Anti-War Protests in Australia
(March 23, 2003)

I've been in Australia the last few weeks vacationing.  Mainly I've been hanging out on the beach doing some surfing and tanning with some cute Aussie men - in particular a fine looking gentleman by the name of Ian.

One day two weeks ago, I met Ian for lunch at a trendy downtown cafe in the heart of Sydney.  After lunch (I had a hamburger) we went for stroll about the city.  Soon we stumbled across a group of protesters that were - well - protesting.   These protesters claimed to be all teenagers although I'm pretty sure I saw a few pre-teens in the group.  They all had permission letters from their parents to be out of school to march.  It seemed odd to me to have permission letters to protest.   I thought that defeated the purpose of protesting but, once again, I was wrong.   It was an Anti-War Protest.  They don't want a war with Iraq.

I really had no idea what was going on with current events so Ian gave me the 4-1-1.

Within a week, the Australian government sent 2000 troops help the Americans invade Iraq.  Two guys painted "No War" on the Opera house.   Ian took a picture of me in front of it.  One of the painters was British went means he will be deported soon.

I remember how hard it was to be able to enter the country when I came here.  All the paperwork.  All the documentation.  I heard an older lady, who was behind me in line at the airport, when I entered Australia saying that "Australia was one of the hardest countries to immigrate to".

What I don't understand is this:  If Australia is so tough on people trying to get into their country then why are they so eager to invade someone else's country?