Statistics on Australia and a War on Iraq

[weemadando]

Only six per cent of Australians are prepared to send Australian troops to war against Iraq without United Nations backing, a poll published in Fairfax papers revealed.

The AC Nielsen survey showed 62 per cent of respondents believed Australia should be involved in a conflict only if approved by the UN.

And one in three believed war against Iraq was not acceptable under any circumstances.

This one is on an Australian news website.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/poll1/vote/total.htm

[jaeger115]

and... what is your point?

[weemadando]

and... what is your point?

Its showing just how pissed off people are with the Federal gov't who sent troops to the Gulf without even consulting parliament.

Its also showing just why Little John can't afford to have a double dissolution at the moment due to the massive public opinion against him and is delaying discussion and voting on the issue for as long as possible.

[Wicked Pilot]

I don't see the point of this.

I can't say this about most nations, but I'm sure the Australian government will do what is in the best interest of it's people.

[Darth Fanboy]

The government should do what is in the best interest of its people, but only when they've been authorized to do so. Technically, outlawing potato chips and beer would be in the best interests of the people but they would never be elected again after being thrown out of office.

(i love chips)

[weemadando]

I don't see the point of this.

I can't say this about most nations, but I'm sure the Australian government will do what is in the best interest of it's people.

How is starting a war in a nation that poses NO threat to Australia in the best interests of our people?

Starting a war that has already inflamed public opinion and will likely inflame the region. Which incase you haven't noticed contains several of the worlds most populous muslim nations who already dislike us.

And isn't the government meant to represent the interests of the people?

[Stuart Mackey]

I don't see the point of this.

I can't say this about most nations, but I'm sure the Australian government will do what is in the best interest of it's people.

Lol, a government, esp in anglo-saxon parlimentry democracys, act in the interests of the governmnet and party, the people seldom have much to do with it.

[Sea Skimmer]

I don't see the point of this.

I can't say this about most nations, but I'm sure the Australian government will do what is in the best interest of it's people.

How is starting a war in a nation that poses NO threat to Australia in the best interests of our people?

Starting a war that has already inflamed public opinion and will likely inflame the region. Which incase you haven't noticed contains several of the worlds most populous muslim nations who already dislike us.

And isn't the government meant to represent the interests of the people?

Yes. But what the public wants and what's in its best interest are not always the same. That's part of the reason why power is vested in a government, because sometimes unpopular things have to be done. Which is the case for Australia is not something I wish to debate. But the issue basically is the quality of current and future relations with America and some other nations, weighed against war with Iraq and the risks involved with that.

[Stuart Mackey]

I don't see the point of this.

I can't say this about most nations, but I'm sure the Australian government will do what is in the best interest of it's people.

How is starting a war in a nation that poses NO threat to Australia in the best interests of our people?

Starting a war that has already inflamed public opinion and will likely inflame the region. Which incase you haven't noticed contains several of the worlds most populous muslim nations who already dislike us.

And isn't the government meant to represent the interests of the people?

Yes. But what the public wants and what's in its best interest are not always the same. That's part of the reason why power is vested in a government, because sometimes unpopular things have to be done. Which is the case for Australia is not something I wish to debate. But the issue basically is the quality of current and future relations with America and some other nations, weighed against war with Iraq and the risks involved with that.

Unfortunatly such an attitude will get littl Jonny Howard voted out and government with different veiws put in. From what I have seen a lot of Aussies are sick of Howard fighting with Blair for the privlidge of being the first under Bush's desk in the morning.

[weemadando]

Unfortunatly such an attitude will get littl Jonny Howard voted out and government with different veiws put in. From what I have seen a lot of Aussies are sick of Howard fighting with Blair for the privlidge of being the first under Bush's desk in the morning.

Congratulations, have a cookie.

[Stuart Mackey]

Unfortunatly such an attitude will get littl Jonny Howard voted out and government with different veiws put in. From what I have seen a lot of Aussies are sick of Howard fighting with Blair for the privlidge of being the first under Bush's desk in the morning.

Congratulations, have a cookie.

Thank you, dont mind if I do.

[Archaic`]

Us being sick of it is kind of beside the point though. Without this, we don't get our Free Trade pact with the US, not to mention that they'd likely tear up what's left of ANZUS. Regardless of if this war is ethical, or even legal, Australia has rather little choice in the matter, does it?

