Posted on 09/11/2004 2:54:15 AM PDT by DownUnderInOz
Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm an American living in Australia. G'day to all
Welcome to FR!
Oh, that dying party of whiners and the soon to be defunct liberal rubber stamp?
Welcome to FR.
"Frankston - seeing you're in Melbourne, I can be a bit precise. I work closer to the city, though.
Active in the Liberal Party, so definitely wanting to see Howard re-elected, but I support Geelong - but only because it's dangerous in this state not to support somebody."
Good to hear you are active in the Liberal Party (hey everyone, in Australia, the "Liberal Party" is the same as the conservative republicans there in America). It's beautiful down there in Frankston. Nice beaches. Pricey real estate too, but I guess that the high value there keeps the riff raff out of down, hey? I work in Surrey Hills, live in Glen Iris. I was recruited to be a Saints supporter before I came over here to live. My wife's family told me if I wanted to come here, I'd have to support the Saints. If it's any condolence though, Len Thompson (Thommo of the Collingwood AFL of yesteryear) is a personal friend of mine, and he is always having a go at me about the Saints!
Although New Zealand is a virtual paradice, I agree, most of them have lost the plot about Islamic Extremists and the danger they impose on the free world. They all have their heads stuck in the sand. Or is it they all have their heads stuck up their _____? heh heh I've been to NZ many times, though, beautiful country. Fantastic place!
I have to take a small break and run to the shop for some late night snacks. Back in about a half hour!
One of these days boy!
Hey, be careful sitting under coconut trees down there, I hear they're hazardous to one's noggin!
What keeps you folks living down under from falling off????
Welcome "home".
I lived in Exmouth (on the NorthWest Cape) from '78-'81. Best years of my life, mate. Wish I cudda stayed!
Welcome. But can't you get some of your exquisite Aussie "sheilas" to join as well..?
Welcome DownUnder
Personal factoid: I was chatting with an Aussie in Sydney who was watching ABC when the first tower was hit and he alerted me to the breaking news in my own country. Bizarre stuff.
Spiked shoes - and the increased blood flow to the head is what makes us so smart.
Welcome Down Under FReeper.....
Please keep us up to date on our Aussie friends.
Welcome aboard mate.
Regarding the Jakarta bombings, is there any speculation (I'd suspect the shock of Bali was too great for most people to think of connecting dots at that time) about the involvement of Indonesian authorities in either or both atrocities? Indonesia is a latent threat to Australia and there are some in Jakarta who see you folks and your land as very tempting targets.
Good one! Keeps your grasses well aerated too......
If I can give my view, Howard's chances are pretty good, but it really is quite difficult to tell - I remember losing two unloseable elections in the last 12 years.
There are some concerns about a Spanish style situation - but our security people have actually taken into custody several fairly prominent terror suspects, and we have reason to hope that this has crippled any significant organisations operating on our mainland. There's no certainty, of course, but it does reduce the threat.
The big problem is the Leader of the Opposition, Mark Latham - he went off half cocked months ago and made a very ill advised public announcement that he would withdraw Australian troops from Iraq by Christmas, if elected, and while he's backed away slightly from that position, it's still a core policy for him - so somebody might well think that helping him get elected will work in their favour.
I'm inclined to doubt it would work - I do think Australians would be more likely to return the government if we were attacked on our home soil - but I'm honestly not certain of that anymore.
What is going to determine the election here, in my opinion, is what voters decide are the biggest issues. Howard is certainly more respected when it comes to security, and managing the economy - but Latham and Labor probably have the edge on issues like health and education. It really depends on what people decide is more important to them.
I hate to say it - I don't like placing political importance on something like that, but it is a reality, the bombing in Jakarta probably boosts Howard's chances, because it makes security concerns more current.
At the same time, it also increases the chances that Labor might take such issues more seriously if they are elected - while Latham's not my favourite person, his likely Defence Minister is a pretty competent and experienced chap (that's a personal belief - my party's official position is quite different, but when I was in the Navy, I had a fair amount to do with the man, and I think most of the problems he presided over were caused by his Prime Minister imposing bad policy on him).
I think you are an hour ahead of us. It is now 9:15 pm and there are 9/11 programs on TV.
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