Regarding Mo Farah, SCA is spot on. His background on how and why he came to England is not comparable to the likes of Pietersen or Rusedski. There has been many an article on the influence of his teachers in spotting and nurturing his talent.A number of our current successful athletes grew up in the inner cities (Idowu and Ohuruogu) and there is such a depth of talent around. These kids do look at the like of Farah and want to emulate him. However, will their parents take them to training, buy the proper equipment, support them when they perform? On the whole, no. This is why schools buy in coaches, athletes and performers...to motivate and inspire their pupils.
SCA, I agree that there can be benefits to certain unions; but unfortunately those like the EU are poorly run, and equality is far from apparent. Countries such as England and Germany will always be expected to shoulder disproportionate burdens and responsibilities. At this current time, we are better off out of it and, therefore, looking after our own affairs. But that certainly doesn't mean that research, educational exchanges and training cannot continue to take place. In fact, it could be better without the involvement of heavy handed and costly bureaucracy. I use Curling as an example of where we get excited about certain achievements, but fail to follow it up with investment and opportunity. I am not saying Curling is a realistic pursuit for many youngsters, whereas Athletics could be, but I just try to highlight how futile it is in trying to get this government excited about any sport for the youngsters. Whether it is football, running, tiddly-winks or curling, the politicians are not interested - regardless of how well our sports people perform on the international stage.
IA - now where have I seen this discussion involving you before! What date did we agree the English Independence day should be?
The UK tax-payer foots the bill for many St Patrick's Day celebrations across the country. Ask Ken Livingstone how much he lavished on the Irish during his term as Mayor of London, and he will tell you it was a fortune. Also, how much did he spend on Chinese New Year, Diwali etc, etc...? How much on St Georges Day? Not a penny. Whether we wish to celebrate it or not, the bias is disgusting and shameful.
They are all comparable in essence. Immigration is driven by money - not the will to provide this country with sporting icons. Mo Farah is probably a lovely fella, but he is not English. If he was English, the influence of his victory would be far greater. Not that our appalling government would do anything to invest in budding young athletes. I find it hard to feel proud of England teams which are made up of foreign born players.
Ponders - would it change your opinion of the Farah situation if you knew his father was actually born in England and grew up in Hounslow?
Immigration can also be driven by the need for you and your family to be safe. At ten years of age I don't think Mo Farah had much say in his coming to the UK. I have pride in his performance because his talent was spotted here and he has been trained, supported and encouraged by English people throughout his youth and subsequent career. I also think that any aspiring English athlete would be inspired by him and would have little regard as to where he was born. I agree about this government and it's investment in youth sport. Cameron's 'big society' has been in evidence for years with people training our youngsters in sport for little or no money for decades. Ironically, this is the funding that is then stopped. Just for the record give me Farah over Rusedski any day of the week.
Why does a Somali immigrant pass through so many countries to get to England? Why does a Roma gypsy travel through Europe to get to England? Why does any immigrant come to England? For the money, that is why. There is no other reason for it. SCA, I know that Mo Farah's father was born in England. He is still a Somalian. If I was born in Somalia, for whatever reason, I would be English. It is a state-of-mind to be English. Do you truly believe that Mo Farah and his Somali family really care about England and its traditional values? How many immigrants really give a damn about what our soldiers went through during the wars to keep us free and democratic? They care about themselves, their money and do not care whose lives they ruin in the process. Please believe me, I know what it is like to live in a hugely over-populated Somali community.
Tomorrow RE: George's Day under Livingstone... bitey bite bite http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/culture/st-georges-day/slideshow/index.jsp?slide=1 There was a lot of stuff happening around here for the day, both this year and last, and plenty folk in the pubs too. Not sure why some people get the impression that celebration of the day is banned, but then I suppose people don't go wandering into the centre of London (where events would be taking place) in the same way as people go into the centre of Nottingham or Derby or the other smaller cities.
Ponders- your last posts rests on a lot of assumptions and tarring farah with a brush. I have a dear friend who was born in Somalia, yet ge loves England. Is he English or Somalian? And despite his dad being born in the UK, he is still Somalian?
I don't know if Mo Farah cares about England and it's traditional values or what our soldiers went through. He may well do. There are a hell of a lot of British born white people who don't give a damn about it. There are a lot of people who represent our country in an awful way, home and abroad. Who would you rather share a beer or two with, Mo Farah or Lee Bowyer?
Assumptions, generalisations and discriminations cannot always be avoided when arguing about race, immigration and countless other subjects. Only the most perfect of humans could exist without doing so. If we were privy to the records of membership for the English Heritage or the National Trust, what percentage of members would be of an ethnic background? Is it right for corners of London to be Somali-only? Like Angel Edmonton, for example. These areas are filthy and a disgrace to their previous Edwardian glory. Or am I wrong to question such matters? Should I suffer the degradation and demise in silence? Should I stick my head in the clouds and ignore it through fear of assuming or generalising? It is such behaviour which has allowed this once proud country to sink into the mire.
I didn't say go to the pub...just share a beer with. iA figure of speech meaning spend time with. And I do have Somalian colleagues who I have a drink with on a Friday night...in the local pub no less.
Completely agree with all your comments so far Ponders - Sadly this country is a sucker for immigration... WHY?? So the politicans will get more votes to keep their greedy arses in office!! Why should we rejoice when Scotland / Wales or Northern Ireland do well because they're part of our flag (Do you think the majority enjoy it if we win the World Cup again... NO they'll hate it) Before people start going on about we're all linked under the Union Jack do you think its the same for Eastern European countries with the Russian flag. Its passed History for England and at the time Russia being able to rub people's faces in it for being the "dominate" country. On another note Ponders have you read Bernard Cornwell's Alfred Saga next one is coming out at the end of the month if you've not read them is a great story on how England united Wessex / East Anglia / Mercia and Northumberland
Despite your opening sentences on your thread to the contrary, Ponders, this discussion is now one of race, immigration etc. Isn't this how the riots thread went? Anyway, for that reason, I'm out.
A4L, I love Cornwell's Alfred saga and cannot wait to see if Uthred reclaims his birthright. I have an advance order in with Waterstones! People in this country just swallow what is served up to them. The leftist media brainwash people into thinking that we should all love diversity and multi-culturalism. Anything less is brutal racism to them. Those that fill this country with immigrants should be tried for treason. SirJohn - I don't go into pubs so wouldn't really know who frequents them. But we must be talking about a fraction of the ethnic population, surely?
