The 51st State

[boardsurfer]

SueC

I think you are right in both counts, most Australians do not like the way we are treating boat people, but at the same time we don't want them just turning up and Australia being known as an open door.

Many countries in Europe, and even the EU central Govt, has decided to crack down on illegal immigrants. Back when Austria tried to do it they labeled the country a return to Nazism, but now there is a genuine recognition that something needs to be done as it place a burden on the welfare systems and sometimes the social fabric as locals believe that others are circumventing the law and getting a way with it.

Each year there are many genuine cases for fleeing a country and I think these people get lost in the waves of illegals, but a simple solution would be that all the countries that complain about Australians stance should tell Australia how many of these boat people they will take off Australia’s hands

Is that overwhelming silence coming from the world…………………

[Advance]

Once again, the minority views in Australia gets the most press.

Our journalists don't report the news anymore, they write their own personal or editors opinion on it.

10% of the population's opinion gets 90% of the press coverage.

If you are anti-government then you are guaranteed 90% of any editorial space.(Doens't matter which party is in power)

Australia is becoming like the USA, but more along the lines that the population is becoming less informed of what is going on in the world around them. Why? Because individual journalists and editors have published their own personal take on what they believe.

There is no accurate reporting anymore, just personal agendas.

[Joseph27]

I believe for the most part - people are short sighted - focused only on their own self interests - able to feel sorry for those shown in the media - and at the end of the day not that interested in much outside themselves.

Sometimes for the public good, action must be taken to address wrongs, change perceptions, regardless of what is popular. Classic case - see 20 years ago, drink driving was common - now it is a moral wrong as well as a crime - you get little sympathy - it is as it should be.  

Asia's role in Asia - most Australian's probably dont give a toss so long as they have money coming in.  Our international image is something newspapers can talk about so long as we have money every week.  Ultimately though politicans cannot afford to simply follow what the public thinks it wants.  John Howard is a master at knowing how to manipulate the public.

ie. Port Arthur - there was a sense of outrage in the community and a strong hatred of guns.  So John took guns away - which I have no with qualms with.  John saw opportunity and increased his own standing.

Pauline Hanson - he sat back and did nothing - let her talk herself into oblivion. It's just ironic that what she espoused and was attacked for is now government policy - strange that.  

GST - bring in a tax that killed the unloseable election for the libs in 93.

Howard can mix with the best of them politically because he can justapose populist policy with an agenda he is set on.
But ultimately populist politics is a recipee for disaster.

(hey its monday and I've already forgotten how i started this ) I just think politicans must strive to implant a vision on the country - that holds to the sanctity of human life - to the pursuit of happiness. It must protect itself but should ultimately lead and mold public opinion - not be dictacted by it.  

I dont like Howard because of the way he mixes this - but then I guess all politicans are the same.  Some just dont have any morals

[Sue C]

You are right most Australians don't really know (or care) what is happening in Asia, but how many of the wealthy Asian countries do either?

Why is the fact that Australia doesn't care more important than the immediate neighbours (culturally/racially/geographically) of the troubled countries not caring?

Does Australia have some sort of obligation that other countries don't because it is predominantly caucasion and must therefore be made to feel at least latently guilty for all of the wrongs in the world?

[boardsurfer]

J27

I have one quick question….are you Australian, I mean a citizen that has spent more than 4 years of university in Australia. I am not trying to be rude, but it might put your comments into context for me?

The funniest thing you wrote was that some politicians don't have morals.

No politician has morals. They have agendas and they are all tied around getting reelected.

The only countries I know where a politician can afford to have morals is one where there is no effective electoral system or opposition - so they can get in unopposed.
Howard is no different to every other politician that has gone before - to single him out is to somehow say that once upon a time all politicians had the constituents at heart (maybe int heir first year all politicians do) but ultimately it is the power and the perks that corrupt them.

You have to remember that being a politician is a career limiting move. A back bencher cannot really stick that on the CV and go for another job.... that's why they put themselves first and the world second.

I applaud your ideals, but question their application to one and not all.

[Joseph27]

***urfer - your point is indeed valid and it was a Monday morning letting off steam.  

SueC -

We dont need to know I guess - but if you take into account issues such as funding for Asian languages - this sends a message that we are part of the region.  

I dont believe it is about feeling bad for past wrongs - because I dont espouse that - only to take into account the reality of now. Australia's two biggest trading partners are located in this region. Our so called best friend and big brother America is more interested in protecting their own industries and Australia's interest are rarely taken into account.

I dont want us to forget the rest of the world - I just want us to acknowledge that this is where we live - and our neighbours arent americans, they arent even white. We should help our students understand Asian languages - but now we dont because John Howard thinks it more important to once again learn French or German. We live here