[Stuart Mackey]

Us being sick of it is kind of beside the point though. Without this, we don't get our Free Trade pact with the US, not to mention that they'd likely tear up what's left of ANZUS. Regardless of if this war is ethical, or even legal, Australia has rather little choice in the matter, does it?

You have every choice on the matter, the question is, what are your principles?

[Darth Wong]

Our government has thrown its hat pretty solidly in the ring with the Yanks. And public opinion here is not much different than it is in the US on that matter.

This means we'll send 8 guys, a tent, and a portable BBQ to Iraq, which represents a significant portion of our military

[Stuart Mackey]

Our government has thrown its hat pretty solidly in the ring with the Yanks. And public opinion here is not much different than it is in the US on that matter.

This means we'll send 8 guys, a tent, and a portable BBQ to Iraq, which represents a significant portion of our military

If NZ were to become involved this also represents our level of commitment.
However as our budget does not allow for credible BBQ's expect your's to be stolen.

[beyond hope]

That reminds me of my reaction to watching the news after September 11 and seeing Canadian destroyers helping patrol our waters: "Holy shit, Canada has a navy!"

Saddam's little 3 card monte game with the weapons inspectors has been dragging on for years now. Just the empty chemical warheads alone are troublesome enough to me that I feel something should be done about it.

[Stuart Mackey]

That reminds me of my reaction to watching the news after September 11 and seeing Canadian destroyers helping patrol our waters: "Holy shit, Canada has a navy!"

Saddam's little 3 card monte game with the weapons inspectors has been dragging on for years now. Just the empty chemical warheads alone are troublesome enough to me that I feel something should be done about it.

Well naturally something neds to be done about Saddam, as something must be done about Mugabe. The thing is doing it right and doing it so you do not cause problems for yourself later on.

[Crazy_Vasey]

It's not much different in the UK but we're still going to be there with the US. Come hell or high water Blair is going to side with Bush, he always does.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/story_45589.asp

Welcome on board, Aussies, we're glad to have you.

[Wicked Pilot]

I don't see the point of this.

I can't say this about most nations, but I'm sure the Australian government will do what is in the best interest of it's people.

How is starting a war in a nation that poses NO threat to Australia in the best interests of our people?

What indication do you have that he will launch an attack without UN approval first?

[phongn]

Our government has thrown its hat pretty solidly in the ring with the Yanks. And public opinion here is not much different than it is in the US on that matter.

This means we'll send 8 guys, a tent, and a portable BBQ to Iraq, which represents a significant portion of our military

As long as you bring teh crates of beer

[meNNis]

bah... we dont need the canucks or the aussies. as a matter of fact, we dont even need our troops.....
*commence Base Delta Zero...* er wait i mean *commence Primary Nuclear Launch...*
is there a difference?

Edit: Not that we would ever have the balls to do something so politically incorrect

[RedImperator]

bah... we dont need the canucks or the aussies. as a matter of fact, we dont even need our troops.....
*commence Base Delta Zero...* er wait i mean *commence Primary Nuclear Launch...*
is there a difference?

Edit: Not that we would ever have the balls to do something so politically incorrect

If by "politically correct", you mean "genocidal", "completely unwarranted", and "evil", then yes, we don't have the balls to do something that politically incorrect. Fuck, I don't know what's worse. Stupid leftist pacifists who'd like us to smile when they shoot us, or stupid rightist warmongers who think lighting babies on fire is just dandy.

[weemadando]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/story_45589.asp

Welcome on board, Aussies, we're glad to have you.

The Gallup International survey, released on Tuesday, found 68 per cent of Australians backed some sort of military action against Iraq.

However, 56 per cent were in favour only if the United Nations supported it, while just 12 per cent of Australians supported unilateral action by the United States and its allies.

Some 27 per cent of Australian respondents said they would not support war under any circumstances - five per cent didn't know.

In Australia, levels of support for war outstripped even the US, where the poll showed 67 per cent supported some type of military action.

However, 33 per cent of Americans supported unilateral action, and 34 per cent backing action if it was UN-sanctioned.

So we support a UN-sanctioned war and don't have that many problems with accepting UN authority.

Statistics can be so misleading if you know how to use them.

[HemlockGrey]

Why is the UN so damned important? At this point, 'UN approved' essentially means Europe is no longer bitching about. Why does no one care if Uruguay sanctions it or not? I mean, if Uruguay doesn't approve, then it's obviously not UN sanctioned!