Hands up who couldn't see this happening....

I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again *on
our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china (lower
case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's, and then
creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the cruise ships
that will come"; and instead it will be the chinese navy ships that
will come, and need a refuelling point to project further power into the
Pacific. If there was ever any question about Aus purchasing nuclear
*powered* subs, there's the answer.

china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their advantage,
buying their way across the South Pacific.

china: the Earth's version of the Borg.

IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the
last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but cant do
with out their financial input. Will china attempt to influence New
Caladonia's future attempts at independence from France?? Bet on it.

Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the price
of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every hardware store at
Port Vila..... I'll be back there in 14 months... be interesting what
the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......

Death by a thousand cuts.

On 20/04/2022 8:32 pm, lindsay wrote:
>
> Hands up who couldn't see this happening....
>
> I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again *on
> our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china (lower
> case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's, and then
> creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the cruise ships
> that will come";  and instead it will be the chinese navy ships that
> will come, and need a refuelling point to project further power into the
> Pacific. If there was ever any question about Aus purchasing nuclear
> *powered* subs,  there's the answer.

Agreed, and the sooner we get them the better.

> china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their advantage,
> buying their way across the South Pacific.
>
> china: the Earth's version of the Borg.
>
> IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the
> last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but cant do
> with out their financial input. Will china attempt to influence New
> Caladonia's future attempts at independence from France?? Bet on it.

Of course they will. They wouldn't be lifting a finger to do anything
there otherwise.

> Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the price
> of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every hardware store at
> Port Vila.....   I'll be back there in 14 months... be interesting what
> the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......
>
> Death by a thousand cuts.

Sadly there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it, as our sphere of
influence is small and as an independent country the Solomon Islands so
whatever they like. Although this has been coming for a while, I think
the timing is deliberate. The Chinese have no doubt accelerated the
negotiations to get the pact signed to make Morrison look like an idiot
in the middle of an election campaign. And for what it's worth, the
media is milking it blaming Morrison for the whole thing when it had
absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us.

--
--
--
Regards,
Noddy.

On 20/4/2022 11:05 pm, Noddy wrote:
> On 20/04/2022 8:32 pm, lindsay wrote:
>>
>> Hands up who couldn't see this happening....
>>
>> I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again *on
>> our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china (lower
>> case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's, and then
>> creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the cruise
>> ships that will come";  and instead it will be the chinese navy ships
>> that will come, and need a refuelling point to project further power
>> into the Pacific. If there was ever any question about Aus purchasing
>> nuclear *powered* subs,  there's the answer.
>
> Agreed, and the sooner we get them the better.
>
>> china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their
>> advantage, buying their way across the South Pacific.
>>
>> china: the Earth's version of the Borg.
>>
>> IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the
>> last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but cant do
>> with out their financial input. Will china attempt to influence New
>> Caladonia's future attempts at independence from France?? Bet on it.
>
> Of course they will. They wouldn't be lifting a finger to do anything
> there otherwise.
>
>> Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the price
>> of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every hardware store
>> at Port Vila.....   I'll be back there in 14 months... be interesting
>> what the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......
>>
>> Death by a thousand cuts.
>
> Sadly there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it, as our sphere of
> influence is small and as an independent country the Solomon Islands so
> whatever they like. Although this has been coming for a while, I think
> the timing is deliberate. The Chinese have no doubt accelerated the
> negotiations to get the pact signed to make Morrison look like an idiot
> in the middle of an election campaign. And for what it's worth, the
> media is milking it blaming Morrison for the whole thing when it had
> absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us.
>
Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with utter
disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted out -
which will hopefully be very soon.

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 20/04/2022 9:05 pm, Noddy wrote:
> On 20/04/2022 8:32 pm, lindsay wrote:
>>
>> Hands up who couldn't see this happening....
>>
>> I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again *on
>> our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china (lower
>> case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's, and then
>> creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the cruise
>> ships that will come";  and instead it will be the chinese navy ships
>> that will come, and need a refuelling point to project further power
>> into the Pacific. If there was ever any question about Aus purchasing
>> nuclear *powered* subs,  there's the answer.
>
> Agreed, and the sooner we get them the better.
>
>> china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their
>> advantage, buying their way across the South Pacific.
>>
>> china: the Earth's version of the Borg.
>>
>> IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the
>> last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but cant do
>> with out their financial input. Will china attempt to influence New
>> Caladonia's future attempts at independence from France?? Bet on it.
>
> Of course they will. They wouldn't be lifting a finger to do anything
> there otherwise.
>
>> Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the price
>> of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every hardware store
>> at Port Vila.....   I'll be back there in 14 months... be interesting
>> what the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......
>>
>> Death by a thousand cuts.
>
> Sadly there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it, as our sphere of
> influence is small and as an independent country the Solomon Islands so
> whatever they like. Although this has been coming for a while, I think
> the timing is deliberate. The Chinese have no doubt accelerated the
> negotiations to get the pact signed to make Morrison look like an idiot
> in the middle of an election campaign.

He doesn't need their help. He is an idiot.

And for what it's worth, the
> media is milking it blaming Morrison for the whole thing when it had
> absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us.
>
>

Of course it did. Everyone saw it coming and it had everything to do
with Morrison and his inept and useless goverment. He not only must have
seen this coming but he did absolutely *nothing* to try and prevent it
which is *why* it happened. It's gross incompetence.

--
keith on the 7 Oct 2021 wrote;
"He asserts that the claim is true, so, if
it is unproven, he is lying."

