Thanks friend, now give me your wallet.

During his visit to Australia for APEC 2007, President George W Bush and Prime Minister John Howard brokered what has been described as a monumental defence deal.  As a result, the United States will be making certain classified technologies available to Australia as a mark of our continuing close relationship.

In other words, they're going to graciously allow us to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for weapons and tactical equipment which we'll then use to fight whichever wars they want us to.

I'm thrilled that we're going to be allowed the privilege of spending millions on the ongoing maintenance of the world's most advanced equipment which for some reason still can't quite manage to help American soldiers work out who the friendlies are.  I'm comforted to know that should Papua New Guinea decide to invade, we'll be adequately prepared to defend ourselves.

Hearing this news today really bolstered my patriotism.  It's so great to be part of a nation which taxes its citizens beyond all reasonable bounds so that it can help the struggling United States recoup their military R&D costs.