John Howard -

It now appears that Australia won't sign the Kyoto protocol until the United States does.

www.global-cool.com...

Australian PM John Howard is known for being obstinate and it appears that ain’t gonna change, even in light of this week’s very stern Stern Review.


The Australian government were famously defiant in the face of Kyoto Protocol along with the US, and Howard has gone on record to say he is not prepared to join any coalition unless everybody is on board.


“If everybody is in, I am prepared to lead Australia in,” he says, “but I am not prepared to lead Australia into an agreement that is going to betray the interests of the working men and women of this country and destroy the natural advantage that providence gave us.”

What will it take for Johnny and Bush to sign the protocol? Global warming is a serious threat to our very planet and apparently it's not that important?

There'll be no economies to suffer in 50 years unless every nation on earth signs, and abides, by this agreement.

Not good.

Was everybody in the war in iraq? No. Was the US in? Yes.
Is everyone in the kyoto? Pretty much. Is America in? No.

Howard is a **** s**king, *** licking slime-ball who looks up to big man Bush with eyes the size of saucers, if you'll excuse the French.

I think most of us are sick of him. He won't pull our troops out of Iraq until Johnny gives his okay, and now he refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol just because America won't?
The guy is ridiculous.

He has taken a policy against asylum seekers most people - including me - think is just wrong, and we can thank him for the beloved GST. Also, who was the one to bring in those lovely industrial relations reforms?

Hmm . . .
The only good thing about him is that he likes cricket.

Yeah he's pretty bad......I can't believe he brought back GST when he clearly stated he woudln't.
He's been caught out so many times, I don't know how he's still here.

Ahh little Johnny

Yeah, Kyoto is a bet hate of his as it may endanger his chances in the next election because it may cause people to lose their jobs. He theory is that our industries (i live in oz) could not compete with India and China who also have not signed Kyoto fairly and thus people would lose jobs and Johnny would be blamed. Premier Beattie (Queensland) is also using this theory to support coal fired power stations as it too would cost him in the poles.

He has proven time and time again the ability to read the political will of the Australian people. He has been re-elected on false promises/threats of illegal immigrants and intrest rate rises if not elected. How he gets out of jail in this one will be interesting to see.

The only way Australia will sign to Kyoto is if Johnny loses the next election.

Oh and Toby the only reason the guy is still PM is because their hasn't been a decent opposition leader since he was elected in 96. '01 was our best chance to get rid of him, but people fell for the Tampa scare. If the opposition lose the next one as well, well i have no idea what Johnny has to do to lose.

Originally posted by T0by
He's been caught out so many times, I don't know how he's still here.

The lesser of two evils?
Australia is so worried about keeping alliances with America. But really, what's the point of going to such extremes to please them?

It's like several months ago there was that whole 'TV' thing. Howard wanted to sign something that said that only American made shows could be broadcast in Australia...What ever happened to that?

Originally posted by watch_the_rocks
Howard is a **** s**king, *** licking slime-ball who looks up to big man Bush with eyes the size of saucers, if you'll excuse the French.

I think most of us are sick of him. He won't pull our troops out of Iraq until Johnny gives his okay, and now he refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol just because America won't?
The guy is ridiculous.

He has taken a policy against asylum seekers most people - including me - think is just wrong, and we can thank him for the beloved GST. Also, who was the one to bring in those lovely industrial relations reforms?

Hmm . . .
The only good thing about him is that he likes cricket.

Please, if you can't make an intelligent comment, better not to comment at all.

Most people are not in fact sick of John Howard if his personal rating is anything to go by. Perhaps you don't listen to the news or read papers.

Signing the Protocol won't make a scrap of difference.

I support his stance on assylum seekers as do hundreds of thousands of other Australians. What should we do just open up the doors and let people flood like they do in Europe???? Now that would be very smart wouldn't it.

Lastly, even with the GST we are better off. Blame the states for not removing taxes nit John Howard. We could be a lot worse off, Be thankful for what we have, the alternative might be much. much worse.

John Howard doesn't seem like much of a leader, more like a just another follower of the USA.

Granted that the Kyoto treaty is not a very effecient treat to combat global warming since it does really solve the problem but serves only delays it slighty. He still sticks to whatever Bush and his Cabal say about the climate and seems to keep a blind eye to the serious drought happening in Australia.



[edit on 5-11-2006 by ixiy]

Originally posted by ixiy
John Howard doesn't seem like much of a leader, more like a just another follower of the USA.

Granted that the Kyoto treaty is not a very effecient treat to combat global warming since it does really solve the problem but serves only delays it slighty. He still sticks to whatever Bush and his Cabal say about the climate and seems to keep a blind eye to the serious drought happening in Australia.

[edit on 5-11-2006 by ixiy]

To the contrary John Howard is a leader. I dispute he is blindly following Bush and his cronies on global warming. I also don't agree he is turning a blind eye to our own domestic problem - drought. Could he do better - YES - is he listening - YES - and that is the mark of a leader.

Howards useless when it comes to make the decisions that matter..
Costello wouldnt be much better, but he was able to nurture the major trade and mineral capacity Australia enjoys,

the sole reason they are in power, is because they were around when our resources were at their most valued.

Whom ever was in power this period, would of been succesful, because people have money, there's work and investments to be made.

But, look back at the past 2 opposition leaders..
quite frankly they're a much worse choice.

Beazly is again front row and centre for the upcoming elections, whast the use.. he's lost.. what 3-4 times now?

Look forward to Howards Mob staying inpower for some time to come...
We are now tied to American foreign policy and their economy.

As said Johnny's 'saucer' eyes staring up at bush are similar to that of a young kid looking up at a fireman.. he admires him and will do anything, to be noticed or even spoken about.. by the big man!

I remmber seeing some parliment on the ABC, howard was taking questions about something in say 2002/3.
The public knew howard wasnt upfront with all the facts, and howard knew it.
So when he was asked a direct question.. he simply stated 'no comment' and rushed to his seat.
Our prime minster.........

he's the most cunning speaking, managing to avoid answering anything that brings bad light on him.. i just wish our news reporters had some backbone and MADE HIM ANSWER THE QUESTION WITH ANSWERS, and not scripted dribble.

[edit on 5-11-2006 by Agit8dChop]