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lame
26th Jan 2004, 10:40
Happy Australia Day To Everyone. :ok:

Whether you are flying today (to make it aviation related) ;) or like me, enjoying the cricket, or whatever you are doing. :ok:

OhBehave
26th Jan 2004, 10:51
Happy to be Australian.

Bombing Iraq. Detaining children against international law.

Exporting asylum seekers to remote islands against their will thus contravening international law.

Aboriginals still suffering from diseases eradicated long ago in many third world countries such as Cambodia and Bangladesh.

Allowing the US to plan bases and missile defence shields on our soil.

Not that happy to be Australian any more.

Capn Bloggs
26th Jan 2004, 11:01
Helping rid the world of despotic regimes that murder and pillage millions of their own people,

Processing illegal immigrants as they should be, leaving the few places we have here for those who do the right thing and don't que jump,

Trying to help our aboriginals who continue to drink themsleves into oblivion while being run by corrupt and self-interested officials,

Agreeing to help protect the free world from lunatic religious fanatics,

Trying to rid us of rich-mate airspace,

I'm happy to be an Aussie!

Kaptin M
26th Jan 2004, 11:15
Onya lame!!

And I agree with BOTH OB and Bloggsie (we wouldn't be Aussies if we didn't end words with "..ie", would we?!) - it would indeed be nice if we could move out of the shadow of the USA and have our own identity once again.

Enjoy what's left of Oz Day '04 - wherever in the world you happen to be at the moment, I know where all Aussies hearts are on Jan. 26.

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/flags/oz.gif http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/flags/oz.gif http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/flags/oz.gif

Le Pilot
26th Jan 2004, 11:33
Come on Kap.

They did save our Bacon in 45 you know!

.. We'd all be eating Sushi... Actually that wouldn't be too bad.

Happy OZ day to all! :D

lame
26th Jan 2004, 12:03
Thankfully we live in a Country where you can express all those thoughts without being imprisoned or executed for it. ;)

You all have a great day. :O

axle61
26th Jan 2004, 13:05
Hey OhBehave, what a load of left wing rubbish - an idiotic response to someone just wishing us a happy Australia Day.

I bet the innocent Iraqi civilians in Saddam's torture chambers, and their families were glad you weren't calling the shots!!

If your "Not that happy to be Australian any more" why dont you go and live in one of the backward countries with oppressive regimes that you support!

hoss
26th Jan 2004, 17:33
OhBehave, please stay in Asia and dont come back:mad: .

ps. have a happy chinese new year:rolleyes: .

Air Ace
27th Jan 2004, 05:36
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!


We are the people of a free nation of blokes, sheilas and the occasional ******. We come from many lands (although a few too many of us come from New Zealand), and although we live in the best country in the world, we reserve the right to bitch and moan about it whenever we bloody like. We are One Nation but divided into many States.

First, there's Victoria, named after a queen who didn't believe in lesbians. Victoria is the realm of Mossimo turtlenecks, cafe latte, grand final day, and big horse races. Its capital is Melbourne, whose chief marketing pitch is that "it's liveable". At least that's what they think. The rest of us think it is too bloody cold and wet.

Next, there's New South Wales, the realm of pastel shorts, macchiato with sugar, thin books read quickly and millions of dancing queens. Its capital Sydney has more queens than any other city in the world and is proud of it. Its mascots are Bondi lifesavers that pull their Speedos up their cracks to keep the left and right sides of their brains separate.

Down south we have Tasmania, a State based on the notion that the family that bonks together stays together. In Tassie, everyone gets an extra chromosome at conception. Maps of the State bring smiles to the sternest faces. It holds the world record for a single mass shooting, which the Yanks can't seem to beat no matter how often they try.

South Australia is the province of half-decent reds, a festival of foreigners and bizarre axe murders. SA is the state of innovation. Where else can you so effectively reuse country bank vaults and barrels as in Snowtown, just out of Adelaide (also named after a queen). They had the Grand Prix, but lost it when the views of Adelaide sent the Formula One drivers to sleep at the wheel.

Western Australia is too far from anywhere to be relevant. It's main claim to fame is that it doesn't have daylight saving because if it did, all the men would get erections on the bus on the way to work. WA was the last state to stop importing convicts and many of them still work there in the government and business.