On 20/04/2022 11:26 pm, Xeno wrote:
> On 20/4/2022 11:05 pm, Noddy wrote:
>> On 20/04/2022 8:32 pm, lindsay wrote:
>>>
>>> Hands up who couldn't see this happening....
>>>
>>> I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again
>>> *on our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china
>>> (lower case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's, and
>>> then creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the
>>> cruise ships that will come";  and instead it will be the chinese
>>> navy ships that will come, and need a refuelling point to project
>>> further power into the Pacific. If there was ever any question about
>>> Aus purchasing nuclear *powered* subs,  there's the answer.
>>
>> Agreed, and the sooner we get them the better.
>>
>>> china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their
>>> advantage, buying their way across the South Pacific.
>>>
>>> china: the Earth's version of the Borg.
>>>
>>> IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the
>>> last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but cant
>>> do with out their financial input. Will china attempt to influence
>>> New Caladonia's future attempts at independence from France?? Bet on
>>> it.
>>
>> Of course they will. They wouldn't be lifting a finger to do anything
>> there otherwise.
>>
>>> Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the
>>> price of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every
>>> hardware store at Port Vila..... I'll be back there in 14 months...
>>> be interesting what the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......
>>>
>>> Death by a thousand cuts.
>>
>> Sadly there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it, as our sphere
>> of influence is small and as an independent country the Solomon
>> Islands so whatever they like. Although this has been coming for a
>> while, I think the timing is deliberate. The Chinese have no doubt
>> accelerated the negotiations to get the pact signed to make Morrison
>> look like an idiot in the middle of an election campaign. And for
>> what it's worth, the media is milking it blaming Morrison for the
>> whole thing when it had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us.
>>
> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with utter
> disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted out -
> which will hopefully be very soon.
>
>

according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has done
quite a lot in/for the region

--
https://tinyurl.com/Yosemite-Sam

FUCK PUTIN!!

On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
> On 20/04/2022 11:26 pm, Xeno wrote:
>> On 20/4/2022 11:05 pm, Noddy wrote:
>>> On 20/04/2022 8:32 pm, lindsay wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hands up who couldn't see this happening....
>>>>
>>>> I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again
>>>> *on our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china
>>>> (lower case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's, and
>>>> then creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the
>>>> cruise ships that will come";  and instead it will be the chinese
>>>> navy ships that will come, and need a refuelling point to project
>>>> further power into the Pacific. If there was ever any question about
>>>> Aus purchasing nuclear *powered* subs,  there's the answer.
>>>
>>> Agreed, and the sooner we get them the better.
>>>
>>>> china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their
>>>> advantage, buying their way across the South Pacific.
>>>>
>>>> china: the Earth's version of the Borg.
>>>>
>>>> IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the
>>>> last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but cant
>>>> do with out their financial input. Will china attempt to influence
>>>> New Caladonia's future attempts at independence from France?? Bet on
>>>> it.
>>>
>>> Of course they will. They wouldn't be lifting a finger to do anything
>>> there otherwise.
>>>
>>>> Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the
>>>> price of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every
>>>> hardware store at Port Vila..... I'll be back there in 14 months...
>>>> be interesting what the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......
>>>>
>>>> Death by a thousand cuts.
>>>
>>> Sadly there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it, as our sphere
>>> of influence is small and as an independent country the Solomon
>>> Islands so whatever they like. Although this has been coming for a
>>> while, I think the timing is deliberate. The Chinese have no doubt
>>> accelerated the negotiations to get the pact signed to make Morrison
>>> look like an idiot in the middle of an election campaign. And for
>>> what it's worth, the media is milking it blaming Morrison for the
>>> whole thing when it had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us.
>>>
>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with utter
>> disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted out -
>> which will hopefully be very soon.
>>
>>
>
> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has done
> quite a lot in/for the region
>

**Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%. Scummo,
OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people living in low
lying islands the following: "Tough luck."

On 22/04/2022 7:10 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:

>>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with utter
>>> disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted out -
>>> which will hopefully be very soon.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has done
>> quite a lot in/for the region
>>
>
> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%. Scummo,
> OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people living in low
> lying islands the following: "Tough luck."

ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really quite
amusing :)

The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is utterly
ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such as built
the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New Guinea to our
fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff to the place
recently to help with unrest in the country as the public reacts to it's
own government's unpopular moves, we've helped out whenever they've
faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and in fact in the last 5
years over 60% of all foreign aid received by the Solomon Islands has
come from Australia.

Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China, because
China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever* could.

So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault? If you do,
then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled things
differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as I'm
concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any angst
over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as they've
done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when we've given it
to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their friendship.

Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they think
the Chinese will provide them with.

--
--
--
Regards,
Noddy.

On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 7:10 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
>
>>>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with utter
>>>> disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted out -
>>>> which will hopefully be very soon.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has done
>>> quite a lot in/for the region
>>>
>>
>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>
> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really quite
> amusing :)

**The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as that.

>
> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is utterly
> ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such as built
> the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New Guinea to our
> fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff to the place
> recently to help with unrest in the country as the public reacts to it's
> own government's unpopular moves, we've helped out whenever they've
> faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and in fact in the last 5
> years over 60% of all foreign aid received by the Solomon Islands has
> come from Australia.
>
> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China, because
> China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever* could.

**Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.

>
> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?

**Focus on the word: "REGION".

If you do,
> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled things
> differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as I'm
> concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any angst
> over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as they've
> done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when we've given it
> to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their friendship.
>
> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they think
> the Chinese will provide them with.

**The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.

On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:

>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>
>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
>> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really quite
>> amusing :)
>
> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as that.

That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?

>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
>> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is utterly
>> ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such as built
>> the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New Guinea to our
>> fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff to the place
>> recently to help with unrest in the country as the public reacts to
>> it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped out whenever
>> they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and in fact in the
>> last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by the Solomon
>> Islands has come from Australia.
>>
>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China, because
>> China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever* could.
>
> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.

To be honest I don't particularly care one way or the other, as I think
China's focus is more about Taiwan than here, but there was no way could
our government have *ever* gotten away with brown envelope bribes to
local politicians :)

>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>
> **Focus on the word: "REGION".

"REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the media.
In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has been laid
squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever to do with him.

>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled things
>> differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as I'm
>> concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any angst
>> over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as
>> they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when we've
>> given it to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their friendship.
>>
>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>
> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.

Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.

--
--
--
Regards,
Noddy.

On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>
>>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>>
>>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
>>> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really
>>> quite amusing :)
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>> that.
>
> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?

**The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
COALition. The Solomon Islands government is corrupt to the core and it
is unlikely anyone could do much, short of shovelling lots of money into
the pockets of MPs (like China did).

