Vote For Someone...

For those of you into the US Presidential Campaign...



This is from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He is a nice Jewish boy who does a good job of political satire. I wonder how many non-Jewish Americans understand the Jewish jokes and references...I know that they would be quite obscure to most Australians.

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Political Statement

My initial amusement when I first saw this bumper sticker was replaced by some wariness after I had some time to think about it. I am not sure if this is a comment about the American political system, a racist remark or scaremongering by the armchair zionists.

In my experience once a political party is elected to power in Western democracies they basically follow a similar agenda. It is all very well to make strong statements when one is in opposition or in the running for President, but when you actually have the power to make changes reality takes precedence over wishful thinking. All the American Presidents have been supporters of Israel and its right to exist. Maybe I am naive, but it seems that most government politicians agree that it is in the West's best interest to have a strong Israel in the Middle East.

In any case I don't think that we have to start packing our bags yet. The fact that Obama does not fit the established mould for an American President will weigh strongly against him in the elections in November. His colour and perceived leanings will more than likely mean that he will not be leader of the United States in the foreseeable future.
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Malcom Fraser

Cartoon by Geoff Pryor

Former PM Malcolm Fraser (from 1975 - 1983) is opening his big mouth again and accusing the present government of using "the politics of fear to damage traditional Australian values". He said this and more in a speech at the Australian National University today as reported on ABC news.

I remember Fraser well from his days as Prime Minister. He was one of the most right wing PMs we have had and is now reinventing himself as a (small "l") liberal.

What bothers me is that he is trying to cover up the issues of radical Moslems and the damage they are doing in the world today. All this touchy-feely stuff that Islam is a peace loving religion is not borne out by the facts on the ground. Sure there are many Moslems in Australia and other countries who just want to get on with the job of living and raising their families in peace. But unfortunately there are also many of those, including their leaders, who want to stir up trouble.

As Australians we cannot jump to the conclusion that anyone who is different is bad but we must also recognise and stop the troublemakers before things get out of hand.