Mr. Cheney with dictates from Bush,'Big Oil'and the war industry is on his way to Canberra to lay-out the groundwork for war with Iran. It is not clear yet what the official pretext will be, but in all likelihood - will be manufactured. Washington also has no illusions about Labor, Liberal and the Greens ever-ready to prostrate themselves and 'toe the line;'in fact the whole political establishment and media will be called to attention and under no circumstances mention 'OIL.'
Much can be gleaned from the former US National Security Advisor Mr.Brzezinski, last month, taking the stand before Senate Foreign Relations Committee, outlined a "plausible scenario for a military collision with Iran." It would, he suggested, involve Iraqi "failure to meet the benchmarks, followed by accusations of Iranian responsibility for the failure, then by some provocation in Iraq or a terrorist act in the US blamed on Iran, culminating in a ‘defensive’ US military action against Iran that plunges a lonely America into a spreading and deepening quagmire eventually ranging across Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Back in 2005 The Washington Post cited official White House documents that showed through a series of meetings under Mr.Cheney, 5 of the largest US oil industry executives actually drafted what US policy for energy would consist of and where supplies would come from. More to the point, just who was going to benefit from the multi billion dollar energy bill. It was Cheneys responsibility as head of a government department to set policy independantly. Irrespective of the outragous nature and improper conduct involved, Cheney and the White House to this day have blocked and precluded any public accounting of what went on during the energy task force’s meetings by virtually withholding all records and without any mention of Iraq.

Is this a great opportunity to arrest a high ranking US official on any number of "alleged" war crimes and arrange a prisoner swap for Hicks?

That is a interesting thought, I did not even think of that.

Ha - that would be most amusing.

We'd stash him in Nauru, then act rather smug when the Americans angrily ask for the reasons, and we say that unfortunately we have to keep that secret for now... but we'll charge him when we can.
We could also give him a library with no books.

Of course, the resultant politcal fallout would be less amusing, but for that brief period before we were duly punished, it would be mighty entertaining.

I wish Cheney would go home. The helicopters over Sydney are turning this place into some war zone. They are just so noisy. And why? The elderly man is looking for a lawyer to go for a shooting spree. No takers in the US. Maybe some fool from Australia will join him.

This tired old man wants to meet our tired old PM. What will they discuss? Retirement plans? Smokey Dawson chairs?

Doesn't he have somewhere else to go? Maybe Orlando, Florida with Jebadiah.

Howard could end up having a stroke trying to crawl when he really needs another papy nap. Did I say the word old?

Cornelia Francis, please come out and tell them your line.

They are the weakest link.

Good bye.

Gday Dick, how goes it, silly question, I am not usualy in the anti war camp.
Few years ago I may have been humming your national anthem as you spoke but not now.
Watched your speach on Sky for me it was a different song in my mind 6 fox news reporters sung give war a chance, to the tune of our great anti war anthem.
It came to mind that your unfortunatle shooting of a hunter friend was not unlike Iraq friendly fire and all that.
The lie that took us there appart the war was not fought well was it?
The tortures the friendly fire the rapes the under staffing of troops .
Dick just wanted you to know not every one is pleased to see you beaten, true bloke.
But next time yep we will soon have a next time can we fight like human beings?
Can we remember we are better than our enemy?
Oh MATE, bet short bottom Howards uses that name a lot this weekend, can you send Dave Hicks home ? please?
Come on bloke America is better than a cat playing with a mouse isnt it? please?
Hey! promse I will go away soon Richard me old pal what happened to that dirty faced young yank Walker wasnt it? who was dragged out of the rouble in Afgainstan ? young Muslim convert?
done his 5 years without trial has he?
If John rolls over on his back do not be afraid he just wants you to rub his belly.