All fair points well made Sebastian.

The problem is that the average Australian couldn't give a toss about issues like human rights - unless it directly affects them. So they'll jump up and down if the speed limit is to be reduced, but their eyes glaze over if you start talking about detention without trial. As Hugh Mackay wrote in the media yesterday, as long as the economy appears to be strong, Howard can lie and cheat as much as he likes, and he'll keep getting voted in. He can just dismiss the other issues as being only of interest to the 'elite'.

The Terrorism scare will eventually go the way of Reds under the Beds and the Yellow Peril, but in the meantime, Howard will milk it for all its worth.

Here Here

I agree on all points Sebastian.

The Australian cabinet's support and encouragement for the Republicans neocon agenda is wrong and repugnant.

Sighting all the headlines without providing any of the backup documentation explaining why a position was taken is nothing more than a bunch of cheap shots.

This is not much more than an emotional appeal to the unthinking rable.

I agree with you Bruce.

This handsome chap Sebastian is pushing all the wet buttons. Saying all the correct things.

But at to exactly when Australia was "renowned" as a leading nation on human rights he'd be left grasping for evidence.

From the early 1970s (before Sebastian was born) Australia has been internationally criticised as a nation oppressing aborigines.

The aboriginal tent embassy was established in 1972 as a symbol of the fight against racism.

Up until 1941 Australia was seen as a pro White pro British part of the Empire.

1941 onwards Australia was strongly pro American in foreign policy, Korea 1949-early 50s, Vietnam early 60s to 70s, Iraq 2003 onwards. Few opprtunities for human rights credits there.

Until the 1970s immigration under Labor and non-Labor governments was strongly weighted in favour of whites.

A rosy view of past is no basis for Sebastien (with his multi-employee consultancy?) to whack the current government.

A number of people here in Canada are experiencing the same issues, and have been working to get support for free trade within the Commonwealth.

Already, there is interest among business and parliamentary leaders in Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan, and the Caribbean. Some UK politicians see it as an alternative to further EU integration.

I have already published on the subject, and would greatly like to expand the circle of support for this concept.

http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/robots/04-2084.html

AMSADL,
Very difficult to add to that, it is a truism.
Regards,Shaun