Just flipping through Yahoo! News when I noticed Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has apparently caused something of a stir with some comments in referrence to Taiwan. The story itself didn’t particularly excite me, but it did re-invigorate my appreciation for Australian political discourse. I mean, I wish U.S. politicians could say things like this:
[Australian Prime Minister] Howard said it was “patently absurd” to suggest the issue had damaged US-Australian relations.
“For most of this year I have been pilloried for being too close to George Bush,” said Howard, a strong supporter of the US-led Iraq invasion.
“At the faintest suggestion that there is a slightly different emphasis, people are saying ‘dear, this is terrible’ — that is a tad hypocritical of them,” he told public radio.
Or like this:
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said Downer was trying to cover himself after blundering into one of the world’s most sensitive diplomatic minefields.
“He’s done a Beijing backflip with Taiwan twist and pike,” Rudd said. “Frankly he shouldn’t have opened his mouth the way he did in the first place.”
Downer was criticised by the Philippines last month for saying Manila acted “like a marshmallow” by withdrawing troops from Iraq to save a hostage Filipino truck driver.
Of course, then there’s the Paul Keating Insults Archive, an online collection of colorful comments by Australia’s blunt-spoken former prime minister. These are just his quotes about John Howard alone:
“What we have got is a dead carcass, swinging in the breeze, but nobody will cut it down to replace him.”
“He’s wound up like a thousand day clock…”
“…the brain-damaged Leader of the Opposition…”
(Of his 1986 leadership) “From this day onwards, Howard will wear his leadership like a crown of thorns, and in the parliament I’ll do everything to crucify him.”
“He is the greatest job and investment destroyer since the bubonic plague.”
“But I will never get to the stage of wanting to lead the nation standing in front of the mirror each morning clipping the eyebrows here and clipping the eyebrows there with Janette and the kids: It’s like ‘Spot the eyebrows’.”
“I am not like the Leader of the Opposition. I did not slither out of the Cabinet room like a mangy maggot…”
“He has more hide than a team of elephants.”
“I do not want to hear any mealymouthed talk from the Member for Benelong.”
“The principle saboteur, the man with the cheap fistful of dollars.”
“Come in sucker.”
During Great Debate ‘96: “You’re so rude!”
Be sure to read the rest on your own.
12 Comments
The Australian left appears not much different than the American left. Instead of debating and presenting an alternate plan to solving the world’s problems, they denigrate themselves by hurling personal insults at people on the right. Howard is in a tough campaign right now, let’s hope he gets re-elected for the sake of the free world.
Come to think of it, Australia has been America’s only constant ally since World War I. Thanks Australia!
Could someone without too much of an ax to grind one way or the other clarify this — what point, exactly do you think Downer _was_ trying to make? This certainly seems like an important matter and I’d like to understand what the Aussie stance is.
I agree with Howard in that it was a harmless comment. I don’t see the Chinese saying, “Let’s take out Taiwan now that Australia is out of it.” They’ve got some good subs and maybe could send a few F-18s or operate F-111s from Clark, but probably couldn’t do much else. Let’s face it, it’s all about the 7th Fleet.
In addition to the wording at Yahoo, Downer said that the ANZUS treaty should be treated as “symbolic” and that this was the basis of why Australia wouldn’t come to the US’s aid in defending Taiwan.
It might not lead the mainland on to invade Taiwan, but does the US need allies that treat mutual-defense treaties as “symbolic”? When it might be a benefit to the Aussie PM he’ll send some troops to help the US out and when it isn’t, well the US is SOL.
I think that, whatever his purpose, Downer has sent a useful message to certain parties in the United States: watch your rhetoric and your step around Taiwan — it’s an issue where even traditional allies can and will get antsy.
I mean, if a war should erupt over Taiwan, I think it’s doubtful if regional allies like South Korea and Japan will be on board. After all, pissing off a nuclear power who happens to be just next door is not done lightly, and there’s nothing like NATO or the EU to bind countries like Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, the Thais, or the Phillipines together in mutual harmony.
Watch out for a new shitstorm in Korea with this Paul Hamm medal issue. Big, bad America sticking it to the little guy again.
Why are you yanks so obsessed with yourselves? Australia is under no obligation whatsoever to help America help Taiwan. America’s obligation to Taiwan comes from America’s domestic law, not any treaty. ANZUS is a completely different beast. Stop your whingeing.
Why are you yanks so obsessed with yourselves?… Stop your whingeing.
chriswaugh??? ??¨?¶€?¡œ ?????°?§€ ?§???¼??”.
no2 diet pills
You may find it interesting to check some helpful info in the field of diet pill cod
diet pill research
Take your time to visit the sites on looking for a diet pills that works
discover card
Take your time to visit the sites about discover card cash advance personal loans
Ply Fr Pkr txs hldm
You are invited to visit the sites on txs hldm wnnng hnds