Monday, 18 October 2010
It Had To Be Said
'Multiculturalism has failed' pronounced Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor yesterday.
Back in the late 60s I was a 'guest worker' in Germany. There were strict rules such as mandatory attendance of German classes, reporting to the Arbeitsamt regularly (a type of labour exchange) and my employer was regularly contacted to ensure I was still employed by them. My work permit was for one year with the possibility of it being extended to two years. Unfortunately neither my employer or myself understood the extension was only granted if the guest worker still had basic language difficulties and, because I'd studied German at school, I was able to move quickly through the language classes. Within 5 months I had completed the full 'Deutsch für Ausländer' programmes. A few months later matters became difficult when the Arbeitsamt started to harass my employer and myself because, according to the rules, I could no longer work under my current work permit. They considered I was now too qualified for a domestic work permit and I had also proved I had a reasonable command of the language so I was pressurised, by the Arbeitsamt, into setting up my own business. My employer was a good friend and I had no wish to cause them trouble with the state, so I decided to return to the UK. I was far too young (and naive) to consider buying or renting my own business in another country.
Back to the language classes. They were poorly attended, perhaps because there were fees involved, and I think only around 10% of the list attended even irregularly. Therefore the state did have a problem even then trying to ensure their guest workers knew basic German although, if they were as thorough with the progress of others as they were with mine, then surely not many slipped through the system in those days.
However, when I did return to work in Germany it was near the Dutch/German border. There were large communities of Turkish workers and few integrated with the local populations. One of my staff, a delightful and hard-working middle-aged Turkish woman, came to me one day in a distressed state. She wanted to know if I could offer a job to her brother and sister-in-law because they had applied to come to Germany as she had been resident for over 10 years. The truth was she didn't want the responsibility of sponsoring them and she knew if they didn't find work then she would be responsible for their living expenses. The German benefit system was similar to ours in those days. Houses were not provided and state benefits were tightly controlled.
Nowadays I hear from my German friends that it's not immigration that's the problem, it's the quantity of it (ring any bells?). Richard puts it down to Muslim immigration but I think the nationalities are far more diverse.
Is Angela Merkel right to openly state her belief that multiculturalism has failed in her country? As the leader of her country and a politician yes she is. Her challenge now is to say what action she intends to take to ensure integration. She has to appear to be fair and tolerant as well as understanding yet firm. A difficult balancing act indeed.
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She's right but too late in the day now - the German national football team is full of Turks and Poles. Unless Germany is planning to leave the EU then I'm afraid she's simply farting in the wind.
Her remarks carry weight and Sarkozy will fear that his domestic stance will become widespread throughout Europe. Maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of serious fractures in the EU Federal Dictatorship. One that has seen mass immigration as a weapon to stifle unrest but which is hopefully backfiring.
Intergration and immigration has become a problem because once again the well meaning busy bodies in society have held sway and their good intentions have had disastrous results. Once again manipulation has caused distortions in what should have been a free open market that would have made immigration mostly a force for good without much of the social evils that have accompanied it. Immigration should be open and free but self regulating in that the host nation should offer no incentives such as state benefits and positive discrimination and insist upon self-reliance so that only the most enterprising and talented would venture to migrate. A sink or swim attitude should have been paramount towards immigrants therefore deterring only the most ambitious immigrants. History is littered with mass migrations and all have changed the regions they have occupied mostly one could say to their eventual good but often to the short to medium term insecurity. Lessons have not been learned from the past if they had then immigration policy would have reflected that and immigration would have been managed much more successfully.
It is late William, but she's in a position to change the law and let's not forget, Germans are firmer about making sure the law is adhered to. They have separate criminal police.
Her remarks carry more weight than ours OR because we're ignored these days. Is it any wonder when our politicians say something then don't follow up on it? ie Referendum on the EU.
Maybe just maybe right enough.
Well said Antisthenes.
