Prime Minister needs to condemn extremism

Illustration:Alan Moir

Illustration:Alan Moir

TheHerald calls for “politicians to use careful language” on protests which “veer into ugly rhetoric” (“Politicians have a duty to condemn extreme rhetoric”,November 19). Language counts. Surely,this is not about weasel words like “disagreements”,“frustration”,“tolerance” and “crossed the line”. Let me suggest some unequivocal alternate language for our Prime Minister:“No matter what the reason,I condemn violent actions and language and condemn the holding or standing in front of placards and symbols calling for violence and intimidation”.David Hind,Neutral Bay

That the PM can in one breath briefly state how violent demonstrations are not part of our political process and then in the next,add – in much greater depth – that he sympathises with the sentiments behind them,shows the limitations of his moral leadership. For someone who has spoken out about verbal attacks on his family,not to add strength to the outrage about threats to Daniel Andrews and his family,is woefully hypocritical and cowardly.Sarah Foster,Dulwich Hill

State government and businesses stepped up and mandated vaccinations,to keep Australians safe. The federal government was missing in action. Morrison now wants to rewrite history as he adapts the Donald Trump playbook and the dog-whistling reminiscent of John Howard in 2004. The vaccination rollout was a stroll-out;he gives succour to the loud minority “freedom” protesters who threaten violence to elected politicians.

This is the same man who has prevented Australians from leaving the country or returning home for two years without government permission and threatened to jail anyone who tried to return from India over a three-month period.Wendy Atkins,Cooks Hill

Put simply,extreme rhetoric from our citizenry is an attack on our democracy and community. Pollies who just stand by and say nothing or do nothing are equally guilty in their silence. Politicians have a duty to condemn extreme rhetoric.Steve Ngeow,Chatswood

After a very brief national solidarity over the pandemic,Coalition politicians politicised the mitigation efforts. It was a blatant case of Liberal equals good,Labor equals bad. The divisive tactics are continuing with Morrison’s comments to protesters to “take back their lives” and Peter Dutton attacking the Queensland Premier with claims of “segregation”,as if it was a dictatorial apartheid state. These dishonest and divisive political tactics are bad for society and democracy itself.Graeme Finn,Summer Hill

The Sub-Prime Minister condemned hoarders of toilet paper more robustly than he did the Trump-like protesters in Melbourne. Values? What values?Janet Simpson,Paddington

PM free to keep us in the dark

David Crowe has revealed another of Scott Morrison’s nothing to see here tactics (“Religion bill free of information”,November 19). So afraid of inducing discussion of the highly divisive Religious Discrimination Bill that has taken three years in the drafting,he has decided not to release it to his own party backbenchers before they will be expected to vote for it in the Parliament. Extraordinary? Perhaps. Little wonder though given that it is an issue so close to Morrison’s heart and one he must be seen to win at all costs.Donna Wiemann,Balmain

In a narrow definition,the PM says “if you are not free to believe in your own faith,well,you are not free”. The separation of church and state and freedom of religion are already embedded in our laws,the whole issue is a confection to avoid dealing with the real problems. Freedom from poverty,freedom from race hatred,and freedom from domestic violence are neglected in favour of slogans like freedom from government telling you what to do. One can see the purpose of all this misdirection:it’s the freedom for Morrison to get his job at the next election.Chris Moe,Bensville

The issues currently recognised in proposed religious freedom laws are being pushed onto society in a knee-jerk manner by a sector increasingly becoming a minority,western religious adherents themselves. Society’s standards have been influenced for the good over the longer term by religious practice,inclusivity exists,but allowing a minority to sit in judgment and adjust things to their whims is a slippery slope. File it in that burgeoning folder marked “the self- interest of politicians”.Brian Jones,Leura

That the practise of some religions requires an exemption from the common law,is an indictment of those religions.Phil Bradshaw,Naremburn

In between donning yet another colourful vest could the PM explain the very obvious contradiction between promoting a bill which enforces discrimination and removes freedoms based on religious belief and promoting less government in our lives?Tony Sullivan,Adamstown Heights

Transport safety priority requires being proactive

Electric wiring stanchions along the Blue Mountains line have been rusting away for decades,so it is nice that someone in authority has finally noticed some of these glaring maintenance issues (“Repair crisis for transport network”,November 19). When Transport for NSW repeats the well-worn mantra that safety is the agency’s highest priority,that could simply be taken to mean that services will be halted for safety reasons after something falls down. More government funding for proactive repair,reconstruction and maintenance would be a better idea.Doug Walker,Baulkham Hills

I am,you are,we are...

