Playing Taps for the $$

[King Alboin]

I think you over-rate the importance of Australia in any global decision-making process. We are a former English colony and are still ruled by the Queen of England and we have only ever been a bit-player in any global processes. Our strong alliances with the USA and Great Britain are the strongest influences on our external decision-making process.

Actually, its not her global decision making process that is warranted, its more due to the fact that ya'll were with us in WW2, korea, the Nam, and all three gulf thangs.

Also, my friend Digger is down there, and one just dont leave a friend behind.

Plus ya'll know how to kick ass should any aggressors try to kick ya'll ass.

Historically, the real powers are European and include Germany, Russia, England and the Netherlands. The Swiss are the bankers of Europe and so they have a seat at the table, as do a few other wealthy, traditional European nations.

True enough, however, out of that list I would only choose England and the Netherlands to sit at the DGAFAF table. I would also invite Thailand, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, the Mal Dives, Norway, Malaysia, Belize, Columbia, Sweden, Madagascar, Iceland, Singapore, GIE Tibet, Finland, Taiwan, South Africa, Borneo, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Seirra Leon [sp], Liberia, Phillipians, and possible Myramar on a probative scale.

That would leave Russia, China, Switzerland, Germany et al, to take care of what needs to be taken care of. In their own way and to not interfere in how they go about doing it either, lest they become aggresive on any of the sitters of the DGAFAF table.

The shift in economic fortune and the shift in power are linked and China is going to be the new kid on the block

Good. That dont hurt nuffin. I am not of the school that China is a bad guy. Yeah sure they have human violation probs, but who dont? Historically China has always been the big kid on the block, just like India. So congrats to China. kindof like the song by the who..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHhrZgojY1Q

The who ~ meet the new boss, same as the old boss

The USA went to Afghanistan, which is historically a place where empires go to die. We could talk about why that area of Central Asia is so important and so difficult to control if you like but let's just say that it is geo-politically the most important place on the surface of the planet. There are hidden powers that work to keep any one nation from controlling that region and keeping it in a state of conflict.

Yes, very much would like to discuss this, for I feel it is germain to the discussion at hand.

Sorry about the bad economic news but I sort of told everyone it was going to happen some time ago.

I think I do remember. got trolled more than I have.

I will say this however, though I know he half took this thread serious, yet the answer to why the dollar is waning is found hidden in FireTalon's quote ...

Historically, we used to spend the most money by far in the US. We should have saved it up instead of wasting money on UFO detector plants. It cost a couple hundred million dollars. Yes, that's nothing right? Why are we spending huge amounts on money on something that isn't even important! Give me a break.

The only one really to break it down to its diastolic seed.

So FireTalon you git a free cookie with your next cup of coffee.