Well, Mr. Obama has finally set foot in Canberra after two previously-cancelled trips and the usual semi-load of American hyper-crap has been dumped on us.
In a similar fashion to the Bush visit in 2003, we have a permanent - noisy - fighter aircraft circling the ACT for the next 24 hours, just to guard against sneak attacks on the American embassy.
Why can't they simply have an aircraft sitting on the ramp at Fairbairn, fuelled up and ready to go at a moment's notice?
There are 300+ security personnel here!
THREE HUNDRED!!!
At selected intersections throughout the capital sit black, unmarked and unregistered vans.
Why?
Perhaps the most insidious thing is that mobile phone reception around Parliament House/American Embassy has been disrupted.
Like many other Canberrans who don't give a toss about this visit, I will be glad to hear Airforce One depart tomorrow afternoon.
