For a long time I have felt that our subservient relationship with the US is not in our interests. It appears that this relationship has replaced our former relationship with the UK in moreways than one.
This toadying Alliance with a country half a world away decreases our abilty to have closer ties withour neighbours, whose nations of Asia and the South Pacific. We are oft times seen as a finger on the claws of US imperialism so we are distrusted and rightly so. There no need for our neighbours to attack us, it is cheaper to buy from us. We should cultivate long term friendship with the people of SE Asia and the Pacific even if that means not supporting governments at times. It is a great shame that Radio Australia was sold off.
I do not trust the government to act in Australias' interest. I think our failure to get Hicks returned has made being Australian meaningless. He languishes in an American torture camp and all that has been proven is that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. As for defense we all noticed the US marines swarming across Timor, or did you miss that. When it suits them we are for them or agin 'em if not, your on your buddy.
We should stand on our own 2 feet and cultivate a non alined policy of mutual benefit with all including the US

The good Doctor states that his position is not anti-American, and I believe him! His position is anti-Bush and anti-Howard rather than anti-American. I look forward to watching Woldring break his neck performing his u-turn when the Democrats eventually get back in in America.

The thing is bozzie... a close relationship with the democrats would probably be a little different to a close relationship with the republicans.

Woldring wouldn't need to to a u-turn. The democrats are less likely to yank us into chaotic wars, and aren't as reviled in the international community.

What exactly is "the international community"? I don't see how you can have a community without some sort of shared set of values, so:
Who is part of the international community?
What are it shared values?
Who decides?

By the way, the domains "internationalcommunity.com" and "internationalcommunity.org" are for sale, if anyone is interested.

The world has been managed by alliances since Adam had enough offspring for them to forget they were of the same family.

The Jews of Khaiber made a survival alliance with the banu Gatafan, a Bedoin tribe, to thrawt further genocide by Mohammed. (they already know of his treatment of the Banu Qurayza and Banu Nadir (the remnants of Nadir were living now at Khaybar)

Without alliances.. we are dead meat...cat food...

Lets look at it..
200,000,000+ Muslims in Indonesia.
20,000,000 Aussies.

If anyone does not see ALLIANCE ALERT screaming out from the Arafura sea, then such a person is blind deaf and dumb.

We ALREADY had an ambitious Asian nation bombing Townsville and Darwin, and swarming down the Kokoda trail but we fought them with the assistance of... guess who ? yesssssssss first prize to he who said "the AMERICANS".

So, it can be morally argued that we owe our LIVES and freedom to the YANKS.. now.. I might be wrong here but when someone saves ur life, there is a tiny bit of obligation involved.
We should be thankful that the only major obligation they expect of us is our solidarity with them in such escapades as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Treaties and alliances involve 2 way obligations. There will be times when those obligations seem a bit uncomfortable such as with Iraq. (but not Afghanistan) The Americans have assured us that if our combat troops were pulled out of Iraq, the alliance is rock solid.

So, like em, or hate em... we still NEED them.

The author may be dead right, but the chances of this country downgrading the US relationship in favour of more rational, productive and mutually beneficial partnerships? "Not bloody likely".
Even if Howard is finally deposed in the next "election", i doubt Rudd and co are going to make any changes in that direction. Just hope he can stand up for Australias interests instead of being the caddy that Howard is, "Which club would you like Mr Bush?"