I've always wondered what Aussies and other people think about Australia still part of the "British Empire"...
So here's the question: Should Australia become a Republic?
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I've always wondered what Aussies and other people think about Australia still part of the "British Empire"...
So here's the question: Should Australia become a Republic?
And that is what they should have gone to the people with, rather than allowing Jack boot Johnny to pervert the whole process.
Yeah b4 all you poms start saying we already voted on this:
The questions was not a simple Australia become a republic?
yes/no it was a stupid f___ed up question!
OF BLOODY COURSE WE SHOULD! They don't give 2 hoots about us!
And another reason is because they let all these 60+ year old twats vote! Who were all bought up on God Save The Queen etc.
Arrrrh! Wait 2 years they'll all be dead and then ask the question!
The Republic vote got split on the directly elected President and government appointed President question. The powers to be decided we should go with the government appointed option even though opinion poles show:
a) Over 80% of Australians support a Republic
b) Over 60% support a directly elected model.
Jack Boot Johnny ensured the yes vote for a Republic would give more power to Federal Parliment and therefore ensuring the No vote won. Yes he has all the nouse of a drovers dog. As soon as we kick his ass in the federal election, we should be able to get a decent referrendum on this:mad:
Personally l think Sir Les Paterson should be our first President as he has done sterling service as Cultural Affairs Minister:rolleyes:
Jethro: No way I should be!
:D
OR
Bob Hawke you see the way he skulls beer perfect president!
I don't really blame Australians for wanting to become a republic; If they don't do it soon then they may end up being forced into it anyway (if Britain decides to become a republic first).
I don't think it will bring any real benefit to Australia other than a symbolic one; Since the queen has very little powers anyway, it's not going to give Australia any more powers of self determination.
I don't quite know what you lot mean when you lot say:
What gives you that impression? :confused:Quote:
They don't give 2 hoots about us!
I voted yes as well, I think it really doesn't matter all that much, it would create a lot of business changing all the flags and all.
How many poms still want an monarcy anyway!?!?
100% of my office said
GQuote:
Couldn't give a S*** about the monarcy
I'm not particually a fan of the monachy but the same question remains here as it does in Australia: What do you put in it's place?
That's a lot harder to answer and it seems that until it has a satisfactory answer, the status quo will persist.
Nah - the questions should be -Quote:
Originally posted by cyberwarpy
I've always wondered what Aussies and other people think about Australia still part of the "British Empire"...
So here's the question: Should Australia become a Republic?
(i) Should Britain be a Republic? (not that I want to be branded a commie or anything :p )
AND
(ii) Should we have a two way "special relationship" with Australia (and New Zealand) for trade, business development etc which stops them from getting swamped (economically and culturally) by their neighbours and err. . - I can't work out what the advantage is to Britain except its a bit like looking out for your mates . . . :cool:
I think the popular reply would be democracy :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally posted by simonm
I'm not particually a fan of the monachy but the same question remains here as it does in Australia: What do you put in it's place?
Yes we b~##&y do!Quote:
Originally posted by Beacon
They don't give 2 hoots about us!
. . . certainly more than anyone else in the world does anyway ;)
Kzin,
Are you saying that Britain is not already a democracy?
The monachy has a role in the British systems that must be replaced. If we abolish the monachy, the whole system of government needs to be rebuilt to take this into account. It's not possible to simply remove the monachy and carry on as we were.
Oh:confused: I thought that we were in a constitutional monarchy . And if you've ever had a 'proper' *British* passport (like Lara Croft ;) ) - rather than one of these EU "European" passports you'll notice that it says that you are a British Subject not a Citizen (i.e. one of the Queen's Subjects) ;)Quote:
Originally posted by simonm
Kzin,
Are you saying that Britain is not already a democracy?
Like most British people I'm quite laid back about it all
- it interesting to notice though that in the US a Republican is right wing whereas in the UK a Republican is a left winger.
I know we are all 'subjects' and not 'citizens' but that doesn't mean that we are not in a demcracy.
I guess what you mean is that you would replace the (un-democratic) queen with an elected president.
I am not sure if we do want a 'democratic' president. I am not sure it would benefit this country or not. :(
I think Royalty are good ambassadors for this country. And how many Americans would come to London if it weren't for Buck House? (which is only special because of old maj)
And even more would visit if we all dressed up as characters out of Star Wars . . . :cool:Quote:
Originally posted by chrisjk
I think Royalty are good ambassadors for this country. And how many Americans would come to London if it weren't for Buck House? (which is only special because of old maj)
. . . actually all this is becoming pretty irrelevant since the game rules are continually changingQuote:
Originally posted by simonm
I guess what you mean is that you would replace the (un-democratic) queen with an elected president.
