On Australian-Canadian Relations

[dewline]

Seeing as I work with an Australian national on an ongoing basis right now, this particular column from cbc.ca seems to be something I need to take a closer look at. Especially as I hope to visit the place someday.

Tony Burman used to head up CBC's News Division, and is generally a solid student of the journalistic arts. And as this essay reminds me, his sense of humour is therapeutic at restoring or preserving a sense of perspective as well...

Comments

[si-fuller.livejournal.com]

One thing you need to know is that Smart Traveller is a mouthpiece of our former conservative government, primarily involved in instilling xenophobia. It has recieved many complaints from foreign embassies and tourist operators. It's still surprising that they went after Canada, but then again, Canada was pretty traitorous in not supporting the invasion of Iraq ...

Our government has changed recently, but appaerntly the site hasn't been updated yet.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Living in government towns as I've done since I was about age 8 or 9, I'm well aware of the lag time factor involved in these things. So I'm sure that this business with Smart Traveller will be remedied in due course. ;-)

[jasonfranks.livejournal.com]

... what Si said.

Having said that, I think it's drawing a pretty long bow to say that this nonsense represents any kind of a rift between the two countries. The travel advisory website is a complete wank of a government initiative and I'm amazed Burman was able to fill up so much column space talking about it.

-- JF

[(Anonymous)]

Burman's nothing if not a competent wordsmith. :-)

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Sorry. That was me again.