The problems started in Germany when they decided to let any relative of a gastearbeiter into the country. Until then it was workers but once their extended families were permitted (even when benefits weren't so generous) that's when it all went wrong.
But Germany is part of the social engineering of the world and they took part willingly. In trying to improve the lives of their fellow countryman with better benefits, they made a big rod for their own backs. Here too.
In contrast, I read of the SNP today claiming we should be grateful that sundry Zimbabweans, Somalians, etc. want to live in Scotland because of our 'skills shortage' (I must have imagined all those unemployed Scots).
'It's the egalitarian thing to do' said Christine McKelvie MSP - presumably whilst injecting ketamine.
Why do so many of our politicians have such contempt for their own people?
William,
"Why do so many of our politicians have such contempt for their own people?"
Because they know what they're like and we (for a minority subset of us) voted for them. Therefore we must either be corrupt (and on their payroll) or stupid.
Yes, there are alternatives. But not ones which would occur to the normal political rent-seeker.
There is a place for immigrants in every country William but there has to be a balance.
I do disagree with Scotland opening its doors to all and sundry. We need professional people or those who want a good education then to live here. Unfortunately many do come for an education but go back home and take their skills with them. Unfortunately for us really but very good for them and their country.
I'm none of these SE and I'd like to see politicians broadening the discussion. Then again immigration isn't something politicians like to discuss.
Her remarks are foolish, damaging and worrying.
Have a browse at this article to see why.
http://badconscience.com/2010/10/18/the-failure-of-multiculturalism/
Regards.
Fkn bollocks. Since when was Germany and Scotland not multicultural? I notice you neglect to mention the case of the Sorbish Slavs who have occupied the territory between Cottbus and Bautzen for 1500 years or so - often an island of Slavic speech in a sea of Germanic. There has been little strife and today the main threat is that Sorbish will cease to exist.
I also notice that Gaelic is not mentioned. Is our 'native culture' a WASP one? And, what is 'Gaelic culture' anyway? Did the Gaels of Stirling and Perthshire have the same culture as the Gall-Gael (Norse-Gaelic) population of Nis in Leodhas?
And were tribes not mutually exclusive at one time? Despite being of the same skin colour and language?
Its an easy choice - pro or against. Fck fascism and racism. It pisses me off no end that I have to rehearse these arguments with a Scot.
Suas le iomdachd/ viva la diversidad
If you take that definition of multiculturalism then I would agree to some degree John. The problem, as I see it, is the unpreparedness of host countries and the volumes involved, with which they can't seem to cope.
It hasn't worked because of the inadequacies of politicians to have foresight rather than hindsight.
@john.boettcher:
Good link John but to argue that mass migration and multiculturalism must be accepted because transnational capital needs them is a rather weak argument.
The big joke is we are having to try to get skilled immigrants and graduates to come and stay in Scotland because our own skilled and graduates are leaving Scotland in droves to try and find decent jobs!
@Mac an t-Srònaich
"Its an easy choice - pro or against. Fck fascism and racism. It pisses me off no end that I have to rehearse these arguments with a Scot."
To discuss immigration policy is racist and fascistic? It may anger you that others have opinions at variance to your own but to descend to such slurs informs me of who are the true fascists and racists.
That's true Mac, I don't do history lessons for my readers.
You make a very good point though. It took centuries for the cultures to integrate in Scotland.
Reading Ms Merkel's full speech I think she means 'modern' multiculturalism such has happened in the past 40 years or so.
Nobody can expect people to integrate in such a short space of time even though there is excellent assistance to do so. It all has to be paid for too - the assistance I mean.
No politician has ever voiced how we would plan it. There seems to be a 'it'll be all right on the night' mentality around and that's not beneficial to any culture.
In an independent Scotland we won't have the money to cope with massive immigration. We need a plan and if we don't produce one then more and more of the brightest will be emigrating to the likes of Australia where they feel they're not taxed to the hilt.
