Maybe some in Parliament should read this

[Sniper]

I met a New Zealander (Bred and born here) who said we dont offer enough facilities to immigrants and that sometime we are unfair to them. I encouraged him to read this letter and I thought I might just share it with you as well. Yes its written about America, by an American, but I think we need this sort of attitude more (Personal opinion)

Take it as you will....

A Letter to the Editor That They Won't Publish

Newspapers simply won't publish letters to the editor which they either deem politically incorrect (read below) or which does not agree with the philosophy they're pushing on the public. This woman wrote a great letter to the editor that should have been published but with your help it will get published via cyberspace!

New Immigrants

From: "David LaBonte"

My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of the OC Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I decided to "print" it myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass it along if you feel so inclined.

Dave LaBonte (signed)

Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in the Orange County Register:

Dear Editor:

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan . They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France , no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2006 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty , it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

(signed) Rosemary LaBonte

[Steam]

That lady complaining about the letter not being published, she shoulda read the guidelines on newspaper letter submissions, ususally they won't publish anything longer than 150 words.

I have sat in when the editor is selecting the letters for publication at the Southland Times (part of the massive media corporation owned by who knows), and he was balanced and fair. He selected two from each viewpoint, unless the most letters that day were from one point of view, and tried to give everyone a voice. He chose the most representative letters of that day's batch.

Maybe they aren't balanced in the USA, but NZ newspapers, even massive corporate owned ones, are pretty fair and independent.

As for the topic of the letter itself... um... heard it all before.

[Dave Lobster]

I met a New Zealander (Bred and born here) who said we dont offer enough facilities to immigrants and that sometime we are unfair to them.

What do they want? There's plenty here for them. Countless Property Press magazines full of houses for sale, healthcare on most street corners, lots of shops to buy things in, car dealerships everywhere to buy a car.
What is missing?

If they don't like it here, they're free to leave, aren't they?

[SlashWylde]

I agree with the sentiment of the letter. Learning the language, adopting the cultural mores of the society, being an honest hard-working citizen etc. But by the same token it is the responsiblity of that country and it's people to be fair to immigrants wherever they come from and judge them by their actions and attitude, not by their religion skin colour or country of origin.

Too often highly educated professionals uplift their whole lives to come here with the goal of a better future (sometimes leaving war and strife) only to find their qualifications aren't recognised by the state, and they have none of this fabled "NZ experience". This frankly sucks and more should be done to provide an honest fair representation of what it takes to get ahead as a prospective immigrant to NZ.

[scumdog]

What do they want? There's plenty here for them. Countless Property Press magazines full of houses for sale, healthcare on most street corners, lots of shops to buy things in, car dealerships everywhere to buy a car.
What is missing?

If they don't like it here, they're free to leave, aren't they?

They are indeed free to leave - but they would rather whinge and moan and demand things be changed to suit THEM.

[sunhuntin]

i was just talkin about this the other day....

when i was at high school it seemed like it was 95% asian [exchange students] and 5% whatever else got in the gates. now, i understand the asians brought a lot of money to the schools. fine. what i hated was the clustering they did. walk around a corner into a cluster of asian girls, youd be forced to move out of their way. they always talked in asian. [fine again, but not good for fitting in]
there was one class i was in with an asian boy. rae i think he was called. the only asian in the class, i never heard him say a thing. awesome artist of dragons and knights. but terribly ostracized by his refusal to try and fit in.

even now..i work about 5 mins from that same school. and the kids in the clusters have changed, but still the same. they come in, spend heaps, and dont speak a bit of english to you. [i may get a thank you if im lucky!!] or they want a phone card for a cell, and no idea which one. dont even know what network they are on.

i dont mind foreigners or tourists, immigrants etc, so long as they make even a small effort to fit in. basic english would be a good place to start.

[Macktheknife]

I agree with the sentiment of the letter. Learning the language, adopting the cultural mores of the society, being an honest hard-working citizen etc. But by the same token it is the responsiblity of that country and it's people to be fair to immigrants wherever they come from and judge them by their actions and attitude, not by their religion skin colour or country of origin.
Too often highly educated professionals uplift their whole lives to come here with the goal of a better future (sometimes leaving war and strife) only to find their qualifications aren't recognised by the state, and they have none of this fabled "NZ experience". This frankly sucks and more should be done to provide an honest fair representation of what it takes to get ahead as a prospective immigrant to NZ.

Too true, I have personally met a guy whose english was excellent and his skills and qualification were exceptional, he was a qualified brain surgeon (no joke) accustomed to teaching in Universities around his own country the specifics of his profession. Where did I meet this amazing man? Driving a taxi in Auckland.
Was he bitter? No, but he was disappointed he could no longer do what he felt he did best.
He was very happy that his children would not have to grow up in a culturally and politically violent place and hoped that his kids would enjoy the best that NZ had to offer. He also had a second job, helping immigrants like him to assimilate into the culture. His only comment in a negative fashion was to say the Government could do so much more with the skills that people bring to this country.
I could not help but feel some sympathy and a huge respect for a man so committed to his family's well being that he would give up so much to ensure they got the best.
Not all immigrants have poor attitudes, in fact many of the ones I have met put some of us to shame.

