our serial looser

[william the bastard]

Hi all,

I really appreciate your advice about our famous French president. Anyone to grant asylum ~D
Let your horses ride, no offenses will be taken. just need some foreign points of view ~:confused: ~:confused:

[PanzerJaeger]

Hes been in office way too long for his own good.. thats my foreign point of view.

I fear that any other points of view I have on the subject would be taken with offense even though you said they would not. ~;)

[Divinus Arma]

Chirac represents international jealousy of American power. We are not jerking around with this war on terror and Chirac stands against us just to stand against us. He even said so! Meanwhile the French have a flood of Muslims pouring in and guess what? They are going to be a huge problem for the French.


On a side note, the whole freedom fries was stupid in my opinion. But Chirac is still a female dog. Bash bash bash.

[ichi]

He should be offerred a position with the Securite

http://www.grudge-match.com/Images/clouseau.gif

Chief Inspector Chirac

ichi ~:cheers:

[sharrukin]

That's right! The SOB had the nerve to be right about Iraq, and actually wanted the Americans to go after terrorists instead of Saddam. Where does he get off with an attitude like that?

[Proletariat]

In fact, Chirac's attacks at the EU summit and the G8 seem to have driven the Anglosphere allies closer together still. If the prime minister and president play this right, they will be seen as forward-looking, advancing an agenda and acting with global vision. (The British have now joined the Americans in conceding that the Chinese, Indians, and Brazilians must be involved, although somewhat eccentrically they are claiming credit for bringing the parties together.)

link (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/murray200507060808.asp)

If I was French, this is why you'd hear me screaming, "Where is Lee Harvey De Oswald when you need him?!"

What an imbecile. Even I can tell there's a better way to subvert the so called 'anglosphere.'

William, who may I ask are the serious alternatives? I get the impression that there could be alot of French people who hate Chirac just because he's in power. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel who might make your outraged country feel proud to be led by?

[Papewaio]

Meanwhile the French have a flood of Muslims pouring in and guess what? They are going to be a huge problem for the French.


Is it the French having an inability to absorb a Muslim population or the Muslims themselves that are the problem?

Either statement given the context could be construed as rather racist.

[Proletariat]

Is it the French having an inability to absorb a Muslim population or the Muslims themselves that are the problem?


Are the two being racist mutually exclusive in your opinion? You mention two very ethnocentric peoples.

[Papewaio]

I do not see why the French would have any reason above other nations in absorbing immigrants.

The French are hardly homogenous. They are also a relatively vibrant democracy, albeit at times they do things that are very undemocratic (blowing up bombs in coral atolls and killing people who protest against that comes to mind).

Nor are Muslims a single ethnic group anymore say then Greek Orthodox and English Anglicans are a single Christian ethnic group.

[Papewaio]

The racist side is not the Muslims or the French it was DA's statement.

[Don Corleone]

Is it the French having an inability to absorb a Muslim population or the Muslims themselves that are the problem?

Either statement given the context could be construed as rather racist.

How is acknowledging having a large immigrant population problematic racist? You only say that cause you're Australian and you guys don't let anyone immigrate there, so you don't know the problems immigration causes. Then, you turn around and throw rocks at the countries that do, calling them racist. There's a lot of things France does that I don't like, but allowing any citizens of their former colonies automatic entry into the country is pretty damned respectable in my eyes. But let's not kid ourselves, it's not going to be all sunshine and roses. Oh shoot, now I'm a racist.

Back on topic: I don't know that Chirac is all that terrible for France. He's trying very hard to create an environment of 'us versus them' and for the most part, it's been working well for him. Turkey isn't going to be joining the EU any time soon, France controls most of the power positions within the EU government, even though they voted not to join, and he's got all the member states about 2 steps away from being dragged into a full-out boycott against the UK (and the 'anglosphere' as it's now being called). If his goal is to create a 3rd camp (USA being 1, China being 2) and make sure that France is leading the way in that 3rd camp, he's doing remarkably well. Being denied the Olympics plays to hand: "You see, my fellow Frenchmen, even the IOC is rigged against us. Bush and Blair have screwed us again." A couple more years of this and people at home will begging him to be more antagonistic to the USA and UK.

[PanzerJaeger]

There seems to be a constant racist witchhunt around here..

[IrishMike]

Its called the age of Political Correctness. Such a evil thing, nobody can really say their piece without recoil.

[Papewaio]

How is acknowledging having a large immigrant population problematic racist? You only say that cause you're Australian and you guys don't let anyone immigrate there, so you don't know the problems immigration causes. Then, you turn around and throw rocks at the countries that do, calling them racist. There's a lot of things France does that I don't like, but allowing any citizens of their former colonies automatic entry into the country is pretty damned respectable in my eyes. But let's not kid ourselves, it's not going to be all sunshine and roses. Oh shoot, now I'm a racist.

Mate you have just shown how little you know about Australia. We have one of the largest amounts of immigration per head of population in the world.

One out of four Australians was born overseas.

Every year we have over 100,000 immigrants
France size terms 300,000 Immigrants
USA size terms 1.5 million immigrants per annum.

[Don Corleone]

Okay, things must have seriously changed. I thought that if you were black, you weren't even allowed into Australia. And I've always been told that as an American, you could pretty much immigrate anyplace but Australia. That unless you were born in a part of the Commonwealth, you could never become an Australian citizen. But fair enough, I stand corrected. But, we have over 1 million legal immigrants a year, God knows how many illegal.

You never did explain how acknowledging that allowing that large a percentage of immigrants (different language, different customs, health issues) may cause problems is being racist. Would you care to elaborate?

[PanzerJaeger]

Its called the age of Political Correctness. Such a evil thing, nobody can really say their piece without recoil.

Nice. ~;)

[Papewaio]

Okay, things must have seriously changed. I thought that if you were black, you weren't even allowed into Australia. And I've always been told that as an American, you could pretty much immigrate anyplace but Australia. That unless you were born in a part of the Commonwealth, you could never become an Australian citizen. But fair enough, I stand corrected. But, we have over 1 million legal immigrants a year, God knows how many illegal.

You never did explain how acknowledging that allowing that large a percentage of immigrants (different language, different customs, health issues) may cause problems is being racist. Would you care to elaborate?

Australia has changed thankfully a lot since the 1960's as have quite a few countries.

My statement:
Either statement given the context could be construed as rather racist.

Particularly could be construed.

I was inquiring into DA's statement was it the immigration that was the problem or the French or the Muslims. The last two could be seen as a racist statement.

Without data to back me up and saying the following:
If I say that immigration is okay except for Muslims that is racist.
If I say that immigration is okay except for the French as they cannot handle it that would be racist.
If I say that immigration of all kinds can cause problems that would not be racist as I am not singling out a group.

[Ser Clegane]

Its called the age of Political Correctness. Such a evil thing, nobody can really say their piece without recoil.

To some extent I agree - overdoing PC seems to give some people too much of a reason to whine about how their views (which are of course never racist but only "the truth" and/or "things that need to be addressed") are being suppressed ~;)

[English assassin]

back to Chirac, I am sorry to say I see him entirely in a consistent traditions of French politicians back to C de G. (Perhaps I should say those French politicians who come to out attention accross the channel, mainly Mitterand and Delors. No doubt there are many others who are much better)

Namely that he is arrogant, self interested, utterly without principle save that whatever he/France wants is right, would dine with Satan himself if he felt it was in his or France's interests, and is wholly incapable of considering that any other nation may be his equal let alone superior in any respect. Finally, the sort of person who, should you be unfortunate to offer any assistance in any regard, will repay your help with undying hatred (OK, that may be C de G I am thinking of).

He must have redeeming features but I am at a loss to know what they are.

[william the bastard]

link (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/murray200507060808.asp)


William, who may I ask are the serious alternatives? I get the impression that there could be alot of French people who hate Chirac just because he's in power. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel who might make your outraged country feel proud to be led by?

I don't know if there a light? The country fall in dispear and believe in anything. May be Sarkosy could represent a new breathe, a new generation, but is so hungry of power!
In France the main problem is our bad ruling habits of centralism. an alike feudal reflex. A place for everyone and don't move ,don't think.Just follow the leader.
Sometimes look like the indian caste when you seeking job , first question is : what is your diplom and not what are you able to do.

A typical old european country :embarassed:

[Meneldil]

There's indeed a really serious problem with the muslim immigrants in France, and it will cause huge troubles in the futur, but then, I've never heard of a country that doesn't have problem with muslim immigrants sadly.

