An opening down under

The United States hasn't had an ambassador to Australia in over a year.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – More than a year after the former US ambassador said his goodbyes to Australia, the top diplomatic post remains vacant in Canberra, reflecting a casualness that has the typically laid-back Aussies getting a little anxious.

Sure, even good mates don't always keep in touch - to a point.

And with trouble in the Middle East, spy scandals at home, and plans to move hundreds of diplomats to hot spots around the world, filling an ambassadorial post in the South Pacific may not be high on the White House's priority list.

A relaxed attitude by both governments - which are in agreement on almost all matters of foreign policy - has allowed months to pass before doubts finally began to be raised here that perhaps the Americans were being a tad callous toward their close ally.

"The US definitely takes us for granted - and they know that it's not a difficult relationship to manage and that we don't need any sort of mollycoddling or day-to-day attention," says Elizabeth Thurbon, professor of politics and international relations at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

No reason has been given for the delay in dispatching an ambassador to Canberra's vast US Embassy grounds. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has stated that he would like the position to be filled as quickly as possible.

Dr Taylor is right, Australia is a big ally not in need of much diplomatic work but leaving the post open is strange. But TFM has a solution. I know someone who would be perfect for the job, she's charming, intelligent, a minority(Republican too), can be tough as nails(her name translates to the little female lion. She is usually a pussycat but when angry she roars!) too if needed. Who is she?

My dear wife! So when do we pack our bags for Canberra? Can I still be the The Florida Masochist then? LOL.

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