There has been some talk this week of the US setting up a proper and permanent military base in Australia. Both sides of politics have taken their usual stance, but overall the outcry has been very muted to say the least. Now this story rears its head from time to time and gets shouted down. But judging from the lack of *rage* it seems that it may get some more momentum this time.


With the US withdrawing from Saudi Arabia and under constant pressure in Japan and the Philippines, would a base inside a more intune country be good? Or a risk to our friendship?

and also think, would you like a foriegn base in your country?

[ 06-02-2003, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: wellard ]

I certainly wouldn't want it. I was once in the military stationed overseas. There were a mix of people wanting us and not wanting us. I didn't want to be there myself but while there, I paid close attention to give respect and consideration. Whatever I do there effects them. I personally don't like the US policy to have bases on foreign land. To me its too intrusive. Silly governments.

Why would we need bases in Oz when we have them in Japan? And the Emirates and Brunei? I think we should build those movable bases, and continue to use aircraft carriers. (Anybody remember back in the 80's when they were being derided as "undefendable dinosaurs?")

I do not think we should have to put out any more troops :( I do not know if it would harm our allince with you guys or not, but the more troops we send away from America, the less we have to protect the home land

Simply a case of Roman troops being stationed in a "protectorate" of the empire, that's all. ;) :D

Actually in all seriousness it's probably not a bad thing, given the current climate, and that the worlds largest muslim nation (216 million) is directly north of Australia's huge population of 20 million.

No! Keep out! We have a perfectly good military (I think), why not send the soldiers to Canada, I have heard *their* military is almost non-existent. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

just for that...I will send our troops to you :D ..actualy, I am supposed to be planning a visit to a frind there...lol but cant remember the name of the town she lives in [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

We don't need a military, we've got Celine Dion.

Wanna trade? ;)

We don't need a military, we've got Celine Dion.

Wanna trade? ;) </font>[/QUOTE]Arg! We'll give you Kylie Minogue, just PLEASE don't let Celine Dion into Australia. :D We'll throw in our Navy AND a free set of steak knives just to sweeten the deal ;)

Celine Dion, a WOMD...yes, I can see that image :D

http://home.arcor.de/berzelmayr/augustus.jpg

<h6>Originally posted by Lord Frank on TSR</h6>

That has to be Tony Blair on the left!

All militaries will fall before the might of the Irish navy. :D :D :D

http://www.freepicturehosting.com/g/122851_T.jpg

I have the same picture, but with Canada written there, instead.

[ 06-03-2003, 07:18 AM: Message edited by: Luvian ]

ahhh, the mighty and intimidating navy of the irish(are the Irish footsoldiers those funny little green fellows? or was that the scottish?)

I dare you to say that in a pub in Glasgow. :D

<font color="gold">Speaking from experience...? [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>

Oh yeah? Would you mind taking her back? She seems to have set up shop out here... :(

<font color="gold">Speaking from experience...? [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font> </font>[/QUOTE]No, but i can see their reaction already. :D

Oh yeah? Would you mind taking her back? She seems to have set up shop out here... :( </font>[/QUOTE]Sorry...non refundable [img]tongue.gif[/img]

To quote someone much more famous than I :

"We will fight them with bullets and shoes" :D

Very good point Yorick..it's even on thread *glares at most other contributers [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img] * One day Indonsia is going to get its act together and as you say the worlds largest muslim nation is on our doorstep. Darwin is a lot closer to Jakarta than to Canberra (our capital). And would we be able to stand and watch if Idonesia carries on it's occupation and supresion of half of Papua new guinea and harbours the extremists who attack the remaining christian half.

Indonesia has already made it's protests known to our government, a sign that it realises whom the American troops will be a counterweight to.

If only we were still all allowed to carry semi-automatic weapons... that was going to stop the Indonesian hordes [img]graemlins/idontagreeatall.gif[/img] ;)

Ouch [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img] ok it is a bit "reds under the beds" [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] But were you not worried the other year Aelia when we sent troops into Timor? It could have all gone terribly wrong.


edit... spelling hard four letter words :rolleyes:

[ 06-03-2003, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: wellard ]

That was in fact YOU they were talking about, Attalus, though I'm sure the onset of senility excuses your poor memory. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Ouch [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img] ok it is a bit "reds under the beds" [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] But were you not worried the other year Aelia when we sent troops into Timor? It could have all gone terribly wrong.


</font>[/QUOTE]LOL - that was a joke dear [img]tongue.gif[/img] . A fond recollection of the gun lobby for whom that argument actually made sense. I don't think if Indonesia invaded us having a semi-automatic under your pillow would help all that much ;)

Ouch [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img] ok it is a bit "reds under the beds" [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] But were you not worried the other year Aelia when we sent troops into Timor? It could have all gone terribly wrong.


</font>[/QUOTE]LOL - that was a joke dear [img]tongue.gif[/img] . A fond recollection of the gun lobby for whom that argument actually made sense. I don't think if Indonesia invaded us having a semi-automatic under your pillow would help all that much ;) </font>[/QUOTE]I know it was a joke I was embarrassed that I re read my post and sounded like John laws or Alan Jones *right wing talkback radio* [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Not scared of invasion, I'm sure that would not happen, it is the whirlpool of a local conflict in PNG or Bali that worries me. And having US troops based here would be a case of talking soft but finally being able to carry a big stick :D