Aussies consider US a greater threat.

Published on March 28, 2005 By Phoenixboi In Blogging

In a current survey Link Aussies consider the US a greater threat than China or Islamic terrorism.

The US is apparently our greatest ally, and yet opinion is now showing it to be our greatest threat?

What do you make of this?

Comments

couchman

on Mar 28, 2005

I'd have to say I am somewhat alarmed and disgusted as an American...I had always believed the US-Aussie alliance was a solid one dating back decades of mutual partnership. What I find most alarming is the fact that Taiwan is mentioned as a tender issue and that a possibly US response to a Chinese agressive posture toward Taiwan would most likey, from what I was reading, not exactly in Austraila's interests.

Finally, in the poll numbers of what aussies think about the 15 nations listed...one has to say having a more favorable view of China over the US is like being slapped by an old friend...Maybe it's China's commitment to human rights,etc that changed their opinion...lol.

I would hope that Austraila doesn't follow Canada's approach to US relations..

Dr Guy

on Mar 28, 2005

How quickly you forgot about the disco bombing.

How many Aussies have been killed by America again? I forgot. Perhaps your fellow country men can refresh my memory.

MyViewsAndMuse

on Mar 28, 2005

When you read:
"The Australians Speak: 2005 survey, commissioned by the Lowy Institute for International Policy, found 57 per cent of Australians were "very worried" or "fairly worried" about the external threat posed by both US foreign policy and Islamic extremism."
you have to wonder what drugs are those who responded as such are on.

What external threat is there posed by the US? Are they worried we are going to invade? Maybe it is that they fear that their association with USA will make them targets? If so, do they really disagree with the policies and positions of USA or do they agree with them but live in fear? I suspect when taken point by point, it is not the policies they disagree with, rather the fear of agreeing. If the later is the case then I can understand that fear but cannot support it. Someone must be brave and make the hard decisions regardless if they are unpopular as a result of fear or desire to things to remain status quo.

ParaTed2k

on Mar 28, 2005

I'd say that too many Aussies are taking their press, their Labor Party and anti war Americans far too seriously.

I read today about how Brisbane Public School teachers are now authorized to go through students' lunches, removing any junk food they find, "for the good of the kids". So, my own long distance adoration of Australia (especially the Queensland area) aside, I'd say they have their own "threat" issues to deal with. ;~D

Slanderer

on Mar 28, 2005

I've posted on two aussie boards for 2 years. Public Debate might be moderately conservative and Debate Relate is very conservative. Can't speak about the people directly as I don't live there, but my experience has shown us-australian thinking to be similiar. Especially in regards to immigration and foreign policy.

Phoenixboi

on Mar 28, 2005

What I find most alarming is the fact that Taiwan is mentioned as a tender issue and that a possibly US response to a Chinese agressive posture toward Taiwan would most likey, from what I was reading, not exactly in Austraila's interests.

This is due to the recent Free trade agreement negotiations currently being held with us Aussies and China on which I posted an article last week.

What external threat is there posed by the US? Are they worried we are going to invade? Maybe it is that they fear that their association with USA will make them targets?

The threat I think is by association.

How many Aussies have been killed by America again? I forgot. Perhaps your fellow country men can refresh my memory.

Interesting point Dr Guy.

say they have their own "threat" issues to deal with. ;~D

Yeah the obesity epidemic..

my experience has shown us-australian thinking to be similiar. Especially in regards to immigration and foreign policy.

Depending on what area they live in.. If it is country Australia they tend to favour the Liberals and the current government if it is the cities then they tend to favour the Labour party the opposition.

bakerstreet

on Mar 29, 2005

My question would be, threat to who?

I think it is the retro-1980's idea of the US sparking some horrific global conflict that will harm everyone, whether they are "on our side" or not. It's usually espoused by the "no blood for oil" types who believe everything we do has some evil, ulterior motive.

As in other cases of this type, I'm okay with it. I don't think that the average Australian feels this way, but that is my bias. If they do, hey, time will tell, as it did in the 1980's, and the 1960's, and all the other times we were going to destroy the world and nothing ever seemed to come of it.

Phoenixboi

on Mar 29, 2005

if Aussies really fear America more than China or Radical Islam, all I can say is "let them eat eggroll." (while bowing to mecca 5 times a day, lol.)

This baffles me a little... with China the way it is I think we got our priorities wrong here.

drmiler

on Mar 29, 2005

I think the aussie government is getting senile!

Myrrander

on Mar 29, 2005

Your choice for the future is China or the US. The world is deciding that right now. Mark my words, China's going to be the big challenger of US supremacy in the next 100 years, one of the few things me and Condi Rice agree on.

Phoenixboi

on Mar 29, 2005

Your choice for the future is China or the US.

Personally I would choose neither. I dont think any country should be dominating over anyone or anything.

China's going to be the big challenger of US supremacy

Supremacy is a word Im not fond of on this planet.

foreverserenity

on Mar 31, 2005

So does this mean we in the US are suppose to duck and run for cover now? I mean if our allies are now fearing us....? What, they don't read the news, or hear what China's government is like? I wonder if they would feel the same way if the chinese government were to set their sights on Australia? Would they then expect the US to back them up?

But then again, perhaps the people surveyed/interviewed and the writer had one too many Fosters!

Dr Guy

on Mar 31, 2005

But then again, perhaps the people surveyed/interviewed and the writer had one too many Fosters!

Here here! I'll take another. Maybe it will make me forget the day America Died.

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