Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

I have studied politics, and yes Australian politics. I also maintain a keen interest in it. So I certainly do not consider myself naive.

You really must live in a parallel world! Try watching any commerical tv station or listening to any commercial radio station for a while. Try just (objectively) observing how Australians interact with yourself and others. Listen to what is discussed. Stop and ask yourself about the level interaction they really connect with you on. Listen to what they are 'concerned' about.

You might just find out that that parallel world of yours lacks real depth and character.

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Yes it adds another 15 mins to my journey to work if I catch them off sequence as then I get stopped by red lights all the way down Anzac Ave with nothing waiting to turn in at half of them. A green sequence is :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:.

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

because all ozzie's are getting fatter

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Too many fast food joints everywhere.

All selling the same sh*t

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Yep. I'm totally in favour of an Australian nuclear deterrent. Ever since the Nixon doctrine, there is NO guarantee the US would come to our aid.

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Yep, but the real problem is that too many Aussies do seem to act like sheep. Simply put, they eat too much fast food too frequently. I have a takeaway once a fortnight with a few beers. Occaisonally, (about once every 6 months), I might have some fast food for a treat when I'm in the city or that.

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Yes but I don't think you can necessarily apply these skills of yours(!)

As for interaction - complete crap!!!! You've walked into it this time, I can tell you. I don't listen to commercial stations. It's my choice.

I can't believe you are honestlytrying to comment on the level I interact with. You haven't met me or my friends. I meet people I have nothing in common with in public, but its like everywhere, we are different and have different things in common. I still get on with them - frankly I find British people worse at this.

Maybe I should extend the invitation to you - come and listen objectively to the conversation I have with my friends. We talk about the environment, rainfall collection, we plan strategy for bush fire policy, operate and run a fire brigade on an unpaid volunteer basis, we discuss arcane subject matters such as local soil fertility, the mechanics of living semi-rural, which is a full time job in itself, music, you name it, careers, our interests, the upbringing of our kids, their interests -horses seem to take alot of time, even when you don't own any (!) our community, their interests, looking after other people's kids when some of us are busy. When you live semi-rural sometimes there is no time for shopping and superficial interests and existences where you exist within 4 walls. I avoid all that crap and have no interest in it at all, probably like you.

You might find *your* world cannot match it. Which I think is clearly now one of your problems which you need to address.:(

Some of your posts strike me as a lonely, angry, confused woman crying for help.

Get out of there mate!

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

You don't know me, my life experiences etc so can't make personal judgments about me and assumptions are often dangerous things. Perhaps you have a full and wonderful life here in OZ. If so then you can count yourself fortuante. There are many, many here who have reported finding Australian society to be very much as I have described.

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Anyway, the Poll is neck and neck. :D

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

For me its an absolute disgrace. Australia uses the worst of all americanisms, "SOCCER", while calling another totally unacceptable game football, rugby league. Shame on you Australia..:curse:
Sorry I can't join in with the high brow political arguement over the war years, not my bag I'm afraid, I was busy behind the bike sheds during O'level history:thumbsup:

Sean

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

The nuclear deterrent is something Australia needs to be brave about - and prepared to pay for. I'm not sure about the Nixon Doctrine over-riding ANZUS and precluding mutual defence. Nixon never really intended for the Guam speech to be considered a formal and long-reaching doctrine and the context was very different from today.

The speech from which the doctrine was formed specifically stated that the US will "provide a shield if a nuclear power threatens the freedom of a nation allied with us", and also declares that non-nuclear countries will not be left vulnerable to nuclear aggresion. As you might expect, the speech is largely centred on nuclear issues. While Nixon stated that he expected the nation in question to take responsibility for its own defence, he does not rule out US assistance (in this case to Australia) as the ANZUS treaty demands.

On top of this is Australia's massive natural resources (including uranium) which the US has a direct national interest in protecting, as well as Australia's geostrategic importance, specifically access to key places like Singapore. It will never be in the interests of the United States to let a hostile power have undue power or influence over Australia.

Australia has kept up its part of the bargain by supporting the US in Iraq, and this is because it would expect US assistance if it ever came under hostile fire. Canada, for example, is automatically protected by the US because of its geographical location, so it doesn't need to overtly back up the US in Iraq. Australia however has to think more strategically: Washington DC has a long memory, and if it were to leave the US to fight in Iraq alone, Capitol Hill might not come to Australia's aid so readily (although there is an innate interest in doing so, the wrong type of US government might not consider this so).

New Zealand's refusal to allow nuclear-powered US ships into its waters, and its subsequent removal from the US-NZ part of the ANZUS treaty shows how easily the US can withdraw its offer of support. NZ is still protected under the treaty by Australia, which is just as well as the RAN is a serious force in the region. NZ obviously calculated that it no longer needed US military force to protect it, unlike circa 1943.

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Wasn't football originally known as 'soccer' in the UK before it became football? I'm sure the 'soccer' had something to do with the name of the association of the sport. Or did Alan Hart-Davis misled me?

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Ditto. All I did was turn the tables; why tell me what my interactions with my friends are likely to be! I found it dumbfounding and absolutely begging for a kick up the backside.

You were asking for it...(!)

Incidentally, if I comment on other people's negative lives it's because I believe them - I believe you and others when you say your life falls short - but I know its not just Australia.

What I say is, it doesn't have to be like that!

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Lifes a box of chocolates. Sometimes you get the wrong sodden box - just go grab another.

Like the air force:sneaky:

Re: Americanisation of Austrlia
 

Lifes a box of chocolates. Sometimes you get the wrong sodden box - just go grab another.:D

Like the air force:sneaky: