Here's an idea. 

We don't need to spend a cent.  Just give the USA (without them, we are stuffed no matter what we can afford) all the airfields they want, all the port facilities they want, all the ground troops basis they want...and ........  all good.

We have to stop kidding ourselves that we can be self sufficient in defence.

Waste of money.

Ye-ussshh... but we need to appear to be part of the team......

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:45pm:

Ye-ussshh... but we need to appear to be part of the team......

True, and giving them those basis would achieve that.  We have to stop kidding ourselves. 

....maybe we should just become 6 more States of the USA?

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:39pm:

Here's an idea.  We don't need to spend a cent.  Just give the USA (without them, we are stuffed no matter what we can afford) all the airfields they want, all the port facilities they want, all the ground troops basis they want...and ........  all good. We have to stop kidding ourselves that we can be self sufficient in defence. Waste of money.

100% agree.

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:50pm:

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 25th, 2016 at 7:45pm: Ye-ussshh... but we need to appear to be part of the team...... True, and giving them those basis would achieve that.  We have to stop kidding ourselves.

You da man, Aussie.

A score of American navy and airforce bases in Australia would reap a huge revenue in land rentals.

Swagman wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 8:14pm:

....maybe we should just become 6 more States of the USA?

I doubt that is necessary.  The USA wants bases.  Why not give them up and save trillions?  Spend enough to keep the current situation viable in case Fiji decides to attack us.  If the serious shyte ever hits the fan, we'd be stuffed without the USA.

Face facts, people.

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:45pm:

Ye-ussshh... but we need to appear to be part of the team......

If that entails having to buy garbage hardware from the yanks then you nailed it

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 8:28pm:

Swagman wrote on Feb 25th, 2016 at 8:14pm: ....maybe we should just become 6 more States of the USA? I doubt that is necessary.  The USA wants bases.  Why not give them up and save trillions?  Spend enough to keep the current situation viable in case Fiji decides to attack us.  If the serious shyte ever hits the fan, we'd be stuffed without the USA. Face facts, people.

You make a good point , i worry though that it would make us a target , i would be quite happy if murica f off and took the sycophant libs with them

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:39pm:

Here's an idea.  We don't need to spend a cent.  Just give the USA (without them, we are stuffed no matter what we can afford) all the airfields they want, all the port facilities they want, all the ground troops basis they want...and ........  all good. We have to stop kidding ourselves that we can be self sufficient in defence. Waste of money.

What do you think we’re doing? The current defence strategy is part of the US’ plan.for the Pacific.

Dick Cheney told Mr Abbott to up our defence spending, so up it we will.

Karnal wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 10:01pm:

Aussie wrote on Feb 25th, 2016 at 7:39pm: Here's an idea.  We don't need to spend a cent.  Just give the USA (without them, we are stuffed no matter what we can afford) all the airfields they want, all the port facilities they want, all the ground troops basis they want...and ........  all good. We have to stop kidding ourselves that we can be self sufficient in defence. Waste of money. What do you think we’re doing? The current defence strategy is part of the US’ plan.for the Pacific. Dick Cheney told Mr Abbott to up our defence spending, so up it we will.

He isnt even PM and still calling the shots ? Im confused, has good goverment started whilst Mal articulates the most basic of questions/ answers and sentences for Abort ? Maybe clives lil comment about turdbull being a fill in for dipshit had some merit  :(

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 8:28pm:

The USA wants bases.  Why not give them up and save trillions?  Face facts, people.

You should stick to driving taxis arsie.

The commie Cubans make the USA pay rent for Guantanamo Bay, why give it away when they will pay rent.

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:39pm:

Here's an idea.  We don't need to spend a cent.  Just give the USA (without them, we are stuffed no matter what we can afford) all the airfields they want, all the port facilities they want, all the ground troops basis they want...and ........  all good. We have to stop kidding ourselves that we can be self sufficient in defence. Waste of money.

We are not planning to take on China or the USA. It is about protecting against our regional potential enemies and being part of an Allied Force or are you one of the few ignorami who do now know that most wars in the last century have been won by Allied COuntries?

Are you a coward?

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:50pm:

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Feb 25th, 2016 at 7:45pm: Ye-ussshh... but we need to appear to be part of the team...... True, and giving them those basis would achieve that.  We have to stop kidding ourselves.

-> yeh but you're both circling around the same answer: it's about the moral law and you do have to play your moral role!

You can't sit there and pretend you're a princess who gets a free lunch everyday by playing mysterious games too deep and wonderful for anyones imagination  ::)

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 8:28pm:

Swagman wrote on Feb 25th, 2016 at 8:14pm: ....maybe we should just become 6 more States of the USA? I doubt that is necessary.  The USA wants bases.  Why not give them up and save trillions?  Spend enough to keep the current situation viable in case Fiji decides to attack us.  If the serious shyte ever hits the fan, we'd be stuffed without the USA. Face facts, people.

Fiji?  :-?

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 7:39pm:

Here's an idea.  We don't need to spend a cent.  Just give the USA (without them, we are stuffed no matter what we can afford) all the airfields they want, all the port facilities they want, all the ground troops basis they want...and ........  all good. We have to stop kidding ourselves that we can be self sufficient in defence. Waste of money.

It makes everyone who reads this this a little more stupid for having done so. I weep for this country if this is what passes for intellectual discourse of a very important subject. Yes, the long term strategic defence of Australia is not a trivial matter and if you are a cretin, you prolly not base your opinions based on your experience with Call to Duty 4.  >:(

Aussie wrote on Feb 25^th, 2016 at 8:28pm:

Swagman wrote on Feb 25th, 2016 at 8:14pm: ....maybe we should just become 6 more States of the USA? I doubt that is necessary.  The USA wants bases.  Why not give them up and save trillions?  Spend enough to keep the current situation viable in case Fiji decides to attack us.  If the serious shyte ever hits the fan, we'd be stuffed without the USA. Face facts, people.

Your logic is unassailable, Aussie.

I'm making you Mayor of Ozpolitic for the day.  8-)