Even muslim country have problem with muslim immigrants.

And yeah, Chirac is an ass, yet he got elected with 82% :dizzy2:

[PanzerJaeger]

^And who will be the first to call him a racist for stating the truth? ~;)

[Louis VI the Fat]

There's indeed a really serious problem with the muslim immigrants in France, and it will cause huge troubles in the future
Why, Meneldil is right. Of course there's a problem with muslim immigrants in France. There's nothing inherently racist about stating this obvious truth. ~;)

But we need to bear in mind that many non-muslim immigrants are also a source of concern, and that many muslims do very well and are a great contribution to France.

I don't have an issue with muslims that are willing to accept and adopt French values. Nor should anybody else. But, unfortunately, there does seem to be an explosive mixture of poor social-economic prospects, a conflicting value-system and outright hostility towards a western way of life in some muslim circles. There's a jihad brewing in our banlieu's.


And yeah, Chirac is an ass, yet he got elected with 82% :dizzy2:Well, the choice was between a crook and a fascist, remember? ~:handball:

Oh, the tragedy of it all. We're stuck with this 'approval rate 20%' arse for years because the socialists didn't have the same discipline to get out and vote for their main candidate that those bloody narrow-minded southern fascist peasants had. :bigcry: :furious3:

[BDC]

French people hate Chirac because he's a liar and an idiot, and he only got voted in because they did the typical French thing and ended up choosing between him and a facist.

[william the bastard]

There's indeed a really serious problem with the muslim immigrants in France, and it will cause huge troubles in the futur, but then, I've never heard of a country that doesn't have problem with muslim immigrants sadly.



And yeah, Chirac is an ass, yet he got elected with 82% :dizzy2:

IMO, problem is less immigrant than ghettos. they are parked in "banlieues" without work without authorities, well they are in a bantoustan. France have create a subcitizen. And it is true that will cause huge probs in the future 'cause France is unable to give theim hope no more than the rest of population.
Sorry, but I think we need to change, or just waiting collapse.
just my advice

[william the bastard]

[But we need to bear in mind that many non-muslim immigrants are also a source of concern, and that many muslims do very well and are a great contribution to France.

True, my family came from Italy and Friends from Poland and other from Morroco and Algeria despite uor common bloody history

[william the bastard]

[QUOTE=Meneldil]There's indeed a really serious problem with the muslim immigrants in France, and it will cause huge troubles in the futur, but then, I've never heard of a country that doesn't have problem with muslim immigrants sadly.

[QUOTE]
too much easy to say Today ~:confused:

[King Henry V]

Good God, yesterday when he was standing behind TB at the G8 summit, he looked like an undertaker! He really has to go.

[Louis VI the Fat]

He must have redeeming features but I am at a loss to know what they are.Yes, he does have redeeming features. And no, you're not at a loss as to what they are. In fact, you summed them up perfectly well:

Namely that he is arrogant, self interested, utterly without principle save that whatever France wants is right, would dine with Satan himself if he felt it was in France's interests, and is wholly incapable of considering that any other nation may be his equal let alone superior in any respect. ~:smoking:

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

French people, I apologise :

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/dyn_twp/frenchterror.jpg

[Divinus Arma]

So it turns out my little comment was not so racist after all. Perhaps it was an informed and alert comment, eh?

The fact is, (and someone from France may correct me if I am wrong), the influx of poorly educated Muslims into France represents a threat to European security. Why? Many radical Imams in France preach hate and death. Poor and impoverished muslims are the target of these preaching and represent the base from where terrorists are drawn. Sure, there are educated terrorists too. But the terror troopers are the Muslim poor who have been taught to hate since childhood.

It wasn't the IRA who attacked Britain. Muslims.

We must recognize the truth: Not all Muslims are jihadist terrorists, but all jihadist terrorists are Muslim.

Racist? HELL NO. I would not dare judge a man by the color of his skin. I have had many friends that were black, mexican, white, whatever. It means nothing to me.

And let me tell you, there are too many people who just pull that card every time it gets them something they want. Outrageous.

I just call a spade a spade. The danger in not doing so is death.