I am not sure if we do want a 'democratic' president. I am not sure it would benefit this country or not. :(
- nevertheless - why do we need a president? We have a prime minister as a chief executive (and if we don't like him we can only blame the people of the country that chose him) - we don't need anyone to salute to these days and armed forces can swear to a constitution or even to 'the crown' without a specific human embodyment.
I don't see why the Queen shouldn't keep on living in her palaces and waving to tourists if she likes - (or not if she doesn't) . . . so long as she pays tax like her former subjects:)
Mmm, I think the Ozzies should get rid of the queen. I'm curious what difference it will make to their country (how exactly is the queen to blame for all your woes?:)). We laugh our socks off to hear the Ozzies winging on about the queen or a republic, sorry, but this may come as a shock to you, but we don't care. It's not like we're all living it up in Britain on Australian taxes!!!!:):):)
Get rid of the queen, (we'll exchange her for Rolf Harris!).:):):)
Just my two AUS$
SD
and the minogue twins. And Jason donovan. And any other soap "star" who insists on doing Panto.
Yeah, poor panto's exhausted and needs a rest:)Quote:
Originally posted by chrisjk
and the minogue twins. And Jason donovan. And any other soap "star" who insists on doing Panto.
SD
:D one track mind man, one track mind.;)
The Queen isn't to blame for our woes....well except for John Howards fawning about her like a lap dog. It's just felt that as a multi cultural society we should not have a Foreigner as head of state...symbolic sure.....but an increasing percentage of OZ's population come from non-English backgrounds, and have no notion of Queen.Quote:
Originally posted by SurfDemon
Mmm, I think the Ozzies should get rid of the queen. I'm curious what difference it will make to their country (how exactly is the queen to blame for all your woes?:)). We laugh our socks off to hear the Ozzies winging on about the queen or a republic, sorry, but this may come as a shock to you, but we don't care. It's not like we're all living it up in Britain on Australian taxes!!!!:):):)
Get rid of the queen, (we'll exchange her for Rolf Harris!).:):):)
Just my two AUS$
SD
Plus we would save millions a year on the various state Governors......
Kzin & Simonm:
Do Not! Why?
Because i have never seen Australia on the cover of a Brit paper! or make major news or send us help or anything!
But you did take away Kylie and Craig Mclaughlin!
Perhaps to make it up your cricket team good put up a bit of a fight!
Bieng a democracy wont give us much that we dont have. Probably less things for you poms who come here though!
I agree with Jethro John Howards a beeep beeep beep
so he can beep the queens beep!
Why do poms want to be a republic?
That's not the impression we get here in Australia about you guys... :rolleyes: The things we hear over the media... ooooohh... it seems like you guys love the Queen or something... ;)
Quote:
Originally posted by Geoff Gunson
I voted yes as well, I think it really doesn't matter all that much, it would create a lot of business changing all the flags and all.
How many poms still want an monarcy anyway!?!?
100% of my office said
G
well your media is full of crap then. When they ask surveys like "Shall we keep the monarchy or become republic?" ~70% will say keep monarchy but only because they can't be arsed to have to put up with all the other crap that would mean and most of all because it's a change. Why change something if it isn't broken. They cost us a few £££, but any president would take just as much, so **** it why bother. She can go round waving at people and going around in her Rolls Royce (which is the only car in the world - on pulic roads - not to have a reg plate). Nobody really cares.
Hmmmm...that simple explains what is wrong with England...Quote:
Originally posted by chrisjk
well your media is full of crap then. When they ask surveys like "Shall we keep the monarchy or become republic?" ~70% will say keep monarchy but only because they can't be arsed to have to put up with all the other crap that would mean and most of all because it's a change. Why change something if it isn't broken. They cost us a few £££, but any president would take just as much, so **** it why bother. She can go round waving at people and going around in her Rolls Royce (which is the only car in the world - on pulic roads - not to have a reg plate). Nobody really cares.
By the way a Republic does not necessarily mean a President!
For Oz my view is
Can the Queen.
Can the state Parliments.....that wont happen cause the rich need some place to send their idiot third child.....oh hang Downer is in the Federal Parliment.
Increased the size of Federal Parliment.....and take the vote away from all the idiots who voted for GST, cause they are too stupid to be able to cast a vote.