Waleed Aly’s concerns are well-founded (“Are Muppets a particular race?”,November 19). Similarly,I am puzzled why there appears to be an increasing and discordant tendency to highlight inherited ethnicity when describing Australians,such as Chinese-Australian or Greek-Australian. Aside from our Indigenous compatriots,we are all from somewhere else. Let’s not be muppets. While neither forgetting nor rejecting our heritage,why can we not simply and unambiguously describe ourselves as Australian?James Laukka,Epping

No-win situation

If the investigation into William Tyrrell’s foster mother proves to be unfounded,memories of Lindy Chamberlain come to mind (“‘He is quiet’:What foster-mother told the police”,November 19). The police have made it clear that the new search will not result in a prosecution unless physical evidence is found.

The lack of physical evidence will not lead to any charges,leaving a dreadful cloud over this mother’s life. Not only has this woman lost her foster son in tragic circumstances,she will be forever tarnished by the suspicion of her involvement. Will the case be closed then and the public can say “guilty by default”? This is a dreadful situation all around.Sally Shepard,Nelson Bay

Value of check-ins

The busy Christmas season is not the time to take risks with COVID-19 (“Check-ins set to end for cafes by Christmas”,November 19). The QR code check-in is no great imposition and most people do it automatically now. Its primary use is for contact tracing,but it has the added value of reminding us to stay safe.Graham Lum,North Rocks

Pot,meet kettle

Surely,the laugh of the week,if not the year:Rupert Murdoch saying Google and Facebook must be reined in for their censorship,collusion and lack of transparency (“Murdoch says Trump needs to move on”,November 19).Al Clark,Belrose

Murdoch encouraging Trump to move on,promoting inclusive debate and criticising social media’s algorithmic echo chambers is hypocritical in the extreme. Fox News in the US and the expanding of Sky News in Australia trade on sensationalist right-wing rhetoric with opinion masquerading as fact. Murdoch should lead by example and rejuvenate civil discourse.Robert Caraian,Crows Nest

Get real on carbon credits

While the use of organic waste from renewable sources has the potential to maintain the status quo in terms of the global carbon dioxide equation,surely it provides a practical and affordable opportunity for carbon capture (“Bio-energy plan sparks logging fears”,November 19). Here is the chance for those industries to obtain genuine carbon credits while the energy creation that is foregone would be more economically be produced by solar and wind power generation.Roger Epps,Armidale

Bravo young doctors

I have to agree with Jennifer Briggs’s lucid support for young doctors (Letters,November 19). Having,for the first time in my life,had to visit both the emergency section of Bathurst Hospital and spend time in Royal North Shore in Sydney,I can only say that the professionalism and care by all the young people who attended to me was beyond reproach. They were all filled with the enthusiasm and idealism of their age. Having to also share some care of nonagenarian in-laws whose young GP has shown amazing understanding and care of their needs,I have seen further vindication of your correspondent’s comments.Graham Carter,Eglinton

Astute on life’s end

Ed Raftery’s article on whether or not euthanasia should be allowed is the best I have read on the subject. How true that from a great age,the perspective is so different,yet how often the perspective from age is ignored. The Central Coast U3A is fortunate to have such a lecturer.Thelma Frost,Mudgee

It is good that at 95 years of age,Raftery can make a rational decision about how he can die but many cannot do this,like those beaten down emotionally by life and those who are mentally ill and confused. The law must protect everyone.Roger Cedergreen,South Hurstville

