In more heartening news from around our planet:

• In 2001, the Australian government accidentally deported a mentally ill Australian, apparently to the Philippines, because they thought she was an illegal immigrant. No one noticed this until four years later and now they can’t find her. Over the past three years over 100 people have mistakenly been put in detention for being illegal immigrants when they were lawfully in Australia. Oops!
• Florida has passed a law making it legal to shoot someone on the street in self-defence, without trying to get away first. According to one Florida Republican, “This is about meeting force with force. I’m sorry, but if I’m attacked, I shouldn’t have a duty to retreat. That’s a good way to get shot in the back.” Governor Jeb Bush described it as “a good, common sense, anti-crime issue.” It seems that with this law, attempts to prevent a 13 year old girl having an abortion and to deny Terri Shiavo the right to die with just a smidgen of dignity that we can start looking forward to President Bush III from 2008.

And why do I get a strange feeling of deja vu?:

“This election will be about trust,” said Mr Howard, Leader of the Australian ‘Liberal’ Party, August 2004

“…Character is an issue at this election, trust is an issue at this election,” said Mr Howard, Leader of the British Conservative Party, April 2005

“We … have an absolute right to decide who comes to this country, and there is a concern inside the Government, and I suspect in the broader community, that we are fast reaching a stage where we are losing that right because of the increasing numbers of people, illegal immigrants, who are coming to Australia.” said Mr (Aussie) Howard, August 2001

“…People want to know that immigration is controlled. They want to know that the asylum system is being used to protect those genuinely fleeing persecution, and not abused by those seeking a back door into Britain … I want to see a new approach to immigration and asylum – an approach based on clear principles. No one should be allowed to claim asylum when they reach Britain.” said Mr (Pommie) Howard, February 2005

And I thought human cloning was banned. Well, at least it seems that the British will have a little more sense and vote for the slightly less evil party today.

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This entry was posted by the illustrious Andrew Coulthurst on Thursday, May 5th, 2005. It concerns such pressing issues as . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.