[william the bastard]

[QUOTE=Divinus Arma]
The fact is, (and someone from France may correct me if I am wrong), the influx of poorly educated Muslims into France represents a threat to European security. Why? Many radical Imams in France preach hate and death. Poor and impoverished muslims are the target of these preaching and represent the base from where terrorists are drawn. Sure, there are educated terrorists too. But the terror troopers are the Muslim poor who have been taught to hate since childhood.

Regarding poorly educated and hopeless future, I agree your diagnosis. But open your eyes, that not concerned only France, you have huges muslims communities in Germany (mainly from Turkey) same in Belgium, and no need to talk about "Londonistan". This is a global prob. If you thought enemy was only at the gates, he still might have a foothold.

[Divinus Arma]

Regarding poorly educated and hopeless future, I agree your diagnosis. But open your eyes, that not concerned only France, you have huges muslims communities in Germany (mainly from Turkey) same in Belgium, and no need to talk about "Londonistan". This is a global prob. If you thought enemy was only at the gates, he still might have a foothold.

Wow. I had no idea. And we thought illegal mexican immigrants were bad. At least they don't try to blow us up.

[Meneldil]

Well, the situation with muslims in France is not that bad, if we look at what happens in UK, Germany or Spain.
But we hear about 8 years old people who deny that there was a pre-muslim civilisation in Egypt or other crap like that quite often now.
But then again, not all muslims want to 'blow us up'. A lot are trying to find jobs, and many of them respect our 'republican values'. But there's a particular problem with the youngest and poorest muslims, yes.

Taffy_is_a_Taff, I dunno who made this pic, but "Le terror alert" doesn't mean anything. The guy should try with "La terror alert".
Btw, our terror alert seems quite efficient, since we arrested our own algerian terrorists in the 90's, and avoided many attacks in the last 2 years.

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

Meneldil, that was a joke about Chirac being sucky.

[Red Harvest]

I agree that the racist label is applied too frequently. I've been the victim of this witch hunt myself, it is absolutely absurd! The definition of racism has been made so broad by misguided academics that it has become overworn and largely useless. You can't have diversity without recognizing differences...yet in so doing, your view can be labeled as racist. It is a catch 22.

DA is right to some extent from what I see. The problem is not with French willingness to absorb the immigrant Muslim population. It is the intolerant zeal that some Muslim's are bringing with them. Notice I say "some." It is important not to paint with too broad a brush. In the reports I've heard/read, Jews were leaving France at an alarming rate because of a rise in anti-semitism--something that appears rampant looking at comments of Europeans from across the pond. And no, I'm not Jewish. I think as little of radical Imam based education as I do of the extreme Christian schools. Neither are conducive to a tolerant society. A religious based school need not be extremist, militant, or intolerant. When one is found to be so, it should be closed.

Unfortunately, too much of the Arab world has embraced religious education, and too often it has been extremist. Often it was in response to or applied as a salve for authoritarian regimes. The focus has been on finding external enemies, rather than dealing with the "devils" at home. There is some shift apparent, but it is going to take some time for this to work out, and it will undoubtedly be bumpy as nations adapt.

Where I disagree with DA the most is on comments about being poor, etc. And DA is pretty far off with his assessment of immigrants from Mexico--some of the hardest workers I've met. (The funny thing about that is that the far right conservative business men are the most likely to employ the illegals--in my experience--all to save a few bucks.) Contrary to popular belief, being poor does not make one a criminal. Nor does being wealthy make one better--just look at all those wealthy business leaders on trial for their unrelenting greed in ripping off MILLIONS of investors (care to ask me which one I find more dangerous--hint, it's not the guy holding up the mini-market.) Right/wrong/good/evil don't have a net worth limitation, nor particular relgious affiliations, nor do they have color, or specific educational levels. Quite a few of the most dangerous terrorists have had some sort of engineering background and/or have had wealthy families and good educations. People such as these are far more dangerous than the poor fellow digging ditches and picking crops.

[Red Harvest]

Btw, our terror alert seems quite efficient, since we arrested our own algerian terrorists in the 90's, and avoided many attacks in the last 2 years.

From the outside this appears more like a case of France catering to certain Islamic/Arab interests against other developed nations. Perhaps this is incorrect, but that is the perception. The "shoe bomber" flew from France didn't he? It would be an extreme blunder for the terrorists to attack France since they have nothing to gain politically from such an attack. Divide and conquer works better for them. They managed to get Spain to essentially surrender through a terrorist attack, quite an accomplishment. From the terrorist point of view keeping France neutral or even seen as a "collaborator" by the Anglo population would be in their best interest.

