Probably the reason why you've not heard/read about this much in the US recently, is that Bali is not that well known to most Americans as a tourist spot.

Bali has, for most Australians, been looked on by them for many years as their local version of "Hawaii". [Well maybe Hawaii before it became a state of the US].

Bali's place in the Australian psyche was accurately summed up well by the Australian Rock group "Redgum" in the late 70's or early 80's by their song "I've been to Bali too".

The bomb attack, has become a bit close to home and is to a lot of Australians, their equivalent of 9/11 - albeit nowhere near the same scale, but with 300 injured and 200 dead, many of the dead and injured Australians, puts it in perspective a little - when you consider Australia has a population of only 18 million or so.

I also spare thoughts for the Balinese (natives of Bali) - Bali's population is mostly made up of Hindu (i.e. not Muslims, unlike most of the rest of Indonesia). They were probably the second largest group of fatalities & injured in the Bali blast - both as workers in the bars attacked, and also as passers by on the streets outside when the bombs went off.

In fact, recent news stories have covered the situation for the Balinese victims of the bombing - for the most part all the Westerners have been flown out to hospitals in Singapore, Australia or even further afield by their respective governments, leaving the Balinese to cope with depleted medical resources and with the remaining victims (generally all Balinese) facing long and difficult paths to recovery.

While the medical supplies can be replaced (and are being/have been replaced by the Australian and New Zealand aid agencies), its the skilled medical resources in doctors, nurses and especially burn and trauma specialists that the Bali victims need in the medium to longer term to make the fullest recovery.

Linked to the human toll of the Bali bombing, is the economic toll - which is just beginning to surface.

The Balinese have spent 35 years building their economy on the back of "safe" tourism - the sort of reputation for safety that allows parents to feel comfortable enough to allow their 18-20 year old kids go there on their own for fun,sun and a "safe foreign experience" and thats why many of the killed or injured are of a similar age.

The Bali economy is now facing ruin, or at least, a serious economic set back - possibly for many years due to this event. And this is was probably also a parallel target of the bombers - to attack the economy of Bali, which up to now has been a jewel in the economic crown of Indonesia for 30+ years.

Now, no Australian parent in their right mind will let their kids go near Bali, or Indonesia now for many years to come.

There is also growing anger at the perceived lack of warnings from the Intelligence agencies around the world, in advance of the attack - as there now appears to be growing & credible evidence that some government intelligence agencies [e.g. UK and US intelligence agencies] were aware weeks in advance of potential threats in Indonesia - including Bali, and failed to make this public in time.

The Indonesian authorities are also coming in for some over due crtiticism for their lack of action on this whole issue to date. While the Indonesian Political leader [Megawati], has just passed anti-terrorism laws to allow them to crack down on terrorists - many Indonesians also remember that similar sorts of laws were abused continuously by the previous Suharto regime for over 30+ years until the late 1990's. As Indonesia has only just begun to get rid of the Suharto legacy it is somewhat understandable why they may have been reluctant to act on the obvious and growing threats of terrorism.

Only time will tell whether the Indonesians have to fear the terrorists or the [abuse of the] new anti-terror laws the most in the coming months and years.


It is indeed a difficult time for many peoples - not least those directly affected.

If any of our empeggers, their friends or families are affected by the Bali bombing, you have our sympathy and thoughts.