Why does the name Herouxville, Que. Mean absolutely nothing to you? Because it is not quite famous yet. Why should it become famous, you ask? Because they are showing some backbone.
The people of Herouxville, Que., say they welcome immigrants to their small town, but there are a few things they want to make clear. A code of standards sent to the federal and provincial governments last week by Herouxville's municipal council has put the town of 1,300 inhabitants at the centre of Quebec's increasingly divisive debate over integrating minorities. It is a shame not more of us are following their example. The code of standards basically tells immigrants to check their old ways at the door.
In years past, this has not posed a problem. European immigrants came to this country, and while they held on to their heritage, they assimilated with Canadians and joined them to make a strong, proud country. They knew that in their own little world they could still eat familiar foods, speak their native language and worship in their own religion. But when push came to shove, and things needed to be done, either to survive or build for the greater good, all those things fell by the wayside and everyone worked together as one to accomplish a task. When the whistle blew at the end of the day, they could all go to their own homes and pick up where they left off that morning. It was a good system that everyone respected and it didn't cause any problems. Well, times have changed and apparently the good citizens of Herouxville are not that crazy about the changes.
Some of the items on their code of standards include:
- It is forbidden to stone women, burn them alive, throw acid on them or circumcise girls. - Consumption of alcohol is common in Herouxville, as is dancing. "At the end of every year, we decorate a tree with balls and tinsel and some lights. This is normally called 'Christmas decorations' or also 'Christmas tree.' " - Boys and girls swim together in public pools. - Veils are not welcome. "The only time you may mask or cover your face is during Halloween."
Pretty straight forward. If you are offended by these rules, move elsewhere. Graeme Hamilton writes, "Andre Drouin, a town councillor, said the town's Web site had received more than 2,000 e-mails since its initiative became known on Saturday. "I would say 99% are positive," he said. A man named Serge from Terrebonne was just one example: "At last, someone is standing up instead of prostrating themselves like certain ministers, judges, executives and companies," he wrote. Quebec media have been full of stories suggesting public officials are going too far to accommodate religious practices. These included a Montreal YMCA that agreed to tint its windows to ensure students at a Hasidic boys' school would not be distracted by exercising women, and guidelines to Montreal police officers suggesting female officers should leave it to their male colleagues to interview Hasidic men. Mr. Hamilton goes on to say, "Mario Dumont, leader of the opposition Action democratique du Quebec, called this month for a Quebec constitution to enshrine the province's Christian-based values, which he said are under attack by the forces of political correctness."
How refreshing it is to read something like that. We have become so PC that anyone but a liberal chokes on it. Mr. Drouin is quoted as saying, "We have to ensure that people who settle here are happy. If someone comes here and says, 'I want a swimming pool where my daughter can swim, but she can't swim with little boys,' we have a real problem. We are not racists. We invite people from all nationalities, all languages, all sexual orientations, whatever, to come live with us, but we want them to know ahead of time how we live."
The unfortunate thing is that most immigrants already know how we live. They just feel they are a bit more equal than the rest of us and demand we accommodate them, lest they play the bigot card. The liberals are more than willing to do this. It's time the pendulum swung back.
A while ago I wrote about a pedophile priest who was finally convicted of molesting some 47 girls in 5 parishes over the period of 30 years. The man was 84 when he was sentenced. I'm pleased to report that Charles Sylvestre died last Monday night, after serving just a few months in prison.
I also wrote about the 55 year old millwright who, while driving drunk, killed a deaf senior and laid the blame on everyone but himself. He was sentenced to three years in prison and will also be prohibited from driving for 10 years once he has served his prison time. Daniel Rouleau's penitentiary term started immediately after Justice Nancy Mossip handed down her sentence. The only thing wrong with all this is that Rouleau had been sentanced to 7 to 10 years and got credit for time spent in jail awaiting trial. I still think that time shouldn't count.
I received this in my e-mail this morning from a friend. I have no idea who originally put it together, but I offer it in its entirety for your viewing pleasure.
If only we had this philosophy in both the United States and in Canada, enough is enough
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he said on National Television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia : one the Australian law , this is true , and another Islamic law that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option", Costello said. Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who don't want, to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off", he said. Separately,Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians." "However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia ." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here,need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society,our own language and our own lifestyle." "This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles,trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom" "We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese , Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society .. Learn the language!" (English)"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing,political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If our God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture." "We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us." "If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others. "This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'." "If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted." Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American and Canadian citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths!
Zach Larkins
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