Quote:
Originally Posted by ptownrob
I think the details of the report can be summarized by the fear of Muslims overtaking Western populations, and therefore governments, in the not too distant future.
Several things:
The vast majority of these immigrants, as with any revolution are uneducated and poor, and probably suffer discrimination. They are easily led astray by angry ideologies, not to mention the promise of 72 virgins. The rioting in France last year was overwhelmingly poor Muslims in ghettos.
Instead of worrying about population, which no one can really control, we should be PRO-active and figure out ways to get these people educated and accepted on Western terms- good jobs, no exploitation or discrimination. And public benefits should be curtailed after 2 children or whatever # works. That would minimize the opportunity for some radicals to grab hold.
It's ironic, isn't it, that those who were afraid of America becoming a nation where the minorities (Black and Latino) are the majority now have only those groups to look to for extra population growth!
A sweet, but rather ditzy friend of mine from Montana asked me if it wasn't really the fault of gay people- after all, their lifestyle precludes them from joining in the required procreation project. I pointed out to her that 1.) Artifical insemination works as well on gay women as straight, and 2.) that many states have been fighting to forbid gays from becoming parents at all. You can't have it both ways, so to speak.
As always, I belive the ultimate solution to societal problems is to provide the chance for a good education and opportunities to pursue "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
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The "vast number" of Muslim immigrants into the US are indeed educated and decent folk, wanting the same things as everyone else. As with others, they have their fringe element which constitute a minority within the group, but get the majority of publicity. The "squeaky wheel gets the grease" applies to them as well.
As far as societal images, when the economy is buzzing merrily along and eveyone is doing well, then nobody cares who does what. When things get tight, then human nature seems to need to lash out at anything and everything as the projected cause of the economic difficulties. That's when the societal battles tend to get vicious, because one kind of frustration (economic) feeds discrimination and separatism. While it may not be "right," it does happen in our imperfect, human world.
Procreation for the sake of creating a national impediment to any expansion of Islam seems ridiculous. The same holds true for selective manufacturing of "designer kids." Children as commodities to be farmed and harvested is repugnant to me.
An old boss of mine used to have a sign behind his desk that said, "There is no such thing as a fully-funded problem." A better economy brings with it less stress, more tolerance and peaceful resolution to many things.