“Bombs kill kids.” --- Stating the obvious. “War solves nothing.” --- Disagree with this. “Bush is to Christianity as Bin Laden is to Islam” --- Very far fetched in my opinion. “Fight terrorism, not civilians. No blood for Bush’s oil.” --- Agree with the sentiment, however, on practical grounds I disagree. “Make love, not war. Killing proves nothing.” --- Pacifists. “John Howard, kiss my ass.” --- How can anyone endorse such a view? Where’s the respect? “John Howard represent US not US (of A).” --- It’s difficult to draw the line that John Howard is not representing Australia simply because he agrees with the Bush administrations line on Iraq. “Mum says no fighting.” --- ??? Dope smokers…? “No war against Iraq. No Australian involvement.” --- n/c “No war.” --- n/c “Why kill innocent Iraqi men women & children for the crimes of Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein?” --- Casualties are an unfortunate reality. What are the alternatives…? Any suggestions? “We want peace.” --- Doesn’t everybody?
Democracy is all about the government representing the wishes of the majority of the people. With respect to Iraq, John Howard is not following wishes of the majority of Australians.
Shouldn’t he be towing the public line? Isn’t he grossly out of order…?
…but wait a sec, if John Howard were to listen to the majority of the people on this issue, wouldn’t he be giving in to the ‘populist line’… the very thing the media so often ridicule him of doing?
You know what I mean--- John Howard the “populist” prime minister.
Well for once John Howard is not being populist, and he’s being crucified for it.
Does the general public know of all the facts regarding the real threats posed by Iraq, or other rogue states? Are they privy to private intelligence reports? Is the general public aware of the potential threats posed to Australia by either terrorists or perhaps a rebellious neighbour? Is it possible that John Howard is “kissing Bush’s ass” at the very time we may need him and America most?
We in the general public cannot answer these questions. You see, there is a vast information asymmetry between what the general public is aware of, and what the intelligence agencies and John Howard are aware of.
Perhaps more consideration should be given to this by those that are so ready to pass judgment…
