Ms Bishop is right to question why Australia has sent representatives to the non-aligned conference, but not for the reasons she advances. To describe Australia as "non-aligned" is farcical. Australia's role as America's lap dog is so well documented it hardly bears repetition.

It is also alarming that for someone who hopes to be Australia's next deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ms Bishop is alarmingly ill-informed about the Middle East in general and Iran in particular. Her bald assertion that Iran is "unquestionably" pursuing a nuclear arms capability flies in the face of two unanimous NIE reports that that is not the case.

Ms Bishop also seems lamentably unaware that several public opinion polls conducted by reputable US organisations of public opinion in multiple Arab countries overwhelmingly regard Israel and the US as the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region.

For her to repeat the tired and long discredited suggestion that Iran wants Israel wiped off the map just reinforces how much her views are guided by prejudice and ignorance rather than the facts.

There is much to criticise in the government's foreign policy, but sadly Ms Bishop chooses all the wrong targets for all the wrong reasons.

God, first we have another Israeli lament from Uncle Singer and it is immediately followed by another pro-American propaganda burst from Aunty Julie! Struth, it's enough to turn a man to drink or wicked women.

Why does Aunty Julie choose OLO to expose her ignorance about world politics and her craven sycophancy to America, the world's biggest warmonger?

Australia should be showing to the world that it is an independent, peace-loving country not a [deleted, objectionable language] in the White House. It should be attending all world forums and preaching the advantages and importance of peace not glorifying the madness of war.

Sorry Aunty Julie, but you are seriously misguided and an enemy of peace!

Mr O'Neill and Mr David wheel out their usual anti-Americanism; I can never understand that; the US is an open, democratic society; it's foreign policy is problematic but in focusing on that in the usual, self-indulgent, hypocritical way US protestors do, they ignore the other side of the equation; or rather, in Mr O'Neill's case, dismiss it by saying Iran is not pursuing a nuclear capacity.

To believe Iran is not pursuing a nuclear capacity is beyond belief.

More generally with such tasteful comments as "[Deleted...see previous comment]" at least Mr David reveals himself as having nothing to do with a meaningful contribution to this debate. And in the context of being supine to a foreign interest both Mr O'Neill and Mr David have ignored a far more detrimental subservience to a foreign power which Ms Bishop has noted when she says this:

"In other words, would these senior officials have been sent to Iran if Australia were not engaged in a campaign seeking support for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council?"

Of the 2, the UN and the US, I know which I and most Australians would rather be in accord with; that is the US, the democratic alternative.

Cohenite, you claim that the U.S. is democratic. Are you blind or just silly?

Look at the Presidential election. Americans get to choose between two warmongering lackeys of the ruling classes and their corporate backers.

How is that democratic? Which ever stooge is elected, the American citizens get taken to the dry cleaners and the world lurches ever closer to nuclear war.

Put your brain into gear, my friend! Time is running out.

I believe one should stick to their principles! However, there is a need to actually own some to be able to stick to them?
Julie, Is climate change real?
Or was it just real while you were return bill Turnbull's 2IC?
A politician with principles Julie?
Now that's something I'd like to see!
Why are we sending these two envoys?
Perhaps they have long established connections or "special insights" into the problem or the area or cultural norms or mores?
Perhaps they are our most persuasive public servants?
I mean, are we indeed really teetering on the brink of a hot war, between nuclear armed combatants?
A war that will impact negatively on more than just the combatants; and or, their near neighbours?
And need all the persausive ability that can be bought to bear to avoid conflict; or, buy additional time?
Time to make the necessary adjustments to our economy and forward defence posture or intell gathering abilities?
There is a time and place to play the political game Julie, and this is very clearly not one of them!
One can't persuade others to adopt a different course of action, by not talking to them Julie! And sanctions can only ever work Julie, if we can actually enforce them!
Rhrosty.

Well-informed is an optional extra. On message is a must.