Actually I was wrong, it wasn't during WWII, it was afterwards.

And no, I don't think it would stop us taking in American children. And since they're white and speak English and come from a first world country, who knows, we might even treat them like human beings!

Thanks for the link Angus. That's heartbreaking -- so many of them!

I think I need to know too much. My protagonist is supposed to "escape" and head out into the bush sometime during the bombing. It's getting longer and more complex the more I think about it.

At the moment the people of Aust would be all for the children and most likely the govt as well (as long as we are talking US children and not ones from Afghanistan etc who might grow up to be terrorists).

Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, but.

(and yeah Xpost, hi Angus)

And fellow Aussies, I was told yesterday by someone who had just returned from Melbourne after the swearing of allegiance part of being accepted into the army that they have a choice of two oaths to swear and that one includes swearing allegiance to the Queen!

I didn't know that there were two oaths and that they still swore allegiance to the Queen. Any input?

(Random thought: Why isn't it called the United Queendom?)

Moonlit--I'm actually surprised they get a choice. Not at all surprised the Queen is in there.

When I became an Australian citizen, I didn't swear an oath to the Queen. I checked I wouldn't have to, or I never would have done it.

I got a choice of an oath with a mention of God and without though.

Like I said, all our major cities...

Hey, without Canberra the media would have no one on whom to scapegoat the government's bonehead decisions. We're performing a valuable function. Lightning rod.

Wait, that doesn't sound right...

I think Australia should have a radical green party win an election and sever all ties with the US. In the story. Or, hold on, maybe I mean in real life?

That would be very difficult under the current electoral system. They could hold balance of power in the Senate, but I don't think that would do any good for a military decision. They might win a couple of seats in the House, and a major party needs to go into coalition with them, and severing military ties with the US is the price for this; that would change your dynamic a bit though. Not necessarily a problem, if you're happy to go that way.

You really do need to get rid of our current PM, though. (Please, we're begging you.)

I think I need to know too much. My protagonist is supposed to "escape" and head out into the bush sometime during the bombing. It's getting longer and more complex the more I think about it.

That really wouldn't be much of a problem in any of the cities suggested. You will need to get a more intimate look at the geography, probably, to get them headed in the right direction and all, but it'd be workable.

Thanks moonlit, thanks billytea.. ya'll are awesome. I've ordered books from my library connection. I just needed a place to start.

But the defence forces still explicitly derive their symbolic legitimacy from the monarchy John--ie Royal Australian Navy and Air Force (and Army? I'm not sure).

And with that, I'm off to an anti-war rally even though it's just started pelting with rain. I expect to return to loquacious tributes to my selfless dedication to the cause.

the defence forces still explicitly derive their symbolic legitimacy from the monarchy John--ie Royal Australian Navy and Air Force

Good point. I hadn't thought about that.

Speaking of which, anyone heard from Min lately? Her brothers are in the army, right? I hope they're not involved in the war.

Yeah I suppose. He was demonstrating how he got a fit of the giggles whilst taking his oath and my ears just pricked up when I heard him say "I pledge allegiance to the Queen". I questioned him and he said that he didn't pledge allegiance to the Queen but that his mate did. WTF? He then explained that there were two oaths and that they got to choose which one they swore and signed.

Well colour me confused!