Australia Day again.

[Aussie Pete]

Late in 1939, war broke out in Europe. Germany invaded Poland. Hitler then proceeded to conquer most of Europe. His troops, mostly ordinary Germans, committed unspeakable atrocities. Two years later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and proceeded to invade most of South East Asia. The Japanese also committed atrocities that are hard to read about.

Germany and Japan were both defeated. Fast forward to 2022 and Germany and their former conquests are now best of friends. Japan likewise is an ally of the West, not an enemy.

These disparate nations and cultures somehow have managed to get on with life, turning away from bitterness and hate that poisoned relationships just after the war. It's just a tragedy that some Aborigines are unable to accept reality and let go of the past. WW2 ended in 1945, 75 plus years ago. British settlement began in Australia in 1788, 234 years ago.

Aboriginal Australians have land rights and negotiate substantial amounts for mining rights on their land. Some communities are completely closed, except for the need to receive government handouts. One community charges a fee for government employees to come into the community to work out what payments they are entitled to. Aborigines may be paid to cover study expenses (as my children were).

Many Aborigines repudiate the "poor and oppressed" image. Many Aborigines are strong Christians. Much injustice has been done, just like in the wars in Europe. There has been much redress. Of course it's not enough for some. People can look at the positives or the negatives. They have the choice.

 

[Tanj]

For anyone that cares, many of us Australians hold the exact opposite opinion of the least "Aussie" Pete I have ever encountered. The fact that my only contact with this kind of "Australian" is on a US website I consider a blessing.

 

[Occams Barber]

Late in 1939, war broke out in Europe. Germany invaded Poland. Hitler then proceeded to conquer most of Europe. His troops, mostly ordinary Germans, committed unspeakable atrocities. Two years later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and proceeded to invade most of South East Asia. The Japanese also committed atrocities that are hard to read about.

Germany and Japan were both defeated. Fast forward to 2022 and Germany and their former conquests are now best of friends. Japan likewise is an ally of the West, not an enemy.

These disparate nations and cultures somehow have managed to get on with life, turning away from bitterness and hate that poisoned relationships just after the war. It's just a tragedy that some Aborigines are unable to accept reality and let go of the past. WW2 ended in 1945, 75 plus years ago. British settlement began in Australia in 1788, 234 years ago.

Aboriginal Australians have land rights and negotiate substantial amounts for mining rights on their land. Some communities are completely closed, except for the need to receive government handouts. One community charges a fee for government employees to come into the community to work out what payments they are entitled to. Aborigines may be paid to cover study expenses (as my children were).

Many Aborigines repudiate the "poor and oppressed" image. Many Aborigines are strong Christians. Much injustice has been done, just like in the wars in Europe. There has been much redress. Of course it's not enough for some. People can look at the positives or the negatives. They have the choice.

You level of ignorance is astounding.

OB

 

[SkyWriting]

Late in 1939, war broke out in Europe. Germany invaded Poland. Hitler then proceeded to conquer most of Europe. His troops, mostly ordinary Germans, committed unspeakable atrocities. Two years later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and proceeded to invade most of South East Asia. The Japanese also committed atrocities that are hard to read about.

Germany and Japan were both defeated. Fast forward to 2022 and Germany and their former conquests are now best of friends. Japan likewise is an ally of the West, not an enemy.

These disparate nations and cultures somehow have managed to get on with life, turning away from bitterness and hate that poisoned relationships just after the war. It's just a tragedy that some Aborigines are unable to accept reality and let go of the past. WW2 ended in 1945, 75 plus years ago. British settlement began in Australia in 1788, 234 years ago.

Aboriginal Australians have land rights and negotiate substantial amounts for mining rights on their land. Some communities are completely closed, except for the need to receive government handouts. One community charges a fee for government employees to come into the community to work out what payments they are entitled to. Aborigines may be paid to cover study expenses (as my children were).

Many Aborigines repudiate the "poor and oppressed" image. Many Aborigines are strong Christians. Much injustice has been done, just like in the wars in Europe. There has been much redress. Of course it's not enough for some. People can look at the positives or the negatives. They have the choice.

I can't figure out what your actual complaint is.
You seem to be focused on past events and unable
to let the past go.

 

[Bradskii]

Late in 1939, war broke out in Europe. Germany invaded Poland. Hitler then proceeded to conquer most of Europe. His troops, mostly ordinary Germans, committed unspeakable atrocities. Two years later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and proceeded to invade most of South East Asia. The Japanese also committed atrocities that are hard to read about.

Germany and Japan were both defeated. Fast forward to 2022 and Germany and their former conquests are now best of friends. Japan likewise is an ally of the West, not an enemy.

