Australia v. RAN
It’s almost flattering to know that Australia’s Federal Forestry Minister has made attacking RAN his full-time job. This time, he’s commandeered the Embassy in Tokyo to launch a flashy new DVD explaining why logging of temperate rainforests is A-OK. According to ABC Tasmania today:
The Federal Government has launched a public relations campaign to woo Japanese buyers of Tasmanian woodchips.
An information booklet and DVD were launched today at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo.
The Federal Forestry Minister, Senator Eric Abetz, says Tasmanian woodchip exports to Japan have fallen 20% in four years.
He says the campaign is needed to counteract misinformation pedalled by the Greens and the Rainforest Action Network.
Pop Quiz: Why has Aussie PM John Howard earned the nickname “Bonsai”? Free RAN T-shrit to the first correct commenter!!
2 Responses to “Australia v. RAN”
Leave a Reply
All comments offered in the spirit of civil conversation are welcome! Commercial spam, obscenity and other rude behavior are not, and will be removed. Valid email addresses are required. (RAN respects your privacy; we will not use, lend, or sell your email address for any reason.)
August 5th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
According to Urban Dictionary, “bonsai is a coloqual term in Australia for it’s 25th Prime Minister - John Howard. The nickname was coined by the former leader on the opposition when he was quoted on Andrew Denton’s Enough Rope (Screened: 28 July 2003). It is in reference to the Australian allience with America - viewed by some as ’subservient’ (Malcolm Fraser).” A bonsai is a small bush, and as I understand it, that’s the meme Labor wants to spread about Howard.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bonsai
August 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Way to go Joe! Congratulations at submitting the winning answer. We’ll be in touch with your grand prize.