I really do think every one forgets the atrocities that were the lot of the Aborigines with the British invaders, when they came to Australian shores, if only writers would remember this, we are only too happy to condemn other nations as to what they are doing regarding other countries, but one must always look in their own backyard first, but then writers will say this is a long time ago and things were very different then, but was it? Queen Victoria was wanting to control the world by force or marriage of family.

John Howard lost a lot of voters including myself with his decision to go along with Bush and Blair regarding Iraq, to my way of thinking and to most of my friends as well, he should be up with the others on war crimes,not receiving a medal from the Queen, but this will never happen. I really do wonder how these people sleep at night when so many have been killed in their name and doing.

Ojnab writes

'I really do think every one forgets the atrocities that were the lot of the Aborigines with the British invaders, when they came to Australian shores, if only writers would remember this, we are only too happy to condemn other nations as to what they are doing regarding other countries'

I really do think that every one forgets the atrocities that aboriginals did to each other and are still doing despite white man's presence.

The fact that Mr Howard did something to save some kids is to his credit despite the dogma of the left that claims compassion but shows little.

Saltpetre: I agree with your summation of Indonesia. For far too long successive Australian governments, Labor and Liberal, have hitched Australia's foreign policy to the American horse as demonstrated by our involvement in Iraq ans Afghanistan. I am not a supporter of ANZUS as it puts Australia (and New Zealand) very much in a subservient roll to the US. While we are looking at the World picture things are happening on our own doorstep which often are being neglected. Unfortunately our neighborhood is not all palm trees and white sandy beaches there are problems, some of the poorest people in the World live in our neighborhood. Australia should show leadership in our region.
Ojnab: What can I say on the subject of Aboriginal Australia, the white man has failed our indigenous people from the first day we arrived. There have been many wrongs done and there have been many good intentions, most have failed. On the political side I would like to see the Aboriginal people be given seats in Parliament, giving them a stronger voice, I know this idea wont go down well with our conservative friends, Howard couldn't even make the token gesture of saying 'sorry'. W need to do a hell of a lot more for Aboriginal Australia but not on our terms but on their terms.

<<I really do think that every one forgets the atrocities that aboriginals did to each other and are still doing despite white man's presence>>

Yes indeed, Runner, well said.

<<Aboriginal elders have blamed Facebook and social networking sites for a rise in "blood feuds" between warring clans>>

http://www.news.com.au/technology/indigenous-leaders-want-to-ban-or-censor-social-media-including-facebook/story-e6frfro0-1226237850730

I would daresay that Aboriginal vs Aboriginal atrocities are not much covered at *Centres for Peace and Conflict Studies*--unless it be by way of sheeting the blame to whitey.

runner and SPQR, How fortunate for the Aboriginal people that Europeans arrived when they did. For 40,000 years the Indigenous were committing unspeakable atrocities against each other, no doubt often alcohol fueled acts of barbarism, caused by the social alienation that existed at the time. By 1788 Australia was unoccupied 'terra nullius'. The people that existed here had no claim to the land, they were not farming it, nor developing it in any way, it was there for the taking, and Europeans took it, just as they took indigenous lands everywhere. How ungrateful have the Aboriginal people been towards the European. Even considering Aboriginals were not God fearing Christians, they weren't even white, yet the European was quite prepared to make them citizens, alas it would be third class, but citizens never the less. Europeans were prepared to 'educate' these people, the girls would make fine domestic servants in the white mans house, and the boys excellent farm labour. Did the Aboriginal show gratitude for the Europeans generosity, no way, look at them now, its all their fault!

Oh yes Paul it must have been wedded bliss for those young girls with their uncles, the barbaric rituals and the pay back system. To bad for the deformed children getting beaten over their heads. I am sure they would choose to go back to that rather than join the rest of the world. I suggest you read more than the bits of dogma you choose.