I can't decide if there's an underlining menace to Mr. Howard's obsession with bending over to minority groups who want a free Muslim world where if you're not Muslim you get executed or he's just another stupid politician who likes making the headlines and pandering to other minority groups

Probably a little of both.

Australia and the people are great, but it's there outlook which may be their undoing.

Australia is a very laid back country and the people in general have a very laid back attitude.

This makes it a great place to live, but it also means the Australian people in general don't give much thought or time to how the current government is undermining the very freedom and lifestyle that makes the country so livable.

It's not that they don't care, but the culture and geographic position, give a false sense of security.

There's definitely something fishy going on in the Australian government......on one hand they want to follow George W, where ever he goes, but then on the other they want to disarm their population.

Strange days indeed.

MW