They're not refugees, we're being invaded

[goonthenflameme]

I admit, the Syrians have got it bad. There is a war and those boys who haven't been shot by ISIL are being conscripted by the President.

But if life is that bad, why do they only want to go to Germany and if they can't go then then they'll go back to Syria.

Why are we now seeing people from Kazakstan joining the throngs?

I agree that people from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria need help. But the thougsands and thousands of people coming through can't all be refugees in dire need of help if they are so picky as to where they will live.

They're invading Europe. And we are letting them. What's going to happen in 20 years? Will Christianity and western ways be swept under the carpet?

I assume she was well intentioned, but she looks fairly naive

how can a person in her position be that naive, she has advisers, wont this have been weighed up, thought through etc etc

That tone of that supposedly "reassuring" video reminded me of old recordings of govt propaganda in the war. I thought it was a spoof at first.
counter argument debunking the video

Did somebody actually say there will be a civil war in Syria?!
Good grief.

I didn't think the video was reassuring at all. There are over 4 million refugees in camps, in dire conditions, of which a large percentage is likely to be heading out to Europe. The war is likely to continue and they may not be able to return to their homes for years.
What is reassuring about that?

I'm scared as well, BlueJug. But not about the effects of marauding hordes on European societies - it's more accurate to say I'm scared of domino effects caused by European uselessness in the face of a totally predictable humanitarian disaster.

The video may not have a substantiated fact but we would be here all day if it did. It puts one view of the crisis in a simple way. It is opinion only and carries no more weight than any other opinion post on here. It is clear though and explains some of the progression of events. I didn't say I agreed with it - but I do think it does a job.

Just heard that there is a fire at Morden Mosque - am hoping that it was an accident.

Garrick - agree. Europe is looking a little bit fragile at the moment.

But I admit I am also scared of the impact a lot of young, single men with nothing to lose will have when housed in places that do not really have the infrastructure or resources to cater for them.

The assertion that migrant groups conform to the host culture's norms re family size is nonsense. British Pakistanis have an average of 4.7 children despite having been in the UK for over 50 years. Recent polls of British Muslims revealed some very scary stats about the substantial numbers who wanted sharia law, or who believed those who insulted Mohammed should be punished. Three quarters of British Muslim women are unemployed and half of Muslim men. I can substantiate these assertions because they're facts. It's insulting to be fobbed off with emotive nonsense and emotional blackmail. I'd like to know who made the video, what are their credentials, sources etc. I wish more people would do that more of the time.

Fair enough Bluejug but it has an air of faux-authority about it. It sounds like a government health warning.

I have a friend who married a man from Albania so he could obtain residency. He promptly smuggled in various brothers with their wives - God knows how. All of the men live low level criminal lives from trying to palm speeding tickets onto my friend to various other bits and pieces. After a time he left my friend and divorced her so he could marry a " proper" wife ie from Albania which he has done and they live in the uk

As far as I can see there isn't one shred of desire to integrate or be any way pleased or proud to live here outside of what they have to gain from living in the UK. Oh yes and while married to my friend he displayed all the traits of I'm the man so do what I say etc etc a total mysoginist.

Of course my friends story isn't going to represent every person coming to Europe but it's what comes to my mind when I see lots of angry middle eastern men pushing and shoving to get to where they want to be. I think you have good reason to be concerned OP

so what I married a man from Poland so he could obtain residency.
He then brought about another five people in.
I don't give a toss tbh.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced & desperate, traumatised people will be inadequately helped by hundreds of millions with the means to support them, who knew this was coming and made no preparation.

The traumatised folks will then be blamed for their deteriorating circumstances and increasingly desperate actions.

I think you are right Garrick

Also to point out that Albania is in Europe.
There are criminal and abusive types in pretty much every country. I suppose your friend didn't do much research into what she was getting into?

Lisbeth if you really did marry someone solely so they could obtain residency then what you did was criminal and you are the reason that people with genuine marriages to foreigners have to jump through hoops to get them permission to live here.

Garrick you are right - but the OP's original point, (whilst pretty badly made), alluded to the fact that many of the people in this group of hundreds of thousands are actually not displaced persons but are young men with strength, contacts and money. Some have jobs in their home country, (which in many cases seems to be Pakistan), and homes. They are coming because they know they'll get what they want - and if they don't they can always go back.

Part of the reason Europe was not prepared is because of this fear of being branded a racist if any attempt was made to discuss any potential difficulties. What resulted was stalling.

Germany in particular still feeling vestiges of WW2 guilt, was terrified of being seen to be anti-Muslim. Countries with significant Muslim immigrant populations were also nervous of igniting racial tension either way. Hence the inaction.

did I say 'solely'?
no. He was the father of my children.
Mind you we had a fab party the day my mate married a Turk for five grand. Now THAT was a laugh

Lisbeth if you married him to get him entry here when ordinarily you would not, then that is solely.
I don't see it as funny that your friend married someone in exchange for money, as my sil is one of those people having to jump through hoops to remain here. Her marriage is a genuine love match.

Your friend is a criminal and should be in prison for fraud.

It's people like you and your friend who make it so much harder for genuine refugees. I'm surprised you can't see that.

yes but beaucoup I was pregnant and we wanted to be together. So we got married. Kind of normal surely?
As for my friend, well that was years ago, hell it would be a whole lot more than five grand these days!

and neither of them were 'refugees' so not sure how what we did would make it harder for 'refugees'.

terrified of being seen to be anti-Muslim

Quite rightly, too. I'm more than a little tired of 'Muslim' being conflated with terrorist, religious nutcase, sex slaver, and so on. Do any of my fellow ancient posters remember exactly the same thing happening with Irish immigrants? It was most pronounced in London, but countrywide.

Sure, Irish people were planting terrorist bombs in our cities and, in some cases, treating English women very badly. Irish people were actively trafficking drugs and arms, like terrorists all over the world. But the exaggerated fear of anyone with an Irish accent was nothing better than prejudice. Like this.

Because when horrible racists say things like "they are all illegals just coming for the money and benefits" stories like that of your friend tend to give the racists the evidence they need to back up their comments. A genuine refugee then has to fight even harder to get their case accepted.

where did benefits come into it?

Lisbeth, marrying someone you love and are having a baby with is of course normal but that's not what you said. You said you married him to get him residency. Given your relationship was genuine then few people would object to him being here. As for your friend, her actions make it so that people with a genuine reason to stay are treated like potential criminals and have to jump through hoops to prove their need is real because other people lie and abuse the system. The state, when investigating has to differentiate between real claims and bogus ones, the default position being to assume everyone is out to cheat the system until they've jumped through hoops to establish otherwise. It's really stressful and leaves people living in limbo for months or years.

I suppose you are right.

Back in those days, they do say that approx 50 to 60 per cent of marriages at that particular registry office were sham