The dairy industry is based on the abuse, exploitation and killing of animals. Cows, like all female mammals, produce milk for one reason only – to feed their newborn calf.

The cow is artificially inseminated on an apparatus known in the industry as the "rape rack". After nine months' gestation the calf is born only to be taken away from his or her mum within 24 hours of birth – to the lingering distress of both mother and calf.

If male, the calf may be killed immediately or some time later for veal or beef. Some females suffer the same fate while others are fed on milk replacer to later join the milking herd. Mum can now be milked and is almost immediately inseminated again – giving birth every 12 months. After a few years of this vicious cycle she is exhausted so is sent off to become hamburger meat. Are our kids going to be taught these facts? Not likely.

Finally, the article states, "National guidelines recommend 3.5 servings of dairy daily for 12- to 18-year-olds, and 2.5 serves for adults". No they do not. The guidelines recommend dairy "and/or alternatives" and there are many plant-based alternative sources of calcium and the other nutrients found in cow's milk – without the saturated fat and cholesterol and without the cruel abuse and killing of cows and calves.

Mike O'Shaughnessy, Spence

The brave editorial, "Pulling the trigger a tough, important task", Sunday CT, August 23), built on the story of Wildcare volunteer Diane Hinton, "Calling the shots on wildlife that can't be saved" in the same issue (pp1,6). It is brave in the face of highly vociferous, dangerous and destructive demonstrations, year after year, by animal rights groups objecting to the kangaroo cull.

Wildcare, a Queanbeyan rescue group, reported rescuing more than 2000 native animals annually and putting down about 200 more. That tallies with online data from TAMS: "In Canberra, rangers commonly record more than 1000 roadside kangaroo attendances per year, and estimate there are twice as many collisions as attendances". These figures make the cull "target of 5000 shooting deaths over the next two years" seem appropriate.

Gary J.Wilson, Macgregor

I must say that I am sceptical about Australian Skeptics actually having $100,000 to offer as an award ("Money from the gullible", Letters, August 23). Show me the money!

Tracy Giurietto, Burrill Lake NSW

In the article titled "Researchers warn science education key to critical thinking" (Sunday CT, August 23, p12), Dr DeGrasse Tyson states that the most combustible mixture of power and ignorance would be adults in charge of politics who do not know or understand the science that influence that very politics.

Could this mixture be the reason for choosing trams instead of more flexible and cheeper technologies?

John Simsons, Holt

If Gordon Ramsay, of Latham (Letters, August 23) is the minister at Kippax Uniting Church, it would have been helpful for him to have indicated this association. If he is not, then he should have made this clear to avoid confusion with that prominent Belconnen identity of the same name. Another of your correspondents, Bill Deane, has done this in declaring that he is not the former governor-general.

Eric French, Higgins

Immersed, beyond their eyeballs, in the trough of public largesse, and blinded by the lure of rewarding sinecures from corporates, whose every wish was pandered to, and legislated for, politicians chose not to notice the present tsunami's approaching roar.

For at least two decades outrageously blatant political decisions have been presented, cynically, wrapped in the flag of "national interest", challenges thereto being labelled "un-Australian".

Having performed their "duty", self-satisfied politicians trooped off the public stage, laden with unfunded superannuation, generous retirement salaries and perks, to enter lobbying, racing, banking, mining consultancies, subsequently proffering profound wisdom as to how government should perform.

Blind Freddy would have anticipated the end of the auto industry and mining downturn ("Jobs growth won't work for Abbott", Sunday CT, August 23, p19).

Neither should be regarded as a Jack-in-the-box ambush. Australia never had a "real" auto industry, merely assembly lines, overseen by highly remunerated Americans, who channelled treasury grants into US corporate profits. Mining is evolving automated processes and will progressively require fewer employees. But, doubtless, mining's insatiable appetite for subsidies will not abate, nor will their reluctance to pay tax. Fossil fuel industries are in their death throes, despite Abbott's gallant denial of their demise. Abbott has vicariously used the tame Productivity Commission to demonise (alternative energy), cut (CSIRO), outsource (public service) or sell (Medibank) government institutions which could have potentially redeemed employment and returned revenue.

Albert M.White, Queanbeyan

Surely the the proposal to add extra lanes and traffic lights to the Barton Highway-William Slim-Gundaroo Drive roundabout ("Big road projects will cause hold-ups", August 25, p1) is not the optimum solution to traffic flow problems associated with this particular location?

The Liberals have proposed a flyover across the roundabout, connecting William Slim Drive and Gundaroo Drive. Although correct in underlying principle – removing two traffic streams from the roundabout – the wrong two have been chosen!

The major road is the Barton Highway – the Canberra exit to and entry from Yass and Melbourne – it is this road which should have a flyover to avoid the roundabout.

Currently, the Barton Highway slopes down to and up from the roundabout in both directions – this dip would be eliminated with a flyover, with corresponding fuel and time savings for all traffic.

In addition, traffic lights and extra lanes would not be needed for the reduced traffic on the roundabout. Maybe there are some compelling engineering/technical reasons why a Barton Highway flyover cannot be built – if there are, they are not immediately obvious. Perhaps Roads ACT could enlighten us.

Paul E. Bowler, Holder

Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message field, not as an attached file. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.

Keep your letter to 250 words or less. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published).