The bottom line is, it's your country and you can do whatever you want with it. We don't care (well I don't:)).
You seem to vote etc. on it every now and then and we hear something about it, but as far as we're concerned it's not really a big issue to us.
I don't mind the queen, but I don't particularly like her, or her kids (apart from Andrew, he always seemed to be off shagging some bird - pitty about his choice of wife!). It's just that I've always thought there were far more important things to worry about in this world:)
Hands up all who think Edwards as Gay as a fairy in a pink tutu?
Surf Demons hands shoot way way up in the air.
SD
Quote:
Originally posted by SurfDemon
The bottom line is, it's your country and you can do whatever you want with it. We don't care (well I don't:)).
Thanks SD
You seem to vote etc. on it every now and then and we hear something about it, but as far as we're concerned it's not really a big issue to us.
The government did their level best to side track the debate and achieved that, which is about the only policy that has worked for them in three years.
I don't mind the queen, but I don't particularly like her, or her kids (apart from Andrew, he always seemed to be off shagging some bird - pitty about his choice of wife!). It's just that I've always thought there were far more important things to worry about in this world:)
There is, and soon as we become a republic we will fix those as well
Hands up all who think Edwards as Gay as a fairy in a pink tutu?
As camp as a row of tents mate
Surf Demons hands shoot way way up in the air.
*jethro gives SD high five, low five, slide five*
SD
Fine then we will SD!
And because of our british background we will winge about it!
I agree whomever voted GST was a good idea is a total f__kwit!
That includes John Howard!
Hey watch BackBerner last night! **** thats a funny political pistake!
...lol.....
Specially enjoyed the expert talking about foreign investment. :D
and the bit about paulines dress sense etc.
Love that show!
I bet ya CUE Fashion is making a loss :rolleyes: ;)
Quote:
Originally posted by Beacon
and the bit about paulines dress sense etc.
Love that show!
Mr Hanson, (sick puppy that he is) will only have sex with Pauline if she wears a paper bag, and well the paper bag company refuses to sell her anymore.
Oh my god
A sexual frustrated Pauline Hanson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run for the hills!
Ok Then...
Majority of Australians (The New Generation) want Australia to become a republic... So, What about the New Flag... To become a republic we must get rid of the damn Union Jack and replace it with something.
I've got an idea:
Make it look like the American Flag except there's only the 7 Stars instead of the 50! ;)
http://www.3dflags.com/images/u/3dfl...com_usa2wl.gif
http://www.3dflags.com/images/a/3dfl...m_austr2wl.gif
No bloody way!
I think it should incumber some stars, my avatar, naked women!
Beer represents - wealth(afford it), knowledge(we know what good beer is)
Naked Women represent - the right for women to walk naked down any street they want!
I'm sure thats in the republic laws somewhere!
Stars represent what your head feels like the next morning!
So...gimme an Idea! A purple flag with a naked woman holding a VB can on it... hahahhah :o
Quote:
Originally posted by Beacon
No bloody way!
I think it should incumber some stars, my avatar, naked women!
Beer represents - wealth(afford it), knowledge(we know what good beer is)
Naked Women represent - the right for women to walk naked down any street they want!
I'm sure thats in the republic laws somewhere!
Stars represent what your head feels like the next morning!
And kicking a football.....................Quote:
Originally posted by cyberwarpy
So...gimme an Idea! A purple flag with a naked woman holding a VB can on it... hahahhah :o
Hmmm... I'm gonna flee the country to avoid international embrassement :rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally posted by Jethro
And kicking a football.....................
As soon as i become a google-billionare and buy my own island somewhere in the south pacific..your all invited too live there..and the only rule is drink all the alcohol you can. ( is that a rule or a common practice ;) )
I can already picture it..my nations flag will be the jack daniels insignia but instead of it saying "jack daniels" on the top it is going too say "alkoholica"..and you can have all the different kind of kebob's ( spelt correctly? ) and i will settle for my burgers ;)
oh yeah ..my own personal cigarette company of course :)
Are you in Australia Jeff_1? You can have Tasmania! ;)
Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff_1
As soon as i become a google-billionare and buy my own island somewhere in the south pacific..your all invited too live there..and the only rule is drink all the alcohol you can. ( is that a rule or a common practice ;) )
I can already picture it..my nations flag will be the jack daniels insignia but instead of it saying "jack daniels" on the top it is going too say "alkoholica"..and you can have all the different kind of kebob's ( spelt correctly? ) and i will settle for my burgers ;)
oh yeah ..my own personal cigarette company of course :)
heh tazmania all for little ole me ;) hehhehehehehehehehehehehehe
Or.... If that doesn't interest you... you can have Kangaroo Island! ;)
So are you in Australia or not...?!? :o
Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff_1
heh tazmania all for little ole me ;) hehhehehehehehehehehehehehe
i am american...but i have been called other choice name b4 that i care not to get into hehheh.
