As an Australian, I'm ashamed.

Did Australia do much when England suffered those terrorist attacks not long ago? I don't recall us offering all that much but our sympathies and condolences (though I could be wrong), and our ties with Britain go back a lot further than our close allegiance with the United States; we're still in the Commonwealth, after all.

But on the subject of England...if the US is to take such a stance over the lack of aid, then perhaps we Australians should bear England a grudge for what happened in WWII. After all, England refused to relocate troops and send assistance to Australia when the Japanese entered the war in the Pacific and threatened Australia, even though Germany was starting to lose due to the fact they were fighting a war on two fronts. The British government was quite happy for Australia to be invaded while Australian troops helped protect them in the European conflict. Should we bear a grudge for that?

And it's not as though Australia has a long history of not helping out. We entered both World Wars, despite the fact WWI wasn't exactly our battle and before we were even threatened in WWII, because of our loyalty to Britain. We were involved in Vietnam even though we had no business there (but then again, most of the Western influence in the Indochinese conflict was unnecessary). And we were pretty quick to pledge our allegiance and support after 9/11 and in Iraq.

It's probably because we have a shaky relationship with Indonesia that we did donate as much as we did, our government perhaps hoping to improve relations. Whether that's the right thing to do or not I couldn't say, I'm just offering another reason as to why we'd pledge more financial aid to a country we're not as close to in a trade/military allegiance/diplomatic standpoint. I think it's appropriate we offer any financial aid to the US to benefit New Orleans, I'm glad our government has done that. I don't think we've done anything disgustingly wrong, though.

Ok then just sit there while NO gets flooded out, and bomb themm thats soooo funny thats what those fuckers are going to be doing, remember the Russian school were a bunch of Terrorists held the shool up? That could hapen in America, maybe bombing the country was too much, but America needs to shut the borders down because to many fucking imagrents are in this fucking country. Its alright if there working, but if there sitting there on there fucking asses collecting welfare checks from hard working AMERICANS then get the fuck out

Ok then just sit there while NO gets flooded out, and bomb themm thats soooo funny thats what those fuckers are going to be doing, remember the Russian school were a bunch of Terrorists held the shool up? That could hapen in America, maybe bombing the country was too much, but America needs to shut the borders down because to many fucking imagrents are in this fucking country. Its alright if there working, but if there sitting there on there fucking asses collecting welfare checks from hard working AMERICANS then get the fuck out

Jae said rappers should be banned from having opinions, but I think you should too. You obviously know nothing about world policies and politics. Shut the fuck up and go die.

Ok then just sit there while NO gets flooded out, and bomb themm thats soooo funny thats what those fuckers are going to be doing, remember the Russian school were a bunch of Terrorists held the shool up? That could hapen in America, maybe bombing the country was too much, but America needs to shut the borders down because to many fucking imagrents are in this fucking country. Its alright if there working, but if there sitting there on there fucking asses collecting welfare checks from hard working AMERICANS then get the fuck out

Jae said rappers should be banned from having opinions, but I think you should too. You obviously know nothing about world policies and politics. Shut the fuck up and go die.

LOL Thats all you say Shut the fuck up. Yea u have nothing to back it up

Back up what? Your whole opinion is completely idiotic and it's obvious you pull things out of your ass. None of your comments made in any of the political threads make any sense.

How old are you?

Ok then just sit there while NO gets flooded out, and bomb themm thats soooo funny thats what those fuckers are going to be doing, remember the Russian school were a bunch of Terrorists held the shool up? That could hapen in America, maybe bombing the country was too much, but America needs to shut the borders down because to many fucking imagrents are in this fucking country. Its alright if there working, but if there sitting there on there fucking asses collecting welfare checks from hard working AMERICANS then get the fuck out

Ok then just sit there while NO gets flooded out, and bomb themm thats soooo funny thats what those fuckers are going to be doing, remember the Russian school were a bunch of Terrorists held the shool up? That could hapen in America, maybe bombing the country was too much, but America needs to shut the borders down because to many fucking imagrents are in this fucking country. Its alright if there working, but if there sitting there on there fucking asses collecting welfare checks from hard working AMERICANS then get the fuck out

The sad part is, the guy actually thinks he's making sense.

back on topic, I must say I'm not ashamed of Australians....Aussies who were trapped in New Orleans said Australian consulate wasn't helping and Aussie Government said American didn't want any other countries going in there and would sort it out themselves....

when you look at the situation in Bali with the bombing and in Thailand and Indonesia for the tsunami, you saw the Aussie spirit....even though many were had 3rd degree burns or were missing friends and/or family (believed dead) they still volunteered and helped out however they could....you didn't really see all the victims feeling too sorry for themselves as has been seen in New Orleans....

Bush never said he didn't want help, he said he didn't turn away any donations from countries. But America will not allow other countries troops to come into here.

America will not allow other countries troops to come into here.

Why not?

argh I can't believe people are complaining because Australia donated "only" $10 million. Come on! Obviously the 2 diasters (tsunami/NO) are pretty much equally as devasting but saying that it doesnt matter about the countries wealth is ignorant.

