Why I Love Australia (Krauthammer)

Washington Post ^ | June 23, 2006 | Charles Krauthammer

[West Coast Conservative]

In the Australian House of Representatives last month, opposition member Julia Gillard interrupted a speech by the minister of health thusly: "I move that that sniveling grub over there be not further heard."

For that, the good woman was ordered removed from the House, if only for a day. She might have escaped that little time-out if she had responded to the speaker's demand for an apology with something other than "If I have offended grubs, I withdraw unconditionally."

God, I love Australia. Where else do you have a shadow health minister with such, er, starch? Of course I'm prejudiced, having married an Australian, but how not to like a country, in this age of sniveling grubs worldwide, whose treasurer suggests to any person who "wants to live under sharia law" to try Saudi Arabia and Iran, "but not Australia." He was elaborating on an earlier suggestion that "people who . . . don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then they can basically clear off." Contrast this with Canada, historically and culturally Australia's commonwealth twin, where last year Ontario actually gave serious consideration to allowing its Muslims to live under sharia.

Such things don't happen in Australia. This is a place where, when the remains of a fallen soldier are accidentally switched with those of a Bosnian, the enraged widow picks up the phone late at night, calls the prime minister at home in bed and delivers a furious, unedited rant -- which he publicly and graciously accepts as fully deserved. Where Americans today sue, Australians slash and skewer.

For Americans, Australia engenders nostalgia for our own past, which we gauzily remember as infused with John Wayne plain-spokenness and vigor.

[fanfan]

Hey Buddy!

Nice to see you!

[kanawa]

It does call into question someone's concept of and taste in allies
when one observes who they consider their ally to be on this thread. ;~D

[Freee-dame]

I have been pondering about moving myself & family to New Zealand.

New Zealand and Australia are not the same. New Zealand is emerging from socialist roots. Australia if much more free spirited. The people are very nice in both places, however.

[proud_yank]

Just turn your rabid killing machine of a dog loose. LOL

[proud_yank]

ROFLMAO!

[itsamelman]

The Ozzies.

.

[spatso]

"I would venture a guess that Canadian FReepers share that same view."

I thought so too, but I was told the only reason i had raised the matter is because I was gay or homophobic or both.

[fanfan]

Gang up on you?

What are you?
A troll?

Seems to me that the only people who get "ganged up on" at FR are trolls/liberals.

Which are you?

[GMMAC]

Just me or isn't it more than a tad - dare I say - 'trollish' for supposed 'conservatives' to be disparaging America's friends and allies at virtually every opportunity?

[fanfan]

I thought so too, but I was told the only reason i had raised the matter is because I was gay or homophobic or both.

You see Spatso, thats where you are missing the point again.

Almost all the posts you have made since joining FR have been on gays in Canada.

From simple observation, it is obvious you are obsessed with the subject.

No offense meant. Just a simple observation.

[spatso]

"Seems to me that the only people who get "ganged up on" at FR are trolls/liberals."

No, that is not true. Anyone who is critical of the Canadian administration is immediately attacked by the full collective force of the Canadian posse. Fortunately, they could also be known as the gang that couldn't shoot.

[Fairview]

. . . firearms are not banned and we are not disarmed.

I'm very glad to hear that! It did seem inconsistent with the Australian national character and history.

[spatso]

"You see Spatso, thats where you are missing the point again.

Almost all the posts you have made since joining FR have been on gays in Canada."

We've had that conversation before. You know I tend to stay on a single thread rather than jump around. It is true you call it my fascination with gays in Canada. I call it the soft Canadian international image undermined by its desire to appear and be nice to everyone. As you know I have stayed on threads unrelated to this matter, indeed my primary interest is and continues to be border security.
So, why have I stayed with the subject as long as I have. First because the Canadian posse disrespected me and tried to bully me. Second, because I believe I am right and, third, as Mrs. Spatso says, they have no idea just how stubborn you are. The problem is you and the posse know that I am right, you just can't bring yourselves to admit it.

[A Strict Constructionist]

Very interesting. To most US gunowners, a license is the first step to confiscation. I know many don't believe the slipery slope argument, but once government has it's head in the tent it is like the camel it will go all the way. Look at England, almost no gun laws until after the Communist started to come to power in Russia and the Lords and Ladies became very concerned because of labor problems. It could happen anywhere. The Brady Bunch here would love to make the US the next victim.
Good Luck Down Under as you have a warm place in the hearts of Americans.

[CaptainCanada]

You have to wonder as to what motivates some to post what they post
on this forum.
At a time when our democracy, freedoms and culture are under attack from
many quarters (liberalism, socialism, radical Islamists, etc,etc), one
would think that this is where we those of us who are most interested in
protecting and defending our rights, freedoms, traditional culture, etc,
would come for ideas, dialoque and mutual support.
These are not Canada vs Austaralia vs America issues, as there is little
difference in the general makeup of each of the western democracies and
the common threats facing each of our respective countries.
That many here spend as much time criticising other countries
for problems they also have is actually detrimental to the common fight we have
against our real enemies and you have to wonder why these so-called
"Conservatives"would eliberately bait other Conservatives????
With "Conservative" FRiends like these, who needs Liberals?
My guess is that they have an agenda and it has little to do with
Conservatism and even less with fighting the real threats facing western
civilization.

[spatso]

"My guess is that they have an agenda and it has little to do with Conservatism and even less with fighting the real threats facing western civilization."

You know it is really interesting how skilled you guys have become at pretending everything is okay. You don't seem to have any difficulty taking a run at others, but as soon as somebody holds you guys accountable you start whining and crying foul. All you got to do is stand up and face the music. The Canadian government has an image of being soft and they don't appear to be doing anything to improve that image. Period.

[Clemenza]

Their wine SUCKS, but I still love the Ozzies.

[CaptainCanada]

The Canadian government has an image of being soft and they don't appear to be doing anything to improve that image. Period.

So the Canadian Gov't (led by Harpers Conservatives) has an image of being
weak???? and they don't "appear to be doing anything to improve that image"?????
If ignorance were a virtue, you'd be in the process of being deified...

[Brian Allen]

Straw man.

False premise.

Fraudulent question.

Three [Definitively-Liberal] strikes.

You're out.

[Next?]

[spatso]

"So the Canadian Gov't (led by Harpers Conservatives) has an image of being
weak???? and they don't "appear to be doing anything to improve that image"?????"

I don't have any doubt the new government has good intentions and they may make wonderful changes. But, when a national symbol as powerful as the mounties becomes diluted as a result of it being pulled into a gay wedding ceremony. And, the prime minister says no one in the government is to say anything negative about the nuptials. And, a representatives of the Mounties say the gay wedding is an indication of the diversity of their police force. Well, from not too far away it appears to me that Canada still has a pretty soft image.