On 12 Apr 2007 08:20:07 -0700, "Bob" wrote:

On Apr 12, 6:42 am, Don W
wrote:
Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

Wow..... Sounds as though things have really gone bad since I went
mucking about that island. Maybe the Aussies have just made it to the
21st century and started taking on some of the wonderfull attributes
of our own loved das Homeland Securtiy.
Too bad. Was a good place. I hope anybody with other recent experinces
will add to this discussion.
Bewildered Bob

I have not read "Jim's Blog" - (where is it?) so I cannot comment. I
also sometimes live in Australia (my wife and son presently do for his
schooling) and have onbly had one bad experience - Brisbane Customs
where I would advise anyone not to enter in. When we first arrived in
Sydney from across the Tasman, the land of freedom, democracy and
God's little corner of the world, we had to fill out a form declaring
the value of our yacht and such removeable items as SSB radios etc.
The borading Customs officer warned us twice to be careful what we put
on the form as regards values as we may7 want to either import the
yacht or sell it at a later date -- hence taxes. When we finally left
Sydney sev eral years later ( the boat had stayed too long there but
nobody cared even though they knew) the fellow in the Customs office
warned us to avoid Brisbane Customs. We later found out why when we
bought a luggage trolley from Westmarine and had to pay duty. I was
hauled into the office and interrogated as to why I had avoided
importing my boat - I was made to feel like a criminal by two Perry
Mason wannabees. Apart from that, they are rather good. I have found
that there is usually a way around officialdom and seeking their
advice or asking for help usually brings out thye best inj them.

As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter