Guise:
Cubans would fit very neatly into Australia’s large but usually unnoticed Hispanic community. Besides, there are quite a few Cubans here already – including “Castro’s gifts” of a couple of decades ago.

However, they would not make a lazy employer’s fantasy of docile, undemanding, cheap workers come to life.

Pablo:
There is indeed plenty of room in the Christmas Island Konzentrationslager for border-crossers as well as rendered terrorism semi-suspects …… and for Australian political prisoners, election sceptics and assertive citizens too.

Ratty [high on crack]: We decide who gets a Green Card.

… and the circumstances under which they get it?

But Rudd can just note that Howard practically invited them this time by turning Xmas island into a transit lounge for the Land of the Free.

Of course, the reality is the whole policy is based on a flawed “economic migrant” model. Political refugees will come whatever the legal arrangements, and few economic migrants will risk the leaky boats – or ever have for that matter. So I wouldnt be expecting too much border action just yet.

But you know, what about the 4m Iraqis who’ve fled the nightmare that post-regime change Iraq? Any thoughts for them, Ratty?

“My sister reckons this is Howard’s way of enticing more boat people to Australia so that he can be seen to be telling them to go away.

The Green Card possibility is exactly what he wants. That’s part of the plan.

More boat people = more “They shall not passâ€? posturing by the Little General. Supposedly, the Battlers will desert Rudd and vote for Johnny, just for old time’s sake.”

Does this sound feasible to my fellow Prodeans? Will we be seeing yet more iterations of the infamous “We will decide …” ? Is it possible Howard is trying to manufacture another Tampa in the hope that lightning will strike twice, and he’ll be carried over the line by the border security vote? I personally wouldn’t put it past him.

I agree that the snakeheads must be rubbing their hands with delight. But the Yanks stand to gain the most from this deal: there’s a good chance that the possibility of ending up in Australia rather than the US will act as a positive deterrent to many Cubans. The US at least has an active and growing Spanish-language culture and a strong Cuban community (albeit one fraught with problems) which supports new arrivals; Cubans dumped in Australia will find none of these.

Haitians probably won’t care either way. So there’s a good chance we could end up with an influx of non English-speaking refugees from one of the poorest and unhealthiest countries in the world; one with a high incidence of AIDS, too – something I’m sure the PM will be delighted to hear.

There’s probably a very sound Burkean justification for this deal. At this stage, I’m not all that interested in hearing it.

Why aren’t armed immigration squads hunting them down as they swing their inordinate-sized backpacks into the faces of regular tram commuters while talking loudly on their mobiles in Essex accents about blagging more money from home while fucked up in Cairns.

Let’s have some decent, polite, hardworking and funky Cubans for a change instead of that pommy scum.

Its like sitcoms you found funny 10 years ago. Now all you notice is how predictable, irritating and dated they are.

This scheme is so barking mad that it can’t be for real ….. so there are three possibilities [1] Paper-bags of used banknotes crossed desks and it’s called Corru—–. [2] It did indeed originate inside the Beltway – from the same folks who brought you dirt-cheap Iraqi oil and a swift response to Hurricane Katrina, [3] It’s part of a scare campaign to frighten the gullible mugs into voting for Howard again. Take your pick.

Katz:
I has been obvious that both sides of politics fall over themselves to savage the people-smugglers with a damp feather but it’s straight behind the razor-wire for their customers.

What gives you the idea that a mere extra $5000 would get anyone into Australia? From today on, it’s a gold-rush and the sky’s the limit …. so go right back to the end of the new queue.

Even for the supremely lapsed Lefty E (havent set foot in the one true Church since baptism!)