Around the World in 80 Milliseconds

One of the neat things about the World-Wide Web is that it's just as easy to link to news and opinion from the other side of the globe as from across town.

A couple of Aussie bloggers I've come across are Arthur Chrenkoff and Tim Blair.

Arthur Chrenkoff gets published quasi-regularly by The Wall Street Journal's free site OpinionJournal.com, for he does biweekly recaps of the good news coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Last week's effort is here.

Tim Blair has been keeping tabs on Ra^thgate developments, and neatly summarizes the latest dish here.

Both are indignant about John Kerry's sister visiting Australia and bashing the Aussie government's support of the US in the war on terror. Gee, you hadn't heard about that bit of nuanced diplomacy? And during the run-up to elections in Australia?

Here's Tim Blair:

KERRY TO AUSTRALIA: SHUN US

Remember when Greens senator Bob Brown demanded that George W. Bush stop interfering in Australian politics? Let’s see what Bob has to say about this:

John Kerry's campaign has warned Australians that the Howard Government's support for the US in Iraq has made them a bigger target for international terrorists.

Diana Kerry, younger sister of the Democrat presidential candidate, told The Weekend Australian that the Bali bombing and the recent attack on the Australian embassy in Jakarta clearly showed the danger to Australians had increased.

"Australia has kept faith with the US and we are endangering the Australians now by this wanton disregard for international law and multilateral channels," she said, referring to the invasion of Iraq.

By the way, the Bali bombing took place before the invasion of Iraq. Intriguing message Kerry is sending; is this her way of (as John Kerry promised in his convention speech) restoring "America's respect and leadership -- so we don't have to go it alone in the world”? As Brown might say, were he capable of consistency: "Pull your head in, hideous replicant sister!"

And the take from Arthur Chrenkoff:

Kerry's sister carries water for the Australian Labor Party

John Kerry's sister is spreading mayhem overseas. Diana Kerry, the chairwoman of Americans Overseas for Kerry, in now on the offensive in Australia: "There are more than 100,000 eligible American voters in Australia, and the Kerry campaign is interested in every vote." I bet it is.

"With her hair turning silver grey, her strong face and tall frame, there is no doubting the lineage of John Kerry's sister. But unlike her brother, the presidential candidate, Diana Kerry is no politician. The 57-year-old drama teacher tends to say exactly what she thinks."

And what she says echoes precisely the cynical scare campaign run by the Labor Opposition leader Mark Latham. This is how the Australian press reports on Diana Kerry's message to America's staunch ally:

"John Kerry's campaign has warned Australians that the Howard Government's support for the US in Iraq has made them a bigger target for international terrorists.

"Diana Kerry, younger sister of the Democrat presidential candidate, told The Weekend Australian that the Bali bombing and the recent attack on the Australian embassy in Jakarta clearly showed the danger to Australians had increased.

" 'Australia has kept faith with the US and we are endangering the Australians now by this wanton disregard for international law and multilateral channels,' she said, referring to the invasion of Iraq.

"Asked if she believed the terrorist threat to Australians was now greater because of the support for Republican George W. Bush, Ms Kerry said: 'The most recent attack was on the Australian embassy in Jakarta -- I would have to say that'."

As bloggerTigerHawk (who brought the story to my attention - thanks, mate!) comments:

"Now, you can't hold John responsible for the random prattle of his sibling... But, we most certainly can hold Senator Kerry responsible for the fact that his dearest Diana is in charge of Overseas for Kerry. She has apparent -- if not actual -- authority to speak for the Kerry campaign overseas, and has exploited that status to encourage Australia to abandon the United States."

I suggest you follow the links and read their complete blogs. I've added them to my links on the right. Enjoy!

Update (9/19/04 9:28 pm): I forgot to mention that stateside, Captain Ed also blasts Kerry for the Australian manuever:

Does John Kerry care more about grabbing power than he does about the United States? It certainly appears that way. Who gave the order for Diana Kerry to interfere with the Australian election? Who told her to act in a manner that is calculated to undermine the American-Australian partnership on the terror war? Frankly, not only should this disqualify him for the presidency, it should disqualify anyone involved in his campaign from ever holding public office. Those who condone this interference in a wartime alliance must be punished at the polls, and their party as a whole should be blocked from any power whatsoever until they atone for their actions.

This effort makes clear that John Kerry does not understand, or care, about the dangers facing the US and the democracies in the 21st century. His personal ambitions trump national security -- a disgusting and craven quality that will repulse Americans in November. It appears to be the only consistent theme in Kerry's public life, from his fraudulent 1971 Senate testimony all the way to his serial vacillations on the war on terror during this campaign.