My House, My Rules
link Voters ban judges from using international law | NewsOK.com.
On the surface of it, this seems like a no big deal measure. Until you look at the groups that oppose it. The craze to be inclusive has ironically transmogrified into the craze to become exclusive and divisive. The debate about multiculturalism and plurality of beliefs has been hijacked by those who employ relativism as a tool to paint those opposed as intolerant.
As such, there is very little two sided debate on this very provocative issue. Very few public figures will dare to put forth the notion that some belief systems are in fact quite flawed and not deserving of equal consideration in mainstream society, at least in western society.
If I really want to have dinner at my friend Marty’s house, would it be divisive of Marty not to allow me to have my dog sit at the table as is my custom at home? The operative phrase here is ‘really want’. Presumably, when you undertake to uproot yourself from wherever you happen to live in the world and plant yourself in a new host country, you implicitly agree that for whatever reason, that it must be a better life choice. Unless you were frog marched here, learning to adapt to the local customs and mores would be logical.
In the case of my pal Marty, if he had strong desire to eat at my house, I should think that he would expect to sit next to Rover and say ” pass the Alpo”.
Nations should consider implementing policies like most airlines do now. Do a thorough frisk and then allow very little baggage. If you are going to reinvent your life somewhere else, then enjoy the benefits, but which neccessarily includes observing local laws and customs. At the acceptance speech of newly minted Florida Senator Marco Rubio last night, he made a comment that should resound with anyone who wishes to make a life in the U.S., but which also applies to a shrinking handful of western countries.
The message is that in most countries of the world, the fate of a person is decided even before they are born. Only in the U.S. can you rise above whatever circumstances you came from to attain pretty much whatever you want to achieve. That should be the beacon for all who come. Leave the old baggage behind.
For a thoughtful discussion on integration and immigration, see here: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/250338/change-don-t-celebrate-cultures-thomas-sowell