There is no way Indonesia would have been able to cope without the money donated from Australia. Can New Orleans cope without a larger donation from Australia? surely can! Call me selfish but I'd rather $200 million put into our health and education systems. I'm not saying don't donate anything, but the $10 million given is a substantial amount.

Also the fact that our government wasn't even aloud to enter NO to search for missing Australians is F-ing ridiculous.

Not proud to be an Australian? go elsewhere then. No other country is as generous as ours.

I believe this is a real eye opener for Bush & his government. Instead of invading other countries he should look at his own. Something like 33 million people are living below the poverty line in America and he goes and spends a couple of trillion dollars on a war?

argh im tired and frustrated so this probably hasnt come out correctly! but i'll end by saying this - I'm PROUD of being Australian and believe there is no better country in the world to be in!

America will not allow other countries troops to come into here.

Why not?

Why would they? It would be a sign of weakness, also we don't like having other troops in our country. We don't want our people being helped by german soldiers or something. I don't know if it's as much of a pride thing as it is a security thing.

It's just something America doesn't do. If we need troops we'll use our own troops, who are the best trained troops in the world.

lol@someone saying "hard working americans"

Yeah, you are right. We are all obese and lazy.

see the tsunami and hurricane are competely different things.
both natural, yes, but different
The tsunami.. it was unpredictable. I don't think you can forecast a tsunami is going to hit you in a few days advance.
The hurricane.. it was predicted. Many days in advanced. They told people to leave. People choose to stay, now they suffer because they thought they could withstand the power of mother nature.

The tsunami.. it affected a hell of a lot more places than the hurricane did.
The tsunami.. it hit for the most part, countries that aren't really rich
The hurriane.. it hit the so called richest country in the world.


so pretty much, hurricane was forcasted to hit ( and people CHOOSE to stay), tsunami was unpredicted. Tsunami took way more lifes as it was more widespread and hit a part of the world that is not too rich.
Now I'm not saying no one should contribute, but complaining over the amount that was donated is sort of uncalled for when you are comparing it to the tsunami.

We don't want our people being helped by german soldiers or something. I don't know if it's as much of a pride thing as it is a security thing.

Ah yeah, it's a pride thing. It wouldn't be a security thing because why would German soldiers shoot at civilians when they were sent to help? Then again, the world hates America

Yeah, you are right. We are all obese and lazy.

Naw, not all, probably about 50% of America

Funny how Americans think having their troops everywhere is a positive whereas when they'd hate to have other country's troops there. Hmm...it only takes a little empathy to see why other countries don't see having American troops as a positive..

51% obese, as far as I know, that constitutes majority!

We don't want other people's troops in here because the government doesn't want us too look vulernable. Like we need the other countries to come in and help. We have the best military in the world, we can do it ourselves.

I'm not saying I agree with it, but that's how it is.

Oh yea, other countries just love to see Americans on their ground, and they don't make people think that country is vulernable.

Rest of the world is incapable for everything while US is best thing that happend to universe. You're kidding right?

When did I say the world is incapable and US is the best thing that happened in the universe? Because America doesn't want troops in America?

Power, and manily power alone, creates respect. America is the most powerful nation in the world, whether you like or not.

And yes, a lot (majority) like having our troops in their country.

Well the countries that I lived in, the majority did not like it.
Panama does not like it. Korea does not like it. I bet Cuba and japan doesn't like it neither. The governments just basically have to accept it. It's not like they want the troops there. You think by your views everywhere in the world they love the US, but it's the opposite. The politicians of course like it since they are America's bitches. But I doubt any of the countries' peoples like the fact that troops are in their country. Not like there isn't practical use. I mean, troops are stationed in Korea so that they can die when an invasion occurs (thus creating enough casualty for America to go into war). I bet most of the troops in those countries are stationed for that reason. However, the general perception is negative. They get away with a lot of things. Like when these two guys decided to crush two girls with a tank and just got away free. They also have gotten away with rape many times. I doubt most of the people LIKE it, but they know it's a necessity.

Yes, US is the most powerful nation at the moment, but that deosn't mean they can do whatever and wherever they want. And lame excuse like "we're helpng to world get better" sucks as well.

Does the truth hurt? I mean, I'm not trying to sound like some snobby asshole bragging about the US, but if you honestly don't think America is doing anything to help the rest of the world, you're lying to yourself.

Power and power alone defines authority and legality. That's how history works.

South Korea wants US Troops there. US Troops and South Korea troops are TOGETHER on the border protecting the border against a possible North Korea invasion.

In Africa and South America we have troops down there giving out water, rebuilding schools, towns, ect. Stopping drug wars and basically being the police down there. There has to be some country that is willing to step up to the plate and say this is what we need to do to make this place a better place. America is in the place to do that and they do it. America is all about the people. We always do something that feel is in the best intrest of the people. Not just Americans but the world.

Honestly? I don't give a rat's ass if you think America should have troops in other countries. I couldn't care less. The fact of the matter is they are there and there is nothing you can do about it. I feel America is doing good you feel they aren't. I think you are wrong and you think I'm wrong. It's a tie. It's a draw. I give up.

Yup, you heard me. RIOT GIVES UP! Fuck.