A lor of FR posters are just "talk before they think" types of people. I wouldn't take their jests seriously, and I don't think you should too. It's too bad because roughly speaking we are on the same boat of politics as them and their kneejerk remarks hurt our side of things.
Intelligent replies are in the minority, but you can spot them when they appear.
You are correct there. The impact at the grass roots level is very important as without grass roots support people such as John Howard do not survive. It even leads to situations were the hard left controls the balance of power through the Senate. In Australia that means the Greens. I am sure some of these comments have come from people who have no idea where Australia is or what its relations with the US are. In this part of the world being tactful with neighbouring countries is so important.
I found this report from the games very amusing:
Australian gymnasts win second gold medal
5:16 PM March 18
Australia continued its medal haul today when gymnasts Joshua Jefferis and Philippe Rizzo scored gold and bronze in the men's all-around final.
Canada's Nathan Gafuik thought he had secured the gold with a score of 88.35 but Jefferis' performance on his final apparatus was too strong, giving him an overall score of 89.45 and the gold medal.