Police divers.Matt Golding
I have great respect for Zelic but I have to question the quoting of academic research focused on “reverse racism”. It’s an old argument that misses the fundamental fact that you can’t have processes of racialisation without everybody being lumped into “races”. To disparage “whites” in Australia is the norm. While power is central to many forms of racism,we can’t accept that it’s OK to use “race” in any insult. If we want to keep the idea of race at bay,then it must apply across the board because it’s a comparative term. It’s got us all in boxes and while some of us have more power than others,it cannot always be reduced to skin.Carol Reid,Tuross Head
Purportedly being sick in a cab after a night out;allegedly abusing a police officer;accusations of racism;a court date ahead. All this,along with much soul-searching in glaring headlines in the newspapers on International Women’s Day (“”,March 8). Congratulations! We have achieved true equality.Alicia Dawson,Balmain
So we seem now to know what Kerr said to the bobby. What did the bobby say to her before that?John Elmgreen,Mosman
I like the idea of hearing the other side of the story before coming to judgment. I also have a strong affinity for the saying “justice delayed is justice denied”. Crown prosecutors taking almost 12 months to lay charges with a hearing not due until February 2025 certainly provides a good working example of that saying. I also believe that no one is perfect. Hearing about the charges during a period when one’s focus is on a possible career-ending injury is not ideal. It is important to look at the context of Kerr’s service to the Matildas:maybe loyalty should come back into fashion and be a consideration. Finally,costing her the captaincy for now,when she is not even playing,is a glib verdict that can leave a bad taste,once the row is over. Many athletes have been vindicated when their cases come to be considered beyond the court of public opinion. Kerr may or may not be,but she deserves both the old-fashioned presumption of innocence and the Football Association’s reasonable opinion that she has not at this stage damaged the reputation of the organisation or the sport.Adam Liberman,Randwick
My,how things have changed. As a young probationary constable working the Darlinghurst beat in the late sixties,it was commonplace to be called to arguments,brawls and even taxi fare disputes,especially late on Friday and Saturday nights. It was also commonplace to be spat on,scratched and insulted in attempting to defuse the situation. “Goes with the territory”,we were told in training. And as a recently arrived Brit,to be called a “stupid white[Pommy,in my case] bastard”,would have been,to quote the Pythons:“Now that is sheer bloody luxury.” Sure,sometimes charges were laid,but rarely over an insult when almost always it was a case ofin vino veritas and not taken seriously. Racial slurs are not on,but perhaps we’ve all become too thin-skinned and in certain situations a little perspective is required.Chris Bult,Port Stephens
Any policeman (Pommy bobby or Aussie copper) who cannot tolerate abuse by someone they are arresting is in the wrong job. Teachers,nurses,paramedics and others (including most if not all police) deal with this on a regular basis,understanding that it comes with the territory and as soon as you start taking it personally,it’s time to look for another job. It’s not good but you have to let it go.Geoff Eagar,Toowoon Bay
Cats and dogs on board? Release the hounds!
The announcement that Virgin Airlines is to allow animals on flights distresses me due to a number of issues (“”,smh.com.au,March 8).
First,what about people suffering severe allergies to cats and dogs? Why should someone who has allergies to animals be subjected to this when they have paid a fare. It reminds me of the days when we had smoking on planes;bad luck if you were seated in the first row ahead of the smoking section.
Second,I think Virgin Airlines should concentrate on cancelling flights less regularly than it does now. Imagine:cancelled flights,cats and dogs being restrained,and coping with their personal hygiene at the airport – for hours. A family member recently had three Virgin flights cancelled over a two-day period. How would cats and dogs be accommodated in such a situation?
