I just realized Rupert Murdoch was from Australia.

[Tim4319]

Now, he owns "FAUX SNOOZE"! They are constantly condemning liberals as being anti-american, unpatriotic, and sympathizers to those that do harm against the United States. Now, their owner is from Australia, and please correct me if I am wrong but, I thought I heard that Australians, on a whole, are not all of that fond of Americans either. Is this true?

[havocmom]

1. My daughter has Aussie pals who don't like b*sh but find most of us OK.

They don't like some idiot American tourists who expect them to make everything like the US for them.

I had to giggle at some posts about Murdoch and his empire yesterday. Couple of posters hinted at fear he would run for president of the US. No, not possible just yet... Maybe that's the real push about changing that little requirement and using Auunald as an excuse?

Australia is turning right politically if you believe they had fair elections. All of my daughters contacts there say Howard's reelection baffles them all as no one can find anybody who admits to voting for the rat bastard. They sorta doubt they had an accurate count there too.

[Tim4319]

5. Thanks for the info.

"You learn something new everyday!"

[bribri16]

2. And closely allied to Israel by way a parent.

Need I say more?

[Beaver Tail]

3. Self Delete

[deadparrot]

4. Hasn't Rupert kind of rejected his Australian-ness,

in matter of speaking?

In any case, Australia isn't actually a bastion of liberalism at the moment, either.

[meegbear]

6. He became a US citizen in 1985 ...

so he could get a US market share

[tsuki]

7. But he can go back anytime.

[Sapphocrat]

8. Australians, as a whole...

...generally LIKE Americans. Take it from a Yank who, when in Oz, repeatedly avoids the question, "So, you're American?" by trying to pretend to be Canadian. It never works -- but the response is almost always along the lines of, "Don't worry about it -- we hate Howard as much as you hate Bush."

Fortunately, Aussies can make the distinction between a people and the lunatic running a given country -- because they're in the same boat.

P.S. They also like American exports -- from our crappiest TV shows to the McDonald's on every corner -- far too much for their own good.

[expatriate]

9. As an American who is now an Australian citizen

and who lives here in Australia, I've got a question.

Where in Australia is there a McDonald's on every corner?

In my area, the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney, people actively campaign every time McDonald's tries to set up here. They're campaigning to keep the bastards out, and so far it has succeeded. Burger King just shut down in my town due to lack of interest.

There are some Macca's in Sydney, but certainly not on every corner. There are entire suburbs where there is no American fast food to be seen. I can't speak for the other major urban centers, but if McDonald's isn't exactly thriving in Sydney, I can't see it making a go of it in Melbourne or Adelaide. There tend to be more McDonald's and Pizza Huts in touristy areas, mainly because American tourists tend to want to eat in places they are familiar with. The one thing that truly turns off Australians to American tourists is their scorn for Aussie food while downing a Big Mac, which is nauseating in its own right.

Unfortunately, yes, some of the dumbest of American TV filters down here, but Australians are also capable of making some terrible TV shows. Worse, they tend to ape American TV shows. Thankfully, there are two public television stations that save us from overdoses of Big Brother, Australian Idol and reruns of The Simpsons.

In answer to the general question about Australian perception of Americans - people here tend to judge you by your actions. When I first came here, people were leery, particularly after Bush was selected. But as they came to know me, they liked me for who I was, and certainly didn't hold me responsible for the actions of the President of the USA. In my experience, Australians are far less likely to categorize people according to preconceived labels than Americans are.

[foreigncorrespondent]

10. ROFLMAO

Sapph is having problems with her puter right now, but seem as how I happen to be her AUSTRALIAN partner, she directed me to this thread so we could discuss it.

Anyway, I saw your response to her, and thought I would throw in my two cents worth.

Re Macca's: I take it you haven't traveled out side the Blue Mountain's or Sydney? Try touring around a tad. You will find Macca's in virtually all suburbs of Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. And from what I have heard in the past by family living in NSW, you will find the golden arches there too.

Re free to air TV: If you consider a Packer owned TV station as something being worthy of a mention, then I guess you can call it a saviour. Quite frankly, I only tend to watch channel nine when they have something worth watching, otherwise I stay away from something that is owned by one of the biggest liberal supporters in Australia.

Re Aussie TV shows: Like all countries, we have our fair share of bad tv. But remember, some of those bad television shows have been some of Australia's biggest exports. And for the record, no I do not watch Neighbours, or Home and Away.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. I didn't know that about him

Huh. But Murdoch is just a capitalist. He follows the money. If it wasn't republicans who had power now but democrats the tv network would probably be in our favor. :eyes:

[foreigncorrespondent]

12. Murdoch happens to be...

...a HUGE right wing supporter, that is why his media are very right wing focused. Even here in Oz.

Now, as an Aussie I will correct you, because you are wrong. Aussies are smart enough to know the difference between the citizens of a country, and the government of a country. Bush* isn't liked so much down here, except from stupid right wing idiots. But citizens of the U.S. are treated well down here, and are well liked.

Things have changed a lot since WWII and the hatred Aussie diggers had for American GI's. Aussies and Yanks tend to get along well, so don't let misgivings about your government direct your thinking to that of all yanks aren't well liked here. If that was the case, I wouldn't be wanting my American born partner to move here. I wouldn't put the love of my life in any danger, trust me on that. :)

[Liberal In Texas]

13. He's an Aussie but now a US citizen.

He didn't' actually create the FOX stuff to be political, but to make money.

You see, Rupert is ALL about $$$$.

You never hear about his daughter, who is a lifetime lesbian. I have no problem with that. But she will never own the company.

e is only in it for the money.

<I used to work for FOX> I know where I'm coming from.

More questions if you all want.