (one of) her conclusions -- that Turks, Arabs and other Muslims may have to be excluded from Germany/Europe -- but some form of assimilation does seem to be called for.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

There's a part of me that is inclined to agree. Multiculturalism was supposed to be about embracing one's new country, but not having to forget about the one you left behind. It should not be about trying to transplant everything you left behind such that what you came over here for is completely ignored. I'm not just referring to things like observance and adoption of the culture and language(s) of the new country, but to things like leaving your own ethnic hatreds and battles behind.

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

The fate of this Egyptian professor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasr_Abu_Zayd) also leaves a rather bad impression.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

You assume correctly.

What I don't think Frau(?) Merkel understands - maybe she did understand at some points, but now needs one of those occasional reminders of? - is that multiculturalism isn't so much an experiment, but a process that all of humanity's undergoing whether we ever wanted it or not. And we've got to make this work, even if it turns out that there'll be other planets to go to and practical ways of getting to them.

And the same goes for the immigrants, guest workers, whatever we call them in turn. We are stuck with each other as neighbours. And we've already decided - with pockets full of lunatics vainly demanding their exemptions from this, as ever they have - that genocide is not an option.

More on this as we meditate in our respective corners, I'm sure.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

Make Angela do the vacuuming at Algonquin College after Railfair is finished.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

That might be entertaining.

Seeing as she's presiding over one of the more successful networks of passenger rail service on the planet, though, she might be more useful as a guest speaker on how to rally people to that cause here in Canada.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

Anywhere in Europe has better rail service than over here...even Bosnia!

When is Railfair, anyway...or did I just miss it?

[dewline.livejournal.com]

It just wrapped up for this year half an hour ago, I'm afraid.

I took plenty of pix, though, which I hope to post later.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh well. There's one that takes place in Belleville around the beginning of December. We might have to hit that.

I remember going to a very early Railfair in the late 70s, (likely 1978, because I clearly remember Gerry Raffterty's 'Right Down The Line' playing on the radio in my dad's car). It was big then, I can imagine what it's like now.