>
>>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
>>> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such
>>> as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New
>>> Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff
>>> to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as the
>>> public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped
>>> out whenever they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and
>>> in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by
>>> the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>>
>>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>>> could.
>>
>> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
>> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
>> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>
> To be honest I don't particularly care one way or the other, as I think
> China's focus is more about Taiwan than here, but there was no way could
> our government have *ever* gotten away with brown envelope bribes to
> local politicians :)
>
>>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>>
>> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>
> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the media.
> In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has been laid
> squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever to do with him.

**The failures to deal properly with the REGION is the fault of the
COALition. Scummo is presently in charge and must accept blame.

>
>>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as
>>> I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any
>>> angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as
>>> they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when
>>> we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their
>>> friendship.
>>>
>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>
>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>
> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.

**It'll be worse for us. MUCH worse.

On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 7:10 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>> On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
>>
>>>>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with
>>>>> utter disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's
>>>>> voted out - which will hopefully be very soon.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has
>>>> done quite a lot in/for the region
>>>>
>>>
>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>
>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
>> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really
>> quite amusing :)
>
> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
> that.
>
>>
>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
>> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such
>> as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New
>> Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff
>> to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as the
>> public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped
>> out whenever they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and
>> in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by
>> the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>
>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>> could.
>
> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.

and if it turned into a bidding war who do you think the winner would
be? (rhetorical question)

>
>>
>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>
> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>
>
>  If you do,
>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as
>> I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any
>> angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as
>> they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when
>> we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their
>> friendship.
>>
>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>
> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>

it's a huge security risk for us. they already have Vanuatu and South
China sea bases, and now the Solomons. plus they're an economic super
power. if anyone thinks China is not planning world domination they're
away with the fairies

--
https://tinyurl.com/Yosemite-Sam

FUCK PUTIN!!

On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>
>>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>>
>>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year?
>>> Man! The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is
>>> really quite amusing :)
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>> that.
>
> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>
>>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any
>>> idea that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such
>>> as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New
>>> Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff
>>> to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as the
>>> public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped
>>> out whenever they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and
>>> in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by
>>> the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>>
>>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>>> could.
>>
>> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
>> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
>> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>
> To be honest I don't particularly care one way or the other, as I
> think China's focus is more about Taiwan than here, but there was no
> way could our government have *ever* gotten away with brown envelope
> bribes to local politicians :)
>
>>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>>
>> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>
> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever to
> do with him.
>

relevant article:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/20/scott-morrison-fends-off-claim-solomon-islands-china-pact-is-worst-foreign-policy-failure-since-1945

>>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far
>>> as I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as
>>> any angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons
>>> themselves as they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our
>>> assistance when we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when
>>> we wanted their friendship.
>>>
>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>
>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>
> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>
>
>

--
https://tinyurl.com/Yosemite-Sam

FUCK PUTIN!!

On 22/04/2022 11:23 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:

>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>>> that.
>>
>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>
> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
> COALition.

Utter bullshit.

In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any flavour,
has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within the borders
of our own country and territories? The focus of this issue specifically
is about the "deal" between the Chinese and Solomon Island governments,
and how Morrison is bizarrely seen by some of the extreme fringe element
to be responsible for that.

It's fanciful, as you seem to be pointing out here with your comments in
this paragraph below ↓↓↓↓

> The Solomon Islands government is corrupt to the core and it
> is unlikely anyone could do much, short of shovelling lots of money into
> the pockets of MPs (like China did).

Right, and while the massively corrupt Chinese government can do that
and not think twice about it, it is *highly* unlikely that we ever could
and get away with it no matter how beneficial it might have been to our
own country. This is precisely the point I was making earlier when I
spoke about the Chinese waving more money under the noses of Solomon
pollies than we ever could.

The difference between us and China is that *our* government is heavily
scrutinised by it's own media and people.

>> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
>> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
>> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever to
>> do with him.
>
> **The failures to deal properly with the REGION is the fault of the
> COALition. Scummo is presently in charge and must accept blame.

More utter nonsense :)

Dealing with the "region" is above the pay grade of any Australian
government Trevor. Both past and present. Our authority ends at our
borders, and it's not our place to be telling other nations what to do.
We can help if asked, and we can offer assistance if necessary, but all
sticking your nose in and trying to run other people's lives is going to
achieve is to breed a level of resentment that will be passed on through
generations.

Look at the US, and how hated the country is by many in the rest of the
world for it's continued meddling in the affairs of other nations.

We are not the regulating authority of the South Pacific arena, and nor
is it our place to be. We are but one country of many that inhabit the
area, and just because we may be the largest one geographically doesn't
mean that everyone else has to do as we say and live their lives to
*our* standards.

This claim of us being responsible for "regional failure" is complete
bullshit. We are no more responsible for the actions of other countries
in the "region" any more than you're responsible for the actions of your
next door neighbour in his own house.

>>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>>
>>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>
>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>
> **It'll be worse for us. MUCH worse.

Really? How?

--
--
--
Regards,
Noddy.

