Brian Ross wrote on Nov 29^th, 2019 at 10:22pm:

You risible, lying idiot!!!

Redmond Neck wrote on Nov 28^th, 2019 at 11:48am:


Mmm, where is China threatening to attacking us?

Let us be realistic here and leave all the hysteria behind.  China lacks for the next 10-15 years the ability to project it's power outside the China Sea (either north, south or west).   It does not have the airpower to support a sustained campaign five thousand kilometres from it's homeland.  It lacks the logistics to do so as well.  Most importantly, it doesn't have the ability to attack and take any capital city in Australia (at the moment).

Yes, it's power is growing but it is growing (as a direct threat to Australia) much slower than most people realise if they don't read the MSM tabloids.  China has not demonstrated the ability to undertake long-range cruises with it's navy beyond a few frigates.

Is that growth worth the billions of dollars that we would have to pay in order to build nuclear weapons?   Is it happening so fast that we need that deterrent immediately?

As for nuclear power, we don't need it.  We have more than sufficient renewable energy to last us nearly for ever.  It is cheaper than nuclear power and has no dangers of fall out or catastrophe.  It does not complicate our relationships with our neighbours.   It does not complicate our relationship with our allies or our "enemies".

If you are concerned about China's ICBMs (as Bobby is), then we should be putting money into "Star Wars" like counter-missile forces (not that they actually work all that well).   If you are that concerned about China's conventional forces, we should be putting money into counter ship missiles and weapons.   Neither causes the complications that nuclear weapons cause.

China is a danger, yes.  However, it is not a direct danger to Australia.  It is as a nation, more of a danger indirectly (ie politically).   We need to build up our cyber defences and of course, our political defences.   Not wasting money on nuclear power and/or weapons.

The easiest thing to do would be to ask the yanks to set up a bunch a missile facilities out here. The only problem is that it will probably set Indonesia off on getting nukes. And the world doesn't need that.

Bobby. wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2019 at 10:28am:


Both I and Des would differ on that, Bobby.   When you hand over part of your territory for use by another nation and they are expected to pay only a minimal ("peppercorn") rent, and you relinquish any ability for Australian law to apply within it's boundaries or for our Government to regulate what is happening there, you are handing over your sovereignty.   Basically you are surrendering control to a foreign power. 

Mr Hammer wrote on Dec 1^st, 2019 at 4:05pm:


Why are you, like Bobby willing to surrender our sovereignty to a foreign power?

I suggest you read Des Ball's "Suitable Piece of Real Estate" for a quick history of how we once hosted many American bases.  Today, we have one - Pine Gap.  Hopefully, that like all the others will eventually be retired.