[Kagemusha]

Last week on conference Chirac sayed clote:British are not trusty ass allies because they have such an loysy cuisine.Only Finnish food is more disgusting.
After that Finnish government asked the French ambassador about his statement.The answer was that he newer sayd that.Next day he corrected his saying by saying that the Scottish Haggish is even more disgusting.
Chirac brings up every bad stereothypic on French.

[Goofball]

We must recognize the truth: Not all Muslims are jihadist terrorists, but all jihadist terrorists are Muslim.

That statement is not nearly as black and white (no matter how boldly you type it) nor is it nearly as truthful as you believe it to be.

In fact, just about all moderate Muslims insist that the terrorists who claim to be committing murder in the name of Islam are not really Muslims at all, because their actions are contrary to the true teachings of Islam.

Think of it in these terms. If I made the following statement:

"We must all recognize the truth: Not all Christians bomb abortion clinics and murder doctors, but all of those who do bomb abortion clinics and murder doctors are Christians."

you could (quite rightly) make the same argument: that anybody committing murder in the name of Christianity is not really a Christian.

[Papewaio]

So it turns out my little comment was not so racist after all. Perhaps it was an informed and alert comment, eh?

The fact is, (and someone from France may correct me if I am wrong), the influx of poorly educated Muslims into France represents a threat to European security. Why? Many radical Imams in France preach hate and death. Poor and impoverished muslims are the target of these preaching and represent the base from where terrorists are drawn. Sure, there are educated terrorists too. But the terror troopers are the Muslim poor who have been taught to hate since childhood.

It wasn't the IRA who attacked Britain. Muslims.

We must recognize the truth: Not all Muslims are jihadist terrorists, but all jihadist terrorists are Muslim.

Racist? HELL NO. I would not dare judge a man by the color of his skin. I have had many friends that were black, mexican, white, whatever. It means nothing to me.

And let me tell you, there are too many people who just pull that card every time it gets them something they want. Outrageous.

I just call a spade a spade. The danger in not doing so is death.

If you want to call a spade a spade then do so. It is not Muslims as a group, it is a sub-group of ones preaching hatred. They use the same tactics as the Nazis did in recruiting brown shirts, or the way neo-Nazis recruit unemployed depressed young and impressionable guys.

So stop brushing with such a broad brush unless you want to say Catholics are a world problem due to the IRA...

I would say the biggest threat to the world is lack of education being replaced by fundamentalist education. The Taliban had an oppourtunity in Afghanistan because of the lack of infrastructure and they provided fundamenalist eductation. Same with Hamas in Palestine, it would have been a lot harder for them to establish a foothold if there was a flourishing secular education system in place.

Australia has had Muslims here before Federation. One of the major train routes is called The Ghan after the Afghanistan immigrants whose camels helped supply Outback communities. Nowadays there is so many wild camels in the Outback we export them to the Middle East.

[zelda12]

I always say that Chirac will commit political suicide soon enough, when your that currupt and that idiotic you are bound to slip up sooner or later. Also don't be so sure that Chirac gets his way with everything in Europe. His economy is a fine example.

[Meneldil]

From the outside this appears more like a case of France catering to certain Islamic/Arab interests against other developed nations. Perhaps this is incorrect, but that is the perception. The "shoe bomber" flew from France didn't he? It would be an extreme blunder for the terrorists to attack France since they have nothing to gain politically from such an attack. Divide and conquer works better for them. They managed to get Spain to essentially surrender through a terrorist attack, quite an accomplishment. From the terrorist point of view keeping France neutral or even seen as a "collaborator" by the Anglo population would be in their best interest.

The fact is that France was, and targetered by muslim terrorists, and since 1996, our service prevented all these attacks. You have the same kind of - somewhat stupid - feeling some french people have : "Well, we're not in Irak, so there's no problem". Of course there's a problem. While France had some luck, I don't think we will prevent all incoming attacks.
May I remind you that France sent many soldiers to Afghanistan (yeah, the place where there was muslim extremists, unlike Irak) ?
May I remind you that France was probably the first country that had to deal with muslim terrorism in the 50's ? Back then, we probably deserved it, but we had our load of attacks, bombings and all that crap in the 70's, in the 80's and in the 90's. Back then, nobody did care about it, and I highly doubt there was an international media frenzy after the 1996 subway attack just like there's one with the recent bombings in London.

