The BFD | Keating Does His Paymaster’s Bidding

Tyrants never lack for apologists and appeasers in freer countries. The appeasement movement in the 1930s practically gifted Europe to Hitler. The Soviets reputedly called them “useful idiots” during the Cold War.

Now, they’re flocking to the banner of China.

As the communist dictatorship increasingly flexes its might and rattles its sabres, the bootlickers and Quislings are falling over themselves to kow-tow — and to vigorously attack anyone who dares stand up to it. Especially has-been politicians suffering from Relevance Deprivation Syndrome.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has issued a fresh warning to Australia over China, urging the Morrison government to reassess its approach to the volatile global superpower.

Speaking to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Mr Keating said it was shameful that Australia had failed to successfully establish its position in the strategic environment of Asia.

What planet is Keating living on? Leaving aside AUKUS, has he not heard of the Quad? Two of its four members are Asian countries: India and Japan. Other Asian countries, such as South Korea and Vietnam, even Bangladesh, are expressing interest in what is being dubbed an “Asian NATO”.

Wise up, Paul: “Asia” is not synonymous with “China”. However much “Xi Xinping Thought” might dictate otherwise.

Just as the 1930s cowards and Quislings sold out Czechoslovakia in order to try and appease Hitler, Keating is now urging Australia to do the same to Taiwan.

The former PM urged Scott Morrison not to get involved in the US-China conflict over Taiwan, insisting the contentious flashpoint was not worth risking Australia’s security for.

“Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest, let me repeat that, Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest,” he said.

“We have no alliance with Taipei. None.”

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. I mean, who does Keating want us to side with? A liberal, democratic nation of 25 million people, ranked as one of the freest in the world? Or a brutal, genocidal communist dictatorship?

Guess.

Mr Keating insisted China was likely to lead as world hegemon relatively peacefully providing the US made no “ill-conceived” attempts to change the status of Taiwan.

The Australian

Sure, and Neville Chamberlain promised “peace in our time”.

Just to underscore how delusional Keating is, he actually boasted about “building the Collins” fleet of submarines, while sneering at the idea of Australia acquiring American nuclear subs. The Collins subs, it should be remembered, were so plagued by technical problems that it took 16 years of re-designs and refits before they were finally fit for purpose. In the meantime, between 2009 and 12, only two boats were on average available for service. Good job, there, Paul.

But, why would Keating be so hot for China? After all, it’s not the first time Keating has politically meddled in favour of China — in 2019 he called for the sacking of Australia’s intelligence chiefs, for being “anti-China”.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating […] sits on an advisory council to the China Development Bank, a state-owned bank that raises money for large infrastructure projects. Mr Keating declined to comment on Wednesday.

Sydney Morning Herald

Well, well, well — so that’s what it takes to get Keating to shut up.