Not sure I agree with that assessment totally davidf.

Australians have become more cynical and disrespectful of authority over the years and certainly more politically cynical. What we don't do enough of is put those thoughts into lawful actions.

We don't take to the streets or create a ruckus or form action groups when large numbers of individuals feel strongly about an issue. GetUp is probably the most recent example of Australians coming together when the policies of the previous government met the final-straw test.

No matter what you think of GetUp or even Peter Spencer, at least there are some people prepared to stand up to what they perceive as unfair policies.

While most Australians I know did not agree with the invasion of Iraq where were the street demonstrations and mass protests? While it was not exactly a parallel to Vietnam (no conscription) the politics and motivations were similar. Have we become too apathetic or are we just too comfortable? Are we more insular because much of our communication takes place online? Or is that a good way for information to be disseminated? Or is it more disinformation and opinion than fact?

Dear Pelican,

You asked where were the demonstrations against the war in Iraq. There were large demonstrations. I participated in one in Brisbane. That goes against my statement of Australians having too much respect for authority. However, the truth is more important than my statement. In that issue there were a large number of Australians, English and Americans questioning.

Blair lied about Hussein's WMDs being ready in 45 minutes, Bush lied about Hussein's connection with Al Qaeda, his attempt to purchase yellowcake and his WMDs and Howard lied about Australian troops being in Iraq two months before the invasion.

Those liars ignored the protests in all three countries.

I heartily agree david. It was truly a failure of duty of care to commit countries to war over a well orchestrated and vested-interest lie.

True there were some protests, but not on the same scale as the Vietnam protests, even though our populations are much larger.

I am not saying there are no protesters left, but they are fewer in numbers.

I agree with you that there needs to be more action on issues like Iraq - but as you say Western governments went ahead regardless of public opinion. The cynicism is there and well fertilised by current style of government but the oomph has gone - but I think we are getting it back. Americans proved as much by voting out the Conservatives as did the Aussies.

There will still be a battle to forge against the strength of large corporates who profit by war but the motivation and desire is there.

Dear Pelican,

The protests against Iraq were quite large especially since they were against a war that hadn't started but was only contemplated. As I remember the protests against Vietnam did not become large in the US where I was at the time until numbers of Americans started coming home in boxes. The protests at the beginning were small.

I wanted to appear dignified in my protest against our actions in Vietnam so I walked in front of the army recruiting office in Philadelphia wearing a tailor made three piece suit and carrying a sign against the war. This incensed a man wearing a similar suit and a briefcase who ran up to me, spit in my face and bellowed, "War is the health of the state."

The Tonkin Gulf Resolution which authorised LBJ to increase the forces in Vietnam was based on the lie that the US Navy was attacked in international waters.

Pelican, I can see what David f was getting at.
There is a reason why people seem less likely to create a ruckus. Western governments have of late become very adept at imposing a fear-based reign of control on the populace.
British writer, Tom Hodgkinson, in his book "How To Be Free" sums it up well:
"...Anxiety suits the status quo very well. Anxious people make good consumers and good workers...Anxiety will drive us back into our comfort blankets of credit-card shopping and bad food, so the system deliberately produces anxiety while simultaneously promising to take it away...we are told we are in a perpetual state of war. We (in Britain) are no longer at war with the IRA, we are at war with Al-Qaeda. Different enemy,same anxiety and the same end result: mass powerlessness."

Too much respect for authority? now hang on in truth not being able to fill the streets for demonstrations is no measure.
Apathy and just plain lack of interest is a likely reason.
Iraq? long way from Victoria and nothing to do with the thread.
Never say every one is the same on any subject, this granny state thing for a start.
Some of the criminals who have bought this about would not know the difference between some one from India and an Apache.
Some will be well educated some unable to read or write.
Lets say we do not want to be a granny state, ok lets stop adds that warn of surfing in a rip, or smoking, sun cancer, life be in it stuff, surely they know already.
Let us save a few bob on needless road signs like keep left or speed limits we do not want to give the idea it matters do we?