Your experience of how the Germans rightly expected an immigrant to learn their language, is interesting. [When in Rome, do as the Romans etc]
Contrast and compare with say, Luton Borough Council...............
Luton residents can access council services by requesting an interpreter or get council documents translated free of charge.
"Don't worry, we can help, just call into any council reception area and a member of staff will be able to arrange an interpreter or advise on translations.
If you have any queries please ask someone who speaks English to call the Luton interpretation and translation service on 01582 546021 or email translations@luton.gov.uk . A meeting with an interpreter can be arranged if required."
Bengali
Gujarati
Urdu
Panjabi
.....see a list of other languages available.
Translations
If you are a Luton resident we can translate personal information for example marriage/birth/death certificates from your community language into English.
http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/social_issues/interpretation%20and%20translation%20service%20folder/translate.html
Not specifically for Luton, but this is an insight into how the "Diversity Police" expect businesses to react......
http://www.diversiton.com/training/audit/
Off topic but this might be of interest SB.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704116004575521713188253290.html
You mean 'in the past 40 years or so' or just after the previous German attempt at 'unifying' culture failed dismally.
How convenient. How hypocritical.
We all know that trying to identify 'our culture' is nigh impossible? Should we send back the Italians and the Poles that came here in the 20s and 30s? The Irish too? Should all MacLarens go back to Highland Stirlingshire and all MacPhersons back to Baideanach? MacDonalds to Keppoch or Sleite? For some of our earlier attempts at 'multi culturalism' amongst our own differing but still Gaelic cultures were equally opposed. And equally bloody.
But, i thought that we'd progressed somewhat since clan warfare. And I thought we learned from the past - especially from Germany some '40 odd years ago'.
There is no flood of immigrants here. And, any group of people - native or foreign contains good and bad. Further, if you want a scapegoat for today's economic mess - don't blame the foreigners. Blame ourselves. It's harder to do but more honest.
Aye, if you think immigrants are a problem, you are a fuckin bigot. And its shameful that Scots with our own history should think this way.
Joe, I see what you mean but in some ways I would have appreciated help in specific areas for my first few weeks. Just to get detailed info of health insurance, banking facilities. It's not easy to understand the jargon of government agencies.
But surely there has to be a limited somewhere when people start to pay for their own interpreter services. We can't afford to have a supply of personal interpreters for everyone who doesn't want to learn English.
How do those who come to study here manage? I don't hear about universities having an endless cache of interpreters waiting to translate lectures and handouts. They learn the 'hard' way - from their peers. The hard way in the end ensures a command of the language.
Rosie I am not aware that the SNP are looking for all and sundry to immigrate here. However I am aware that we need proffesional and skilled workers when we are independent as we rebuild our tattered country, just as Ireland did. Immigration is necessary but must be strictly regulated to allow those that can help us rebuild.
What is your argument Mac? WW2 ended over 60 years ago in case you've forgotten and we occupied, along with others, that country. Germany was fundamental in the establishment of what is now known as the EU. Did you baulk at that?
Did I say immigrants are a problem? Indeed I did not. My comment at the end of the post was that policy has to be fair and tolerant yet understanding and firm.
I mentioned the quantity of immigration. What's wrong with that?
Yes maybe you don't 'have a flood of immigrants' where you are. Some areas of the UK do and they were poorly prepared to handle it. If you think an complete open door immigration policy in an independent Scotland will create your Utopia then fine.
By the way, please don't swear at me, it's not necessary.
CH, many thanks for the link. It kind of adds to the objections regarding the Dundee plant.
I don't know if you noticed but on the oil-protest post there are some interesting links regarding hemp. Need time to study them but I will.
Well said KBW. I'm not aware what the SNP are looking for. Nobody wants to discuss it and if you do you're racist.
I love Merkel, however she is the kind of politician that exists to be in power.
If it were still 'East Germany', she'd still be chancellor I'd bet...