These disparate nations and cultures somehow have managed to get on with life, turning away from bitterness and hate that poisoned relationships just after the war. It's just a tragedy that some Aborigines are unable to accept reality and let go of the past. WW2 ended in 1945, 75 plus years ago. British settlement began in Australia in 1788, 234 years ago.

Aboriginal Australians have land rights and negotiate substantial amounts for mining rights on their land. Some communities are completely closed, except for the need to receive government handouts. One community charges a fee for government employees to come into the community to work out what payments they are entitled to. Aborigines may be paid to cover study expenses (as my children were).

Many Aborigines repudiate the "poor and oppressed" image. Many Aborigines are strong Christians. Much injustice has been done, just like in the wars in Europe. There has been much redress. Of course it's not enough for some. People can look at the positives or the negatives. They have the choice.

June 6th is rightly celebrated as the day an invasion of Europe freed people from a dictator. Reverse that and imagine that the Germans invaded Britain and took over the country. Do you think the British would now celebrate that day?

There has been some redress. But please don't make me list all the current problems. You are, or at least should be aware of what they are.

 

[Aussie Pete]

June 6th is rightly celebrated as the day an invasion of Europe freed people from a dictator. Reverse that and imagine that the Germans invaded Britain and took over the country. Do you think the British would now celebrate that day?

There has been some redress. But please don't make me list all the current problems. You are, or at least should be aware of what they are.

Yes, there are still problems. Some of the problems are self inflicted. Many Aborigines have taken advantage of European culture and technology and made decent lives for themselves. Those who don't want to participate have options. But nothing is going to undo what happened in 1788. Far better to get on with life. The day itself is meaningless to me. I arrived in 1966. I'm English by birth. I was born 6 years after WW2 ended, London was still a bombed out mess and there was still some rationing. Do I hold any grudge against the Germans? No. It's pointless.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I can't figure out what your actual complaint is.
You seem to be focused on past events and unable
to let the past go.

You miss the point. I'm referring to those who want to change Australia Day. Perhaps you missed the OP on that subject. It's not of much interest outside Australia.

 

[SkyWriting]

You miss the point. I'm referring to those who want to change Australia Day. Perhaps you missed the OP on that subject. It's not of much interest outside Australia.

Correct. I was referring to your OP.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Correct. I was referring to your OP.

It would help if you knew the amount of hand wringing and mea culpa that some demand whites engage in because of the terrible things done 200 plus years ago. I was trying to address the subject without responding to each post separately.

And yes, there are still problems that need resolving. Just like there are in the USA where some native Americans still have not got over settlement by Europeans. I know, because I met some at the Grand Canyon.

 

[SkyWriting]

It would help if you knew the amount of hand wringing and mea culpa that some demand whites engage in because of the terrible things done 200 plus years ago. I was trying to address the subject without responding to each post separately.

And yes, there are still problems that need resolving. Just like there are in the USA where some native Americans still have not got over settlement by Europeans. I know, because I met some at the Grand Canyon.

True. Of the handful left, they are not happy. Even the casinos are not radiant with joy. But the foods not bad.

 

[Bradskii]

True. Of the handful left, they are not happy. Even the casinos are not radiant with joy. But the foods not bad.

My wife and I were driving across Arizona a few years ago and stopped for some fuel somewhere near Winslow. There were a few outlets for food there, one that said Indian Food. We'd just been discussing the various tribes that came from the area and thought - hey, let's give it a go. Might be interesting. So we walked in to the small restaurant where there was a servery with Beef Vindaloo, Chicken Masala, samosas, roti..the works. All to the background of some rather loud Bollywood music.

'Table sir?'
'Umm. No thanks. We were...umm...no. No thanks...

 

[durangodawood]

....Germany and Japan were both defeated. Fast forward to 2022 and Germany and their former conquests are now best of friends. Japan likewise is an ally of the West, not an enemy.....

But Japan and Germany both still have their own countries. Their occupations were relatively brief following defeat (except for East Germany) and full sovereignty was completely restored with all the occupiers withdrawing.

Perhaps Aboriginal Australians would get on with life better if the occupying culture had packed up and left after a decade or so?

 

[Aussie Pete]

But Japan and Germany both still have their own countries. Their occupations were relatively brief following defeat (except for East Germany) and full sovereignty was completely restored with all the occupiers withdrawing.

Perhaps Aboriginal Australians would get on with life better if the occupying culture had packed up and left after a decade or so?

No, they would be learning Japanese.

 

[durangodawood]

No, they would be learning Japanese.

You asked us to compare to people in countries that retained their own territory and unoccupied sovereignty. That requires me to devise an imaginary scenario for Aboriginal Australians, in contrast to what did happen.

 

[Bradskii]

No, they would be learning Japanese.

As would you. And I guess from your posts that you and your family would be celebrating the day that the Japanese landed.