Monday, August 27, 2007

APEC Updates – the weird and wonderful

The preparation for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation gabfest in Sydney next month is still producing weird and wonderful news copy, on a daily basis. I’m not sure it is the most effective way to promote US – Australian relations.

The news that Laura will not be coming downunder caused a ripple - Laura extended her regrets in a telephone conversation yesterday to Janette Howard, wife of Prime Minister John Howard, saying she needed to get rid of a pain in the neck. We know what she means; George is becoming a burden here already.

The growing realisation of the scope of the president’s ‘cone of silence’ is being met with a level of incredulity in a country used to giving political leaders the finger. Then as one commentator put it, “…we are more used to keeping the masses in the dark, not the leaders. It gives the mushroom club a whole new meaning.”

Security

John Howard says violent protesters are to blame for the severe security measures in place for the APEC meeting in Sydney. We are not a country given to violent protest. In fact most crowd brawls occur after big public piss-ups, like the New Years Eve fireworks parties on Sydney Harbour.

But when faced with the current levels of disruption some are sure to get overheated. At least they won’t be rolling bags of marbles under police horses. This sturdy security phalanx looks like it will be confined to barracks with equine flu sweeping the state.

Other animals aren’t quite so fortunate. Sydney’s Taronga Zoo will be moving cuddly critters to a temporary site close to the gabfest. Seems the zoo can’t offer the right levels of security for the wives of visiting officials. No doubt Laura has heard about koalas pissing on the rich and famous, good little Aussies that they are.

Meantime anyone who wants out will need to get out early. Sydney Airport, gateway to the country, will be restricted during the event. Nothing quite like the circling Sydney at a thousand metres for a couple of days, waiting for clearance.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nothing quite like the circling Sydney at a thousand metres for a couple of days, waiting for clearance.

Though not for the inbound international flights I hope. A Aussie once told me (on a flight from SF to Sydney) that the only choice for the plane on arrival was land...or ditch.

Anonymous said...

No doubt Laura has heard about koalas pissing on the rich and famous, good little Aussies that they are.

Now that's patriotic!

Cartledge said...

Talk about patriotic. I fly air New Zealand, always a safe airport handy ;)

But those koalas, disgusting critters are inebriated on gum leaf juice all their lives.