Dubbya

There was always talk about Dubbya in Sydney - or at least in the circles I was in. Maybe that's part of the Inner West lifestyle - being engaged with world politics and the issues our country embroils itself in. Reading "Rabbit Syndrome" by Don Watson is a great stimulation to think about our relationship with America in a different light and with more context. It's a great essay, and I can recommend it wholeheartedly. I've been thinking longingly of lingering over a coffee up on King street and discussing the interesting point in it about our constitution, and America's love of capital punishement. But I digress.
Here in Ipswich there's a lot of talk about Dubbya too. But Dubbya here is an object of reverence, gratitude, almost love. Yes, granted this is the area that spawned the One Nation party but that's not quite it either. You see, it's Big Dubbya who really rules here. If you can't buy it at Big Dub, well, it's probably not worth having, or you're a wanker. Opening hours are right up there with interest rate rises as discussion topics. Not even Satate politics have much of a profile here it seems, unless it's water. Everyone suddenly has an opinion on water. There's no interest in national concerns or foreign policy, but say out loud that you'll be heading to Big Dub and there's a clamour of input, offers for tips on parking, suggestions about when's best, or how to handle the food court. The only ace over Big Dub here is Maccas, still and forever the golden-crowned king of aimless consumption.