[Sniper]

Too true, I have personally met a guy whose english was excellent and his skills and qualification were exceptional, he was a qualified brain surgeon (no joke) accustomed to teaching in Universities around his own country the specifics of his profession. Where did I meet this amazing man? Driving a taxi in Auckland.
Was he bitter? No, but he was disappointed he could no longer do what he felt he did best

I feel bad for people like that too. And unfortunatly its not their fault. Its our Health System. My mum went through it. The govt promised to recognise all her South African Nursing qualifications when we got here. They made a big deal of it because she had her midwifery degree as well and they really wanted that. We got here and they refused to recognise it unless mum paid in excess of $6000 per subject so they could follow up and then give her a NZ similar degree. They wouldnt let her show them she knew what she was talking about or even have someone evaluate her, it was a straight no and even though she had written confirmation in the form of emails they refused to recognise unless she paid them. They wouldnt even pay her the same as a trainee nurse, she was paid less.

Thats one of the reasons my folks moved to Aus a few years back. No arguements, the Aus health system recognised all of mums qualifications and pay her accordingly. More than 3 times what she earnt here and its only going up

[yod]

Whats all this: they are coming to my country so they should learn my language and try to fit in with my ways

Why not: "nice to meet ya, hows it going, whats the part of the world where you come from like?".... I think it's nice to have a change round here every now and then

Oh no, we can't have our laws making allowances for people who got here after "my" people got here - whats up with the "I was here first attitude" ??
We're ALL immigrants in this country guys.....

in the same way you show consideration to other bikers on the road because you feel you both somehow belong to some "club" - it's no different with anyone else, doing anything, anywhere....the "club" is just a bit bigger

[SlashWylde]

Not all immigrants have poor attitudes, in fact many of the ones I have met put some of us to shame.

Very true. I've been fortunate enought to date a few asian and indian girls in my life and their families were exemplary. They work hard to provide a good life for their childeren. Their houses are spotlessly clean. They are friendly and welcoming and quickly make you feel part of the family. Their english was always good too.

[SPman]

We're ALL immigrants in this country guys.....

Bullshit!
I was born here, as were my parents, and their parents and their parents.
Rootstock - European? So what! Only 5 generations? - so what! I was born here and as such am not an immigrant. I am a New Zealander, born as such, proud to be so, with attitudes and values that relate to NZ and probably NZ alone, with a feeling for the land and country that I haven't got over here in Oz.as beautiful as much of it is and will die as a New Zealander, where ever in the world I am living.

If you are talking in extremes, by your reckoning, everyone, everywhere in the world is an immigrant from somewhere...........

And for those who criticise immigrants - just turn the scenario around and imagine yourself in their shoes! Maybe it might be easier to be a little more considerate at times, then.

[yod]

by your reckoning, everyone, everywhere in the world is an immigrant from somewhere...........

yup...thats exactly my point...which is why "how long you've been here" is as relevant as a silent fart when considering how we should treat those who have just arrived

my mothers family have been here for 6 or 7 generations, my father was the first of his family to be born here - does that make me more or less of a new zealander than anyone else? ...it's a pointless consideration....
being proud of your nationality is fine, being aware of your culture and revelling in it is fine, it's just stoopid to expect someone who has just got off a plane to feel the same way, all they're after is a nice, safe place to live, who are we to deny them?


my point is/was...how about we stop putting everyone into categories and just treat people as people?? every country has decent hard working people and they also have scum....so the country they come from or go to is basically irrelevant

[SPman]

my point is/was...how about we stop putting everyone into categories and just treat people as people?? every country has decent hard working people and they also have scum....so the country they come from or go to is basically irrelevant

I agree.
The trouble is, moving to a different community, especially if you intend staying there for any length of time, always entails some effort to "fit in" with the dominant culture, if you want to be accepted by that culture. That's not to say, you have to subsume yourself and deny who you are and where you came from, but is an arrogant fool who will move somewhere "foreign" and then try and demand the society he has moved into, change, to meet his demands; expectations and the way he is used to living. Unless he has just invaded and is calling the shots!
Its just basic human nature.
A healthy society will recognise the strengths and benefits of newcomers and welcome them into the fold, whereas those who have an axe to grind will pick out the "bad" behaviour of the minority and transfer it to the majority, all to further their own ends and weak people will agree with them! There will always be people and governments, at times, who will attack immigrants, for whatever reason. The thing is, not to be drawn into their stupid, venal,vicious, self-serving, dangerous games.

[mstriumph]

.......... I am a New Zealander, born as such, proud to be so, with attitudes and values that relate to NZ and probably NZ alone, with a feeling for the land and country that I haven't got over here in Oz.as beautiful as much of it is and will die as a New Zealander, where ever in the world I am living.............

I thought that about being English at one time; ... Salisbury Plain spoke to me in a way I never expected any other place to do

....... then i went to Africa and it's accent was different, but it had the same call for me

...... then i lived in New Zealand and --- same same

i no longer know who or what i am or may be .... am happy just a drifter, at home and in tune wherever i find myself

you COULD regard me as a universal immigrant .......
or as a citizen of the planet

whatever.......
as long as the country i'm in accepts my tax money, rates, levies and other contributions then it HAS to accept me as well
- sound fair? damn right!

[jrandom]

I thought that about being English... then i went to Africa... then i lived in New Zealand

I'm glad to see you haven't gone bonkers and started thinking that there's much of anything good about Australia, though.

You had me worried there for a moment.