Bill Wood, (former ACT arts minister) Greenway

Well may John Gerakiteys feel hard done by about his delayed plans for a cafe in Bowen Park on Lake Burley Griffin ("Cafe plan stalled in red tape", December 22, p11). By comparison to that monstrous collection of yellow shipping containers at West Acton Park on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, perhaps he would have had more success with the NCA and ACT government had he proposed a "funky pop-up".

That way, he could have saved his $20,000 on architectural design and instead applied them to a social marketing plan to explain the concept to local nay-sayers. And then, having stained the prime site for three years, he could quietly close up leaving the site looking like a shipping container wasteland. Oh, but wait, that wouldn't work. It's already been done. And the planning duopoly that runs this city would refuse to countenance anything that failed to show the innovative contemporary participative design reflecting our modern urban confidence.

Personally, I'd just like a nice place overlooking the lake at which to enjoy a cup of coffee. Fat chance.

Robert McMahon, Braddon

While it may be very nice for the ANU to provide a swimming pool for staff and students in a new $14 million recreation building ("ANU dives in the deep end with new pool", December 20, pp6-7), the real question is whether this is a priority for the university, especially given other staff and student needs.

According to my son, a recent ANU graduate and course tutor: "They would make a much greater health impact by dramatically improving the quality of food in the student halls – everyone eats but not everyone uses a pool or recreation centre. They could also improve the salary for tutors so we don't live below the poverty line!"

Karina Morris, Weetangera

A 25-metre pool and a hydro pool for 22,000 students. The ANU vice-chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt's announcement of a swimming pool for the university must win the prize for blatant under-planning. He asks why the university does not already have a swimming pool.

Had he taken the trouble to consult his resident expert, the 60-year-old student run ANU Sports Association, he would have learnt the question has been asked regularly.

The answer, Professor Schmidt, is that the students are not in attendance during the warmer summer months. Those attending summer courses are either too busy studying or do not have a swimming culture background. Canberra swimming pools struggle during the Canberra winter months.

The ACT government would be out of its mind to build a 50-metre pool on an area with restricted public access and inadequate parking facilities.

Mervyn Aston, Hawker

Mike O'Shaughnessy (Letters, December 23) doesn't go far enough in his outrage over people who gleefully kill defenseless fish. What about the millions of Australians who think nothing of assassinating a vegetable or plucking the life of a helpless fruit? Scientists have long established that plants react to being cut or eaten by releasing chemical distress signals. But these "pain scents" are shamefully ignored by smug veggie-munchers who even go as far as remarking on the pleasant aroma emanating from their murdered victims. Now, I don't presume to put Mike in the category of those botanical butchers. I am sure he leads a more principled life on a diet of righteous air and the water that fish don't need.

Simon Cobcroft, Lyneham

There are two reason to register cyclists. First, in order to identify them, and hold them responsible for their illegal, dangerous, and anti-social behaviour.

Second, in order to make them contribute to the maintenance of the very large area of road ways reserved for their use. David Jenkins (Letters, December 24) asks why shouldn't pedestrians be registered? Why should they? They don't walk down the middle of the road.

Bruce A. Peterson, Kambah

One way to make ACT cyclists more accountable would be to introduce number plates for bicycles as has been done in some overseas jurisdictions.

A compulsory small number plate under the saddle and clearly readable from behind should make irresponsible cyclists think twice before speeding past pedestrians on shared walkways, running red lights, impeding traffic, and other anti-social behaviour. The fee for the plate, and a small annual fee, managed online, could cover the cost of the scheme. Serial offenders could be required to attend remedial training, or be denied re-registration and have their plates confiscated.

John Williams, Forrest

Despite the "nice letter" President-elect Donald Trump says he has received from Vladimir Putin, it appears that both leaders are set to embark upon an intensifying nuclear arms race ("With one tweet, Trump goes nuclear", December 24, p15).

Trump says, "The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability", in response to the Russian president stating that bolstering nuclear capability "should be a chief objective for 2017".

To be clear, the present situation is the following: Each side has a vast surplus of immensely destructive nuclear weapons ready to launch, and pointed at each other's heart.

The current weapons aboard nuclear submarines are eight times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

They are mounted on ICBMs, which travel at speeds of 29,000km/h, and by virtue of the patrolling satellites, are needlessly accurate to within yards of the target (populous cities).

Though much time and expense has been lavished on an anti-missile missile system, interception of multiple warheads at a moment's notice with no possibility of a rehearsal is quite impossible, a delusion fostered by the makers ofsuch weapons and those leaders seeking to calm their populations.

It is surprising that the threatened peoples of the world, dependant for their safety on a succession of wise leaders, have accepted this unstable system that masquerades as security.

Harry Davis, Campbell

Putin and Trump between them control about 15,000 nuclear missiles so their intention to increase the nuclear weapons capacity is nonsensical as they already can destroy all life on the planet.

Forever.

And maybe starting on a continent near you.

