Dnarever wrote on Dec 26^th, 2020 at 7:45am:


Well, I cant say that the government had not tried.  However, it is the sentiment in the Australian public has changed.  Face it, the ugly reality is that no average Aussies care a damn about the pacific nations.   They are not white, and they dont look like us.  We see them more as burdens rather than partners.   The relationship deteriorated more after election of liberal governments, which has:
- Cut ABC funding, and therefore pacific region broadcast - the Chinese was like, this is a gift!
- Cut foreign aid - because, as many other here said: Australia have to take care of its own!  - The Chinese couldnt believe it!
- Climate change - attitude of Australia - here is some $$$, now shut up.  - The Chinese?  Oh, Climate change is serious!  Here is 200 million to upgrade your fishing facility so you can fish further.

Of course, we did try to counter the Chinese influence with TPP.  The Chinese were so worried, that they dont know what to do, as it would severe curtail their influence in the pacific region.  And then, of course, came President Trump, and TPP just died without US support.  The Chinese couldnt be more happier. 

The reason why I am stating all this is perhaps we need to rethink our political strategies.  Perhaps, right wing ideologies like MAGA, or USA first, or Australia first... it may sound good on paper - e.g. we need to take care of ourselves before we give a dime to others.   However, the events in the past decade or so, taught us a couple of things:
1 Some times, allies dont always stand together forever. \
2. Some times, when it comes to international politics, and region security, we need to willing to invest as it do come with a cost. 

Jasin wrote on Dec 27^th, 2020 at 9:35am:


... plus the Grapplers and JaSins of the world....

This has always worried me about my parentage:- 

"The only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor. For example, if someone’s Rh factors are both positive, it is not possible for his or her child to have a negative blood type".

I'm the only A neg in the family.... in fact the only neg ...... and I look much the same but am different in many ways..... it's the God Factor, I tellz yez....

tickleandrose wrote on Dec 27^th, 2020 at 12:21pm:


Haven't graduated in the civilisation stakes sufficiently yet to kick back and watch the garden grow...... born a slave - live a slave.

Ayn Marx wrote on Dec 28^th, 2020 at 9:41am:


Then we have to relook at our right wing political ideology of 'Australia first, USA first'.  Part of it was not our fault, it was President Trump who withdraw US support of TPP, so that China's belt and road initiative can take hold in the region.  We further aggrevated by decreasiing foreign aid to pacific nations by 10%, cut to PNG by 5%. 

So, we did more than kick back awnd watch the garden grown.  We sort of left the area, and let another gardener in.   

Ayn Marx wrote on Dec 28^th, 2020 at 9:41am:


Not to worry - never disturb a gentleman reclining in his backyard.... I've been in this one since day one... no need to get wound up and waste energy over it.... just do it.