On 22/4/2022 7:10 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
>> On 20/04/2022 11:26 pm, Xeno wrote:
>>> On 20/4/2022 11:05 pm, Noddy wrote:
>>>> On 20/04/2022 8:32 pm, lindsay wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hands up who couldn't see this happening....
>>>>>
>>>>> I see the current situation in Sri Lanka happening all over again
>>>>> *on our doorstep*. I also see the possibility/probability of china
>>>>> (lower case) simply building more infrastructure in the Solly's,
>>>>> and then creating a fuel dump at say Guadalcanal: "oh, it's for the
>>>>> cruise ships that will come";  and instead it will be the chinese
>>>>> navy ships that will come, and need a refuelling point to project
>>>>> further power into the Pacific. If there was ever any question
>>>>> about Aus purchasing nuclear *powered* subs,  there's the answer.
>>>>
>>>> Agreed, and the sooner we get them the better.
>>>>
>>>>> china obviously has more money than us, and use that to their
>>>>> advantage, buying their way across the South Pacific.
>>>>>
>>>>> china: the Earth's version of the Borg.
>>>>>
>>>>> IMHO, after speaking with locals in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in
>>>>> the last 3 years, the sentiment is that they hate the chinese, but
>>>>> cant do with out their financial input. Will china attempt to
>>>>> influence New Caladonia's future attempts at independence from
>>>>> France?? Bet on it.
>>>>
>>>> Of course they will. They wouldn't be lifting a finger to do
>>>> anything there otherwise.
>>>>
>>>>> Until the chinese take advantage, like when after a cyclone, the
>>>>> price of a bag of concrete triples, the chinese owning every
>>>>> hardware store at Port Vila..... I'll be back there in 14 months...
>>>>> be interesting what the sentiment is, if the chinese let me in......
>>>>>
>>>>> Death by a thousand cuts.
>>>>
>>>> Sadly there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it, as our sphere
>>>> of influence is small and as an independent country the Solomon
>>>> Islands so whatever they like. Although this has been coming for a
>>>> while, I think the timing is deliberate. The Chinese have no doubt
>>>> accelerated the negotiations to get the pact signed to make Morrison
>>>> look like an idiot in the middle of an election campaign. And for
>>>> what it's worth, the media is milking it blaming Morrison for the
>>>> whole thing when it had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with us.
>>>>
>>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with utter
>>> disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted out -
>>> which will hopefully be very soon.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has done
>> quite a lot in/for the region
>>
>
> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%. Scummo,
> OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people living in low
> lying islands the following: "Tough luck."

Yep, that's pretty much how I recall it.

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 22/4/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 7:10 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>> On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
>>
>>>>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with
>>>>> utter disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's voted
>>>>> out - which will hopefully be very soon.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has done
>>>> quite a lot in/for the region
>>>>
>>>
>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>
>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
>> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really quite
>> amusing :)
>
> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as that.
>
>>
>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
>> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is utterly
>> ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such as built
>> the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New Guinea to our
>> fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff to the place
>> recently to help with unrest in the country as the public reacts to
>> it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped out whenever
>> they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and in fact in the
>> last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by the Solomon
>> Islands has come from Australia.
>>
>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China, because
>> China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever* could.
>
> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>
>>
>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>
> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>
>
>  If you do,
>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled things
>> differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as I'm
>> concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any angst
>> over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as
>> they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when we've
>> given it to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their friendship.
>>
>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>
> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>
Only need to look at Sri Lanka to see that.

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 22/04/2022 12:34 pm, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 11:23 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>
>>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>>>> that.
>>>
>>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
>> COALition.
>
> Utter bullshit.
>
> In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any flavour,
> has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within the borders
> of our own country and territories?

**In two (maybe three) ways:

* Abbott dramatically cut aid to Pacific nations. That aid has not been
restored. Therefore, Scummo is responsible.
* Australia acts criminally WRT global warming. Many Pacific nations are
uniquely sensitive to global warming and blame Australia for not acting.
* The COALition has told the Pacific nations that Australia doesn't give
a shit about their problems WRT sea level rise (which is an inevitable
result of global warming).

The focus of this issue specifically
> is about the "deal" between the Chinese and Solomon Island governments,
> and how Morrison is bizarrely seen by some of the extreme fringe element
> to be responsible for that.

**I responded SOLELY to the comment about Australia's influence on the
REGION. The REGION is far more than just the Solomon Islands.

>
> It's fanciful, as you seem to be pointing out here with your comments in
> this paragraph below ↓↓↓↓
>
>> The Solomon Islands government is corrupt to the core and it is
>> unlikely anyone could do much, short of shovelling lots of money into
>> the pockets of MPs (like China did).
>
> Right, and while the massively corrupt Chinese government can do that
> and not think twice about it, it is *highly* unlikely that we ever could
> and get away with it no matter how beneficial it might have been to our
> own country. This is precisely the point I was making earlier when I
> spoke about the Chinese waving more money under the noses of Solomon
> pollies than we ever could.
>
> The difference between us and China is that *our* government is heavily
> scrutinised by it's own media and people.
>
>>> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
>>> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
>>> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever
>>> to do with him.
>>
>> **The failures to deal properly with the REGION is the fault of the
>> COALition. Scummo is presently in charge and must accept blame.
>
> More utter nonsense :)

**Nope. Fact:

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/issues/australian-foreign-aid

>
> Dealing with the "region" is above the pay grade of any Australian
> government Trevor.

**And yet, we have done so in the past. Right up until Abbott decimated
aid to Pacific nations (a tradition that Scummo has enthusiastically
embraced). Of course they will look elsewhere.

Both past and present. Our authority ends at our
> borders, and it's not our place to be telling other nations what to do.

**Not the point.

> We can help if asked, and we can offer assistance if necessary, but all
> sticking your nose in and trying to run other people's lives is going to
> achieve is to breed a level of resentment that will be passed on through
> generations.

**Again: Not the point. Since the Abbott government, Australia has cut
aid to Pacific nations. It's hardly surprising that they look to seek
funds from elsewhere. After the COALition took government, Australia's
influence and popularity has declined in the Pacific dramatically.

>
> Look at the US, and how hated the country is by many in the rest of the
> world for it's continued meddling in the affairs of other nations.

**AID is not meddling. It's aid.

>
> We are not the regulating authority of the South Pacific arena, and nor
> is it our place to be. We are but one country of many that inhabit the
> area, and just because we may be the largest one geographically doesn't
> mean that everyone else has to do as we say and live their lives to
> *our* standards.
>
> This claim of us being responsible for "regional failure" is complete
> bullshit. We are no more responsible for the actions of other countries
> in the "region" any more than you're responsible for the actions of your
> next door neighbour in his own house.

**Just as think nothing of rushing to assist my neighbours when they
need help, I would not even THINK about accepting money for such
efforts. It's all about being a good neighbour. Speak to anyone who
fought in New Guinea during WWII about how the natives helped Aussies.
They were good neighbours. We SHOULD remain good neighbours to Pacific
nations. Cutting aid is not being a good neighbour.

