I think the idea behind the apology is that it acknowledges that crimes were committed. People were unjustly screwed (and killed, etc.). And just because it happened in the past doesn't mean that it isn't still affecting the present. In fact, the nature of cause and effect kind of mandates that it does.

I think it's a good sign for the human race when conquerors get around to apologizing to the conquered. I think it shows that people are getting sick of conquering each other. We know that conquering is wrong. We're over the conquering.

The idea of people apologizing for what they haven't done, besides being absurd, carries with it all kinds of potential mischief. One may regret bad things that happened in the past in one's country, but one owes an apology ONLY for what one has done.

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Blade: "more educated and literate people than Justabubba"

Justabubba: "that would include everyone"

http://politicalforum.com/showthread.php?t=27847

Sure, but why do the Ab's think they're entitled to my tax dollars?

What colour are you?

Why does that matter? Can't you answer a simple question?

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We've got rules and maps and guns in our backs, but we still can't just behave ourselves. Even if to save our own lives, we are a brutal kind. The Shins

He can't Chesby. It's not in him to answer your question because it would force him to relinquish his stance with his own agenda.

That, plus the fact that he got himself banned makes it even harder for him.

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"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)

Oh dear! Thanks for the heads up then

You know, it's funny - all the people here who bang on about the compensation issue on this subject (which I might add, was ruled out by the government before the apology was made - mistakenly, I believe, but there you have it) can never, ever answer any question put to them about how compensation would affect their lives and why they are are against compensation for the Stolen Generations but seem to have no problems with any other compensation lawsuits no matter how frivolous.

It's endemic in this country how people automatically begrudge our Aboriginal people just about anything that might benefit them, and then condemn them in the same sentence for never wanting to `better themselves'. Astonishing.

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We've got rules and maps and guns in our backs, but we still can't just behave ourselves. Even if to save our own lives, we are a brutal kind. The Shins

Same thing happened in Canada. We apologized and compensated about a year ago for the decades the government forcible relocated aboriginals, i think in the early 20th century, into catholic schools where they were often abused.

Canada also apologized to the Chinese last year as well, because a century ago they basically built the trans-Canada railroad allowing us to settle the west. But after it was finished, we forced them to pay a head tax to stay in the country, like 500 dollars which was a huge amount in 1903. So they just ended up having to go back to China, many of them. It was really bad because other ethnic groups didn't have to pay anything.

In 1988 We also apologized to the Japanese who were put in camps during WW2. Don't know if there was compensation, many of them had their property taken away in WW2 that was probably settled a while back though.

But anyways, I don't see why anyone would be against apologizing. It doesn't change the past, but if it provides recognition for the hardships these people had to endure, and brings attention to the issue, then its definitely worth it. Compensation is fine, as long as its a one time payment type thing or one time property transfer, not the nonsense that goes on where aboriginals can make land claims for the rest of eternity and get constant tax breaks that amounts to nothing more than reverse discrimination.

It seems like Kevin Rudd is a stand up guy, unlike many of the people on this forum.

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"Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives." — John Stuart Mill

Did you apologize to the dogs for chaining them to sleds, and the maple trees for sucking syrup out of them?

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Blade: "more educated and literate people than Justabubba"

Justabubba: "that would include everyone"

http://politicalforum.com/showthread.php?t=27847

He sure is. Today he announced that all politicians will undergo a pay freeze (i.e. no pay rises this year) in an effort to help stem inflationary pressures, and he urged big business to do the same. Of course, his wife is very independently wealthy as an entrepreneur so, typically, he's being criticised for the decision - but it is supported by the new opposition leader, also (who I think is floundering a bit, honestly, because the new government is just nailing the old one in the biggest way).

I don't know, to be honest, if it's such a great idea BUT it shows that he is trying to lead by example, and actually not being a hypocrite - which for a polly is not something you see all that often.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...013871,00.html

Oh yeah, he also announced legislation to send 50 teachers to outback regions in the next year and promised another 200 in the next four years - not two days after his apology and pledge to raise education standards for indigenous people.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-12332,00.html

A couple of months ago he legislated for $250,000,000 to be channelled into our public health system to help with the waiting list crisis, and earlier this week a bill was passed in the Senate to abolish some of the dreadful industrial relations laws introduced by the last government - to the huge detriment of many working-class Australians.

In fact, in the three months he's been Prime Minister he has either started work on, put into action or legislated every, single thing he promised to do in the election campaign. It's really weird to have a leader who actually seems to be honest and is doing what he said he was going to do. And very inspiring. He's a bit of a legend, really

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We've got rules and maps and guns in our backs, but we still can't just behave ourselves. Even if to save our own lives, we are a brutal kind. The Shins