Byron Kaufman, Dickson

Matthew Knott in "Wake up call in our discontent" (December 21, p4) – and echoed in the editorial ("Public delivers another vote of discontent", December 22, p16) – reports an ANU study has found our satisfaction with democracy has collapsed to its lowest level since the Whitlam dismissal.

Such dissatisfaction seems to be a global epidemic. So the failure is entirely human.

In 1887 Alexander Tytler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, said of the fall of the Athenian Republic: "A democracy is always temporary in nature ... and will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.

"From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy."

Now it is not so much the electors but those in government and big business who vote themselves eye-watering benefits compared to those creating the wealth.

Why are they blind to the disparities?

Research this year shows reliably that the conservative, fearful mind has an inheritable knee-jerk reaction to challenging issues. It operates differently to the liberal mind, which inhibits that response with a more general considerate view. So conservatism is a narcissistic survival response, which is happy with the status quo and blind to the needs of others. It should be a disqualifying test for high office in government, business and science.

The "Liberal" Party sails under false colours.

Wal Thornhill, Chapman

The Times is commended for its balanced commentary on militant Islam ("Jihadist attack becomes part of landscape", editorial, December21, p16); and separately the article concerning Sahu Khan's uplifting efforts to present Islam in a positive light ("Father's advice life-changing for lawyer", December 21, p6).

To impugn Islam because jihadists deliberately rely on the Prophet's more demeaning and extremist extemporaneous musings is not the way to go. This is because there's plenty – but nowhere near enough – advocacy in the Koran which advances civilised conduct.

Of course, cherry picking of any sacred text allows bad elements to have their way.

My Christian co-religionists have provided plenty of evidence of that.

The same can be said of Islam. The Times is more than adequately briefed, however, on those passages which provide carte blanche authority to murder me and my fellow Infidels. Perhaps Mr Khan could volunteer specific passages of the Koran which undermine him; and indeed Australians' security.

The Hebrew and Christian texts simply do not approach the Koran in terms of vehemence. The toning down of offending passages by estimable people such as Messrs Khan, Trad, et al would immeasurably enhance the interests of everyone.

Patrick Jones, Griffith

As we approach New Year's Day, some of us may think of some New Year resolutions.

A friend says that his only resolution is never to make any more resolutions for the new year. Perhaps one resolution that not only politicians but all of us might consider is to tell the truth more often.

Former US President Harry S. Truman said: "I never give the public hell. I just tell the truth and they think it is hell". What would Truman say to President-elect Donald Trump who seems to have raised telling lies to a national art form.

For months during his campaign for president, Trump promoted conspiracy theories, including lies about President Obama being a Muslim and born in Kenya.

He knew they were lies but he told the people of the US what some of them wanted to hear.

Newt Gingrich admitted that that they were lies but commented that it is a great way to win an election.

Perhaps a good New Year resolution would be to tell the truth more often and break out of the fog of lies that almost drowns us.

Be warned by the small boy in a Scottish Sunday School who jumbled his Biblical quotations and wrote: "A lie is an abomination unto the Lord and a very present help in trouble!"

Robert Willson, Deakin

SUMS OF THE FATHER

It is clear that Andrew Leigh ("Smiles galore in card caper", December 23, p13) is an economist not a mathematician. His son Zachary is 33.33 per cent older than last year, not 25 per cent.

Alan Robertson, Canberra City

SHAM CONSULTATION

The Department of Environment and Planning is consulting Curtin residents regarding the development of high rise flats at Curtin Shops. But public comment is open only between December 18 and January 21, when most of Canberra will be at the Coast. This is a sham consultation, and Planning Minister Mick Gentleman needs to do better on this contentious issue.

Margaret O'Donovan, Curtin

LAMB CHOP RIP-OFF

A butchery in Belconnen last week advertised lamb loin chops at $45.50 per kilo. The same in New Zealand, were $25.10 per kilo.

Robbery time again in the rip-off capital of Australia.

Rex Williams, Ainslie

PREPOSTEROUS NOTION

According to Ian Jannaway (Letters, December 24) anyone questioning the appropriateness of a warplane display at the Canberra airport has no appreciation for the sacrifices of our armed forces. Even ignoring the significant sacrifices and contributions of civilians in war, that particular notion is preposterous.

Jon Stirzaker, Latham

BURNING ISSUE

Oh dear, the poor old Australian Christian Lobby. How dare someone burn their vehicle and themselves outside ACL headquarters with no terrorist, political or religious motivation. Just when this intolerant religious lobby group wanted to be the martyrs to further their causes. Just can't trust anyone these days.

Rod Keefe, Eli Waters, Qld

TIME FOR PROUD VISION

Yes, Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten, there is another way. Cancel the F-35 fighters and the submarines, and use the military not for war but for helping in natural catastrophes. Make Australia a world-class leader in renewable resources. And in this Christmas season help more to reduce poverty at home and abroad. Have a vision for Australia we can all be proud about.

Charles J. Krebs, Braddon

WASTING OUR MONEY

It seems the government and bureaucracy can always find new ways of wasting public money. Making the Opera House green, ineffectual inquiries into housing, and fencing in Parliament House.

I can't wait for next year!

Brian Brocklebank, Bruce

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