>
>>>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>>>
>>>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>>
>>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>>
>> **It'll be worse for us. MUCH worse.
>
> Really? How?

**Think about it.

On 22/4/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>
>>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>>
>>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
>>> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really
>>> quite amusing :)
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>> that.
>
> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?

He's the one where the buck stops.
>
>>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
>>> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such
>>> as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New
>>> Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff
>>> to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as the
>>> public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped
>>> out whenever they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and
>>> in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by
>>> the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>>
>>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>>> could.
>>
>> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
>> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
>> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>
> To be honest I don't particularly care one way or the other, as I think
> China's focus is more about Taiwan than here, but there was no way could

You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. Ask yourself why the Chinese
now have ports all around the *Indian Ocean*. They are trying to
duplicate this around the Pacific. Take this as an example;

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-kiribati-exclusive-idUSKBN2CM0IZ

China plans to revive strategic Pacific airstrip

Strategic Darren, know what that word means? I doubt it

> our government have *ever* gotten away with brown envelope bribes to
> local politicians :)
>
>>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>>
>> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>
> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the media.
> In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has been laid
> squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever to do with him.

The region is where China is trying to gain influence. You can't discuss
*strategic aims* if you don't include the *region*. You're incredibly
obtuse, you know!
>
>>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as
>>> I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any
>>> angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as
>>> they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when
>>> we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their
>>> friendship.
>>>
>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>
>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>
> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.

You would know all about Karma eh? All those lies you told over decades,
now publicly shown to be just that, lies.

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 22/04/2022 1:43 pm, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 12:34 pm, Noddy wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 11:23 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>> On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>>
>>>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple
>>>>> as that.
>>>>
>>>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>>>
>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of
>>> the COALition.
>>
>> Utter bullshit.
>>
>> In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any
>> flavour, has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within
>> the borders of our own country and territories?
>
> **In two (maybe three) ways:
>
> * Abbott dramatically cut aid to Pacific nations. That aid has not
> been restored. Therefore, Scummo is responsible.
> * Australia acts criminally WRT global warming. Many Pacific nations
> are uniquely sensitive to global warming and blame Australia for not
> acting.
> * The COALition has told the Pacific nations that Australia doesn't
> give a shit about their problems WRT sea level rise (which is an
> inevitable result of global warming).
>
>  The focus of this issue specifically
>> is about the "deal" between the Chinese and Solomon Island
>> governments, and how Morrison is bizarrely seen by some of the
>> extreme fringe element to be responsible for that.
>
> **I responded SOLELY to the comment about Australia's influence on the
> REGION. The REGION is far more than just the Solomon Islands.
>
>>
>> It's fanciful, as you seem to be pointing out here with your comments
>> in this paragraph below ↓↓↓↓
>>
>>> The Solomon Islands government is corrupt to the core and it is
>>> unlikely anyone could do much, short of shovelling lots of money
>>> into the pockets of MPs (like China did).
>>
>> Right, and while the massively corrupt Chinese government can do that
>> and not think twice about it, it is *highly* unlikely that we ever
>> could and get away with it no matter how beneficial it might have
>> been to our own country. This is precisely the point I was making
>> earlier when I spoke about the Chinese waving more money under the
>> noses of Solomon pollies than we ever could.
>>
>> The difference between us and China is that *our* government is
>> heavily scrutinised by it's own media and people.
>>
>>>> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
>>>> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
>>>> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever
>>>> to do with him.
>>>
>>> **The failures to deal properly with the REGION is the fault of the
>>> COALition. Scummo is presently in charge and must accept blame.
>>
>> More utter nonsense :)
>
> **Nope. Fact:
>
> https://www.lowyinstitute.org/issues/australian-foreign-aid
>
>
>>
>> Dealing with the "region" is above the pay grade of any Australian
>> government Trevor.
>
> **And yet, we have done so in the past. Right up until Abbott
> decimated aid to Pacific nations (a tradition that Scummo has
> enthusiastically embraced). Of course they will look elsewhere.

yet the graph clearly show massive decline in foreign aid under the
Hawke/Keating govt (83-95) until it was increased during the Howard years.

>
>  Both past and present. Our authority ends at our
>> borders, and it's not our place to be telling other nations what to do.
>
> **Not the point.
>
>
>> We can help if asked, and we can offer assistance if necessary, but
>> all sticking your nose in and trying to run other people's lives is
>> going to achieve is to breed a level of resentment that will be
>> passed on through generations.
>
> **Again: Not the point. Since the Abbott government, Australia has cut
> aid to Pacific nations. It's hardly surprising that they look to seek
> funds from elsewhere. After the COALition took government, Australia's
> influence and popularity has declined in the Pacific dramatically.
>
>>
>> Look at the US, and how hated the country is by many in the rest of
>> the world for it's continued meddling in the affairs of other nations.
>
> **AID is not meddling. It's aid.
>
>>
>> We are not the regulating authority of the South Pacific arena, and
>> nor is it our place to be. We are but one country of many that
>> inhabit the area, and just because we may be the largest one
>> geographically doesn't mean that everyone else has to do as we say
>> and live their lives to *our* standards.
>>
>> This claim of us being responsible for "regional failure" is complete
>> bullshit. We are no more responsible for the actions of other
>> countries in the "region" any more than you're responsible for the
>> actions of your next door neighbour in his own house.
>
> **Just as think nothing of rushing to assist my neighbours when they
> need help, I would not even THINK about accepting money for such
> efforts. It's all about being a good neighbour. Speak to anyone who
> fought in New Guinea during WWII about how the natives helped Aussies.
> They were good neighbours. We SHOULD remain good neighbours to Pacific
> nations. Cutting aid is not being a good neighbour.
>
>>
>>>>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>>>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>>>>
>>>>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>>>
>>>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>>>
>>> **It'll be worse for us. MUCH worse.
>>
>> Really? How?
>
> **Think about it.

--
https://tinyurl.com/Yosemite-Sam

FUCK PUTIN!!

