Thursday, May 22, 2014

China faces a terrible dilemna; one that much of the world faces too.

China has been hit with several acts of ‘terrorism’ of late, the latest being the attack on a market where many died. It has been obvious for many years that there is tension in the far west of China and that an ethnic/Islamic group is trying to either maintain some sort of independence or outright nationhood. This tension has increased as many more Han’ Chinese move into the area; one in which oil abounds. The inhabitants of the region are now in the minority and the tensions have led to a response that we have seen in much of the world where Islam runs up against state authority. In their defence the Chinese have pointed out that they have poured resources not the area to bring about economic growth and in infrastructure. The Chinese Government is very nervous about the possibilities within China as a whole, because of the ramifications it knows it now faces re terrorism’ within its borders.
That’s the nature of the world now; one in which the major powers are showing little cohesion in facing this world-wide threat. Of course there is always a precedent, going beyond religion for most the terrorist flashpoint in the world, namely fed by people who have been marginalised either from the democratic process or lack of access to resources.
In China’s case the warnings have been there for a long time and now that the USA and NATO are pulling back in Afghanistan, we can expect more focus to go on other regions. Hopefully, China will join the struggle to contain or address ‘terrorism’ and the issues that feed it.

Australia needs a 'level head' leading at the moment!

There are many issues facing the leadership and people of Australia at the moment, including the economy and illegal entry by various groups of people. No one doubts the seriousness of the latter problem and country with such a massive coastline the issue is daunting. It is a problem that is not Australia’s alone as its northern neighbour, Indonesia, also has to deal with the dame issue, but with far less resources.
It is going to be very difficult for Australia to deal with both issues if its present PM continues down the same arrogant and insensitive pathway he has exhibited so far. It is time for a broad-based approach to Australia’s future and time for a recognition that leadership is not merely about showmanship and personalities. Australia needs a leader who can unite and for the past few years that has not been the case. That ‘special quality’ is lacking and it will not be ‘discovered’ while factional infighting occurs on the scale we have witnessed of late. Perhaps Labor’s loss in the last election will have ‘honed’ the lesson for that party, but there must be many in the ‘Coalition’ who are wondering what they have let themselves in for now that they are witnessing the ‘witless’ response of their leader. I wonder if he feels an itch in is back!
Australia deserves so much more and must strive to achieve the right balance if it wishes to be portrayed as a major nation on the world stage.

Abbott, you insensitive, cynical and poor excuse for a leader!

Tony Abbott, the new PM of Australia showed us his true colours the other day when he exhibited a crass and poorly judged ‘wink,’ possibly knowing the camera was on him. He was speaking on radio talk back to a ‘retiree,’ who was having difficulty making ends meet and subsequently was working on an adult sex-line. When asked a question while on air, he did that now notorious ‘wink’ earning him a place in history as yet another ‘gate’ affair, meaning in this case---‘winkgate.’ He seriously misjudged any potential reaction to his response and to make matters worse, yesterday he came out with what can only be described as an even more cynical response---he compounded his position by saying that he had learned from the mistake and wouldn’t be making the same mistake today. Not his exact words, but certainly a portent of what we can expect from him in the future.
Coming on the back of his budget and the fact that he has made one of the biggest nose-dives’ in the polls in recent years, he is indeed lacking a political brain, never lone a speck of genuine contrition. His arrogance will be remembered and I very much doubt he will survive long before the knives come out, within his own party.
Oh well, such is the nature of politics!