tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post117339295698994495..comments2024-03-27T18:24:19.683-07:00Comments on Steve Sailer: iSteve: A question for my Finnish readersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-72256493592159867112007-06-18T20:05:00.000-07:002007-06-18T20:05:00.000-07:00Finns are coming to the SF Bay ARea on tourist vis...Finns are coming to the SF Bay ARea on tourist visas and finangling work permits, green cards and so on. The women try to marry (usually works, until the divorce, but then they've got the greencard by then). The men try to convince someone that they're specialists in sauna-building or another odd skill, then once they're in, they work as taxidrivers, limodrivers, in construction, etc. etc. So if there are Finns trying to get out of Finland, where the standard of living is high, then something must be wrong there. The women in particular seem to have a collective longing for decent (i.e. sober and expressive) men, which they think to find abroad; and the Finnish men long for freedom from government control and taxes. <BR/><BR/>In both genders these longings of youth are so intense that inevitably foreign countries are reached with saved-up markki/Euros. Then the realities of foreign men and "too-free" governments begin to penetrate: they're not used to that much emotion, openness in both private and public living, and they're not used to that much personal decision-making and multi-kulti chaos - e.g. many different cuisines, odd eating hours, no one educational structure for the kids, no subsidies, no security.<BR/><BR/>So back they go to Finland and settle into middle age, then old age, and curse the weakness of their youthful plunge abroad.<BR/><BR/>I love Finland but still, on my visit there last year, I realized that I could never live there. It was not just the freezing weather, it was the gloom in the Finnish soul that got to me, the silence, the closed faces and society. I was treated well, as I had been in the 1980's, but it was just too much. Coming from California, I couldn't take the emotional and physical coldness. The language had me flummoxed, as usual, and it really bugged me this time to be excluded from conversations (not unkindly, but inevitably).<BR/><BR/>I learned that the Finns hate the Russians with a passion. Some Finns are beginnign to hate Helsinki because it is full of foreigners, Somalis and Russians. They told me they'd move up to Keskisuomi (middle of the country) if the situation got worse.<BR/><BR/>Finns and Russians are very alike, if they only would admit it!<BR/><BR/>Mary MekkoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173885814812396202007-03-14T09:23:00.000-07:002007-03-14T09:23:00.000-07:00By the way, one can't be "as poor as the poorest M...By the way, one can't be "as poor as the poorest Mexican" and alive, in the rural areas of Russia east of Finland. Without a decent log cottage, a sheepskin and winter boots, you just can't survive the winter. Plus, there's access to clean water and forests. There's a big difference between rural poverty in cold and warm climates.Alex Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922917428608106970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173802786991957402007-03-13T10:19:00.000-07:002007-03-13T10:19:00.000-07:00On the Russian side, it would make sense to ask, W...On the Russian side, it would make sense to ask, Why does (sufficiently) cheap Russian labor seem in short supply in Russia's big cities? Perhaps the pool of Russians willing/able to move to another area of Russia or abroad, to take a job that requires no special skills and pays much better than anything available at home, is much smaller than one would expect.Alex Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922917428608106970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173632881368154742007-03-11T11:08:00.000-07:002007-03-11T11:08:00.000-07:001) How many non-Finns speak Finnish?2) How many no...1) How many non-Finns speak Finnish?<BR/><BR/>2) How many non-native speakers of English speak English?<BR/><BR/>(Britain has one of the worst illegal immigration problems in Europe...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173618131512994212007-03-11T07:02:00.000-07:002007-03-11T07:02:00.000-07:00[quote]For example, how many of you know oscar win...[quote]For example, how many of you know oscar winner Helen Mirren is descended from Russian emigres?[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Next you'll be telling us that the British Royal family is descended from a bunch of Germans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173602721866860052007-03-11T00:45:00.000-08:002007-03-11T00:45:00.000-08:00The above post on Germany probably touches on the ...The above post on Germany probably touches on the core issue - racially Russians are practically indistinguishable from Finns or Germans. Unlike Mexicans they blend very easily into the local populations if they do immigrate. Also Russians are traditinally not a very culturally cohesive people - there was a very large emigration of Russians to the Western Europe and the USA in 1918-20 and again in 1945-46, but they have left little trace. Compared to other ethnic groups (Jews, Italians, Armenians, even Ukrainians) the ethnic Russian emigrant populations have almost completely melted into the host populations. For example, how many of you know oscar winner Helen Mirren is descended from Russian emigres? Or that Natalie Wood was actually Natalia Zakharenko? How many people are aware that Mick Jones of the Clash has a Russian mother? There may well be more Russian immigrants in Finland than anyone knows.