In Melbourne, Victoria, the Commonwealth Games are starting shortly. It is designed to be an extravaganza, costing a lot of money. A high proportion of this money has gone to unnecessary building projects that benefit large construction corporations. Big is better should be the motto of the Games. The Aboriginal population has a protest motto "the stolenwealth games" because they believe that the wealth of Australia comes from the appropriation of Aboriginal land. There is very large security force in Melbourne. There could be a conflict.

Much of the motivation of the Games is to "outdo" Sydney, the other large city in Australia. Rather than focussing on participation and effort the Games is poisoned by conceit and pride.

The Victorian Government "apparently" is positive when it comes to the environment, but this is because the green party is strong in Victoria. Remember that Victoria is one of the largest contributors to the live-sheep-cattle trade, an immensely cruel trade. The opening parade includes sights on the "Yarra River" a polluted waterway that pollutes Port Philip Bay. Once this bay teemed with fish and sea mammals. It is recovering somewhat but would be less than 1/100th its original richness.

It is not well known that Melbourne has its own 9/11. In 2000 the present Government violently suppressed a demonstration against a G8 meeting on that date.

Overall, the Queen is well respected in Australia. People, in general, do not look up to politicians. It is almost certain that the Queen will be well received. The opposing view is that Australians should not "bow down" to the monarch. But these people would only like it too well if the people bowed down to them.

The overall message of the games is winning gold medals. There is basically no mention of uniting people of the Commonwealth, or realistically looking at the problems that face us all today - poverty, eco-death, dishonesty, violence.