Fast Forward

"The problem"? Which one?

If we confine ourselves to "my family's problem" then moving to another part of the city is certainly "making the problem BETTER". Probably eliminating that problem alltogether. I believe in a quiet, clean invironment, where neighbours respect everyone else's peace. These are common qualities of my countrymen and I am part and parcel of that culture. Remaining where we are now is out of the question and I can see not the slightest possibilty of "making the probelm better" by staying there. The place is a bomb - ticking, ticking, ticking away. I don't want to light the fuse nor do I want to still be there when it goes off. I'd much rather read about it in the newspapers when the big kabooom(!) rattles the windows.

The very worst part of it is that I doubt I'll shed a tear when it happens. I'll probably give a smirk cause they'll have done it to themselves.

The OTHER PROBLEM, to which you hint, has gone beyond the boundaries of simple understanding and education. We have failed to educate the masses upon masses of political refugees who turn up at our doorstep. This failure has never before been a tragic event because we've had a long history of accepting refugees who (themselves) have thrown themselves into the task of learning and respecting our culture and way of life. These last years, however, have seen several thousands of refugees (weekly!) who have no interest in our way of life at all. They scorn us. They ridicule us. They sabotage the language classes by shouting down female (who such people consider inferior) teachers and critizing my countrymen, our language, our culture, our values, our religion, our system, our general non-agressive behaviour, etc. In short, that OTHER PROBLEM is beyond correcting by persons like me remaining in the midst of people who purposely sabotage my cultural and disrespect everything that me and my country stand for.

Me, my wife, my 14-year-old daughter, and our 2½ month old son are getting out and I promise you that we won't be looking back.

Anyone interested in any subject would do better to do his/her own research. Why draw any conclusion from a "second party" source - especially when that second party is unqualifed?

I would rather that "respect" is awarded to earnest observances rather than emotional ones.

Why do people persist with this useless question?

It would be like believing what Geo. W. Bush has to say about politics, democracy in particular, truth, religion, and the world - huh? Yes, I agree with you.