[NZerFromHK]

Thanks, and I thought a comparison with Australia serves as an excellent example of why Canada (even with Paul Matrin rather than Jean Chretien as the PM) is less a friend of the US than Australia. Even the Australian Official Opposition leader Mark Latham - who in theory is on the Left politically in Australia - supports cracking down illegal immigration and supports joining the US-led NMD programme:

Australia Opposition Promises New Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

The Australian: Latham's security somersault catches public's mood [December 18, 2003]

New Zealand is an altogether a dofferent matter. It is like a mini Canada and the politics is both "pacifist", far-left social democrat (except non-indigenous race issues, in which case Pat Buchanan would enjoy widespread support) and anti-American. Our "centre right" politicians would be considered like Clinton Democrats and "real" Republicans as "fringe right".

And in terms of faith, Australia and New Zealand are both famous for their secular humanism. I think many people are explicitly atheist or overtedly "cultural Christians". I don't think people will care for the film "The Passion" at all.

[Kay]

I'm so sorry. The folks I knew overseas from Australia and New Zealand were dedicated, joyous believers.