Do you hate all things USA or just the more recent issues ie Iraq.
Of course not. I love jazz, rock and roll, American literature and have an admiration for the US constitution.
However, I do revile the MIC, warmongering, over-consumption, false advertising, pollution, religious fanaticism and hegemony, doesn't matter who does them. Just happens that during my lifetime, the United Stupids have been at number 1 spot or close on all of these.
I am curious as to whether you believe we should or shouldn't be allies. Of course we could be allies and not brown nose but would the US really be supportive if the sh-t hit the fan in little Oz with say our friendly neighbours in the north.
I don't think the US would be supportive, regardless of what toadying we do if Oz was threatened. US interests lie in economic exploitation of as much of the world's resources as they can lay their hands on - thus it serves US interests if Oz remains a compliant client state. Thus it wouldn't matter if another country set its sights on invasion - as long as *they* were also a compliant US client state.
True strength for Oz imo lies in maintaining and building trade and diplomatic friendships with as many nations as we can whilst adhering to international treaties on human rights - i.e. not compromising our nation's integrity and undermining our international voice as our current government has done so often during its regrettably long term in power. Economic fire power equals political clout.
So do we need the protection of the US or are we unlikely to ever be attacked by another country or countries that may believe resource by force is cheaper than resource by purchase?
The fact that we are a developed nation with developed markets and consumer demands insulates us from invasion to quite an extent - for example, if China wanted to invade us for our resources, it would undermine its own trade with us for manufactured goods.
I believe that it is our interest that we maintain a close relationship with the US and it is perhaps their ability not to be rational when it comes to war that keeps some of the non english speaking war mongering countries a little nervous.
Compromising our nation's integrity by colluding with madness imo does not do us any favours with developing our markets with our neighbours.
But maybe I am being racist and those countries really have no interest in our vast country and her resources.
If "those countries" are assisted by Australia to develop, they will have no need to invade us.
