Dingoes and Dragons - International Social/Political

China’s influence in the Pacific has increased enormously since America became preoccupied with the Middle East. Delegations of Fijian representatives to Asian nations is a clear indication that Pacific Island Nations are rejecting the condescending, paternalistic, neo-colonialist attitudes of America and its regional proxy, Australia.

The bungling of the recent Fijian crisis by the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, whose best effort was to call for an internal insurrection against the military coup, led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, is reminiscent of the incompetence of the Bush regime in the Middle East. Downer’s irresponsible ‘strategy’ ignored the risk to Fijian civilians while he adopted the role of the mouse that roared from the safety of Australia. Downer only succeeded in reinforcing the worldview of the Howard government as the most cowardly regime in the world. Failure to directly engage the Military leaders in Fiji and pursue direct diplomatic solutions clearly demonstrates the cowardice and ineptitudes of the Howard proxy American government. Other Pacific Nations, Solomons, Vanuatu, Tonga, PNG, to name a few, will no doubt follow Fiji’s lead to the economic powerhouses of Asia.

America has chosen a compatible ally in Australia; both nations share a common xenophobia and inability to deal with the international community in a positive and constructive manner.

While the Bush regime sinks deeper into a quagmire of its own making in the Middle East, Howard retreats to the safety of Australian jingoism, xenophobia and racism. Howard is currently debating the ‘earth shattering’ issue of whether the promoters of a rock concert are justified in banning the ‘Australian’ flag from the event. Howard excels in these petty parochial matters; however, the David Hicks issue reminds all Australians that the Prime Minister is a servile, cringing coward completely devoid of a national identity and sense of responsibility to citizens.

The current ‘Australian’ flag is a disgrace; no sovereign nation would tolerate vestiges of colonial ignominy on any national symbol; the presence of the pommy Union Jack on the flag is an offence to any red blooded Aussie. Howard, however, seems to be very comfortable with symbols of subservience to foreign powers.

The most outstanding feature of the Bush regime is its incompetence; it has done nothing right during its entire tenure in office! Bush’s disastrous administration has managed to create a calamity unparalleled in American history. While Howard and Bush reinforce each other’s delusions, China has not put a foot wrong; the timing of its missile strike in space couldn’t have been better. America is in no position to challenge China without incurring monumental losses in the Middle East (and elsewhere). China has succeeded by utilising the weaknesses and mistakes of its opponent while hardly expending any energy/cost itself. The result of any conflict between China and America is a foregone conclusion – an infant U.S. culture of a few hundred years stands little chance against a three thousand-year-old culture of a million subtleties – the brute is easily defeated.

America’s inability to deal with Arab tribalists in the Middle East portends a dismal future in a rapidly changing world. Australia’s future depends on the arrest of Howard and members of his front bench for their conscious participation in the illegal invasion of Iraq and the subsequent deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. Holding Howard accountable for his reprehensible crimes would put and end to the colonial cringe syndrome forever.

The formation of an independent Australian Republic would follow the trial of Australia’s last traitorous colonial Prime Minister.

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