Whine about dud grapes

Who would have thought that some winemakers add substandard grapes to pump up their volumes (“Chardonnay deal will help cure hangover”,November 19)? That calls for nothing less than a royal commission. In the interim,a line of honesty on wine labels is needed:X per cent top grade grapes,Y per cent duds.Col Shephard,Yamba

Music and mind power

Full marks to St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School for actively encouraging young children to learn to play a musical instrument (“The students had never touched an instrument. Now they’re playing in orchestras”,November 19). As the article points out,the neuroscience is clear. Learning to play a musical instrument at a young age changes brain size,structure and function for the better,improves long-term memory and leads to better brain development for those who start at a young age.Larry Case,Turramurra

Pillars of community

Vale,Myra Demetriou,vale,Sirius (“The last to leave Sirius building”,November 19). Sadly,Myra was the last resident to leave the building. Not only was she a wonderful caring member of the community,she was very happy to be living in a purpose-built facility suitable for her specific needs. Alas,the community has also lost Sirius – to be sold for private development for the wealthy,in spite of the fight to Save our Sirius.Jan Wilson,Glebe

Age-old debate

At a mere 79 years old,you have assuredly not “just left middle age”,Norm Neill (Letters,November 19). I read somewhere recently that “mature middle age” lasts until we turn 85,when we become “old”. As someone just a year younger than you,Norm,that’ll do me. Incidentally,I stumbled across a 2002 academic paper on,of all things,problem gambling which refers to anybody over-55 as being a “mature adult”. That’s even better.John Ure,Mount Hutton

Reality TV

Oh no,Geoff Harding,Yes Minister is no mere comedy show but a modern Machiavellian manifesto (Letters,November 19).Viv Mackenzie,Port Hacking

Microcosm of hair-raising views

Fifty years ago as a 14-year-old student,our headmaster would frequently give two pieces of advice at assembly (Letters,November 19). The first was for all the boys to get a haircut and the second was to read the letters in theHerald. I grew my hair longer,but I started reading the letters and have never stopped.Stephen McDonald,Goulburn

I agree the Letters page is a great start to the day. A regular microcosm. Some days everyone is happy,some days sad and more often quite mad. It is a cathartic experience;also good when acknowledged by a friend.Kath Maher,Lidcombe

Not sure what this indicates. My friends no longer communicate when they read my contribution to Letters or Column 8.Lyn Langtry,East Ryde

When I’m published,I always think it’s a great way for friends with whom I’ve lost touch to know I’m still on the twig. Hello all – alive and well.Barbara Simmons,Mirador

My mate reckons that any letter that I have published in theHerald merely confirms Elbert Hubbard’s claim that an editor’s job is to separate the wheat from the chaff,and to see that the chaff is printed. (Dear Ed,his opinion not mine.)Col Burns,Lugarno

Postscript

This week,letter writers have been unusually introspective,discussing what they regard to be a “win” in the world ofHerald letters (for some,accidentally being published twice in one day),and the rewards of making the cut. In this spirit of self-reflection,it is appropriate to mention theHerald‘s departing editor,Lisa Davies – after all,it is the editor to whom correspondents address their letters. During Lisa’s five-year tenure,she has been a champion of the letters pages,encouraging a sense of community.

Always in touch with what our readers and correspondents wanted to discuss,Lisa supported dedicating a significant amount of space in print and online to letters on major,debate-shifting issues such as climate change,the bushfire crisis in 2019-2020,and this year to women telling their stories of abuse,contributing to an important national conversation.

Also this year,in the midst of our long lockdown,Lisa turned to letter writers to help brighten up Sydneysiders’ days. As always,correspondents responded in droves with thoughtful and inspiring ideas,with which Lisa hoped the caringHerald community would help lighten the load a little of those struggling.

I’m sure letters writers will join the letters team in wishing Lisa all the best as she continues her stellar career. And,as always,thank you for your contributions. As Trevor Wooten of Petersham says,“having a letter published in theHerald is a rewarding experience and signals a contribution to public debate;but often the process of drafting the letter can be even more satisfying in allowing the writer to wrestle with an issue and come to terms with it. Publication is the cream.”Pat Stringa,Letters editor

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