<BR/><BR/>It's probably more interesting to take a look at what is happening on the Russian-chinese border. That is a problem for both countries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173566877803051482007-03-10T14:47:00.000-08:002007-03-10T14:47:00.000-08:00Maybe the situation of Russian immigrants in Germa...Maybe the situation of Russian immigrants in Germany is able to throw some light on the alternatives available for Russians willing to immigrate.<BR/><BR/>The population of big cities in Germany consists of <A HREF="http://www.hr-online.de/website/rubriken/nachrichten/index.jsp?rubrik=5710&key=standard_document_3116088" REL="nofollow">13 percent immigrants from Russia</A>. The Russians have adapted very rapidly to their host society and are indistinguishable from the native population except for their slight accent. Russian immigrants at retirement age sometimes have problems to learn the language and to adapt to the new environment. Male adolescents from Russia are known to consume more alcohol than the native population and sometimes to be involved in criminal activities. But mostly, the Russian immigrants are well-educated and hard-working individuals, a real advantage for the country. <BR/><BR/>And it is rather easy for them to get into Germany. To obtain a German passport, they only have to present a document indicating that they are descendants of Germans who immigrated to Russia a few centuries ago. Furthermore, they immediately obtain the right to free health care, free housing and social benefits. Why would Russians want to go through all the trouble to enter illegally Finland when - if necessary - a forged document is all that is is required for starting a new and better life in a big European city with many Russian inhabitants?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173556127305028932007-03-10T11:48:00.000-08:002007-03-10T11:48:00.000-08:00How can you best reform the thoughts of the Finnis...How can you best reform the thoughts of the Finnish people to make them enlightened?<BR/><BR/>"..., Finland will likely need a more pro-immigration mentality. Best practices for successfully changing the public's attitude will probably come from the more experienced and established immigration countries. ..."<BR/><BR/>Arno Tanner of the Finnish Directorate of Immigration,<BR/>http://www.migrationinformation.org/<BR/>Profiles/display.cfm?id=267Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173549430606856202007-03-10T09:57:00.000-08:002007-03-10T09:57:00.000-08:00The reason so many Finns are commenting might be t...The reason so many Finns are commenting might be that we've got parliamentary elections coming up, and discussion about immigration has been rife on the internet. I gave my vote to a immigration-cynical, law & order type.<BR/><BR/>According to government statistic, there are only about 2600 turks in Finland. Taking that into account, they must all work in the kebab industry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173532263985131472007-03-10T05:11:00.000-08:002007-03-10T05:11:00.000-08:00Yesterday we had an university lecture on integrat...Yesterday we had an university lecture on integration (of immigrants). I was taught we are all nomads, and have been through history, so there are not really any immigrants. We are all immigrants. Immigration should be viewed as a positive thing instead of as a problem. You cant stop immigration, even if you wanted to. It would be immoral to try. We should think of all people as "We" and not about us and them. All religions are good, and are really the same.<BR/><BR/>Im just telling you this, since he seemed very insistent in preaching this to us, so it must be important. He was a priest before, but he seems to have found a higher calling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173501512036044842007-03-09T20:38:00.000-08:002007-03-09T20:38:00.000-08:00I have a _lot_ of Finnish readers.Thanks.I have a _lot_ of Finnish readers.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Steve Sailerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920109042402850214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173497353293388872007-03-09T19:29:00.000-08:002007-03-09T19:29:00.000-08:00I can only hope a few countries like Finland and N...<I>I can only hope a few countries like Finland and New Zealand can avoid our fate.</I><BR/><BR/>New Zealand already has a substantial nonwhite population. IIRC it's something like 15%, maybe more.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, New Zealand is possibly the only country outside the United States that has a one-drop rule. Even the slightest degree of Maori ancestry qualifies people for special voting rights.