Canberra Times Letters to the Editor: Don’t merely blame SUVs

There is a very wide spectrum of road users with diverse characteristics.

These include pedestrians who step onto the road with a smartphone clasped to their ear, cyclists who seem determined to ride as close as possible to the outside edge of their lane, motorcycles, cars, tradies' utes, panel vans, people movers, limos with dark windows and many others.

Each has characteristics other road users must accommodate. Anyone unwilling or unable to make that accommodation should not get behind the wheel.

Adding to the inappropriateness of targeting SUVs are two particular considerations.

SUVs have become the biggest selling category of private vehicles because their configuration best matches what many Australian families want.

SUVs range in size. There are many small SUVs that have a smaller footprint than a large station wagon or limousine.

If there is a valid consideration about vehicle size it should be addressed on that basis, not by using the fallacious surrogate of SUV.

Roger Quarterman, Campbell

I refer to the article 'ACT will not restrict pit bulls or other dog breeds when tightening laws' (October 30, pps 6-7).

Dogs are wonderful creatures which, almost always, bring joy to the world.

However, it must be understood that dogs are bred for various purposes — companion dogs, hunting dogs, sheep dogs, lap dogs, temple dogs, seeing eye dogs, mountain rescue dogs, police dogs, racing dogs, Customs sniffer dogs, fighting dogs, and so forth.

These dogs are not interchangeable regardless of owner.

A dog's instincts cultivated from generations of breeding to produce certain characteristics can override an owner's influence.

A fighting dog can revert to type in certain circumstances regardless of the owner.

Bad luck is an understatement for the person or dog or cat who is confronted in such a way.

The ACT Government and the RSPCA ACT are reckless and foolish in not restricting dangerous dog breeds.

Jeff Dutton, Isaacs

We agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in Bill Shepherd's letter (Letters, October 31) regarding taking responsibility for the care and training of our canine companions.

Now sadly deceased and missed for her companionship, love and faithfulness, our Staffordshire/bull terrier cross, Amber, never showed us, or our visitors, anything but love.

She also bonded with our other little dog, a long-haired daschund, never showing any animosity towards her — rather they were great companions.

In the light of yet another unfortunate event, the lesson is, if you want a (domestic) canine companion, make sure it's the correct breed for you, it's trained, shown love and is cared for — or take the consequences.

Dogs should not be blamed for the crass negligence of humans and pay for their aggression with their lives.

Pat and Brian Watson, Red Hill

The red-neck obstinacy of the frontier-land to our deepest north to ban dangerous dog breeds is grudgingly understandable.

It goes with the Territory, so to speak. But for Rattenbury and our pathetic town council to trot out reasons, contrary to the practical findings of all other jurisdictions, why our shrinking, more urbanised, increasingly claustrophobic and impolite space, should endure dangerous dog breeds, owned, by a worrying percentage of people who will not accept, or be held accountable for, the actions of their vicious animals, is grossly negligent.

A. Whiddett, Forrest

The Ottoman Empire were defending their country from invasion, and did a good job of it in 1915 sinking many Allied ships and causing the withdrawal from the Dardanelles.

The Ottomans did not invade other countries like the German Empire and Austria-Hungarian Empire did either.

In 1917 Beersheba was an heroic victory for the British Empire, including Lieutenant-General Chauvel's colonial mounted troops.

However, the breakup of the Ottoman Empire after WWI was catastrophic and led to the chaos in the region we have witnessed ever since.

Adrian Jackson, Middle Park, Vic

Tom Switzer ("A historical perspective", October 30, p.18) evokes the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, reassuring us nothing is the end of the world.

He reminds us of many traumatic domestic events, from the dismissal onwards.

However, now we live in a nuclear age. World events, say the assassination of Kennedy, may still be classified a change, or flux. But there lurks one that is terminal, nuclear war.

The Cuban missile crisis brought us near the edge; we seem to be getting closer to it with Kim Jong-un. Don't get too upset with parliamentary upheaval, but the nuclear clock can't be turned back if it strikes midnight.

Jack Palmer, Watson

Kevin Rudd (Q&A, October 30) remarked Donald Trump was a "nut".

I am sure Donald will attempt to get rid of you. Back to Australia Kevin 018 and campaign for the next federal election but don't tell Bill or Julia.

Brian Hale, Wanniassa

A quick history lesson for Wayne Grant ("Building blocks", Letters, October 30), whose withering assessment of our poorly designed town centres is accurate, but who has unfairly laid the blame with Walter and Marion Griffin.

We must remember that Canberra's satellite towns had nothing to do with the Griffins' exquisite – and mostly unrealised – plans for Canberra.

The town centres were an invention of the bureaucrats who replaced the Griffins after they were indeed "sacked" because their ideas were deemed too grand and "too continental", particularly according to the likes of John Sulman (the real head honcho responsible for much of Canberra's current urban form).

The original plans were for a compact and low-rise but mostly medium-density city with terraced houses along tree-lined avenues served by a streetcar network.

These plans included a number of urban green spaces that would have offered the "parks where people can congregate, meet other people and perhaps just chill out" that Mr Grant longs for.

One such space, for example, would have been the bland travesty that is now Hume Circle, which had been imagined as more of European-style residential piazza and transport interchange with a central green space.

How marvellous and special it might have been.

Scott Humphries, Curtin

At last, the National Gallery seems to be coming to its senses. Its shop has been moved back to adjoin the original main entry foyer.

