Australia under attack II (from the USA)

[pritchke]

It is politics!! Let me guess there must be an upcoming election coming up. MP's hoping to get reelected usually like to keep America at arms length. Close but not to close as it suites the country. When it comes to things like trade and defense the they will want to stay on peachy terms with the US, when it comes to policy both internal and external they will want to show that they are different than the US and will often times say nasty things about US policy, and meddling to get there point across. Same up here, you don't want to be to pro-US if you want to get elected. I am unsure weather I am taking about Canada or Australia here!!! Although in a US election neither of these countries will be mentioned because both are insignificant to the US. Actually in a US election all other countries are insignificant unless they are on the verge of war or a threat.

[ 07-12-2004, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: Meddling in the internal affairs and politics of other nations has been part of U.S foriegn policy, with a dare to exagerate- probably since we first ever had a foreign policy. It is distastful and no way to treat friends- I agree.

What about pre WWII American "isolationism"?

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by wellard: Your last sentence sums it up for me Davros. "There is just no point in antagonising your partners". Which is exactly what the current US administration is doing. Long after the Bush, Latham and co ride into the sunset there will be a need to decide on further trade agreements and to facilitate the provision of US bases inside Australia. To cause more antagonism between the Australian public and the US for short term political gain is a sad enditment of the foreign policy debacles since GW (what’s an atlas) Bush came to office. The USA has enjoyed the benefit of close support and friendship through many of its darkest moments with Australia, and long may it continue. Why through it away?

Wellard - I admit that I don't know either of the two "blokes" running for PM in Australia, but I bet most Aussie's are familiar with George W. Bush. I also think they are intelligent enough to realize any policies or procedures of his Admin will most likely go by the wayside once he is also gone - so I doubt this will actually hurt any long-term relationship between U.S. and Australia.

I didn't read the article links, so I don't know the full story of what is happening - but I will admit that "foreign relations" is the BIGGEST flaw that GWB has. I mean, seriously, America had global sympathy immediately following 9/11 and had fairly universal support for their foray into Afghanistan. Yet GWB manage to piss away almost ALL of that Goodwill and Support in less than 18 months!!!

[img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

That is quite an accomplishment, but not one to be very proud of. [img]graemlins/dontknowaboutyou.gif[/img]

[Oblivion437]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: Meddling in the internal affairs and politics of other nations has been part of U.S foriegn policy, with a dare to exagerate- probably since we first ever had a foreign policy. It is distastful and no way to treat friends- I agree.

Actually, we've been a neutral/isolationist power for longer than we've been the World's Policeman*...

I got really pissed off when America wieghed in on Tasmania''s decision to legalise certain drugs. You simply cannot go against Americas drug policy - even though it's failed miserably and something different has to be tried. So a sovereign state, making laws concerning it's own area of juristiction, gets harrassed, not by the federal government of it's own nation, but by AMERICA???

Don't confuse "America" with "American politicians."

Also, I'd like some material evidence that any American politicians complaining about Tasmanian policies has any effect on you, or any effect on Tasmania. I seriously doubt it...

[Timber Loftis]

*cough* Monroe Doctrine *cough*

I don't think we qualify as "isolationist" except during a few discrete times in history -- none of which have occurred since December 1942.