<BR/><BR/>Peter<BR/><A HREF="http://journals.aol.com/r32r38/Ironrailsironweights/" REL="nofollow">Iron Rails & Iron Weights</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173494333953975422007-03-09T18:38:00.000-08:002007-03-09T18:38:00.000-08:00The only reason Mexico's income inequality, and th...The only reason Mexico's income inequality, and thus its poverty rate, is higher that Russia's is because Mexico's Amerindians in Southern Mexico (30% of total Mexican population) are extremely poor. A majority of the people classified as "poor" in Mexican statistics are the Amerindians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173493867398181662007-03-09T18:31:00.000-08:002007-03-09T18:31:00.000-08:00Russia’s 2006 Human Development Index = 0.797 Mexi...Russia’s 2006 Human Development Index = 0.797 <BR/><BR/>Mexico’s 2006 Human Development Index = 0.821 <BR/><BR/>Finland’s 2006 Human Development Index = 0.947 (11th highest)<BR/><BR/>Again, higher is better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173490104494262922007-03-09T17:28:00.000-08:002007-03-09T17:28:00.000-08:00Russia's 2006 Transparency International Corruptio...Russia's 2006 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index = 2.5<BR/><BR/>Mexico's 2006 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index = 3.3<BR/><BR/>Finland's 2006 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index = 9.6 (highest)<BR/><BR/>A higher number is better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173488935738593432007-03-09T17:08:00.000-08:002007-03-09T17:08:00.000-08:00"Perhaps because of greater income inequality, mor..."Perhaps because of greater income inequality, more inefficiency, and more corruption."<BR/><BR/>Russia is pretty fucking corrupt and inefficient. The main difference between Mexico and Russia is that the income inequality in Mexico is greater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173486993220011192007-03-09T16:36:00.000-08:002007-03-09T16:36:00.000-08:00The government of the USA is dominated by people w...The government of the USA is dominated by people who have radically different goals than most of its citizens do. Illegal immigration is helping them achieve their goals. It's even further along in the EU.<BR/><BR/>I can only hope a few countries like Finland and New Zealand can avoid our fate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173485046229295282007-03-09T16:04:00.000-08:002007-03-09T16:04:00.000-08:00I think language could be a factor. Lots of Mexica...I think language could be a factor. Lots of Mexicans must have some vague knowledge of English. They may not actually speak it. (The price of having the language of global cultural hegemony)<BR/><BR/>How many Russians know any Finnish?<BR/><BR/>I was in Finland recently. Whats with all the Turkish run Pizza-Kebab shops?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173483896188321802007-03-09T15:44:00.000-08:002007-03-09T15:44:00.000-08:00"The gap between Finland and Russia on average is ...<I>"The gap between Finland and Russia on average is quite a lot narrower. Of course, Finns earn more, live in better houses, enjoy..."</I><BR/><BR/>This is a good point. GDP doesn't tell the whole story. Non-white Third World countries are not only poor but they really show it. Perhaps because of greater income inequality, more inefficiency, and more corruption.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173483823016684262007-03-09T15:43:00.000-08:002007-03-09T15:43:00.000-08:00"3. Why would anyone want to come to Finland? As m..."3. Why would anyone want to come to Finland? As many have said, the government isn't stupid, it's impossible to get an apartment, the homeless are all eventually arrested, and really, there isn't much in Finland other than jobs which are impossible to get."<BR/><BR/>I would think this is the main reason for so little illegal immigration. The fact is that getting a job in Finland is not easy (Finland has a high unemployment rate) and the cost of living is somewhat high. Illegal immigrants can't apply for benefits as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173483331439218592007-03-09T15:35:00.000-08:002007-03-09T15:35:00.000-08:00"Is there an illegal immigration problem there?"Ye..."Is there an illegal immigration problem there?"<BR/><BR/>Yes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173477993905978522007-03-09T14:06:00.000-08:002007-03-09T14:06:00.000-08:00The Swaziland / South Africa border has a similar ...The Swaziland / South Africa border has a similar per-capita GDP ratio and border size. Is there an illegal immigration problem there?Ed Sniblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17346392312959087285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173475393598927492007-03-09T13:23:00.000-08:002007-03-09T13:23:00.000-08:00Moi,FishFace6000 had it correct.Take it from a Fin...Moi,<BR/><BR/>FishFace6000 had it correct.<BR/><BR/>Take it from a Finnminähttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08438537380113805025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173470761140512172007-03-09T12:06:00.000-08:002007-03-09T12:06:00.000-08:00I work in a company where there are at least 20 Ru...I work in a company where there are at least 20 Russians, which would make it around 7% of total workforce.<BR/><BR/>All of them are very skilled professionals. So there are a lot of Russians working in Finland, they just keep their heads down and don't make noise of themselves.<BR/><BR/>Besides quite a few of them speak very good Finnish, and the accent is closer to English than Russian. So you would not recognize them, unless you knew in the first place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9430835.post-1173469480883534932007-03-09T11:44:00.000-08:002007-03-09T11:44:00.000-08:001. We don't like the Russians.2. The border is mos...1. We don't like the Russians.<BR/>2. The border is mostly forest, with plenty of snow in the north and elk all around.<BR/>3. Why would anyone want to come to Finland? As many have said, the government isn't stupid, it's impossible to get an apartment, the homeless are all eventually arrested, and really, there isn't much in Finland other than jobs which are impossible to get.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com