The Northern Territory is the red heart of our land. Outback plains, sheep stations the size of Europe, kangaroos, Jackaroos, emus, Uluru, and dusty kids with big smiles. It also has the highest beer consumption of anywhere on the planet and its creek beds have the highest aluminium content of anywhere too. Although the Territory is the centrepiece of our national culture, few of us live there and the rest prefer to flyover it on our way to Bali.

And there's Queensland. While any mention of God seems silly in a document defining a nation of half arsed sceptics, it is worth noting that God probably made Queensland, as its beautiful one day and perfect the next. Why he filled it with dickheads remains a mystery.

Oh yes and there's Canberra. The less said the better.

We, the citizens of Oz, are united by Highways, whose treacherous twists and turns kill more of us each year than murderers. We are united in our lust for international recognition, so desperate for praise we leap in joy when a rag tag gaggle of corrupt IOC officials tells us Sydney is better than Beijing. We are united by a democracy so flawed that a political party albeit a redneck gun toting one, can get a million votes and still not win one seat in Federal Parliament. Not that we're whingeing, we leave that to our Pommy immigrants.

We want to make "no worries mate" our national phrase, "she'll be right mate" our national attitude and "Waltzing Matilda" our national anthem(so what if it's about a sheep-stealing crim who commits suicide. We love sport so much our newsreaders can read the death toll from a sailing race and still tell us who's winning.

And we're the best in the world at all the sports that count, like cricket, netball, rugby league and union, AFL, roo shooting, two up and horse racing. We also have the biggest rock, the tastiest pies, and the worst dressed Olympians in the known universe. Only in Australia can a pizza delivery get to your house faster than an ambulance. Only in Australia do we have bank doors wide open, no security guards, or cameras but chain the pens to the desk.

Stand proud Aussies - we shoot, we root, we vote. We are girt by sea and pissed by lunchtime. Even though we might seem a racist, closed minded, sports obsessed little people, at least we feel better for it.

I am, you are, we are Australian!

P.S We also shoot and eat the two animals that are on our National Crest!!!! No other country has this distinction!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY - January 26, 2004.



Air Ace

We'll have none of that frivolity in here - not even on our national birthday! No more poking fun at Aussies!!!

Only serious slanging matches permitted!!:E

Woomera

DirtyPierre
27th Jan 2004, 07:05
I'm posting this the day after Australia Day. What are the rest of you doing posting when you're meant to have the day off.

Yes I did work on Oz Day, but finished at 0600 (local) and had the rest of the day off.

By the way just some facts;

1. We entered the war in Iraq because we were supporting our ally, USA, who said that there were WMDs. None have been found to this day, while more US troops have died during occupation after the war than during it.

2. Less than 10% of illegal immigrants to Australia come by boat. Over 90% enter the country by air and overstay their visa. Very few of these people are detained, yet all have in some way queue jumped, and nearly all work in Australia illegally.

3. The aborginal problem is a complex issue that is derided by comments such as "drinking themselves to oblivion". Alcoholism within Aboriginal communities is a symptom of a greater malaise. Alcoholism in these communities is often aided and abeted by us whites, exacebating the problems. Aboriginal communities are slowly improving, but the attitudes of both Capn Bloggs and OhBehave do not help in anyway.

4. Certain decisions made by the current government in relation to our defence are interesting. Announced the planned early retirement of the F111 without a suitable replacement available for over 10years. Planned investment in a Star Wars type missile defence program when we have no known enemies with long range missle capabilities of threat to Australia. There are more such as ADATS, our new leaking subs, C130J, and on and on.


But I am proud to Australian. Our unique culture and life style is the envy of many other nations. What I am not proud of is the derogatory post by Air Ace. Sure he might be joking, but it sure is a very sad poor excuse for humour.

By the way the animals on the coat of arms of UK are the lion and the unicorn. Neither exist in the UK, either extinct centuries ago in that country or mythical. At least ours still exist in large numbers.

Hope your Australia Day was as good as mine.