She would have been powerful if she'd stuck to her research Dean but she chose politics. It's said she still keeps well informed about her favourite science (quantum chemistry) but that's only what I read in newspapers. It could well be though because she is married to a highly regarded scientist.
I think she is just super, if only we had more intellegent politicians in the UK, with real technical skills, knowledge and experience.
The idea of multiculturalism ( national ethnic suicide ) is to attack and rot the very heart and soul of a nation.
The ideology of multiculturalsm comes not from the 1960s but the 1920s and the Frankfurt School, a Marxist think tank. The marxists were very upset that the working class instead of rising up against the upper classes instead fought for their own nation states.
For the marxist to have a utopian communist state, they had to first destroy Christianity and BREAK that link between nation and ethnicity.
They fled nazi Germany in the 1930s and went to America were they infiltrated the universities. It was only in the 1960s when they came up with multiculturalism.
For a thousand years the ancient European nation states have been homogenous, traditional and Christian, the French living in France, the Germans living in Germany,the Scots living in Scotland. This was the orthodoxy and everyone was happy.
The Marxists set about to destroy this using CULTURAL MARXISM, mass immigration, subversion, racism, political correctness, hate crime and they have been very very successful at it.
Multiculturalism has been a disaster ( it was never meant to successful ) in France, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden. They've had the brunt of it.
Now its Scotlands turn to have this Third World Invasion ( it aint immigration ) of Africans and muslims.
And Jesus wept.
Cultural Marxism, taken from the internet which you may find interesting.
Over the past 50 years Britain and the West have changed out of all recognition, it wasnt a natural process as some believe it to be, it was done DELIBERATELY, and it was carried out using Cultural Marxism. Their aim was to subvert all the institutions by a long march through the culture.
The new battleground for Marxist thinkers became the culture, starting with the traditional family and completely engulfing churches, schools, media, entertainment, civic organizations, literature, science, and history. All of these things must be radically transformed and the social and cultural order gradually turned upside-down with the new proletariat placed in power at the top.
●The "new proletariat" was / is comprised of minority groups, ethnic minorities, homosexuals and also women. They're radicalizing the minority groups to take the place of the old white working class, who could see through the Marxist lies.
Their aim? Simple! To change the West from a mostly Conservative homogeneous society into a socially-marxist and egalitarian one. Meaning the complete destruction of Western civilisation.
●Two Marxist theorists-Antonio Gramsci of Italy and Georg Lukacs of Hungary-concluded that the Christianized West was the obstacle standing in the way of a Communist new world order. Western culture would have to be conquered first.
●Gramsci posited that because Christianity had been dominant in the West for over 2000 years, it was fused with western civilization itself. The West would have to be "de-Christianized" said Gramsci, by means of a "long march through the culture."
●In 1919, Georg Lukacs became Deputy Commissar for Culture in the short-lived Bolshevik Bela Kun regime in Hungary. He immediately set plans in motion to de-Christianize Hungary. Lukacs launched a radical sex education program in the schools. Sex lectures were organized and literature handed out which graphically instructed youth in free love (promiscuity) and sexual intercourse while simultaneously encouraging them to deride and reject Christian moral ethics, monogamy, and parental and church authority.
All of this was accompanied by a reign of cultural terror perpetrated against parents, priests, and dissenters. Lukacs reasoned that if Christian sexual ethics could be undermined among children, then the Christian faith would be dealt a crippling blow, thus destroying the very foundations of Western civlization, which in turn leaves the door wide open for Marxist ideals.
Cultural Marxism
These techniques are broadly based on the Frankfurt School, the University department bought by the Soviet Union in 1935. The Soviets asked it for the best methods of undermining other nations so it could bring them under its control. The EU has been implementing these techniques in Britain since the early 1960s.
