mhaze,

I think it's called toxic positivity.

ttbn,

Every nation has been guilty of letting its defence force decline, including America. Trump's criticism of nations not pulling their weight is valid, but Ukraine has changed that. I'd also point out that the United States has spent many times the amount supporting Ukraine on pointless conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, so at least their money is supporting people who value democratic freedoms, and destroying Russia's terrorist military is a damn good thing for the world. My guess is that Russia is fast running out of equipment, but I'd be more optimistic if Ukraine could stop the heavy barrage of glide bombs. Unless they can do that they will not make substantial advances.

Taiwan stands to benefit from Ukraine, both strategically and technologically, and I also think it less likely that the aggression of China's navy will be ignored.

I like to think of the wisdom of a taxi driver from Bangladesh who told my sister that people are the same the world over. It gives me cause to be optimistic, although not to a toxic degree.

"BTW; Are you still claiming China has a "bigger" navy than America? "

I already PROVED to you that that was the case. You even conceded it by rapidly changing the subject. Why do you want to revisit this when you ended up looking so foolish last time?

As to the buffalo horns thing...you're an idiot.

"Acts of intimidation such as sailing war ships close to other nations in a show of belligerency is dangerous for peace and stability."

No. When one nation, in total contravention of all international law, asserts that international water now belong to them, it is imperative that others dispute that lest that imperialism be achieved. When China claims waters as their own without any legitimacy, we and all law abiding nations must dispute that. Its a bit like when the facistic censors of the Albanese government decreed that we weren't allowed to watch the preacher being stabbed, it was incumbent on all freedom-loving Australians to immediately watch it.

Its how peace is maintained. This'll go over your head, but history shows that letting totalitarian states get away with aggression is never the path to peace, but instead accelerates the road to war.

mhaze

That's right fella, China has a larger navy than US, China has 100 row boats US only has 99 battle ships, yep the Chinese navy is defiantly larger. BUT neither can compare to the Royal Navy of Tovala which has no row boats, and defiantly no battle ships, but does have over 200 canoes. you're an idiot. The buffalo horns and painted face, that was the outfit of the lead Trumpster during the Jan 6th insurrection in Washington, you being the lead Trumpster in Aussie I thought maybe you're wearing the same outfit, painted face and all.

This was what I told you a few months back....

"Counting all major surface ships ,aircraft carriers, ocean-going amphibious ships, submarines, mine warfare ships, and fleet auxiliaries as well as patrol combatants and craft that carry anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) the CCP has 440 vessels compared to the US 295. Those are 2020 figures. The gap would be bigger now."

Whereupon you immediately tried to change the subject. Still it was a few months back so who could expect you to remember that, eh? Now you are just trying to play the fool (and I have to admit you're very good at it) by talking about canoes!!

OTOH in the mindset where the totalitarian CCP are peace-loving pacifists, it just isn't possible to believe that they are involved in a massive military build-up, is it Paul?

"you being the lead Trumpster in Aussie ..""
I doubt that. BTW did you ever get around to explaining why you don't support Trump given that he is supported by the majority of the US working class and you preen yourself as being a friend of the downtrodden?

mhaze,

I don't support Trump, and in fact I don't support Biden, I don't support any American politicians as a rule, nor Chinese ones for that matter. As the brainwashed Trumpster, seems you believe there is some mandatory requirement for YOU to support Trump. News for you fella, your support for the Dangerous Doctor Donald is worth 4/5th of FA to anyone, including Trump.

Even Dutton believes it is important for the government to raise concerns and grievances with China.

He is not talking about “shirt fronting”, but speaking up for Australia as any PM with a backbone would. He will be raising the issues in his meeting with the Chinese premier on Monday, even if it's just too much for Albanese. He refused to answer outright when asked if he would raise the issue of Taiwan, however. Like all of the political class, trading with the Communists seems to be more important than human rights and the Communist military threat to a democratic country.

Dutton still has a long way to go to show that he is a good replacement for Albanese. We are still stuck with the ‘bit-better-than-Labor’ mantra.

China will always be a poisoned chalice for Australia given our entire political class's obsession with money/trade over the realities of a disgusting Communist dictatorship that no self-respecting democracy should have a bar of.