Kangaroo island??
Yep. Kangaroo Island "Australia's best kept secret"
http://www.kangaroo-island-au.com
It's got its own web site! ;) Not often you see a little island with it's own website these days :rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff_1
i am american...but i have been called other choice name b4 that i care not to get into hehheh.
Kangaroo island??
Help for what? What has Australia done to get on the front page?Quote:
Because i have never seen Australia on the cover of a Brit paper! or make major news or send us help or anything!
What is it that Australia expects from Britain? Do they expect something in return for keeping the queen as head of state? It's neither here nor there for Britain whether Australia keeps the queen or not. It's not as if Australia contributes towards the upkeep of the royal family is it?
At the end of the day though, if Australia does not think they'll benefit from remaining in the commonwealth (and I don't know if they do or not) then leave.
:p
I have a flag suggestion for you Australians, and I doubt whether they will appreciate it very much...
How about the Japanese flag?
At least that's the flag they might have had now if Britain had surrendered it's far eastern empire to Japan during WWII. :mad:
Excellent expression mate! I'll use that tonight when I'm refering to my brother in the pub!Quote:
Originally posted by Jethro
As camp as a row of tents mate
As for Beacons idea of naked women on the flag - it gets my vote!! That would just be the coolest.
SD
I'll have to hop on over to it:)Quote:
Originally posted by cyberwarpy
Yep. Kangaroo Island "Australia's best kept secret"
http://www.kangaroo-island-au.com
It's got its own web site! ;) Not often you see a little island with it's own website these days :rolleyes:
(I bet you that joke gets cracked all the time over there)
SD
You ever been on kangaroo island before cyberwarpy? ( or anyone else )
Yeap, its awesome. You can either get rooms in this really old hotel or hire a cabin in this kinda small resort place on the beach. You just would not believe the quality of the food these guys produce.Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff_1
You ever been on kangaroo island before cyberwarpy? ( or anyone else )
Simon
Quick history leason dude, the Yanks pulled our fat out of the fire in WWII, the aussies were being pushed slowly backward in PNG at the time, when the seppos arrived on the scene.
Yeap and you guys sure did do a wonderful job in Singapore. What a pack of gooses, guns pointed out to sea. Don't worry we only lost a few hundred troops at the time, and the kiwis managed to extract some of theirs.
Actually the Rising Sun would be fitting in Queensland as the Japanese own most of that state.
Well one of these days when i make my millions... i will make a stop at kangaroo island... sounds interesting too say the least. :)
Yep, I will be your financial officer (with a big commission) :)Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff_1
Well one of these days when i make my millions... i will make a stop at kangaroo island... sounds interesting too say the least. :)
Vote for something interesting about India here at:
http://forums.vb-world.net/showthrea...threadid=72404
cyberwarpy:
He must be he's right behind you.;)Quote:
So are you in Australia or not...?!?
Simonm:
[QUOTE]I have a flag suggestion for you Australians, and I doubt whether they will appreciate it very much...
How about the Japanese flag?
At least that's the flag they might have had now if Britain had surrendered it's far eastern empire to Japan during WWII./QUOTE]
I backing jethro on this one! You brits did nothing or very little to help us. While we risked several thousands of men for you!
Luckily the USA saw interest/pity in us and came and saved us!
Thankyou USA!!:D
So much for the protection of our motherland!
Looks like you needed us more than we needed you!
What have we done that deserves front cover?
Well! Good question!
Point taken!
That's a bit unfair.Quote:
You brits did nothing or very little to help us. While we risked several thousands of men for you!
Luckily the USA saw interest/pity in us and came and saved us!
In the two and a half years before America could be bothered to join in the war (and only then because of Pearl Harbour), The British empire fought not only single handedly against the Japanese onslaught but also spent most of this time alone in Europe trying to fight off th threat of a German invasion. Between May 1940 and June 1941, Britain (and it's empire) fought alone against the might of both Germany and Japan.