On 22/4/2022 12:34 pm, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 11:23 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>
>>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>>>> that.
>>>
>>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
>> COALition.
>
> Utter bullshit.
>
> In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any flavour,
> has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within the borders
> of our own country and territories? The focus of this issue specifically
> is about the "deal" between the Chinese and Solomon Island governments,
> and how Morrison is bizarrely seen by some of the extreme fringe element
> to be responsible for that.

The Yanks seem to be pinning the tail on the correct donkey or, in this
case, an Ass!
>
> It's fanciful, as you seem to be pointing out here with your comments in
> this paragraph below ↓↓↓↓
>
>> The Solomon Islands government is corrupt to the core and it is
>> unlikely anyone could do much, short of shovelling lots of money into
>> the pockets of MPs (like China did).
>
> Right, and while the massively corrupt Chinese government can do that
> and not think twice about it, it is *highly* unlikely that we ever could
> and get away with it no matter how beneficial it might have been to our
> own country. This is precisely the point I was making earlier when I
> spoke about the Chinese waving more money under the noses of Solomon
> pollies than we ever could.
>
> The difference between us and China is that *our* government is heavily
> scrutinised by it's own media and people.

Not enough scrutiny! We need a federal ICAC.
>
>>> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
>>> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
>>> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever
>>> to do with him.
>>
>> **The failures to deal properly with the REGION is the fault of the
>> COALition. Scummo is presently in charge and must accept blame.
>
> More utter nonsense :)

The buck stops with Scummo Darren.
>
> Dealing with the "region" is above the pay grade of any Australian
> government Trevor. Both past and present. Our authority ends at our
> borders, and it's not our place to be telling other nations what to do.
> We can help if asked, and we can offer assistance if necessary, but all
> sticking your nose in and trying to run other people's lives is going to
> achieve is to breed a level of resentment that will be passed on through
> generations.
>
> Look at the US, and how hated the country is by many in the rest of the
> world for it's continued meddling in the affairs of other nations.
>
> We are not the regulating authority of the South Pacific arena, and nor
> is it our place to be. We are but one country of many that inhabit the
> area, and just because we may be the largest one geographically doesn't
> mean that everyone else has to do as we say and live their lives to
> *our* standards.

You really have no clue about the concept of *diplomacy*, have you?
Given your behaviour in this newsgroup, that comes as no surprise.
>
> This claim of us being responsible for "regional failure" is complete
> bullshit. We are no more responsible for the actions of other countries
> in the "region" any more than you're responsible for the actions of your
> next door neighbour in his own house.
>
>>>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>>>
>>>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>>
>>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>>
>> **It'll be worse for us. MUCH worse.
>
> Really? How?

You really need to stop limiting your views to those expressed in the
Herald Sun. Had you been a bit more expansive in your reading and
viewing habits, you wouldn't have needed to ask that question.

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 22/04/2022 1:43 pm, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 12:34 pm, Noddy wrote:

>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
>>> COALition.
>>
>> Utter bullshit.
>>
>> In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any
>> flavour, has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within
>> the borders of our own country and territories?
>
> **In two (maybe three) ways:
>
> * Abbott dramatically cut aid to Pacific nations. That aid has not been
> restored. Therefore, Scummo is responsible.

There's logic in that somewhere, but I'm fucked if I can see it. Even if
what you say here were true, how would restoring aid to pre Abbott
levels place Australia in any position of authority in the Pacific
region which was the question that I actually asked you?

> * Australia acts criminally WRT global warming. Many Pacific nations are
> uniquely sensitive to global warming and blame Australia for not acting.

They can blame us as much as they like, but we are not responsible for
their particular predicaments. Nor is there anything we can do that will
change the fate that awaits them. We produce 1.1% of the world's
greenhouse gas emissions, and even if we went 100% zero emissions
tomorrow the positive change that would make to the nations in the
Pacific facing climate change disaster would be absolutely nil.

So let them blame us as much as they like, because blaming others is
always easier than getting off your arse and dealing with it yourself.

> * The COALition has told the Pacific nations that Australia doesn't give
> a shit about their problems WRT sea level rise (which is an inevitable
> result of global warming).

And did they tell them this exactly? What was the exact wording of the
announcement?

>  The focus of this issue specifically
>> is about the "deal" between the Chinese and Solomon Island
>> governments, and how Morrison is bizarrely seen by some of the extreme
>> fringe element to be responsible for that.
>
> **I responded SOLELY to the comment about Australia's influence on the
> REGION. The REGION is far more than just the Solomon Islands.

Respond to that as much as you like, but that was never part of this
discussion.

>> Dealing with the "region" is above the pay grade of any Australian
>> government Trevor.
>
> **And yet, we have done so in the past. Right up until Abbott decimated
> aid to Pacific nations (a tradition that Scummo has enthusiastically
> embraced). Of course they will look elsewhere.

Let them.

>  Both past and present. Our authority ends at our
>> borders, and it's not our place to be telling other nations what to do.
>
> **Not the point.

That is *precisely* the point.

>> We can help if asked, and we can offer assistance if necessary, but
>> all sticking your nose in and trying to run other people's lives is
>> going to achieve is to breed a level of resentment that will be passed
>> on through generations.
>
> **Again: Not the point. Since the Abbott government, Australia has cut
> aid to Pacific nations. It's hardly surprising that they look to seek
> funds from elsewhere. After the COALition took government, Australia's
> influence and popularity has declined in the Pacific dramatically.

Well, for a start, our position of "influence" was greatly over
estimated. We are a largely insignificant nation of a mere 26 million
people at the arsehole end of the planet, and I honestly don't think too
many people gave a fuck about anything we do or say anyway.

Most of the Pacific nations we've been giving funding to have been
treating us like a cash cow for years and we get fuck all out of it in
return. I mean, let's not kid ourselves here. There are very few truly
altruistic nations on this planet and by and large we're not one of
them. We "give" on the expectation of getting back, and when that return
continually diminishes you have to question whether that money would be
better spent elsewhere.

So the island nations aren't happy with us because we're not paying
enough of their bills? Cool. Let them fuck off and sell their souls to
someone else.

>> Look at the US, and how hated the country is by many in the rest of
>> the world for it's continued meddling in the affairs of other nations.
>
> **AID is not meddling. It's aid.

