On Embarrassment and Humiliation.

Quad minus one (source)

You live and you learn. I never thought that a person’s embarrassment and humiliation was one of the most important things to consider when commenting on international events.

However, judging by how frequently Aussie journos have used the words “humiliation” and “embarrassment” lately, I might have been mistaken.

So I suppose they would welcome that I remark on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s humiliation and embarrassment with the news that President Joe Biden will not come to Australia to the much anticipated Quad meeting. I mean, you prepare an expensive party for your powerful friend, you brag about it, his cars and gear arrive. You are rubbing shoulders with the big boys!

Then, at the last moment it’s a no show. The old geezer doesn’t come. Embarrassing, uh?

And indicative that “world leaders” of liberal democracies may have been created equal, but some are way more equal than others.

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But Albanese’s embarrassment pales in comparison to Biden’s own. It turns out that the “leader of the free world” – in the somewhat outmoded title President Zelensky has rediscovered – has less power than Nancy Pelosi had.

At least you conclude that if you were to believe the White House: when last year Pelosi – at the time, Speaker of the House – decided to visit Taiwan, the President could not stop her, they said then. This year, the President had to ditch his visit to Australia and Papua New Guinea, because he needs to negotiate a higher debt ceiling with Kevin McCarthy, the current Speaker of the House.

Last year, Biden could not penalise Pelosi; this year McCarthy can force the US Government default on its debt.

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Some Aussies, including apparently our PM, had expected Biden’s visit would have provided an opportunity to discuss Julian Assange’s case.

Not any more, I guess.

That’s the thing with Australian sovereignty: the lives of Australian citizens depend on decisions made by our American masters. But we remain proudly sovereign!