[MattinNJ]

FWIW, I was talking to a guy in the gym this A.M., whom I thought was an Aussie, and gave my condolences. He replied that he was actually from New Zealand. He said the only good thing to come from this was that maybe countries like Australia and New Zealand will become more active and stop letting the U.S do all the work (His words, not mine). When I told him that I thought those guys were always there for us he said that they were, but that Australia is really becoming more liberal and New Zealand doesn't have the resources to help us because they know the U.S will back them so they don't really bother gearing up.

[smpc]

That New Zealander musnt know the facts which are that Australia has provided more help to the US militarily than any other nation per capita.We are also one of the few nations who have been fully supportive of pre-emptive action in Iraq.While i have nothing but fond thoughts of Kiwis,their Government is way to the left of Australias,which far from being too liberal,is actually to the right of the Bush admin.Dont confuse a bunch of protesting leftists with the general Aussie consensus,which is very pro-American.About us letting the US do all the work,we were left to 'do all the work' in East Timor with no ones real support.