Don't kid yourself :) In the overwhelming majority of cases "aid" is
nothing other than political leverage.

>> This claim of us being responsible for "regional failure" is complete
>> bullshit. We are no more responsible for the actions of other
>> countries in the "region" any more than you're responsible for the
>> actions of your next door neighbour in his own house.
>
> **Just as think nothing of rushing to assist my neighbours when they
> need help, I would not even THINK about accepting money for such
> efforts. It's all about being a good neighbour. Speak to anyone who
> fought in New Guinea during WWII about how the natives helped Aussies.
> They were good neighbours. We SHOULD remain good neighbours to Pacific
> nations. Cutting aid is not being a good neighbour.

I don't disagree with any of that, but from my perspective I would
qualify it by adding that "friendship" isn't something that should need
to be bought. You shouldn't need to throw money at a foreign country in
order to maintain a friendly relationship with them. I've got no problem
with genuine humanitarian aid in times of trouble, but continually
handing over large sums of money each year as a matter of course just so
the recipient nation can live it's day to day life in the manner it
chooses is a bullshit policy that I'm happy to see come to a complete stop.

If countries that you once gave "aid" to suddenly criticise you for no
longer giving it to them then they were never true friends to begin
with, and you're better off without them.

>>>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>>>
>>> **It'll be worse for us. MUCH worse.
>>
>> Really? How?
>
> **Think about it.

I was asking you as to why *you* think we'd be much worse. Your
avoidance has been noted.

--
--
--
Regards,
Noddy.

On 22/4/2022 11:27 am, Yosemite Sam wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>>> On 22/04/2022 7:10 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>>> On 21/04/2022 2:28 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
>>>
>>>>>> Bullshit! Morrison treated all the islands in the Pacific with
>>>>>> utter disdain - and we'll be suffering for it long after he's
>>>>>> voted out - which will hopefully be very soon.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> according to what he said in the debate last night his govt has
>>>>> done quite a lot in/for the region
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>>
>>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year? Man!
>>> The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is really
>>> quite amusing :)
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>> that.
>>
>>>
>>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any idea
>>> that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past, such
>>> as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua New
>>> Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other staff
>>> to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as the
>>> public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've helped
>>> out whenever they've faced problems with storms and hurricanes, and
>>> in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign aid received by
>>> the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>>
>>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>>> could.
>>
>> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
>> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that figure?
>> Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>
>
> and if it turned into a bidding war who do you think the winner would
> be? (rhetorical question)
>
>
>>
>>>
>>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>>
>> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>>
>>
>>  If you do,
>>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far as
>>> I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as any
>>> angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons themselves as
>>> they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our assistance when
>>> we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when we wanted their
>>> friendship.
>>>
>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>
>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>
>
> it's a huge security risk for us. they already have Vanuatu and South
> China sea bases, and now the Solomons. plus they're an economic super
> power. if anyone thinks China is not planning world domination they're
> away with the fairies
>
Kiribati figures highly on their todo list right now. Proximity to
Hawaii, too close for the Yank's comfort.

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 22/04/2022 1:55 pm, Xeno wrote:
> On 22/4/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>>
>>>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>>>
>>>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>>>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>>>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year?
>>>> Man! The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is
>>>> really quite amusing :)
>>>
>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>>> that.
>>
>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>
> He's the one where the buck stops.
>>
>>>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any
>>>> idea that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>>>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past,
>>>> such as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua
>>>> New Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other
>>>> staff to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as
>>>> the public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've
>>>> helped out whenever they've faced problems with storms and
>>>> hurricanes, and in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign
>>>> aid received by the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>>>
>>>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>>>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>>>> could.
>>>
>>> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
>>> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that
>>> figure? Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>>
>> To be honest I don't particularly care one way or the other, as I
>> think China's focus is more about Taiwan than here, but there was no
>> way could
>
> You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. Ask yourself why the Chinese
> now have ports all around the *Indian Ocean*. They are trying to
> duplicate this around the Pacific. Take this as an example;
>
> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-kiribati-exclusive-idUSKBN2CM0IZ
>
>    China plans to revive strategic Pacific airstrip
>
> Strategic Darren, know what that word means? I doubt it
>
>> our government have *ever* gotten away with brown envelope bribes to
>> local politicians :)
>>
>>>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>>>
>>> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>>
>> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
>> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
>> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever
>> to do with him.
>
> The region is where China is trying to gain influence. You can't
> discuss *strategic aims* if you don't include the *region*. You're
> incredibly obtuse, you know!

it's the 1930's again! militaristic build up until they're ready to
strike while the rest of the world does little or nothing and remains
unprepared for what will come

>>
>>>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>>>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far
>>>> as I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as
>>>> any angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons
>>>> themselves as they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our
>>>> assistance when we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when
>>>> we wanted their friendship.
>>>>
>>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>>
>>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>
>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>
> You would know all about Karma eh? All those lies you told over
> decades, now publicly shown to be just that, lies.
>
>

--
https://tinyurl.com/Yosemite-Sam

FUCK PUTIN!!