If Virgin Airlines proceeds with this decision,I certainly hope other airlines don’t follow. I have had animals,and I like them,but I do not want to fly with them. This is pandering to a minority group.Rosemary Beattie,Eastwood
They may have looked cute,paraded around by the airline’s head dogcatcher,but this latest announcement comes at a time when the barons of the sky cannot provide service for value for traditional passengers. The late canine to take to the skies was Charles M. Schulz’s Snoopy – The World War I flying ace. The concept of canine “passengers” in a confined space for a SYD-PER flight is bound to end up in a dogfight. The idea is verging on the ridiculous.Allan Gibson,Cherrybrook
Best in Class.Matt Golding
Will I be able to request a seat as far as possible from pets on a Virgin flight? I have no confidence that pet carriers are a barrier to the escape of ticks and fleas.Stephanie Edwards,Leichhardt
Good luck with an evacuation.Gordon Bell,Kiama
Face facts
Waleed Aly’s analysis is thoughtful and accurate (“ March 8). Journalism is a public good that Facebook neither stole nor valued. Let’s hit Facebook in the hip pocket via our tax system to help fund not only journalism but the cost of mental health care required because of Facebook’s deliberate manipulation of people’s sense of wellbeing for their own corporate gain. Facebook is no different to big tobacco – tax it,and who gives a damn if it survives or not? Better for society to be rid of Facebook than to meekly stand before it like deer in the proverbial headlights.Brian Barrett,Padstow
I had not thought of it before,but maybe Facebook should pay me for harvesting my data. Sort of a reverse subscription.Neville Turbit,Russell Lea
Miles to go
As per usual,theHerald’s clever female social commentator has represented the current state of womanhood on this International Women’s Day in her cartoon (Editorial cartoon,March 8). Cathy Wilcox artfully indicates that there is still some way to go,as women continue to suffer violence and discrimination in 2024. Here’s to another long year of working toward change.Lorraine Hickey,Green Point
Mountain to climb.Cathy Wilcox
Toll road to ruin
Given there are already long traffic queues at Sydney Airport’s terminals,why has the NSW government spent $2.6 billion on an extension to the private WestConnex toll road that will entice more people to drive to the airport (“March 8)? Removing the $17 airport train station access fee would have cost a fraction of $20 billion-plus the government has spent on WestConnex and this new airport extension.Chris Standen,Erskineville
The Rozelle interchange was conceived and brought to Sydney by 10 years of Coalition government – the “only party capable of delivering on infrastructure promises”. So far they certainly have delivered,but not for the motorists of Sydney or the state,but for the owners and shareholders of the tollways and construction companies.Tony Heathwood,Kiama Downs
Emissions position
In the discussion regarding fuel efficiency standards it is stated that transport in Australia causes only a small share of emissions (“”,March 8). Really? So tens of thousands of exhaust pipes all over Australia spewing out pollution 24/7 is just a small amount of emissions? I don’t think so. Nothing small about that.Dennis O’Hara,Wanniassa (ACT)
Illustration:John Shakespeare
Here’s a brave idea,Anthony Albanese. Let’s not keep looking in the rear-view mirror at the US but forge our own new emissions standards. Contrary to what is implied by your article,transport emissions are set to become the second-highest by industry sector,and unlike these sectors,are accelerating. Australia is in danger of not meeting our 2030 or 2050 emissions targets,and our slow adoption of an emissions standard means we need to fast track its implementation. Take the opportunity to help the weekend become less congested,more relaxed and healthier,with or without our utes.Tim Hand,Balmain
Perhaps our PM should be promoting the agility of the electric ute. If he wanted to test it out,my wife’s EV will reach 100km/h in half the time it takes my Isuzu D-MAX,and it doesn’t leave me in a cloud of smoke. Clear the air;subsidise the electric ute,PM.Colin Fitzsimons,Nulkaba
Building tension
Let the elite build their luxury apartments,but with the condition that two affordable rental apartments are built for every luxury apartment (“”,March 8). But importantly the affordable rental apartments must stay for the life of the building,and not be available for Airbnb. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the wealthy need ordinary wage earners to service their lifestyles.Paul Doyle,Glenbrook
Says it all about NSW Labor if the Young Liberals endorse Chris Minns’ undemocratic,developers’ dream excuse for a housing policy (“”,March 8). More evidence of the lack of difference between the two major parties – just another version of the ColesWorth disgrace being inflicted on Australians. Minns underestimates voters if he assumes they won’t wonder why Young Liberals might be comfortable with a high-density program that will still be unaffordable for most young aspiring first home buyers.Robyn Dalziell,Kellyville
