Looks like Snowden will be in russia for a while yet. Everybody spies, the idea is not to get caught. But seeing the word is out and Abbott with his big mouth, has no option but to send sincere apologies and without delay. Indonesia has the upper hand if AU wants to trade and do business there. A diplomatic disaster is in the making the longer time goes on.

I had a cursory glance at some of the Indonesian press a bit earlier this morning including some more local stuff in the national language - Bahasa Ibu Kota.

I think it important to say that when reckoning these things, it is important to really do the hard yards and try to come to some reasonable conception of how it is that Indonesians consider this.

Whom do you think you may have offended? Just BaPak Indonesia and his immediate circle, or pretty much everyone?

..

No, "Thieves" they say poppets, "Robbers," "Highwaymen" ..

They are setting the Grass on fire and withering the flowers to defend the Honour of their country and their leaders and to do what their leaders cannot.

It is a matter of damage control now, and best efforts to salvage what may yet still be preserved.

..

*Kevin*

..

This in part is what *BaPak Marty* means when he said "really stupid."

Dear SOG,

I don't watch SBS. However I do the ABC.
Do you ever watch "Q and A?"
And, did you watch
Monday night's program from India?
It was awesome! That program had to be among one of
the best of "Q and A."

In amongst all of this I found myself wondering if I had anything at all in common with Abbott.

What floated to the top was that indeed many years ago I too thought to become involved more closely with the Priests and the Priestesses, though, I am mostly fond of the "Wild Missionary" tales of old, and growing hops with the tribes and that sort of thing.

And the Meritus said to me:

" Your mind's not prepared, I'll see you when you get there. "

..

As it turned out, perhaps it was the tobacco smoking that lead to premature death by stroke and not so long thereafter, I fell into darkness, so to speak, for quite some time.

..

Anyway, I did not know that we have those who suffer from leprosy in Australia, or at least, so I was led to believe recently.

And I wonder, are they being well cared for in accordance with best international practice?

It is tough being a conservative PM on a site full of left leaning posters, in a country with a media so far left they think the center is radical.

Poor old Tony was all apologies the first time he traveled north, & was viciously attacked by media & Labor for being a wimp.

Now it appears he has taken the lefts advice, stood up to our noisy neighbors, & is wrong again.

Of course we all know nothing he does can ever be approved of by the left, & my bet is Tony's having a bit of fun at their expense.

Dear Hasbeen,

Have you ever been right about anything?