Is Alberta turning into a total social cesspool?

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Frankly? I think both do it.

If you try too hard to assimilate people into one culture, they tend to either not come at all, or, they build their own cultural islands and ghettos.

If you don't try at all and have a multicultural free-for-all, then you have people craving some sort of societal involvement, so they build their own cultural islands and ghettos. Or, they try to change the existing framework to suit them, which offends other groups, once again leading to cultural islands.

damned if you do....damned if you don't?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'm a little concerned about the attitude by some around here that bongo-playing "hippies" all leech off society and Albertan tax dollars. That's a pretty big generalization. Just because someone is playing music in a park when other people work doesn't make them a leech.

There are other methods of employment in this world than 9-5 paper pushing.

Like working at a Farmer's Market?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

I am not sure i agree that melting pot and xenophobic should go hand in hand.

Sure they do, especially compared to a multicultural mosiac model, since both systems are more exclusive and restrictive. One says, join and become one of us, but don't try to change us. The other is a simply a more militant version, saying you are a guest in our country. You're not one of us and we don't care about your differences.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'm a little concerned about the attitude by some around here that bongo-playing "hippies" all leech off society and Albertan tax dollars. That's a pretty big generalization. Just because someone is playing music in a park when other people work doesn't make them a leech.

There are other methods of employment in this world than 9-5 paper pushing.

Pimp, drug dealer,hired goon.......lost shopping cart collector

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by peter12

Like working at a Farmer's Market?

Exactly. Or working at coffee shops, or selling art, or writing, or making films.

Glad you agree Peter!

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Sure they do, especially compared to a multicultural mosiac model, since both systems are more exclusive and restrictive. One says, join and become one of us, but don't try to change us. The other is a simply a more militant version, saying you are a guest in our country. You're not one of us and we don't care about your differences.

maybe........

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Exactly. Or working at coffee shops, or selling art, or writing, or making films.

Glad you agree Peter!

Those last 3 have a lot of merit, depending on what sort of art we are talking about. The kind of art that hippies produce has no merit.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

damned if you do....damned if you don't?

Not exactly... I think immigration, national identity and multiculturalism are very difficult to balance. So far, most countries use a hatchet instead of a scalpel. Somehow a way needs to be found where there is tolerance, but understanding that new entrants are moving to a new country... and that country should not have to change to suit them. Canada is an interesting case since it is founded on two dominant European cultures, and has tried to exorcise as much of both as possible. Frankly, I'm surprised the monarchy has lasted this long.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by peter12

Those last 3 have a lot of merit, depending on what sort of art we are talking about. The kind of art that hippies produce has no merit.

I love how you're stereotyping people in a thread like this. It's gold.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'm a little concerned about the attitude by some around here that bongo-playing "hippies" all leech off society and Albertan tax dollars. That's a pretty big generalization. Just because someone is playing music in a park when other people work doesn't make them a leech.

There are other methods of employment in this world than 9-5 paper pushing.

I think the 'bongo playing hippie' methphor really went a little crazy in this thread and I only really used it because it became a symbol in this thread for the anti-working crowd.

My point was that I don't really care what floats peoples boats and how much time they spend doing whatever, just so long as we don't have an abundance of people with able bodies and minds with their hands out because of their chosen lifestyles. Whether it's bongo players in the park, or any number of things.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I love how you're stereotyping people in a thread like this. It's gold.

But fun. Especially when it's stereotypes about people that don't matter. ie. hippies and their new incarnations, hipsters.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by peter12

But fun. Especially when it's stereotypes about people that don't matter. ie. hippies and their new incarnations, hipsters.

easy don't pick on Kramer!

[Ozy_Flame]

Cowboy, I understand the metaphor too. I just hate to marginalize a group of people because pre-conceived notions about their work ethic get in the way of otherwise productive members of society. Maybe they don't tend to venture towards corporate oil and gas like Albertans do, but they still contribute.

Unemployment in Quebec is sitting at just over 7%; that's about twice what it is in Alberta. However, comparing any province to Alberta is not a fair comparison in my opinion, as we are an exception to the rule when it comes to the Canadian economy.

And unemployment, for the most part, exists because people can't find work. Not because they don't want to work.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Cowboy, I understand the metaphor too. I just hate to marginalize a group of people because pre-conceived notions about their work ethic get in the way of otherwise productive members of society. Maybe they don't tend to venture towards corporate oil and gas like Albertans do, but they still contribute.

Unemployment in Quebec is sitting at just over 7%; that's about twice what it is in Alberta. However, comparing any province to Alberta is not a fair comparison in my opinion, as we are an exception to the rule when it comes to the Canadian economy.

And unemployment, for the most part, exists because people can't find work. Not because they don't want to work.

Since when was anyone getting down on people that have had a bad turn of luck? We are getting down on hippies. I, too, feel some sympathy for the unwilling unemployed.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Some people actually do choose not to work.....I have (at times in my life) chosen not too work......it happens, work get's in the way of you addiction of choice.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

Some people actually do choose not to work.....I have (at times in my life) chosen not too work......it happens, work get's in the way of you addiction of choice.

Haha true.

I wonder then, what people think of non-employed oil wives of Calgary who, rather than fill the time with bongo-playing in the parks spend their time comparing fake breast sizes at the glencoe club over a double-double low-fat latte.

There's my generalization

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Haha true.

I wonder then, what people think of non-employed oil wives who, rather than fill the time with bongo-playing in the parks spend their time comparing fake breast sizes at the glencoe club over a double-double low-fat latte.

I approve of all things that involve fake breasts!

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Haha true.

I wonder then, what people think of non-employed oil wives who, rather than fill the time with bongo-playing in the parks spend their time comparing fake breast sizes at the glencoe club over a double-double low-fat latte.

Pretty much the same low opinion. Stop generalizing me for not liking hippies!

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by ok, ok,....I get it

easy don't pick on Kramer!

Isn't Kramer a "hipster dufus"?

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Isn't Kramer a "hipster dufus"?

One man's opinion.....