579 You don't have to did very deep to find out about the shenanigans of the CIA.They are everywhere involved in drugs undermining Govts etc.The Green movement is communist and so is Gillard.David Rothschild is a public figure pushing Green agenda's.This Green agenda believes in saving the planet via a totalitariarn World Govt,run by the financial elites.Bob Brown is on TV heralding Gobal Governance.Were we asked to vote on this?

We see US soldiers in Afghanistan guarding the opium fields.A lot of this is entering Russia and this is what angers Putin.Without Putin NATO would be already in Iran and Syria.They are trying to do to Russia what Britian did to China ie the Opium wars.

Educate yourself and read some of the articles on Global Research.

Wow Arjay, old Clive doesn’t hold back does he!

I think it is a very complex situation, but my gut feeling is that we should definitely not be pandering to China’s wishes anywhere near as much as Palmer would like.

His enormous China First coal mine, due to come on line in 2014, which will be the biggest coal mine in Australia, is a huge step in the wrong direction, IMO.

His desire for the Chinese to have a freer path to more ownership and direct involvement in Australian businesses and mines is likewise.

We need to NOT become any more dependent on China for our economic wellbeing, as tempting as it is.

As for American or Australian aggression, well there is certainly a need to be security-conscious and to prepare ourselves accordingly. Stationing thousands of US Marine in northern Australia is a part of this. Whether it is a good idea or not I don’t know. But no matter what Australia did that was in any way a meaningful improvement to its defences, China would see it as antagonistic.

In fact, whatever we do to restrict China’s involvement in Australia will not go down well with them, which basically means that we either kowtow to their wishes and become virtually owned by them or we do things that stretch the friendship and perhaps lead to a more aggressive approach from them.

Quite frankly, I think it will get pretty ugly in the near future, given the immense size of China’s population and economy and their absolutely ravenous push for resources.

"It looks as though mankind has stopped developing because they just don't seem to learn or pass on what they learn. Portray a picture of looming crisis & they stick their head into the sand. Then, when the crap does hit the fan it's someone else's fault."

Please stop it 'individual' ... you are starting to sound like a 'loony lefty sock-puppet'.

For me, the most fascinating aspect of Clive Palmer's outbursts is that he is perhaps demonstrating to the world, not how much he understands the Chinese, but how little.

"'Why do you think the likes of the head of BHP and myself didn’t go to the dinner [with President Obama]?' Palmer explained. 'It’s because we aren’t that stupid. We have real interests [in China] and know how the Chinese act.'”

What he probably meant, of course, is that in one of his meetings with them, the representatives of the Chinese government politely "made it known" that they would be "displeased" with any show of Americanism. In a panic that this might affect his asking price, Palmer kow-tows (a very apposite description, under the circumstances; look it up) and does their bidding.

Of course, it is possible that I may be doing the chap an injustice, and he fully realizes and accepts that he is being manipulated by a foreign power, and simply prefers that to being... ummm, manipulated by a different foreign power.

Oh, right. But let's be clear on this.

Clive Palmer's interests appear similar to those of any mega-rich businessman (Twiggy Forrest, Gina Rinehart, Dick Smith et al.), in that they lie wholly and solely with themselves, and their further personal enrichment. As it is in any functioning capitalist country.

But equally, any association with the interests of Australia is purely coincidental.

I largely agree Pericles, except for one thing:

I would definitely NOT include Dick Smith in your little list of the self-interested mega-rich.

Me too Dick Smith is a great and governing Australian.
Indy is far right, Bonmot lost but worth a giggle now and again.
China, like it or not,as arjay tells us often, owns Americas debt.
It soon will be the biggest owner of other debts.
And considers annual growth of less than 5% a problem.
We would be silly to let our selves become a third world country by not trading with them.
Every one else will, Rechtub half a term to run, and you in any case are quite wrong.
If you got your wish we would be a strange country.
Arjay, constantly you say it is me who is blind, bloke we are headed for war, maybe this year.
You are quite right, the difference is I will be frighting on the other side the right side the west.