Never tire, Tuggeranong thrives on your unrelenting snideness
Good luck to that young mum (CT, November 22) who bought a little family home in Kambah, which she loves. But otherwise please keep up The Canberra Times' perennial good work by sometimes publishing snide and faintly sneering stories about what an unpopular, unfashionable place Tuggeranong is. It is obviously helping local youth, who have now graduated from nappies to P plates, and others like that lovely young family, into affordable housing with beautiful views, a relaxed and healthy outdoor lifestyle, and generous, mostly pre-self-government, services and facilities. From beyond the expensive Woden ridge line, the quarter-acre peasants of Tuggeranong salute you.Some of us can even read and write.
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Martin Quinn, Wanniassa
Diplomacy immune
The response by high commissioner Charles Lepani as "dean of the diplomatic corps" (CT, November 18) is as astounding as it is offensive. The diplomatic personnel are here as representatives of their country and as such should be showing their home country in the best possible circumstances.To say they are feeling "antagonised" and "hassled" by the media is to say they should be free to flout local road rules, to displace local residents or place residents including schoolchildren in danger and not be prosecuted.As for retaliating against our diplomatic staff posted in other countries, I say bring it on. They should respect local laws.
T. A. Brimson, Dunlop
Is the conceited arrogance put on display by the Russian Ambassador, Grigory Logvinov ("Russian embassy defends diplomat in Canberra car park collision", CT, November 18) an appetiser of what we can expect from the new world order? Or is he just keeping up with the times and showing off his 'post-truth, no-facts' skills? Fuming for the lost diplomatic immunity to the ACT road rules? Good heavens, Ms Bacon, you should have genuflected in appreciation!
Luca Biason, Latham
Loving thy neighbour
Shirley and Greg Ryan and Ron Bean and I were back-to-back neighbours in O'Connor for more than 50 years.After I suffered a stroke Ron and I bought a unit and moved into Goodwin retirement village. Six years later Shirley and Greg moved into the village as well. Now, seven years later again, Ron and I needed nursing home care.We were offered a double room in Goodwin House. I was recently thrilled to find Shirley and Greg are in the process of moving into a double room on the same floor. Just as well we've loved our neighbours.
Evelyn Bean, Ainslie
Am I hearing right?
If instead of switching off his radio in disgust at hearing something he didn't like, D. N. Callaghan (Letters, November 22) had persevered with ABC Radio National for two more hours until 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, he would have heard the weekly 30-minute program from conservative commentator Tom Switzer. Mr Switzer will soon take over the Sunday Extra program.Persevere to 4pm on Monday, and former Liberal Party immigration minister Amanda Vanstone gets an hour of soapbox.I expect they'd be surprised to be described as "leftist-Marxist inspired", whatever that even means.
Peter Marshall, Captains Flat
Thanks for good deed
Returning from a bushwalk at Tidbinbilla, I must have dropped my wallet on to the sidestep of the car.Some kilometres later it fell off, disgorging its contents on to the road. Seeing this happen, the occupants of a following car (I presume) stopped and gathered up all the scattered items, replaced them in the wallet intact, and handed it in to Tuggeranong Police Station. The young ladies, said the police officer, wouldn't leave their names or details.An act of wonderful kindness, for which I am deeply grateful. If we could all be as helpful and public-spirited as these people, the world would be a happy place indeed.
Peter Parr, Swinger Hill
Devalue the debt
What Peter Martin (CT, p3, November 21) fails to take into account, is the "inflation tax" paid by retirees. Those retiring after 40 years of work, will receive $0.17 of purchasing power for every $1 put into retirement savings in 1976, or $0.55 for every dollar that went into compulsory superannuation in 1992 (according to the RBA's inflation calculator).The only way the huge government and household debt can be repaid is with currency devaluation.It is government policy to have inflation.
Bruce A. Peterson, Kambah
Jobs and groans
I had to laugh when Peter Martin so accurately pointed out the nonsensical nature of Christian Porter's cries of "woe is us" over the 3000 who did not attend job interviews over a 12-month period. This was out of 500,000 [interviews] offered.Given 750,000 are unemployed, the unemployed were offered 0.66 jobs/annum at a cost of billions to taxpayers.Job search companies [then] go to absurd lengths to claim credit for jobs people get independent of them.[Providers] should only have contact with the unemployed if they have a job for them. This would be a real saving.
Philip Pocock, Turner
Born sensitive
A number of institutions only ask for your date of birth to verify identification over the phone. Now overseas call centres are selling our personal information. Surely our date of birth is "sensitive" information that cannot be sent overseas under the Privacy Act.
Chris Emery, Reid
The right to know
During construction of the Majura Parkway weekly advertisements about progress appeared in The Canberra Times. Free of political waffle, they were an excellent means of keeping citizens informed. Could Mr Barr do something similar with the light rail project? He may win a few converts.
Graeme Barrow, Hackett
Back where I came from
I keep watch on my postbox awaiting a letter from the Minister for Immigration informing me that after a review of all boat people arriving in Australia since 1778, and as a fourth generation Australian with a convict great-great-grandfather and an "economic migrant" great-great-grandmother, I have to go back to where I came from.But I won't be sent back as these boat people are part of our cultural heritage.The claimed folly of bringing to Australia Lebanese migrants whose second or third generation might be criminals is itself just plain silly. Criminals will always be with us, irrespective of their ancestry.Its OK to have "convict" forebears but not convict progeny.
