579,

Which "in-built economy" is that? The one with the denuded manufacturing base? The one that relies on cheap imports from China to prop it up? ....or the one that stomps around the globe grabbing resources under the guise of altruism?

(I'll overlook the fact that you referred to this venerable Belgian sleuth as "Parot" : )

I have already written Pairot 100 times, so the mistake should not happen again. If the US closed its borders to non essential items manufacturing would spring up overnight.

Poirot 579 has not a clue.We are not paying attention to the growing fascism around us.

Naomi Wolf's 10 easy steps to fascism
1/Create and terriying external threat. ie Al Qaeda
2/Create a Gulag.eg Guantanamo Bay
3/Develop a thug caste.The white shirts at the Occupy Movements.
4/Set up an internal surveillance system.It is everywhere.
5/Harass Citizen Groups.
6/Engage in arbitary detention and release of citizens.
7/Target key individuals.
8/Control the Press.
9/Dissent equals treason.
10/Suspend the rule of law.

All the above is happening to some degree in the USA.

Do you think that Julia Gillard who was all over Obama like a rash would stand up for our rights against the bully called the USA?

I can see it now Arjay, The USA are after you!

Nevermind, we'll hand the OLO hat around and send
you food parcels :)

A Arjay all those rules are needed to control the idiots in society. What is this occupy, going to achieve. Tell me, i don't have a clue. Are they greenies, or hippies, or just vagrants. What is their direction if any.

Thanks Arjay for your post. I wasn't aware of the recent updates in US law, of which you speak.

I hope your right about the dying super power bit Poirot, with my only reservation being whom will fill the void. Rendition certainly smacks of fascist regime to me as well wobbles.It seems that U.S., still believes its inalienable right to act as Global policeman.

The U.S. press did seem to cover this topic a little stevinmeyer, but I haven't seen much if anything locally, on this subject. The WP link had the worst and shortest attempt at comic animation I have ever witnessed on the subject, seamlessly linked to a lengthy and glossy commercial for an oil company. It was gross. If thats an example of what the yanks get from their media it was so mind numbing bad, it's a worry.

Now that Arjay has raised this I just wanted to say that I think this is a case of the U.S. throwing the baby out with the bath water when it comes to the rights of non U.S. citizens.

Trashing peoples rights in this way is something that their own constitution would not allow in their own country.

Is this the future for someone like our own Julian Assange ?.

If it is, then any future Australian Gov't that will protect the rights of one of our citizens over the wishes of a tyrannical super power (no matter which colour) will get my vote.

We have just witnessed the Labor Party agree to sell uranium to India at the behest of the U.S. I'm sure that will help our relations with Pakistan.(sic) That fight thankfully is not yet over within ALP.

When is it time to come out from under the umbrella of a super power ?, when its no longer raining. Australia's defence needs, could be served best at home, and not in support of other peoples International goals or conflicts.