On 22/4/2022 3:21 pm, Yosemite Sam wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 1:55 pm, Xeno wrote:
>> On 22/4/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>>> On 22/04/2022 9:28 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>>> On 22/04/2022 9:05 am, Noddy wrote:
>>>
>>>>>> **Bullshit. The rot began when Abbott cut Australian aid by 50%.
>>>>>> Scummo, OTOH, being a global warming denier, has told the people
>>>>>> living in low lying islands the following: "Tough luck."
>>>>>
>>>>> ROTFL :) So, in response to Australia not doing enough to save the
>>>>> environment, the Solomon Islands buddies up China who causes more
>>>>> environmental destructioin in a single day than we do in a year?
>>>>> Man! The Alternate reality some of you people seem to enjoy is
>>>>> really quite amusing :)
>>>>
>>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>>>> that.
>>>
>>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>>
>> He's the one where the buck stops.
>>>
>>>>> The Solomon Islands is an independent sovereign country, and any
>>>>> idea that we can tell them what to do and who to be friends with is
>>>>> utterly ridiculous. We have done *plenty* for them in the past,
>>>>> such as built the undersea cable for them to link them and Papua
>>>>> New Guinea to our fibre optic network, we've sent police and other
>>>>> staff to the place recently to help with unrest in the country as
>>>>> the public reacts to it's own government's unpopular moves, we've
>>>>> helped out whenever they've faced problems with storms and
>>>>> hurricanes, and in fact in the last 5 years over 60% of all foreign
>>>>> aid received by the Solomon Islands has come from Australia.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yet despite all this, they've chosen to partner up with China,
>>>>> because China has waved more money under their nose than we *ever*
>>>>> could.
>>>>
>>>> **Bullshit. The Chinese paid each MP AUS$40,000.00 if they voted to
>>>> buddy up with China. Chicken-feed. Could we have matched that
>>>> figure? Yep. Easily. Should we have done so? Dunno.
>>>
>>> To be honest I don't particularly care one way or the other, as I
>>> think China's focus is more about Taiwan than here, but there was no
>>> way could
>>
>> You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. Ask yourself why the Chinese
>> now have ports all around the *Indian Ocean*. They are trying to
>> duplicate this around the Pacific. Take this as an example;
>>
>> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-kiribati-exclusive-idUSKBN2CM0IZ
>>
>>    China plans to revive strategic Pacific airstrip
>>
>> Strategic Darren, know what that word means? I doubt it
>>
>>> our government have *ever* gotten away with brown envelope bribes to
>>> local politicians :)
>>>
>>>>> So, do you *still* think any of this is Morrison's fault?
>>>>
>>>> **Focus on the word: "REGION".
>>>
>>> "REGION" has not been what this discussion has been about in the
>>> media. In some circles, the "blame" for the China/Solomons deal has
>>> been laid squarely at Morrison's feet and it has nothing whatsoever
>>> to do with him.
>>
>> The region is where China is trying to gain influence. You can't
>> discuss *strategic aims* if you don't include the *region*. You're
>> incredibly obtuse, you know!
>
>
> it's the 1930's again! militaristic build up until they're ready to
> strike while the rest of the world does little or nothing and remains
> unprepared for what will come
>
China has been watching the world's responses on issues such as the war
in Ukraine. I've been following the China situation quite closely of
late and what I've seen developing is scary stuff. It also helps having
a friend or two on the ground over there for some insight.
>
>>>
>>>>> then take a moment to explain why and how he could have handled
>>>>> things differently that would have prevented this new deal. As far
>>>>> as I'm concerned blaming Morrison is blaming the wrong person, as
>>>>> any angst over this should be directed towards the Solomons
>>>>> themselves as they've done *nothing* but sit back and take our
>>>>> assistance when we've given it to them but flipped us the bird when
>>>>> we wanted their friendship.
>>>>>
>>>>> Good luck to them. Hope they find the peace and tranquillity they
>>>>> think the Chinese will provide them with.
>>>>
>>>> **The Solomon Islands are gonna be in for a world of pain.
>>>
>>> Good. Hope they learn a really harsh lesson. Karma is a bitch.
>>
>> You would know all about Karma eh? All those lies you told over
>> decades, now publicly shown to be just that, lies.
>>
>>
>

--
Xeno

Nothing astonishes Noddy so much as common sense and plain dealing.
(with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On 22/4/2022 12:34 pm, Noddy wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 11:23 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>
>>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple as
>>>> that.
>>>
>>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>>
>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
>> COALition.
>
> Utter bullshit.
>
> In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any flavour,
> has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within the borders
> of our own country and territories? The focus of this issue specifically
> is about the "deal" between the Chinese and Solomon Island governments,
> and how Morrison is bizarrely seen by some of the extreme fringe element
> to be responsible for that.
>
> It's fanciful, as you seem to be pointing out here with your comments in
> this paragraph below ↓↓↓↓
>
>> The Solomon Islands government is corrupt to the core and it is
>> unlikely anyone could do much, short of shovelling lots of money into
>> the pockets of MPs (like China did).
>
> Right, and while the massively corrupt Chinese government can do that
> and not think twice about it, it is *highly* unlikely that we ever could
> and get away with it no matter how beneficial it might have been to our
> own country. This is precisely the point I was making earlier when I
> spoke about the Chinese waving more money under the noses of Solomon
> pollies than we ever could.

Imagine the shit storm from Labor if a Coalition Govt "bribed" the
Solomon Islands politicians.
China's ability and willingness to resort to such corruption is way
beyond anything Australia could afford financially or politically, our
GDP is approx 1307$US Billion, China's is about 17$US Trillion, to China
a couple of billion is small change.

--
Daryl

On 22/4/2022 1:43 pm, Trevor Wilson wrote:
> On 22/04/2022 12:34 pm, Noddy wrote:
>> On 22/04/2022 11:23 am, Trevor Wilson wrote:
>>> On 22/04/2022 10:34 am, Noddy wrote:
>>
>>>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The Solomon Islands went to
>>>>> China, because China bribed the political party in charge. Simple
>>>>> as that.
>>>>
>>>> That's right, so how is that Morrison's fault exactly?
>>>
>>> **The discussion was about the REGION. The REGION is the fault of the
>>> COALition.
>>
>> Utter bullshit.
>>
>> In what capacity do you think the Australian government, of any
>> flavour, has any authority in the Pacific region *other* than within
>> the borders of our own country and territories?
>
> **In two (maybe three) ways:
>
> * Abbott dramatically cut aid to Pacific nations. That aid has not been
> restored. Therefore, Scummo is responsible.
> * Australia acts criminally WRT global warming. Many Pacific nations are
> uniquely sensitive to global warming and blame Australia for not acting.

So how ironic is it that they choose to partner with the biggest
polluters on the planet:-)

> * The COALition has told the Pacific nations that Australia doesn't give
> a shit about their problems WRT sea level rise (which is an inevitable
> result of global warming).
>

And anyone with a brain bigger than a peanut thinks China does, FFS.
It has SFA to do with climate change and all about greedy politicians
lining their own pockets.

--
Daryl