[bigboab5]

Hi there Guys,

Up until very recently, I lived in a tower block that was being used to house Asylum seekers. Not long before I left (and I left cos the council decided to rehouse me and not for any other reason!) scots were definately in a minority in the block. When I entered the lift, often I would be the only scot in it. There were folks from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan and so on. Now then, I have nothing against the asylum seekers or their various races, I spoke to many and had dinner with a lovely lady from Sudan, who made myself and my American wife a delightful meal. It was difficult to understand her, but we managed. It was very interesting to hear her side of the story.

It is common practise for the refugees to cut up their passports upon arrival, therefore making them stateless. Stateless people cannot be deported back to their homeland as they have none, it therefore muddies the water and prolongs their stay in this country, while the authorities investigate. Everything is paid for them, and i mean everything!!! They are not allowed to work for payement, but they must help in a place of work for free!!! They take language classes.

When I lived there, it was and still is a very deprived area. It was before the refugees arrived and it will be long after the refugees leave. The local people were understandably upset that the refugees got their houses fully refurbished and furnished before they arrived, when they were in damp ridden accomodation, But up until then these same houses were left unlet despite a housing shortage in the area. They also get all of their bills paid.

On the other hand, many of these people were/are highly educated people. Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers etc etc..... Just because they can't speak English doesn't make them idiots. To me it would seem prudent to use these people. Put them to work, for the going rate. Why not???

It is funny what people think of the UK. The refugees think of this as some kind of Shangri La, a place of opportunity and so on. As for my American wife, and most of her American friends in the UK. It is NO Shangri La, the opposite in fact. If it wasn't for me, (And for the other guys partners) she would not have stayed more than a month!!!! While we complain about the weather, jobs security money etc etc etc. And so it goes on.

In closing this, I can understand why the lady from Perth was upset, what triggered it I do not know, BUT, I do not condone it!!! never. It is not right. There is no right/wrong way to deal with the asylum situation, it is happening and it will continue to happen for the forseeable future, it Doesn't matter what the authorities do, someone will disagree.

I await the flack!!!!

Bigboab5