Cannot believe this bigotry

Its so interesting reading all the views regarding bigotry re the Syrian refugees. I suppose it is natural to feel strongly about what might affect us personally.

I just keep going back to the awful situation the Syrians find themselves in. I cannot imagine what it must be like in places like Aleppo and Damascus. I am astonished by the bravery of people who walk miles with their families, including the elderly and babies, and dare to risk their lives on flimsy dinghies to escape the Assad regime and ISIS. And the young men fleeing conscription - what would we do in their position I wonder? As for the refugee camps in Lebanon and other surrounding countries, which of us would want to live in places like those?

Sadly my two friends would say "Yeah, well..." and look away from me. I don't like seeing this attitude in them, but they've always been like that and it doesn't define them as my friends. In other ways they are kind and always helping others. But if the person isn't white and British that's a different matter. Charity begins at home is a fitting saying for them and so many others.

Compassion is a much undervalued emotion.

I didn't say that at all anniebach that it is only church groups that would help. TWG, WI are not church groups. People in small towns are often those that swing into action when help is needed.

Ps have you ever been to Cheltenham?

No, I haven't, but you catch my drift....

My Mum lives in a small town on the west coast of Scotland and there's always a quick response to what ever crisis is in the news. I think schools and churches there are quick off the mark too, pooling their efforts.

I agree too, blinko. If there is a social housing shortage in Aberdeen (and I've read a couple of newspaper articles saying there is a severe shortage), I'm not sure it's bigotry for people who are on a long waiting list to feel not altogether happy about refugees possibly pushing them even further down the list. I think that kind of fear, unless properly addressed (not easy) is actually reasonable and I don't think it's fair to call people bigots when they express such fears, even if their fears are unfounded. If they don't know their fears are unfounded the fears will not be dispelled.

I'm not sure it's 'bigotry'. It's probably quite understandable. No one thinks this refugee problem is going to be easy.

Yes rosequartz me I have been to Cheltenham , one of my favourite cities is Chester but I don't stay overnight, there was talk in June that the law which allows shooting a Welshman with a bow and arrow in Chester after midnight is to be abolished

perhaps if they read things like this they might understand.

I suppose when you think about it ( and I don't think this excuses them) if you are on the housing list and are living in crap accommodation you may well be cheesed off if someone walks in and takes a house. The trouble is like so much in this world the poor are the ones who pay/are inconvenienced every time. The wealthy are untouched ( yet again).

OMG. Bloody bloody world.

If only they would understand jingle , poor little mite

WilmaKF- yes I remember a story about asylum seekers not being allowed to use the local swimming pool, in one of the very traditional conservative parts of central Switzerland. Not sure what the situation is now- but there was an outrage, that is for sure. We have a couple of asylum seekers centres near us, and this is certainly not the case. They go as they please, and the reaction of the poplulation is generally positive- although some people are very anti- as in the UK. We live in a rural part of Switzerland which has never experienced immigration from other parts of the world than Southern Europe, and different races- until very recently. Unlike FRance and the UK due to Colionalism.

anniebach
I haven't been to Chester for years. I will leave DH at home if I go again!
(Is it only men?)

That is so shocking, jingls. I think I posted on another thread about pregnant women in Syria being shot as they queued for bread.

Cheltenham has some very poor areas. I know it well and occasionally work there. Darling daughter is currently teaching in a very deprived area of Cheltenham, she is resigning at half term as she finds it too difficult with lack of support and cooperation.
As she teaches science I doubt she'll have problems finding another

the law does say Welshmen rosewuartz but I have read Welshperson, best avoid Hereford too , if you do go there and see someone with a longbow - run

I am new to posting on this site. What worries me about the migrant situation is that Britain is only a small island. We are short of affordable housing now, if we have thousands of immigrants coming, where are we going to put them all? I live in a village, I am sure any migrant family would be welcomed here, but there are no houses for the village youngsters as it is. What council housing there is has a six year waiting list, and is mainly flats and bungalows for the elderly. And as for work, the majority commute to the nearest towns.
Why are the neighbouring Arab countries not doing more to help? Surely the answer must be to make their respective home countries safe to live in, and I just wish the politicians would stop blethering about "quota's" and put some serious thought to doing just that.

The countries with the most dense populations in the world are 1. Macau (48,000 per square mile), 2. Monaco (43,000 psqm, 3. Hong Kong (16,444 psqm) 4. Gibraltar, 5. Bahrain, 6. Malta, 7. Bermuda ........ 14. Mauritius, ..... 19. Netherlands, 20. Belgium, 21 Japan............

Britain is 53rd place (660 per square mile) in population density. Just below us is Germany at 56, then Italy at 62 and Switzerland at 68.

There doesn't appear to be much of a correlation between population density and wealth, although some countries, such as Hong Kong and Singapore are very densely populated and very wealthy.

Some people seem to overlook the widely held view that our and the US's actions in the Middle East have contributed significantly to the political, economic, social and military turmoil that exists in the countries from which these people are fleeing. How such countries are to be made "safe to live in" goodness only knows - and even if it is possible it will take a very long time, whereas these people need help now.

I have Herefordshire ancestors, but after watching last night's tv perhaps I shouldn't own up to that.

Sorry, as you were, back to the main point.

I think you have hit the nail on the head blinko, it is not necessarily bigotry, but fear that makes people uneasy. This in no way excuses the disgusting statements about letting them die at sea/why arent they fighting instead of running/they are all ISIS coming here to impose Sharia Law, etc., etc. These ignorant comments are inexcusable and malicious and one of the worst perpetrators of this vile propaganda is Brtitain First a neo nazi organisation which is campaigning against taking any refugees. But, getting away from these people, others are rightly concerned about housing, schooling etc. This isnt due to lack of compassion for the poor souls fleeing from Syria, it is questioning how the horrendously overstretched housing will stretch even further, it is questioning where the people will work, who will pay for the much needed medical care and trauma counselling that is needed? Local authorities are stretched beyond belief due to central government cutting the amounts year after year, and it would be interesting to know just how we would all react if we were told for example, that our children were going to be taught in classes of 40+ to accommodate the migrant children, that our hip replacements were being shleved indefinately as the local NHS trust couldnt afford them, our elderly parents would no longer have day centres/subsidised meals/care as the local authority had been given the responsibility of taking care of 200 families? I know this may seem extreme, and I consider myself a compassionate person, but I think it is a little unfair when anyone who dares to question just how this is all to be paid for is deemed to be a bigot.

I joined facebook only because my son posted all photos of my grandsons on it. Eventually it proved a really good way to keep in touch with friends and family far afield - I still find it mind-blowing that I can post a message to a cousin in Curacao and within seconds, her reply appears !! Also, I have found former work colleagues and others have found me and it is lovely to be in touch again and meet up. It is interesting to see what friends and family are up to and let them know what I am doing. Lately, I have warned everyone not to post while they are on holiday because I read that if you are away and have told everyone via facebook and a break in occurs, then insurers may not pay out. HOWEVER - I really, really dislike any political comment which is posted. There are plenty of other forms for that - Gransnet for example ! - and I shall be pleased if a Dislike button is introduced. Facebook for me is jolly and friendly and not for unpleasantness and controversy.

Good post Gill, a lot of it is fear of losing housing and services.

I understand where they are coming from, if an immigrant family were given a house next door to me I would be ok as I am out much of the time and if they kept themselves to themselves. However I can imagine the families who have been on the waiting list for years and are bypassed by immigrants, yes they will be indignant, We should really be putting our people first. But on the whole I don't really care much what happens, I don't wish them any harm and I don't like to think what their lives will be like in the winter if they don't find a home.

GillT57. Spot on. Very well put. Some people seem to forget, the government has NO money of its own, it's all OUR money and I think I have a say in how it's spent.

The Syrians are refugees (those whose life is in danger)not immigrants.
The EU law on refugees is that of the United Nations put in place after WW2
that anyone whose life is in danger can flee to an EU country and get a safe haven. This law was put in place after Switzerland and Great Britain
refused entry to thousands of Jews who were sent back to Germany where e they were deported and were killed

If only a hundred are coming, then let them in, make them welcome.
This Facebook is sickening I'm glad I'm not on it. I'm sure I'm happier for not having to read such filth.