Wow Cyndi, that was quite a discourse! and I agree with all you've said so well.

I do hope it wasn't inspired by my comment
No wonder the rest of the world says "it could only happen in America"
I know there are some nutters in the US but some of the people I respect most in the world are also there, which is why I'm coming to Denver.

I'm personally happy about the improved relationship between our countries, this has been brought about by the Bush/Howard friendship. Prior to that our leaders had been working hard to convince Australians that we were part of Asia, we are European, not Asian.
I think the Asian economic crash helped dispell that notion.