Sunday 23 March 2014

Sunday Sanity

From today's parish newsletter.





































How refreshing it is to drink from the cup of sanity most Sundays.

I'm not referring to the communion wine, but to a dialogue about asylum seekers not driven by fear and hate.

Take a look at the relevant page from today's parish newsletter.

The top segment refers to an appeal launched a few week's ago to help a number of recently arrived asylum seekers - arrived in Toowoomba, that is. The result was a flood of offers of time and kind. This is a generous community.

There is also a march and picnic on Palm Sunday organized by TRAMS (Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support) from the cathedral to the gardens.

There are weekly Friday prayers and reflections at the Social Justice Commission as part of the National Lament for Asylum Seekers.

A petition was circulating at mass today requesting the federal government to end inhumane treatment of asylum seekers. As far as I could see, the whole congregation signed it.

A small dose of reality.


























The image above (which appeared on the parish newsletter) provides pictorial evidence of the significance of boat arrivals in the Australian context. It is clear that we don't have a "problem" that warrants the hysteria promoted in the mainstream media. Recent publicity about the extent of passport forgery as used by unauthorized arrivals by air, also puts the issue in clearer perspective.

Sunday mass has become an oasis of sanity in a desert of hysteria.








8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What are the figures for successful refugee claims per capita for each country depicted?

1735099 said...

Australia is ranked 41st on a per capita basis and 71st relative to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
See - http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2011/01/05/glance-who-takes-most-asylum-claims

Anonymous said...

You missed the words 'successful refugee' before you answered.

1735099 said...

A successful refugee is, I assume, someone who has a claim recognized. This recognition provides the basis of the figures.

Anonymous said...

Your post indicates "claims processed" that would include every claim submitted. How many applicants were found to be refugees? Your assumption may be incorrect. How many of the applicants reaching other destinations arrived by boat, without papers?
On a continental per capita basis Australia is way up the list you purport to be an accurate portrayal of Australian input.

1735099 said...

How many applicants were found to be refugees? Your assumption may be incorrect.
You can check it out for yourself here - http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/statistical-info/visa-grants/refugee.htm

Anonymous said...

Does that link give your comparative "figures" including the other countries in the comparison. And you haven't addressed the continental figures. Australia is a continent and by comparison our acceptance of refugees per capita (those that have to foot the bill) is higher than most.

1735099 said...

Does that link give your comparative "figures" including the other countries in the comparison.
Suggest you get on to the site and find out.
Australia is a continent
The rate of acceptance is a function of population, not geography.

Taken for Granted

Pic courtesy Leader Today Yesterday I went to the state school down the road, and voted in the local government elections, something I'v...