It is accessible either via the splendid, eucalypt-surrounded bridge from the High Court forecourt with its brilliant cascade, or from the gallery's original and best address street (the most easterly part of Parkes Place, now finally made one-way "inland", as originally planned) and then via the original grand canopied staircase, the ramps, or the internal escalator/lift.

The latest building extension towards King Edward Terrace should never have contained the shop, let alone a new "main entry" (as it is now designated in the car park).

That extension, being so prominent, underwent an "architectural rationalisation and facilitation" process (like the infamous "toaster" building close to the Sydney Opera House) in a (failed) effort to make it contextually well-mannered.

Incongruously, the gallery extension was given a perfunctory new "front" door, not out of place in a medical centre.

Time for the gallery to downplay that new entry even more, and focus on the original.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

Two disturbing climate change trends were reported in the past two weeks.

First, from a long-term German study of the decrease in insect numbers by 70 per cent, which, if this reflects a global trend, would be globally disastrous.

Second, on Monday the UN's WMO reported that in 2016 the global average of atmospheric CO2 reached 400 parts per million, the highest concentration for 3 to 5 million years (well before humans existed).

So far neither of these matters have been covered in Australian media. If people are unaware of these trends where will the impetus for action come from?

Rod Holesgrove, O'Connor

Currently any action to move to a republic is hindered by the suggestion that we wait until the demise of the present monarch.

However, because of the slowness in amending the constitution and processing legislation we need to plan ahead. Otherwise we will have a new monarch and considerable delays.

We need the constitutional decision to move to a republic now. That decision could include an interim solution while the structure of the new republic is resolved.

At the same time as a referendum to establish a republic we could amend the constitution to resolve the dual citizenship problems.

David Lewis, Murrumbateman, NSW

Barnaby Joyce explained on Monday that the legality of decisions he made as an unlawfully appointed agriculture minister cannot be legally questioned because they were made by cabinet.

Although Barnaby has been a member of Parliament for 12 years, he has yet to grasp the basics of the Westminster system.

There is no legal entity called "cabinet"; and, as legislation points out, decisions are made by the responsible minister.

It is the minister, not the cabinet, who must face the courts if those decisions are challenged.

But Barnaby has a questionable grasp of many matters.

Although he swore to uphold the laws of the nation, and he had "a feeling in his guts" that he was not a minister because of his New Zealand citizenship, this did not stop him from continuing to accept his ministerial pay and perks.

Will the government send him a bill for accepting these benefits, as it did to another ineligible parliamentarian, the former West Australian "senator" Rod Cullerton?

Tony Harris, Narrabundah

The Attorney-General asserts that because "most decisions that ministers make are in fact made by cabinet on the recommendation of the minister. Appointments are made by the Governor-General. I think you will find there are no legal consequences here at all." ("Doubts over ministers' decisions", canberratimes.com.au, October 30.)

The Acting Prime Minister repeated this on ABC's 7.30. I always thought a cabinet decision authorised a minister to make decisions to authorise a course of action, be it to incur expenditure, authorise a grant, make regulations etc.

The Attorney-General's point that appointments are made by the Governor-General seems to overlook that such recommendations are put tohim either by ministers orthe Executive Council, whose membership are all ministers.

Brian Bell, Isabella Plains

Is it too late for Johnny Depp to run in the New England byelection?

Thos Puckett, Ashgrove, NSW

RUN OUT OF LUCK

Has Donald Horne's comment "Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck ... most of its leaders (in all fields) so lack curiosity about the events that surround them they are often taken by surprise" ever been more true?

Sadly I think luck has run out for Australia.

Felicity Chivas, Scullin

GALL OF IT ALL

After all the accusations slung at Iran and North Korea of breaking the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Donald Trump is now encouraging Japan and South Korea to break it.

S. W. Davey, Torrens

REMEMBRANCE DAZE

I received in my mailbox (despite having a "no junk mail" sticker attached) an invitation from Andrew Leigh to attend a sausage sizzle on November 11. I trust he plans to have a silence for one minute at 11am. Do Andrew's distributors not understand the term "no junk mail"?

Ken McPhan, Spence

GET OFF THE TRACKS

Stan Marks, (Letters, October 30), the trams are here. It is rather pointless saying that in your opinion they shouldn't be. They are here and they are not going away. Please, give us all a break and move on.

Patrick O'Hara, Isaacs

STOP VISUAL POLLUTION

Charmaine Moldrich of the Outdoor Media Association is quite right: graffiti has its place, principally all over billboards and other garish, crass exhortations to spend more money. I'm an optimist, too, just like Ms Moldrich, and look forward to the resurgence of Billboard Utilising Graffitists Against Unhealthy Promotions to BUGA-UP the pollution her organisation peddles.

Matt Gately, Rivett

WHO'S NEXT?

Which authority/commission will Barnaby transfer to Armidale in order to ensure he is re-elected? I'm off to buy shares in McDonald's.

Maria Greene, Curtin

SPEAKS VOLUMES

If Barnaby Joyce is re-elected, I hope he does not transfer the National Library to Armidale.

John Milne, Chapman

NO CHANGE REQUIRED

Once again Barnaby Joyce displays his complete lack of vision by suggesting there be a referendum to change the constitution in regard to dual citizenship. When (not if) Australia becomes a republic, the question of citizenship will be much more important for those who represent our country. I don't think the constitution should be changed because of the stupidity of a few politicians.

Hugh McGowan, Holt

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