And well, I don't think Spain surrendered because of the terrorist attack, since more than 80% of the population was against the war. No doubt the newly elected gouvernement decided to leave Irak for a good reason...
France, and Germany for that matter, decided, for some national and international reasons, not to invade Irak, and it looks like it was the best choice around, since many country are now leaving the coalition, and since even in the US, the war is (from what I read and heard, I may be wrong on this) not even supported by the majority of the population.

As for the pro-arabian french policy, it's not news, and most probably linked to the colonial events. I don't always agree with it, but what ? US fully support Israel, yet I don't think the US support the extrem right israeli terrorists and fanatics.



After that Finnish government asked the French ambassador about his statement.The answer was that he newer sayd that.Next day he corrected his saying by saying that the Scottish Haggish is even more disgusting.
Chirac brings up every bad stereothypic on French.

I don't want to argue about that (mainly because this is oot and because I don't know finnish food), but hell, british and scottish food sure don't taste good ~;)



Meneldil, that was a joke about Chirac being sucky.

Yeah, I know. And I agree that Chirac sucks, but still, it would look better with "La Terror Alert" ~:cool:

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

so they got the gender of "terror alert" wrong?
hahaha
~:cheers:

[TonyJ]

back to Chirac, I am sorry to say I see him entirely in a consistent traditions of French politicians back to C de G. (Perhaps I should say those French politicians who come to out attention accross the channel, mainly Mitterand and Delors. No doubt there are many others who are much better)

Namely that he is arrogant, self interested, utterly without principle save that whatever he/France wants is right, would dine with Satan himself if he felt it was in his or France's interests, and is wholly incapable of considering that any other nation may be his equal let alone superior in any respect. Finally, the sort of person who, should you be unfortunate to offer any assistance in any regard, will repay your help with undying hatred (OK, that may be C de G I am thinking of).

He must have redeeming features but I am at a loss to know what they are.

Strategically change some names, put Britain instead of France and you almost have a perfect description of good ol' Tony Blair and the sham of a political party he leads.

I do believe that someone, somewhere once said 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone' ~;)

[Divinus Arma]

Perhaps my statements appear too broad. I'll not venture off-topic after this, but I will make a quick comment on the issue of Muslim extremism.

You are absolutely correct about jihadists not being true muslims. When I served in Afghanistan, I had regular contact with a few locals. I asked one what his opinion of the relationship between the Taliban and Islam. He told me that the Taliban were only thugs, operating under the banner of Islam. This same man had once been thrown in jail for seven days because his beard was too short.

I have no problem with Muslims. In fact, I despise religious extremism or actions in the name of religion regardless of what religion is involved. Christians have committed just as many, if not more, atrocities in the name of religion.

And Red Harvest, I must disagree with your assesment of the illegal alien issue. Yes they work hard. But our communities cannot absorb them. There are plenty of arguments that they "pay taxes" and "do the jobs that Americans won't". My friend works with an Illegal at a barbershop. The illegal makes $4-5k per month and pays no taxes. The illegal also makes claims for welfare for her children who she spat out on American soil, citizens who are consequently entitled to assistance since she claims the family lives below the poverty line. And I do not consider construction, retail, maid services, gardening, etc to be jobs that Americans won't take. Construction related jobs were one of the last trade school education jobs Americans had available. My wife was a maid. I used to mow lawns as a teenager. And so on.

American citizens can and would do the jobs. Even agriculture. Yes we would pay more for strawberries and lettuce, but we would be saving money in education, health care, road maintance, and crime.

I will not write any more off topic. We should create a new thread if we want to discuss immigration. But you know that becasue you are one of the high and mighty senior members. I bow to you your majesty. ~;)

[Red Harvest]

DA,

One thing that I see here where there are many more recent immigrants than slightly farther north, is the difference in who is working the lower end jobs, and what they will do them for. In one blue collar town I lived in recently the typical anglo wouldn't do a one hour mowing job for less than $50. I literally laughed in their faces when I got quotes. The immigrants around here would do it for $20. When I was a kid I would have done it for less than $10 (and that is accounting for inflation--I mowed huge lawns for $5.)