Catchyalater. :ok:

Oz Ocker
27th Jan 2004, 08:00
Strike me blue and shiver me timbers.
Whadda a bottler of a bl00dy Ozzie Day I 'ad with me mates.
Sank a few tubes, chucked some snags amd shrimps on the barbie (nah, not the doll) an' cracked a few jokes.
Just anuvver bl00dy excuse for a holiday, ahhh but who gives a rats @rse.

Be seein' youse round.

Capt Claret
27th Jan 2004, 08:21
If oh behave's response is left wing rubbish, does that mean you're a right wing despot and that only right wing views are valid?

Whilst your assertion that the victims of Husein are probably happy about his downfall, I'd venture to suggest that the vast majority of Iraqi's who weren't victims are not at all happy about the invasion of their country.

Given the ongoing violence against the invading forces in Iraq, I think my assertion is closer to the marque than yours.

Oh Behave

Agree with all but the last point of your post.

:ok:

axle61
27th Jan 2004, 13:14
If oh behave's response is left wing rubbish, does that mean you're a right wing despot and that only right wing views are valid?

I'm obviously not a "right wing despot". Stupid, immature question. Look up despot in the dictionary.

Obviously, there is not just right or left wing views - it's not black and white. I am against extreme views on either side.

Whilst your assertion that the victims of Husein are probably happy about his downfall, I'd venture to suggest that the vast majority of Iraqi's who weren't victims are not at all happy about the invasion of their country.

On reading your above statement carefully, I noticed that you are arguing a different point to "my assertion". I discussed the Iraqi's that were victims being happy about Saddam's removal, where as you are focussing on (and seem to care more about) the "vast majority of Iraqi's who weren't victims" being unhappy with an invasion.

BTW, How do you know the "vast majority" of Iraqi's weren't victims of Saddam in some way? Please give references.

Given the ongoing violence against the invading forces in Iraq, I think my assertion is closer to the marque than yours.

So you believe the ongoing violence in Iraq proves your view of the "vast majority" of Iraqi's being unhappy about the invasion?

Are you therefore saying that the "vast majority" of Iraqi's are involved or support the violence, which has killed so many innocent peolple, (including Iraqi's.)?

My "assertion", that the innocent Iraqi civilians in Saddam's torture chambers, and their families were glad about Saddams' removal is spot on.

Read it again, carefully, and tell me just what is incorrect about this statement.

The fact is no body wants invasions or wars, but, sadly, sometimes they are required in order to attempt to reduce violence in the future.

Austin Holed
27th Jan 2004, 13:58
Ony Australians could turn a simple National Day greeting into a giant slagging match, deriding each other, New Zealanders (you really have an insecurity about Kiwis don't you) & end up launching into an argument over Iraq. No wonder a large part of the world thinks you are a bunch of tossers

For Chr*st's sake, you live in a nice big country, good weather, plenty of opportunity to succeed in life and are bloody good sportsmen/women who usually thrash the rest of the world: get the big collective chip off your shoulders and start showing some confidence instead of arrogance.

ie: Grow up.

pinkparts
27th Jan 2004, 14:29
I worked Australia Day so no barbies for me. Goodonya if you did have the day off.

Ohbehave uppercut yourself, kick yourself square in the nuts then get a one-way ticket on the next plane-load of deportees back to T****y, A*****istan, I**q, I**n, whereever. My shout. "My shout"... another great Aussie tradition!!

Ohbehave what have you ever done for the country apart from whinge about it? Donate half your cash to ATSIC? Ever been out to the communities in the central desert?

Go sail your boat to Indonesia, tell them you want 'in' and see how you're treated. They're not even a signatory to the 1951 Refugees Convention.

Stop trying to unload a GUILT TRIP on everyone. If you don't like it, do something about it yourself.

Happy Australia Day everyone, yes even Ohbehave and also those in the far east states like Austin Holed's talking about!! ;)

OzExpat
27th Jan 2004, 15:52
Ain't it simply wunnerful to see other Oz blokes expressin' their views so eloquently. However, before our famous tendencies for robust debate :E force an untimely end to this thread, I'll go on the record as saying that I worked on Australia Day as normal. It isn't a public holiday here.

