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Makedde · #24 (**permalink**) 04-30-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

Wow - whole DOZENS of them?? What, do you know, is the entire indigineous population in Australia? I'll tell you. It's 455,000 or thereabouts. So even if 10-dozen have `put their hands out', that is 0.0002% of the indiginous population in Australia. Jeesh - do you think we can handle it?

Obviously I am aware that those asking for compensation are, so far, very few. However, that could change. If one person manages to receive compensation, this will pave the way for the rest of them. I just believe the Government should have covered their arse before making the apology.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

And how do you know it's `always' been about money? I don't believe I have seen one, single indiginous person in any form of media talk about money with relation to this issue. The only people I have heard talk about it are white lawyers and advocates. It seems to me that the very vast majority of Aboriginals have been gracious and accepted the apology.

The majority have, which is obviously proven by the number requesting compensation. Those who have requested compensation, I do not agree with.
Not everyone supported the apology, you know, and I was one of them. I never thought we should have to apologise for something a past Government did. Our current Government was not responsible for the 'Stolen Generation', and I don't feel the Government had the right to make an apology on behalf of all Australians - not when so many were against the apology in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

Do you have a link where I can see who has `immediately put their hands out and demanded compensation'? I haven't heard anything yet about any class action or compensation claims.

I only know what I have read, or heard on the news. Perhaps nothing will eventuate? Who knows.
I do clearly remember the Aboriginal man who went to court to claim the interest on the money he was award years earlier. That infuriated me, simply because he received compensation, blew the money, then went back for more.
Of course, he is only one person. I hope other Aboriginals will not attempy the same course of action as he did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

And regardless, I think that in some instances compensation absolutely should be paid. Why should someone who slips over in Target because they weren't watching where they were going get a massive payout? Or people who knowingly smoke and then get sick and die, be able to successfully sue tobacco companies? Or someone who eats too much McDonalds then be able to sue them for compensation? Nobody seems to have an issue with that.

I certainly have an issue with things like this. I think everyone, except the plantiff does, and the lawyers.

Members of the 'Stolen Generation' were removed from their families by force, correct? So are children today. I have heard a few stories - this was after the apology - about Aborignal women who were actually grateful about being removed from their parents, because to stay would mean they likely wouldn't be here today.
I don't believe every child 'stolen' was simply taken because of their skin color. I firmly believe that many were taken simply because they were not receiving adequete care, ie: clothes, food, wellbeing etc. It would hardly be wrong to remove those children, would it? This is something we do everyday, and with good reason.

Being someone who doubts the existance of the 'Stolen Generation' - and I am not the only one - I do not believe that all these children were taken for the reasons that have been stated.

Can it be proven that these children were removed because of skin color? Can it be proven that some children were removed simply because they were not receiving adequete care?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

But a genuine claim for compensation by people who absolutely deserve some is scoffed at? The kind of utter selfishness, gullibility and hypocrisy of people who see such a wonderful event in our history as that apology as a bid for an undeserved payout never ceases to blow me away.

You are entitled to your opinion, as I am entitled to mine. You and I just see the issue differently, is all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

Yes we do. We have very accurate information on who is part of the stolen generations. And again, how do you know that `every Aboriginal' is claiming to be a victim? Are they? Do you know them all? I haven't heard that anywhere. Do you have a link?

Maybe we do have accurate information, maybe we don't. Whatever the case, I don't support, and would not support, a bid for compensation. That is simply my personal opinion, and it wasn't my opinion to begin with. I was once of the thought that an apology was a wonderful idea. I changed my mind, though, as people do.

I won't say I will not change my mind again, having already changed it. I'll keep an open mind, but for now, I know my feelings on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

It must be very easy to be so condescending and dismissive, when you are coming from a position of it never having happened to you.

True, but as I said, I doubt the existance of a 'Stolen Generation'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesby05

Your views on this issue are ridiculously narrow and misinformed. Been watching a lot of Today Tonight, have we?

Much better than a Current Affair, wouldn't you agree?