The refugee crisis.

[Red Frog]

Sorry fella, I thought you'd just quote the bit at the bottom of the Statue of liberty about poor, huddled masses. That was the angle I was driving at. Don't disagree with you btw.

Ha. That statue. Should have spotted that.

[Honkytonk]

Of course Honkytonk,  practicalities make it almost impossible to house someone yourself.

But if the government suddenly decided to open a hostel next door to you , I am sure you would scream blue murder. Hence the hypocrisy.

Let them all in as long as they don't live by me.

Eh? No I wouldn't. I'd be a bit confused they chose my village but I wouldnt be against it. Where are you getting the idea that I am a massive nimby from? Huge logical jumps you're making here from me simply saying I was impressed at the German people's reaction.

The problem with America taking any of them is they've done all the exploring and dangerous stuff and they don't have enough of an industrial base any more. Part of the reason they took so many 'huddled masses' was because they needed pioneers, explorers, people to work in industry, people to fight the southern states etc etc. Now the general feeling is one of 'America is full'. The huddled masses are internal now instead of external.

As for UAE etc. taking refugees in, they're already got enough asian subcontinent workers on indentured servitude to build their ivory towers. Otherwise I'm sure they'd take them, free labourers is free labourers after all.

[RedRag]

Nothing to worry about here, I need no convincing. This country have my parents and grand parents a new home as they escaped Stalin. I don't think anyone has ever blamed the UK for Stalinism, but help was still offered.

Mind you the meeting in which the Social Democrats split into the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks suits take place in London...

Good for you and for our country.   

There are always a few apologists even for Stalin or Hitler but not the UK as a whole. 

A real dilemma is when should we accept the likes of Saddam and Assad (and others) and what responsibilities are there for the consequences, often unintended, of interference.

[Reg Smeeton]

Eh? No I wouldn't. I'd be a bit confused they chose my village but I wouldnt be against it. Where are you getting the idea that I am a massive nimby from? Huge logical jumps you're making here from me simply saying I was impressed at the German people's reaction.

The problem with America taking any of them is they've done all the exploring and dangerous stuff and they don't have enough of an industrial base any more. Part of the reason they took so many 'huddled masses' was because they needed pioneers, explorers, people to work in industry, people to fight the southern states etc etc. Now the general feeling is one of 'America is full'. The huddled masses are internal now instead of external.

As for UAE etc. taking refugees in, they're already got enough asian subcontinent workers on indentured servitude to build their ivory towers. Otherwise I'm sure they'd take them, free labourers is free labourers after all.

If you want to help in a personal way, then it is entirely possible for you to notify your local council a willingness to accomodate a refugee or family. 

Councils have a legal obligation to find and fund places for refugees pending decisioins on their status....social housing is scarce, with very long waiting lists, so the private sector has to be used.

[Outletred]

Why on earth should America have to do anything? This is a European issue.  America aren't responsible in any way for this problem arising, why should they be expected to ride to the rescue yet again?

What absolute rubbish. America have caused the most instability of all countries when it comes to the Middle East.

Give me one reason WHY this is just a European issue?

[ghanimah]

What absolute rubbish. America have caused the most instability of all countries when it comes to the Middle East.

Give me one reason WHY this is just a European issue?

I think you've missed at least two European countries out regarding Middle East instability.

[Pax Romana]

What absolute rubbish. America have caused the most instability of all countries when it comes to the Middle East.

Give me one reason WHY this is just a European issue?

I thought it was pretty obvious that I was joking. 

Clearly America, Bush Jr in particular, has been a major de-stabling factor in this whole mess with their naïve belief that every country is crying out to instantly become a stable democracy if only America would come in and rid them of the one evil dictator who is spoiling it for the peace-loving remainder of the population.

[inept and tiresome]

Amnesty International recently pointed out, the "six Gulf countries -- Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain -- have offered zero resettlement places to Syrian refugees."

Ohhh very much this.
But if I was an arab I wouldn't want to go to these country's either.
Soft touch Britain sounds much nicer thankyou.

[DRS]

I like the argument that we have our own problems to deal with. Amazed we got any problems in this country with the amount of people who seem to give a fuck all of a sudden

[suttonred]

Ohhh very much this.
But if I was an arab I wouldn't want to go to these country's either.
Soft touch Britain sounds much nicer thankyou.

A fair percentage of Syrians are Christian and others, so it would be frying pan/fire. So I don't doubt some of them have no interest moving to Saudi etc, I sure as hell wouldn't.

[Reg Smeeton]

I like the argument that we have our own problems to deal with. Amazed we got any problems in this country with the amount of people who seem to give a fuck all of a sudden

I noticed last night and today around OT, that the homeless blokes seem a bit more chipper than usual. The fella with his homeless and hungry (or was it Hungary) sign doing very well  at the Sausage and Ale Trail.

[DarloSTFC84]

This has been a brilliant read, thanks to all who have contributed to it.

Seriously, Jaygay? Come on.. that's just silly.

[Levi lapper]

I find it hard to understand why people are so opposed to allow refugees fleeing for their lives into our country. The same people who,love all the positive things about our multi-cultural country.

I'm surprised thus far that no one has suggested that Poland take in a few hundred thousand refugees, last time I heard they were concerned about the fact so many young people had left......

[lambourn red]

Most of these refugees/economic migrants will want to ultimately find there way to the UK. This is not down to the fact they think we are soft touch or want our benefits but the simple fact that most will have English as there second language which makes us the most attractive option, we are a victim of our own language's success.

[Chrystovski]

Jay is entitled to make his banner but I personally think it would be more appropriate for him to stand outside the house of commons with it rather than a football match.

Football is a spectator sport, not a place to voice political opinions, don't mix the two.