However, I did manage a few drinks to me beloved "as ples"! I don't always enjoy the things that go on in Oz, but I respect the fact that we all have freedom to do and say things... well, some of the time anyway! :D

Wherever you were, on the day, Happy Australia Day to all you other Ozmates! :ok:

Pinky the pilot
27th Jan 2004, 15:54
Hoss; Kung hoi fat choi to you too mate! (I think that's how it goes anyway)
And yes; I also think that it's rather sad that some can reduce a thread like this to a slanging match.:(
Not that I had much of a good time, picking oranges all bloody day.:*

You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.

Oz Ocker
27th Jan 2004, 16:30
Oi Austin pull ya head in ya wacker - if we wanna 'ave sum liverley debate here then it's upta us Aussies ta say Whoa - not sum bl00dy alien.
An for yer future reference, Kiwi baitin' is a national sport ere - just like Oz baitin' is fer them.
Ta tell the goddam honest bl00dy truth, mate, none of us gives a rats @rse what (qote) a large part of the world thinks (unqote).
But one things fer sure, a large part of the world thinks Fosters Lager is the best p!55 IN the world.
Seems like the chip you've got on yer shoulder is an Aussie one.
Anyways, have a bl00dy good day and let's sink one or two next time yer in town - nuthin like a good feed 'n a fight (verball one) then some fluff.
No bird flu here ya know!

Be seein' youse round.

TheStormyPetrel
27th Jan 2004, 21:33
I'm proud to be Australian, but not always pleased to see the direction in which we are heading. Take, for example, the appalling double standards regarding alcohol consumption at the Perth fireworks show. It's like having a class divide!!

The West (http://www.thewest.com.au/20040127/news/general/tw-news-general-home-sto118997.html) today even noticed the difference, as the front page told report indicated that police had drawn heavy criticism from Skyworks lovers last night after enforcing an alcohol ban on public places - while allowing skygazers in $12,000 corporate tents to guzzle alcohol at will.

Teams of roaming police, calling themselves strike forces, made drinkers tip their liquor on the ground and issued $50 on-the-spot fines - honouring their promise of a total alcohol ban - but only on average Aussies!!!

The zero-tolerance policy apparently prompted thousands to have picnics without wine or beer, while many others ran the risk of getting caught.

We are told that the strategy was aimed at preventing a repeat of the violence and trouble that marred previous Skyworks events, yet it was attacked by sober partygoers.

Teams of police and security guards patrolled the most popular areas - the city, South Perth foreshore and Kings Park but overlooked guests drinking in the corporate tents.

The coroporate boxes were licensed so patrons, some of whom paid up to $200 each, could drink without fear of a fine. Eighteen corporate boxes catering for up to 60 adults each cost between $5000 and $12,000 to hire from Perth City Council. The price included a sit-down meal and drinks.

Operational Commander John Gillespie is reported to have said that tackling the issue of behaviour early in the event has the impact of deterring later unruly and unacceptable behaviour. Clearly he was wrong!!! I suppose next year they'll allow more rich patrons to consume grog in front of more rigidly controlled average Aussies who will be totally restricted from any alcohol whatsoever. I believe one 18 yo was given a $50 on the spot fine for having 2 cans of beer with him. Can you believe it? Is this sort of double standard we want in Aus?

oicur12
27th Jan 2004, 22:56
Hey Hoss, your a real thinker arent you.

OhBehave
28th Jan 2004, 10:34
Axle61.

You have fallen hook line and sinker for the greatest of “Bush-isms”.
Why on earth would you conclude that I “support” any of these regimes? I am no fonder of the actions of Howard, Blair and Bush than I am of Hussein.

Hoss.

Great response. You obviously put a great deal of effort into that post.

Pinkparts,

“Ohbehave uppercut yourself, kick yourself square in the nuts then get a one-way ticket on the next plane-load of deportees back to T****y, A*****istan, I**q, I**n, whereever. My shout. "My shout"... another great Aussie tradition!!

Ohbehave what have you ever done for the country apart from whinge about it? Donate half your cash to ATSIC? Ever been out to the communities in the central desert?”

Yes, I have. Thank you for asking.

As a citizen of a democratic country I am perfectly entitled to criticize my elected leaders – some say it is our obligation to constantly question the actions of our Government. You appear to be very uncomfortable with this concept. Unfortunately it is much easier to blindly accept what our leaders tell us isn’t it. After all, analyzing these issues requires too much effort.

axle61
28th Jan 2004, 11:52
OhBehave,

I am no fonder of the actions of Howard, Blair and Bush than I am of Hussein.

