Is Australia any better internationally?

Comments on Matthew Stevens “Grumpy dragon rears its head”, 14/07/2009, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25778651-5013894,00.html

The US has been a model of democracy and freedom in West countries. What happened under the US system?

The US, against the opinions of the international community represented by the UN, initiated and led the pre-emptive invasion of Iraq with the pretence of WMD which has been proven to be false, if not fabricated by the West. The US locked up hundreds people, the so called terrorist suspects, in the Guantanamo Bay prison camp for a long period without charges against many of them and some are still be detained there now. The US has used tortures in the last few years. Do those accord with acceptable international rules?

Australia has been proud of its alliance with the US and has been a member of the coalition of the willing in invading Iraq. So who are responsible for the so many lives of the innocent Iraqis who were killed by the invasion forces including Australian troops? And those who have been killed in US subsquent air strikes? Were those an acceptable international rule?

Aren’t we hypocritical in accusing or intimidating the Chinese when at this stage they are using their law? China has prosecuted many of its own citizens using the same law for bribery. Why should it be treated differently if an Australian businessman breaches that law inside China?

Let’s not be hypocritical. Let’s not be advocating Australians should be above the Chinese law. Let’s respect others, if we want to be respected by them.