Good news. Hopefully Canada will declare the same. However, I don't think that mere words will correct the Muslim problem as much as a moratorium on Muslim immigration would.
Posted at 2006-12-09 11:15:39 [PermaLink]Very well said by Tony Blair! I completely agree with what he said. While I fully believe in sharing cultural experiences, learning about, and sharing culture (I think it enriches each of us as individuals and allows us to participate better in a collective humanity), I have concerns regarding women's rights and extremism. I think multiculturalism can work if not taken too far; culture is a positive thing, extremism is a negative thing. This is a country of liberal values: the rule of law, tolerance, individual human rights ,etc. Those who cannot accept that should not come here, they aren't wanted. In the Netherlands they force immigrants to take values tests, we should consider that as well.
One point, however. I do not think it is bad to show both the good and the bad in a nation's history. In our own context, it is important to fully learn about and understand the oppression of the Japanese in World War II, the tragic residential schooling programme, and other offences committed by our country. There is much that is great but we must also learn the bad if for no other reason than to prevent being hypocrtically self-righteous and sanctimonious in the world stage while blaming other countries when we have similar disgraceful acts in our history that we brush over.
I guess this is a case of better late than never.
It is so sad though that Blair waited until he was a lame prime minister before stating the obvious and showing some testicular fortitude.
Now, imagine if a Tory here in Canada had made the same statement!!! Can't you hear the Bushitlerneoconharpercarlrove thing being thrown at it instantly?
Remember, here in Canada, the rising star of the "progressive" is no other than another clueless CheCastro-hugging Trudeau. Yes, this is the best we can do here.
So multiculturalism (or rather the abdication of Western values as it should more appropriately be called) is the order of the day.
And anyone who is against it would be immediately labelled Christian Far Right.
Tell me I am wrong....