APEC discussion
Andaras Prime
05-09-2007, 10:18
Well it has basically turned Sydney into a police state with swat teams, fighter jets, massive fences dividing the city into different parts, at a cost to taxpayers into the tens of millions, just go Dubya can drive 100 meters from his hotel to meet Howard with his bloated carriage, but is APEC worth it? We all know the decisions aren't binding, and it seems to me to be nothing but a chance for the heads of state and government to drink wine, have press galleries, photo opportunities and other superficial crap which accomplishes absolutely nothing. Howard will most likely be out of office by the end of the year, and Dubya following soon, so what's the point? It seems to me to be nothing but a silly petty political show of diplomatic pleasantries and just to remind the ordinary people just how incredibly divorced from our representatives we have become.
I am making a tally, and going to see if Australia will recoup the money we have lost in security, money lost to business etc caused by APEC, if it's not recouped it's a worthless exercise, as Keating rightly said they're all gooses too afraid to take on the big strategic issues.
/end rant
Dundee-Fienn
05-09-2007, 10:22
Fighter jets? Why would they need fighter jets?
Andaras Prime
05-09-2007, 10:27
Fighter jets? Why would they need fighter jets?
God knows.
Eltaphilon
05-09-2007, 10:38
God knows.
Nah, God's probably just as confused.
Andaras Prime
05-09-2007, 10:53
Hu Jintao was also in the country, in WA recently, and apart from people accompanying him he had no such measures in security for him.
Jeruselem
05-09-2007, 12:19
Today, Bush and his best mate Johnny Howard were backslapping and saying nice things about each other with not much mention of the other nations except for the Chinese leader meeting some sheep farmers in Western Australia.
For Australia, it's an excuse to show off and suck up to USA and China. God, they might even sell Uranium to Russia too.
Andaras Prime
05-09-2007, 12:27
Today, Bush and his best mate Johnny Howard were backslapping and saying nice things about each other with not much mention of the other nations except for the Chinese leader meeting some sheep farmers in Western Australia.
For Australia, it's an excuse to show off and suck up to USA and China. God, they might even sell Uranium to Russia too.
I am sure Putin won't get that kind of security.
Well, if they do reach some sort of agreement on climate change, it won't have been a waste of time. But I'm not holding my breath...
On the other hand, I am wondering what everyone else is wondering... (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/03/asia/AS-GEN-APEC-Attire.php). ;)
Jeruselem
05-09-2007, 12:37
Well, if they do reach some sort of agreement on climate change, it won't have been a waste of time. But I'm not holding my breath...
On the other hand, I am wondering what everyone else is wondering... (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/03/asia/AS-GEN-APEC-Attire.php). ;)
My guess is everyone will be dressed like Australian cowboys/cowgirls.
Andaras Prime
05-09-2007, 12:42
My guess is everyone will be dressed like Australian cowboys/cowgirls.
Oh please.....! Can we just do away with those old Australian stereotypes already.