Speaking of someone like John Howard in the same light as the evil murderer Hussein is not something I'd be too proud of.

Bush, Blair and Howard may not be perfect leaders (is there such a thing?), but at least they don't torture, steal from, use chemical weapons on and murder their own civilians.

Why on earth would you conclude that I “support” any of these regimes?

Perhaps you don't actually support it, but taking the attitude that:

Saddam only kills his own people, why should we do anything about it?

is just as bad.

OhBehave
28th Jan 2004, 15:56
Axle61

“Speaking of someone like John Howard in the same light as the evil murderer Hussein is not something I'd be too proud of.

I was not attempting to speak of these people in the “same light”.

“Bush, Blair and Howard may not be perfect leaders (is there such a thing?), but at least they don't torture, steal from, use chemical weapons on and murder their own civilians.”

Bush has signed death warrants for more Americans than anyone except for his brother Jeb.

I suspect if you did a little research about Enron, Tyco and Worldcom you would probably reword your post about stealing.

Also, you may need to reconsider your post with regard to torture. Have you read any UN or HRW reports about the illegal detainees in Gitmo? Are you aware that an oil services company with close ties to Cheney and Bush is about to stand trial for “forced labor, rape, torture -- even killing” in Myanmar.

“Perhaps you don't actually support it, but taking the attitude that:
Saddam only kills his own people, why should we do anything about it?
is just as bad.”

I have in no way indicated that this is my attitude. I do not recall saying we should do nothing about it. Quite the contrary. There is a pressing need for western nations to ensure human rights are guaranteed in all countries, not just those that contain large oil reserves and a France friendly dictator.

In the name of consistency, would you advocate inflicting shock and awe on Colombia, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, the Caucus’s of the former Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and many others?

Or are commercial interests more important?

I digress. This thread was about Australia day. I just see it as a day that reminds me of how we have let our politicians instill fear and hate into us for reasons many of us don’t understand (including myself) and are allowing a country that was once the most progressive in the world to appear to become a backward xenophobic redneck quasi Americana.

Bring on the missile shield, we are really going to need it.

FatEric
28th Jan 2004, 16:46
Axle is playing straight into the hands of the Whitehouse spin-doctors. It is quite possible to be repulsed by the behavior of SH but at the same time be opposed to bombing Iraq as a way of overthrowing a dictator.

phat boy
28th Jan 2004, 22:54
SO what's your plan then FatEric, ask him politely to leave? Don't recall that working in Kuwait a while back. Ummm... impose sanctions? Hold your breath until he goes?

lame
29th Jan 2004, 03:12
Only here could someone wishing everyone a Happy Australia Day, turn into this. :(

Woomera
29th Jan 2004, 06:58
Children, children, time for your afternoon naps. I hope you all wake up in a better mood! :{

http://www.click-smilies.de/schnellauswahl/smilie_bett.gif

Woomera
Kindergarden Head Teacher

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/Fool/duel.gif

FatEric
29th Jan 2004, 07:47
Phat Boy,

Maybe the same way they removed Suharto, Marcos, Ceacescu, Batista.......no shock and awe in these cases.

More importantly, what right do we have to decide which dictators to remove and which do we leave in place.

Australian and american troops trained and armed the military involved in the worst case of genocide in history and yet no shock and awe removed him. In fact, our PM described him as "the greatest leader of our time".

We did not go to war for humanitarian reasons - countries only go to battle for reasons of self interest.

Red Hot Chili Pepper
30th Jan 2004, 09:55
Actually, the UN imposed sanctions on Iraq have killed more people then SH ever did. Between 500,000 to 1,500,000 deaths directly attributed to sanctions – the majority under the age of 5. According to Madeleine Albright, “we think the price was worth it.”

According to Dennis Halliday, UN Assistant Secretary General and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq resigned in protest saying, “We are in the process of destroying an entire society……it is illegal and immoral”. His successor, Hans Von Sponeck also resigned for the same reasons.

The proxy multilateralist UN is a weapon of mass destruction.