The notion of building up is getting out of hand (Letters,March 8). Some non-metropolitan local councils are also suggesting six-storey buildings be built here,there,almost anywhere,including places such as Yamba’s iconic hill and its main commercial area. It seems some people won’t be happy until Yamba has monstrous high-rise buildings and is renamed Little Surfers Paradise. I kid you not,many residents of Yamba are very annoyed,and so they should be.Col Shephard,Yamba
Nuclear fallout
The Coalition keeps stressing that we are the only G20 nation to not have a nuclear power option (“”,March 8). It fails to mention that two of the largest economies (Russia and Japan) are struggling to keep enough power supply as they decommission and remove their nuclear power stations,because of the huge risk they pose. Luckily,we are not in that situation,but it seems to be a problem Peter Dutton would like to lumber us with.Peggy Fisher,Manly
What a waste.Matt Golding
If Australia is determined not to use nuclear power itself,we can,at least,mine uranium for the growing number of countries who want to use it to boost their clean energy. Nuclear is a thousand times better than coal and gas and shouldn’t be politicised by either side.Lois Hudson,Thornleigh
Particle danger
Alarming to be presented with the life-threatening risk of heart disease from minute plastic particles in our bodies (“”,March 8). Over the years,have we unwittingly contributed to this problem for our children? Time to check on what is at hand for teething babies who will chew on anything for comfort.Kathleen Hollins,Northmead
Hollow excuse
I agree with Malaysia’s PM (“”,March 8). In the process of Israel’s “defence” the IDF has killed more than 20,000 Palestinian women and children. And in the meantime,the West’s “sheriff-in-chief”,US President Joe Biden,keeps sending billions of dollars worth of arms and resources to Israel. The harm done not only to the victims of this war,but to Israelis condemning Benjamin Netanyahu’s brutality,is incalculable and will resonate for generations.Frederick Jansohn,Rose Bay
DA’s army of enigma code-breakers
During the COVID lockdowns,with more time on our hands,my friend and I tackled the Friday DA crossword. It had always been considered just too darn hard (,March 8).Each Friday between 4pm and 6pm we would consult by mobile phone,two willing brains taking on David Astle’s elusive cryptic clues. Any success was the equivalent of a major epiphany;a eureka moment. We felt like wartime code breakers.
In truth our success rate was minimal,with a weekly average of three answers. But that Friday crossword connection during a time of isolation and uncertainty was gold. Our DA struggle continues!Michelle Peters,Norah Head
My sister and I do the cryptic crossword every day in theHerald,and while being enormously frustrated at times with DA’s Friday offering,we still manage to get some mental stimulation.
We read through each clue,occasionally getting a correct answer,but mostly we look up the unfathomable clues on our phones and exercise our grey matter by trying to work out how the heck that answer comes from that clue. We are starting to pick up on some of his tricks but still remain flummoxed by many. Nevertheless,we find this method more satisfying than giving in and admitting abject defeat by not even giving it a go.Kerry Giuffre,Daceyville
We really enjoy Friday’s DA crossword;it is the only day we do it. Our secret is that two minds are far superior to one,and over a cup of coffee at our local club and absolutely no Googling,we generally return with most of it completed.Gillian and John Kendrigan,Evatt
Postscript
News that Matildas captain Sam Kerr allegedly called a police officer a “stupid white bastard” during a dispute over a taxi fare in London caught the attention of letter writers. Kerr has pleaded not guilty and is fighting to have a charge of racially harassing the police officer thrown out of court. Correspondents were keen to discuss whether Kerr’s comment was racist or offensive.
Many agreed with Peter Miniutti of Ashbury:“I am a white bastard who has been known to be stupid occasionally,but I certainly was called things far worse than that when I was teaching,by students and some fellow teachers. Is what Kerr said wrong? Yes. Is it the end of the world? No.”
Ross Coleman of Glenbrook was confused:“I always understood calling someone a bastard (or in my case an old bastard) was a term of endearment.” Others wondered whether the bobby had taken offence because he was not a Chelsea fan.
Col Burns of Lugarno’s view resonated with some:“Anyone who thinks that sandwiching the word ‘white’ between two other derogatory terms doesn’t constitute racism should substitute ‘black’,then reassess. To have two different standards is blatant discrimination.”
Cruciverbalists shared their fear,loathing and unadulterated passion for David Astle’s Friday cryptic crossword. Some were smug about their successes,others claimed to simply enjoy the challenge. Jim Dewar of Davistown’s misplaced loyalty was disappointing:“I don’t have time to write to the Letters page today;I’m much too busy with the DA crossword.” Meanwhile,we’re still waiting for Hugh O’Keefe of Elizabeth Bay’s letter (on another subject):“Friday,9.30am. DA done and dusted.”Pat Stringa,Letters editor