September 30, 2004
the loneliness of the long distance cringer
From this side of the world the embarassing reality is that John Howard IS Australia, and since no one over here ever hears of any opposition to him, his policies or views, all Australians are assumed to be in support of him. I now know how Americans must feel when they are harangued for what Bush is doing! Its NOT good!
And when I do catch up with Australian news it does tend to seem that the opposition has keeled over and given up! So it's a blessed relief to find out that the anti-John league is not confined to my mother, her dog and one-and-a-half democrats.
There is for instance the book and site, Not Happy John, or the brilliant Liars for Howard while Dear John have got the graphics and viral element covered. (And Jacob's next T-shirt)
Meanwhile Back Pages and John Quiggin provide the commentary and opinion to keep the dialogue going.
I hadn't seen the legendary australian-cultural-cringe in Melbourne for years (decades?)now but for many Australians overseas it has been replaced by a serious political-cringe. I don't expect Australian domestic politics is ever going to be of great international interest but with so much online discussion there can only be a better understanding fo the breadth of opinion and views in Australia.
At the moment the only Australians in the European news (outside of sport) are John Howard, standing resolutely next to George Bush, and the odd shark. hmmmmmmmm.......
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