Yes, the British made many military blunders in that war and could have never have won it alone but it annoys me when Australians complain of lack of help in WWII. If the majority of the japanese army hadn't been bogged down in S/E Aisa fighting the British, Australia may have fallen long before America ever entered the war.
Britain took a hell of a lot more s**t than Australia ever did and only just managed to keep going attall.
That's a bit unfair.Quote:
Originally posted by simonm
That's a bit unfair.
In the two and a half years before America could be bothered to join in the war (and only then because of Pearl Harbour), The British empire fought not only single handedly against the Japanese onslaught but also spent most of this time alone in Europe trying to fight off th threat of a German invasion. Between May 1940 and June 1941, Britain (and it's empire) fought alone against the might of both Germany and Japan.
Yes, the British made many military blunders in that war and could have never have won it alone but it annoys me when Australians complain of lack of help in WWII. If the majority of the japanese army hadn't been bogged down in S/E Aisa fighting the British, Australia may have fallen long before America ever entered the war.
Britain took a hell of a lot more s**t than Australia ever did and only just managed to keep going attall.
In the two and a half years before America could be bothered to join in the war (and only then because of Pearl Harbour), the United States was busy supply Britian with much needed vehicles, weapons, clothing, food to keep Britian's war effort afloat! America is blamed for sticking their nose in places it doesn't belong..namely Europe (where I believe WWII was taking place at the time if I'm not mistaken:rolleyes: )....but we get statements like simonm's about not jumping into the war.......I think that's more than a bit unfair!!!!!!
I don't think there were any countries in the world that would have objected to America joining in WWII. They get accused of medaling now but at the time they were considered an isolationist country.
Yes, America did send supplies...at a price. It all had to be paid back (one of the reasons Britain was so poor after the war).
Don't get me wrong though, I am grateful for America's (eventual) direct involvement in the war.
I am just defending Britain's actions in the war with regard to it's priorities. Britain has often been accused by some Australians that we abandoned Australia.
*Cough* Britain had to pay for those supplies/weapons *cough*, and if I'm not mistaken is still paying some 50 years later. I think it was Churchill who said that the lights of Europe have been extinguished and will not be relit for another hundred years. And he was almost right. Only now is Europe regaining her economic and military strength.Quote:
Originally posted by barrk
That's a bit unfair.
In the two and a half years before America could be bothered to join in the war (and only then because of Pearl Harbour), the United States was busy supply Britian with much needed vehicles, weapons, clothing, food to keep Britian's war effort afloat! America is blamed for sticking their nose in places it doesn't belong..namely Europe (where I believe WWII was taking place at the time if I'm not mistaken:rolleyes: )....but we get statements like simonm's about not jumping into the war.......I think that's more than a bit unfair!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong we appreciate your participation and there can be litle doubt that America swung the balance, but we often hear how "America won the war" or "America saved the Europes butt", er... sorry, but it was a joint effort to save the world and you do have to admit you've been a bit tardy to the last two world wars. Of course Bush is trying to make up for that now by being really really early for the next one ;)
If you had left it any longer there is a very good chance the whole world (including America) would be under Axis rule.
The bottom line is all countries involved lost an incredible amount of people (on both sides). I don't think it serves any purpose now to sling mud at each other over it. It was a tragic part of history (as all wars are). I fully understand America's reluctance to join a war that was percieved to be happening on the otherside of the world, it can't be easy to send your own children to face death. But it wasn't Britain versus Germany, it was democracy versus Dictatorship.
P.S. Britain declared war on Germany, they could have stayed out of it if they wanted.
Just my 2 Deuchmarks worth:)
SD
If it's any consolation we are still paying for WWII as well. I don't think there is a nation that was involved in WWII that isn't....well except maybe France:rolleyes:
The fact of the matter is that Russia beat Germany. Britain, America or any other country you care to mention barely had any effect.
80% of Germany's armies were stationed on the eastern front.
By the time the 'Allies' had organised themselves for a 'serious' second front, the Germans were being routed on the Eastern front and the course of the war was inevitable.
As far as Japan is concerned, that's a different matter. America was undoubtedly the deciding factor in ending that war.
True!
I think France is paying for it, a lot of the French army made it to Britain and fought alongside the allies, many of the resistance where tortured and killed, the Germans stripped their country of currency, precious metals and art. France's economy was pretty much scewed at the end of the war, they are still struggling to recover. Farmers are still killed by unexploded bombs and mines from both world wars. Remember they were struggling even before the second world war as WWI had pretty much decimated there country.
I don't think anyone was left untouched by WWII.
SD