Crean thinks Star Wars is nuclear
'Mr Howard hit back at Opposition Leader Simon Crean, who branded the idea as "a stupid direction" and asked if it would include nuclear weapons on Australian soil. "The system does not involve nuclear weapons, the system involves stopping weapons coming onto Australian soil and Mr Crean doesn't even understand that fundamental fact," Mr Howard said.'

How can someone be in public life or a possible leader of the country and not understand the Star Wars concept? It is not as though it is new (it dates back to the Reagan era), or that it is left field in the current crisis. I hope Crean gets up to speed with a briefing soon: Star Wars is hugely expensive; it wont work; it will trigger a nuclear arms race, particularly in Asia; Australia should have nothing to do with it. Everytime the issues comes up the Chinese warn it is a bad idea and will trigger an arms race. If China escalates, India will also; then Pakistan, and coming up the rear with hand out is Al-Quada.

Another tip for Crean and his staff is to prepare for what Howard will say and announce next by following what Washington says.

'Former prime minister Bob Hawke attacked Mr Howard's willingness to consider participating in the missile defence program, saying it was part of a pattern of giving "automatic support for the United States position". That was against Australia's best interests and would "jeopardise our relations with our major trading partners in Asia, particularly China", Mr Hawke told The Age.

'Mr Hawke also branded the Howard Government's stance on Iraq "criminal", saying it could lead to thousands of casualties, weaken the war on terrorism and destabilise the Middle East. Mr Hawke said Australia's decision to send forces before any United Nations decision was "wrong and unnecessary" and had created significant additional danger for Australia.'

Crean thinks Star Wars is nuclear
'Mr Howard hit back at Opposition Leader Simon Crean, who branded the idea as "a stupid direction" and asked if it would include nuclear weapons on Australian soil. "The system does not involve nuclear weapons, the system involves stopping weapons coming onto Australian soil and Mr Crean doesn't even understand that fundamental fact," Mr Howard said.'

How can someone be in public life or a possible leader of the country and not understand the Star Wars concept? It is not as though it is new (it dates back to the Reagan era), or that it is left field in the current crisis. I hope Crean gets up to speed with a briefing soon: Star Wars is hugely expensive; it wont work; it will trigger a nuclear arms race, particularly in Asia; Australia should have nothing to do with it. Everytime the issues comes up the Chinese warn it is a bad idea and will trigger an arms race. If China escalates, India will also; then Pakistan, and coming up the rear with hand out is Al-Quada.

Another tip for Crean and his staff is to prepare for what Howard will say and announce next by following what Washington says.

'Former prime minister Bob Hawke attacked Mr Howard's willingness to consider participating in the missile defence program, saying it was part of a pattern of giving "automatic support for the United States position". That was against Australia's best interests and would "jeopardise our relations with our major trading partners in Asia, particularly China", Mr Hawke told The Age.

'Mr Hawke also branded the Howard Government's stance on Iraq "criminal", saying it could lead to thousands of casualties, weaken the war on terrorism and destabilise the Middle East. Mr Hawke said Australia's decision to send forces before any United Nations decision was "wrong and unnecessary" and had created significant additional danger for Australia.'