1) The creation of Racialism offences
2) Continual change to create confusion
3) The teaching of sex and homosexuality to children
4) Huge immigration to destroy identity and create tension
5) The undermining of schools and teachers authority
6) The promotion of excessive drinking
7) Emptying the Churches
8) An unreliable legal system with bias against the victims of crime
9) Dependency on state or state benefits
10) Control and dumbing down of media and TV
11) The attack on fathers and encouraging the
breakdown of the family
12) Multi-Culturalism
13) The creation of trauma through injustice
14) Destruction of the monetary system
15) Political Correctness
● Political Correctness is a form of mind control to control free speech, to undermine public opinion, to weaken the defences of democracy and to re-educate schoolchildren; it is a well documented communist subversion procedure. Political Correctness is Cultural Marxism, it's Marxism translated from economic, into cultural terms.
● Cultural Marxism is used to socially engineer a society through the subversion of culture.
●These techniques have been remarkably successful at undermining local and national government, the Police, NHS, schools and children. It has alienated British people from our nation and its politics; millions are now disinterested and apathetic.
● Cultural terrorism and Cultural warfare.
A 20 minute video on the history of political correctness, cultural marxism, subversion, and the Frankfurt School, very interesting, here's the link
http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2009/07/history-of-political-correctness.html
But will it be Utopia Wilhelm? Thanks for the link.
I won't apologise for my colloquial use of certain words.
You clearly state that 'Multiculturalism has failed'. I state - bollocks - when have we not been multicultural?
As to immigrants - who has integrated better into Scottish society - the young Scots Asians I see who speak Scots and wear Hearts or Hibs tops or the 2nd generation English who still speak like they live in Oxfordshire?
Its patently obvious that our problems are not down to immigrants or different cultures mixing.
Here's a topical story. I guess its all the Asians' fault for 'not integrating' or maybe 'taking our jobs' or else 'taking our dole money'. Whatever, its all ugly and shame on you for descending to this.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Racist-thugs-in-acid-attack.6592588.jp
Mac, I must be having a senior moment, because I can't see where I've said in my opinion that multiculturalism has failed. The only time in the post I use that phrase is in the first paragraph when quoting Angela Merkel. I don't even say I agree with her. But if you can show me where I say it as my opinion in the post then I'll be very happy to apologise to you.
You're purposely missing my point. I have no problems whatsoever with immigration although you may read other opinions on other blogs.
My point is we must be fully prepared for a far greater volume of immigration than Scotland currently has if there is to be an open door policy which some seem to desire. It's unfair to all concerned.
Yes I agree our current problems are not down to that. I'm sure you already know that Scotland isn't the first port of call for many immigrants arriving in the UK but we have to look to the future and plan well.
If you're suggesting I condone, or had anything to do with the contents of your link, then shame on you.
I will not tolerate such abuse to myself or any of my commenters because that is what your remark is - abuse.
If you're not prepared to discuss the issues without resorting to such disgusting and unjustified remarks then can I suggest you don't visit my blog.
Subrosa asks '' but will it be utopia ? ''
Yes, the multicultural society will be truly wonderous, a land of milk and honey, candyfloss and gingerbread houses.
The problem is that all the evidence like FACTS, data, proof, statistics tells us other wise, like ghetto crime, gang rape, black on black knife crime, sharia law, honour killings, arranged weddings, the slaughter of halal meat, islamic terrorism, london and Glasgow airport bombings
Socialists and liberal apologists for African crime will always say '' but whites commit crime, dont they ?" The difference is African immigrants are guests in OUR country, when they commit a crime, they are abusing OUR hospitality.
Then liberals will squeal but '' poverty causes crime. '' How does one explain the rapes and other sex crimes then ?
Here's some YouTube videos you may find interesting which the lame stream media dont talk about.
