Jewely:

Perhaps it's part of our upbringing? I grew up with being extremely proud of "We're British, you know!" it was instilled in us at school.
It wasn't about "fear" as such, it was simply in "doing the right thing!" I went to an all-girls High School, where our Headmistress was a very conservative Scot - (but in actual fact - more British than the British) whose ethos was "Always be a Lady!" and she tried to instill in all her "girls" behaviour that she felt was appropriate
for women who were going to "grace social gatherings." Conservative?
(And then some). So, speaking your mind, was not an option that was encouraged. It's taken me years to get over it. But even now, old
habits die hard at times.

Hey Lexi, watching the first reactions to wikileaks and how Aussie govt responded in a knee jerk way I think I understood the hold they want and impose on the people in a general sense.

I’m going to go look up protests, Belly mentioned the Springbok tour and I remember those ones well. But I wonder if Aussies do protest much about anything in opposition to government anymore.

Jewely:

Aussies will always voice their protests with governments on a variety of issues be they against war, same-sex marriage, abortion,
freedom of choice, euthanasia, environment, climate change, and so on. You'll get Green voters urging the end to logging in old growth forests on the one hand with logging families out on the street demanding their jobs be protected on the other. Then also people voice their views from blogging, to talk-back radio, street rallies, reality TV, as well as regular elections. There used to be a time when
people would get on a "soap-box" in a Park and vent their feelings. Now they've got the internet, and discussion forums.

Yep some people can do that… you know there are many people banned from doing that though. Like whole departments and everyone associated with them.

So we can say some Aussies get out there and vent while anyone with real info is kept quiet.

And then along came Julian and government reacted in a gibbering panic.

We've so taken this thread off track. :)

Got the message jewely thanks,
Aussies do not hide in the corner they get up and have a go.
But not like they once did fear in the work place sees some stay in the corner.
Watch the noted people rushing to aid Mr Wikileaks, they are mostly Aussies and I am proud of their defiance of American power miss used.
Lexi yes went that way England was home for third generation Australians.
We each and every one of us should get down on our knees and give thanks for post war migration, it gave us much, including pride in our country.

Belly:

Is it any wonder that I admire you so much?