Let small "l" liberal do-gooders like Hanoi Jane. Sorry I meant Taipei Nancy off the leash

and we could have Nuclear World War 3 before you could say American Exceptionalism

http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/11/the-myth-of-american-exceptionalism/

Most statements of "American exceptionalism" presume that America’s values, political system, and history are unique and worthy of universal admiration.

The only thing wrong with this self-congratulatory portrait of America’s global role is that it is mostly a myth. By focusing on their supposedly exceptional qualities, Americans blind themselves to the ways that they are a lot like everyone else.

This unchallenged faith in American exceptionalism makes it harder for Americans to understand why others are less enthusiastic about U.S. dominance, often alarmed by U.S. policies, and frequently irritated by what they see as U.S. hypocrisy, while America ignores its own failings.

When the Japanese bombed Darwin we were as we are now only more so, completely unprepared. We should have had a squadron of spitfires which had been in production for at least two years. And the guns we did have were supplied with ammo not to be used in the tropics. And turned Darwin into a shooting gallery for the invading Nipponese.

Later in the war we could and did build fighter bombers here and used them to good effect in our region of the Pacific!

Today we've leased a port in Darwin to the Chinese and all but invited them in with our real estate sales and economic dependency!

If we had to defend this island continent we would last about two weeks before we ran out of fuel. We could hardly defend our huge coastline without leasing a northern port to the Chinese and giving them a ready made foothold we'd hardly be able to take back without millions of casualties!

Meanwhile the labor PM and the labor foreign Minister strut the world stage firing from, as usual for Ozzie pollies, the lip! And totally unaware of just how dumb and unprepared we ( thanks to head burying them) are now! For a military assault or the coming economic downturn of a size, not seen since the Great Depression!

A warm and comfortable Canberra bubble is the problem and quarantines our "Leaders" from the consequences of their decisions or lack thereof.

Our defense only as good as our "liberated" manufacturing sector! Currently forced elsewhere (almost anywhere else) by the ever increasing cost of economy crippling energy!

If I were a foreign General and Oz in the sights? My target of first choice would be Canberra! With the head cut off the rest would quickly capitulate. Even then we'd hardly be worse off!
Alan B.

If I was in Taiwan I would be very worried.
Can anyone explain why the US is saying it is prepared to assist Taiwan but failed to lift a finger when Russia invaded Ukraine.

TA. The US is giving Ukraine lots of assistance, both economic and military! Try speaking from a little higher up next time.
Alan B.

TheAtheist,
The US is a good instigator for creating division in other countries & they excel in turning their back after billions of $ worth of their weapons have been sold !
Democracy aids them greatly in this hypocritical game !

Although it was a good idea for a senior US politician to visit Taiwan to knot up Xi's underpants and give him an even more pouty look, why does the US hang onto old people? Biden is senile, and judging by what Pelosi says and does sometimes indicates that she is off her rocker. 82 years old, for heaven's sake, and still involved in running the greatest country on Earth: the symbol of the free world. I am pushing 80, and I think I'm of at least average intelligence, but I know my limitations. Nobody over 70 should be allowed to run for office; and that includes Donald Trump, who might have another go.