I have a real problem with liberalism or socialism. The problem is they are inherently evil. Not to say all liberals are evil but they must either be evil or mistaken.
the nuclear free zone is more than a little selfish too, although foolishly so. The idea is that by not allowing nuclear weapons you will not be attacked by them yet will still enjoy the benefits of being protected by the U.S., tho you would claim that you do not want the protection.
As far as cleaning toilets for the Japanese, I doubt you would be alive to even do that if not for the American Navy.
One more thing.
The U.S. either does or has fed the World. I know NZ is not a third world nation and probably exports mutton but much of the world would have starved without U.S. help.
Mate, I don't want to get you barking and howling, but you're out of line talking to my Trans-Tasman brothers like that. I've lived in the US for 25 years and the arrogance of the reply i've quoted is still pretty galling -- but far from unusual.
For starters, the Kiwis and Australia have every reason to be upset about nukes. The bloody French were letting them off at muroroa, in the atmosphere and underwater until just a couple of years ago, and poisoning half the pacific. Australian milk still has some of the highest strontium 90 levels outside the chernobyl fall-out shadow. Tempers got so frayed about it that someone burned down the french consulate in Perth.
The NZer's had every right to say no to nukes. Just as they've got every right to tax themselves to oblivion, lacerate themselves with white guilt, and win the America's cup. It's their country after all. The Reagan administration over-reacted, which in turn sparked an even greater anger in New Zealand. Today, the legacy of that Reagan era arrogance manifests itself in Helen Clark's antipathy. It's wrong, but that's the history behind it -- and it could have been avoided if the US had demonstrated a bit of diplomatic savvy.
As for the presumption that the US has been a four-square ANZUS partner, I think not. Once again the problem is arrogance.
Look what the U.S. did to Australian and NZ lamb exports. Stopped 'em cold. All this talk about free trade from Washington, and the moment a few sheep shaggers in montana or wherever buy the ear of a congressman, Kiwi lamb exports get taxed off the US market and the NZ economy gets sacked.
OK, so you probably think they deserve it for banning your nuke warships. So what about Australia? It always welcomed any ship the US sent, and what did Washington do: It banned Australian lamb, too. Thanks very much, our great and powerful friend!
Now don't get too upset, on the grand scale of humanity, America still comes up with a pretty decent batting average. But at a time like this, when people of goodwill all over the world want to support the US, that sort of arrogance doesn't make it any easier. High-tax statists like Hulun Cluck remember the petty slights, the same way you would if a visitor to your home and dropped his cigar in your orchid pot.
It loses more friends than it gains. Anyway, the Kiwis have enough on their plate. The Prime Minister is an economic illiterate and the country's moral compass is set by social workers. If they couldn't go to Australia, they'd have nothing to look forward to.
Finally, here's a song to serenade the next Kiwi you meet. It's sung to the tune of Amore and it goes like this:
When you see
Two black feet
On the street
In Bondi,
It's a Maori!
Kiwis always enjoy fine music.