1 ) Thousands of African immigrants riot in Paris last month and turn the beautiful city into a jungle, note they rip off the French womans blouse at 3.20. Here's the YouTube Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H1EDA18jBs
2 ) African immigrant stops a French woman in the street and slap her right in the face for no apparent reason, Its shocking because its motiveless, while his African chums look on and squeal in delight. Heres the YouTube Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFTR6qzVTKA
3 ) Channel 4 documentary on African gang rape in London, how charming, here's the YouTube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuFb9lgSyP8
4 ) One in four Africans rape in South Africa, they think its perfectly normal, If they do that in their OWN countries, stands to reason when they come here, they will do it in OUR countries, CNN news report, YouTube Link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEAlh7YDWEw
5 ) The case of African 35 year old old Wendell Wilberface Baker, he raped ( sodomised ) a 70 year old granny. Hazel Backwell. A DNA link made him almost certainly the rapist but after a succession of rare legal loopholes, blunders and a technicality, Baker was acquitted. Not only that, since the last 12 years Baker has been protected by an anonymity order. The English changed the double jeopardy laws so he could be put on trial again but Scotland Yard lost his police file, so he got off twice. Heres the link. Panorama documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmwJE01BFEk
8 ) The staggering South African crime stats not mentioned, censored by the liberal media during the World Cup, data from www. nation master.com
Assaults 548,847 per year
Burglaries 393,959 per year
Car thefts 93,130
Drug offences 53,810
Gun violence > Homicides homicides with firearms 59.2028
Murders 21,553
Murders with firearms 31,918
Police 101,582
Prisoners 181,944 prisoners
Rapes 52,425
Robberies 228,442
Software piracy rate 34%
Total crimes 2,683,849
Like I said, if they do that in THEIR OWN countries when they come to Europe, they'll do it in OUR countries.
In a strange twist of fate Marike de Klerk, ex wife of FW DE Klerk who gave South Africa away to the marxist ANC regime was murded, strangled by a security guard, African of course.
.
Part 2.
From the news a couple of months ago in England
''Two AFRICAN teenagers have been jailed over the manslaughter of 67-year-old Ekram Haque as he walked home from a mosque last August.
Mr Haque was attacked by AFRICANS Leon Elcock, 16, and Hamza Lyzai, 15, in Tooting, south London.
Mr Haque cracked his head as he fell over, suffering irreparable brain damage. He died a week after the assault.
AFRICANS Elcock and Lyzai, both from Tooting, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and also admitted their parts in other assaults in which, the court heard, they had "targeted people for fun".
Is that one of the benefits of the multicultural society I keep hearing about ? Maybe the news reporters, journalists, editors, new television are all racists who reported it ?
To use that classic line so beloved by liberals to excuse crimes committed by African immigrants , '' Maybe it was social deprivation and poverty that drove those two blacks to pick up a metal bar and hit the 67 year old muslim over the head and film it on their mobile phones.'' ( sarcasm )
Another story of enriching diversity from the news.
'Starved to death' Birmingham
African 7 year old Kyria Ishaq was found dead in 'squalid and appalling' conditions
Khyra Ishaq starved to death in a horrific tale of neglect and abuse.
She was found by paramedics lined up on a mattress next to her three brothers and two sisters who were emaciated and needed hospital treatment.
One police official said the conditions were 'squalid and appalling, something hard to believe you are seeing in modern-day Britain'.
Khyra's mother AFRICAN Angela Gordon, now 34, and boyfriend AFRICAN Junaid Abuhamza, now 30, were charged with murder. The other children have been placed in foster care.''
Maybe it was the poverty that just forced the parents to starve their own daughter to death ? ( sarcasm ) even though their cupboards were stuffed full of food.
This is what lies ahead for Scotland by the Cultural Marxists of liebour, liberal and Im sorry to say even the SNP, they dont want to help the immigrants but to destroy the homogenous cohesion of the Scots monoculture. The socialists are internationalists and dont believe in the concept of the nation state.
Multiculturalism is national ethnic suicide,
''its like watching a nation busily heaping up its own funeral pyre.''
Time for White Flight.
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