Comments on: Rundle08: Just so you know, history happened today

By: JamesK

JamesK — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Tony Abrahams, there is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and improbable.

There is another which states that this has already happened.

The best drink in existence is the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster The effect of drinking a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick.
Re-read Guy Rundle above

By: Venise Alstergren

Venise Alstergren — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

JamesK: Surely you’re not surprised by America’s dive into isolation? The rest of the world now realizes their own countries are the ones that count. Even in the land of Oz, where there once was a semi-hysterical adulation of America, there is now an inevitable sense of boredom . Financially they are crooked, (sorry, sharp), and when caught out reveal how they have had no scruples about friggin* around in other countries’ stock markets. As a people the Americans are ignorant of anything outside of their own country. and their arrogant ignorance. An arrogant ignorance which most people find nauseating.
With what now appears to be the certain outcome of the forthcoming election. the Republican ticket of McCain/Palin to win in a canter everyone is deciding McCain’s idea of democracy is to invade all countries who have great mineral wealth. What is the betting that Australia too will be on the Palin tart’s hit list? Yes-there is the annoying fact of the ANZUS treaty-which wont be worth the paper it was written on. They are pulling out of Afghanistan because the vast mineral wealth which is rumoured to be there has so far proved to be an illusion. McCain isn’t going to use an excuse of WMD to take on Iran. He will just do it. And now, they and everyone else has had the financial skids put under them by the aforesaid Americans. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this moment will prove to be the beginning of the end of the American empire.

By: Tony Abrahams

Tony Abrahams — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

So if it does all "collapse", what comes next??

In the timeless words printed on the front of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...

DON'T PANIC!!!!

Slow down...

Breathe...

Then I suggest a few fundamental conversations:

How about respect every human being as equally entitled to share the benefits of the planet's limited resources?
Why can't we share (rather than discourage it in favour of personal consumption to fuel a meaningless quest for "growth")?
Who benefits from keeping the walls up between people?
What principles could the whole world possibly agree on?

Here's three that most everyone seems to agree on...
1. Safety
2. Access
3. Inclusion

But of course, to have a meaningful conversation about these issues on a global scale, we have to first recognise there is a better equilibrium than the prisoners dilemma we currently find ourselves in. So good on you Guy for continuing to point that out. Love your work.

By: JamesK

JamesK — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Even sober Burlington is beautiful and Rundle is right.

The U.S. will now act only in its perceived self interest on the international stage whoever wins in November.

Putin is licking his lips and Europe's response so far has been pathetic

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

“but they are actually a power more for good rather than bad.”

Since when? For whom? For what areas? The USA played a very important role in freeing Europe from the Nazis, and Eastern Europe from the Soviets, but what of US meddling in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia?

Also, thank Whitlam for Medicare. Hopefully all parties here look over the sea to the USA and realise that continued support of UHC is in everybody’s interest.

By: David Stewart

David Stewart — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

That would be “Merivale and Mr John”. Younger readers would perhaps not be aware of that early 70’s fashion house - unlike this tragic who used to spend half his pay so he could swan around in their gear.

By: The Duke

The Duke — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Today is history. Today will be remembered. Years from now the young will ask with wonder about this day. Today is history and you are part of it. Six hundred years ago, after being thrown out of England, they came. They trundled their belongings into the country. They settled. They took hold. They prospered in business, science, education, and the arts. With nothing they came and with nothing they flourished. For six centuries there has been an America. By this evening those six centuries will be a rumor. They never happened. Today is history.

By: Dr Harvey M Tarvydas

Dr Harvey M Tarvydas — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Well the super new smart leader of the alternative Australia government (considered a wiz-kid banker-businessman whose kind were the experts to bring the ‘crisis’ to the World and whom like his colleagues was oblivious as to the price of their treasured precious expertise) agrees with the bloke with the parking problem and tells the PM how to plan his schedule, “don’t go there it’s a waste of time, you’ll look like a tourist” as he arrogantly lectures adult Australians as to the use of ‘telephones’. Doesn’t he know everyone in the world uses cells now and Australians mobiles?
Only elite Republicans can have 3 or 4 ideological dreams running at the same time as they construct everyone else’s nightmare. The most recent being Brown Rice stirring Georgia to cr-p its own pants, nuclear deterrent strike against Iran, winning in Iraq. The problem with Afghanistan is they’re getting too close to that son of Bush’s favourite family, their best international friends, bin Laden. Only an a-sehole would take it on himself to hunt down his mates son to slaughter or to protect him and not be an a-rsehole. Anyone else would get a competent law enforcement org to take over.
Elite incestuous game camouflaged by dialling up the commoner’s fear.
Turnbull really doesn't understand 'arrogant'. He needs a sophisticated not a simpletons definition to succeed.

‘Washington think’ is seriously NOT normal.

David's right, its Merivale, you're not alone David. Hey but your failing to properly value the fun you used to have at only 1/2 a weeks pay.

By: davo

davo — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Why do americans vote republican? they don’t - the elections get stolen…

By: Peter Doherty

Peter Doherty — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

What a beautifully written, fun article. Go Guy, Go. (Why the f*ck do they vote for these Republicans that roll them again and again. They almost deserve what they get).

By: JamesK

JamesK — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Hi Venise, US isolation will be a bad thing for world peace and not good.

Leftwingers love to hate them but they are actually a power more for good rather than bad. That is especially true for European and Australian interests.