ANZAC Day

[Jagdtiger14]

Discovered an article in theguardian.com from July 14, 2014. "Australia isn't as close to Britain as it should be"

If I were Australian, I think I'd be a bit miffed at the suggestion of the headline. However, within the article they cite a Lowy Institute poll that turned up some interesting results: 8+ in 10 Australians see the relationship with Britain as important with two thirds saying its because of strong historical and cultural ties. However, when asked to choose Australia's "best friend" from a list of 6 countries this happened: 1. US, 2. New Zealand, 3. Britain.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

Discovered an article in theguardian.com from July 14, 2014. "Australia isn't as close to Britain as it should be"

If I were Australian, I think I'd be a bit miffed at the suggestion of the headline. However, within the article they cite a Lowy Institute poll that turned up some interesting results: 8+ in 10 Australians see the relationship with Britain as important with two thirds saying its because of strong historical and cultural ties. However, when asked to choose Australia's "best friend" from a list of 6 countries this happened: 1. US, 2. New Zealand, 3. Britain.

warspite1

I don't really see the issue here. If you have to rank countries then there can only be one no.1, one no.2 etc.

If France or Germany or Japan was ahead of the UK I would be surprised, but the economic powerhouse that is the US? The country that Australia knows it can turn to for military assistance? The country that came to Australia's aid on 1942? That the US should be seen as Australia's most important friend is absolutely understandable. As for the Kiwi's being no.2, well I can only assume that the two countries are strongly linked in terms of trade (as usually is the case with your next door neighbour) so again no issue there.

Furthermore, and as was picked up on earlier, with each passing year so the population of Australia - once almost entirely made up of British and Irish immigrants - becomes ever more diverse. As a result the links to the UK become weaker and weaker.

It works two ways too. Who would the UK see as their "BFF"? Are Australia, Canada or New Zealand going to get upset or be surprised its not them? Probably not [:)].

[Orm]

Who would the UK see as their "BFF"?

No doubt, it must be Sweden. [;)]

[danlongman]

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

Maybe I don't understand the relationship due to me being an American?

I am a Canadian from Kannokistan. The comment above speaks volumes.

Gallipoli was a brilliant concept but it was beyond the capabilities of the forces allocated.
The Ottoman forces delayed the operation just enough that it could not be brought to a fruitful
conclusion. It would be comparable in scope to the Ottomans descending upon Dover in an attempt
to knock the UK out of the war.

[Jagdtiger14]

This thread has me looking things up I thought I never would.

Interesting article at: http://convictcreations.com/culture/yankaussie.htm

It seems Australians are not all that patriotic for their country...at least not to the same degree (I want to say most) Americans are.

As for the quote by George Bernard Shaw on danlongman's signature...my wife (from Sweden) is more patriotic for America than most Americans. Another George Bernard Shaw quote: "A great many people would have to be put out of existence simply because it wastes other people's time to look after them."...and there are many other doozies by him...

[nicwb]

Discovered an article in theguardian.com from July 14, 2014. "Australia isn't as close to Britain as it should be"

If I were Australian, I think I'd be a bit miffed at the suggestion of the headline. However, within the article they cite a Lowy Institute poll that turned up some interesting results: 8+ in 10 Australians see the relationship with Britain as important with two thirds saying its because of strong historical and cultural ties. However, when asked to choose Australia's "best friend" from a list of 6 countries this happened: 1. US, 2. New Zealand, 3. Britain.

The 'as it should be" is a bit odd as it suggests we have to be one thing or the other. Culturally and historically yes our background is primarily closest to Britain. But ever since WW2 we haven't been as committed to it. When Singapore fell to the Japanese we suddenly found the war on our doorstep. The realisation was at that time we had to commit to an ally who was more dedicated to defeating the Japanese. At that time the US was not only more committed to it but better placed than the UK.

It seems Australians are not all that patriotic for their country...at least not to the same degree (I want to say most) Americans are.

Not quite sure what to say about that ! From the example chosen no not really - we tend to be a pretty tolerant about some things. Mind you if the lecturer had defaced a War Memorial there would have been hell to pay!