Thank you for clear article. Problem is that Australia has become a cypher for the current USA Bush/Cheney administration and hence supporter and promoter of sale of weapons (Halliburton, Lockheed et al). Sadly the UK has many, many business interests involved in arms dealing, too, so our close proximity to the Blair lot similarly makes us complicit in support and promotion of arms dealing and profits. Depleted uranium is another aspect of this weaponry horror - we were told there was no depleted uranium used in Afghanistan or Iraq - more untruths. Odd that the Australian majority has not alerted itself to the dishonesty and deceit of the current regime or has not been outspoken on the subject and against the dissembling (to put it 'nicely') of the lot in federal power. Ultimately our (perhaps traditional) obeisance to authority lets Australia down. We now hold a shameful place in the world of human rights and promotion of peace - namely, a negative place.

ozzian are quite like other human beings. they accept the world they grow in to as 'the way things should be'. in oz, people simulate citizens every 2-3 years as they are mustered into the (vote) shearing sheds, and go back to growing tax fleeces the rest of the time. you're right on the money, jocelynne, about being too submissive too politicians. but it is the natural consequence of living in a parliamentary society- if you want real citizens,you need real democracy.

this isn't going to happen ssoon. 90% don't know what democracy is, half the remainder do, vaguely, and don't want a bar of it.

so get used to being a political sheep- you always have been,so becoming aware should be gradual, and painless.