Denis Waters, Nicholls
Nicholas Stuart appears to be confused about Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's Sky News interview with Andrew Bolt. Dutton praised Vietnamese and other migrants who had contributed, but rightly singled out Muslim Lebanese allowed in when Malcolm Fraser lowered the bar. Fraser was warned this would cause problems further down the track. Events have proved the warning prescient. Was there any need for Stuart's personal and vitriolic spray: "his Mr Plod demeanour and gormless appearance"?Owen Reid, Dunlop
Malcolm Fraser made mistakes. As did Arthur Calwell, John Howard, and various other politicians who saw immigration as a good thing for Australia, albeit from unexpected influxes by whatever transport they used. Honourable Minister Dutton, you were born after Vietnamese restaurants existed, and Honourable Minister Morrison, share with the people when either of you have ever made a mistake.
Greg Simmons, Lyons
One wonders whether Peter Dutton would argue it was a mistake to allow into Australia the ancestors of Caucasian drunk drivers, who in all likelihood have killed far more Australians than have radicalised second and third generation Lebanese Muslims.
Dr William Maley, Reid
I have always thought Minister Dutton didn't have much between the ears. He has finally confirmed my suspicions.
John Rodriguez, Florey
Prime Minister, how is it possible for Peter Dutton to hold a position of responsibility in your Government?
Peter Crossing, Curtin
Think of the Diggers
As one who fought in the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam [I can say] there has not been a suicide from the 1966-7 D Company 6RAR's members. I believe today's ADF and its policies and protocols are responsible for the large numbers of [current] suicides. We [regulars] signed on for a specific term: three or six years in the case of the Army.Those physically or mentally wounded by war service stayed until they completed the term.
I served over 20 years, living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As I understand it, that is not the case today.I am told the enlistment contract binds the member to retain the medical standard for service. Those who do not, including amputees and those with mental disorders, have their contracts terminated.The warrior is alone in civvy street without his mates and the support he has enjoyed for many years. He is no longer wanted.
He may be married, with an income well below what he had while serving.Problems develop: inactivity, lack of money, a sense of worthlessness and domestic dysfunction.Booze and drugs may overtake him. Suddenly suicide is a way out.
Robert S. Buick, Mountain Creek, Queensland
Jaw-jaw not war-war
Amin Saikal's mix of pro-Iran/anti-Israel slanted analysis and sheer sloppiness ("Peace progress at risk", November 18) needs a response.There are five permanent members of the UN Security Council, not four as Saikal says.Under the nuclear deal, Iran did not "forgo the possibility of producing nuclear weapons"; it delayed that possibility. Israel did not advocate a war against Iran, it advocated sanctions until Iran ended its nuclear weapons program. It is true Tehran says it has met its end of the bargain, but the IAEA says it has twice exceeded its heavy water limit and hasn't been co-operating with inspectors as it is obliged to. It's not that Netanyahu regards Iran as the mortal enemy; it is the Iranian regime that remains committed to Israel's destruction, and continues to sponsor terrorist groups to that end.Trump hasn't ended the policy of a two-state solution. He has stated the Palestinians must end their anti-Israel incitement and parties must negotiate directly. This is the only way peace could actually be achieved.
Athol Morris, Forde
Ever so humble
US participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is over, at least for now. In Australia, the people should rejoice. The government, with a predominance of vested interests and political naivety headed by our inept Prime Minister, will find some other means to make us even more of a slave to US control.
Rex Williams, Ainslie
Give peace a chant
Dump the Trump, dispense with Pence.
Cynthia Moloney, Yarralumla
Don't encourage him
Julian Cribb refers to Tony Abbott as "Australia's deplorable" (CT Letters 19/11/16). Do not do this. It will only encourage him.
H. Simon, Watson
FOOT TO MOUTH
Attorney-General George Brandis has a talent that is largely overlooked. His diction is very good for a man who is constantly talking around his feet ("George Brandis caught on hot mic calling colleagues 'mediocre' and 'not very good"', CT, November 22).
Tony Judge, Woolgoolga
UNSURE-FOOTED
Surely Jenna Price is mistaken in saying people have a fall "at least once a year after 65" ("Elderly parents", November 22, page 15). It would be useful if she could name her source, Professor Google was unable to bring up the same information for me.
Jane Craig, Holt
ATOMIC MING
Further to David Bastin's comments on Menzies' record (CT, November 22) I wonder if Howard might also been referring to the Menzies who, without consulting cabinet, let alone Parliament, approved British atomic testing at Monte Bello, Emu Field and Maralinga.
Warwick Budd, Nicholls
LINE IN THE SAND
Americans have long favoured crossing their southern border to vacation in a neighbouring backward country where they can buy cheap liquor and gas. If Trump builds a wall this may be impeded. Canadians will be able to continue the same practice unimpeded, however.
Roger Quarterman, Campbell
SECURITY THREAT
John Passant says he is thinking of running for the Senate in 2019 (Letters, November 16).Now that is a threat if ever I heard one. Where are the security forces when you need them?
Ric Hingee, Duffy
BANK UNBALANCE
I wonder whether the expression of customer dissatisfaction at the Commonwealth Bank's Springvale branch last week will have any effect on executive bonuses.
C. J. Mountifield, Greenway
EYESORE, BEGONE
Great news in The Canberra Times (Page 1, November 18) that the West Side container village is to go in one year. The only thing the NCA did not say was what an eyesore the container village was on Canberra's landscape; just dreadful and on a major thoroughfare to boot.
A. C. Garnet, Deakin
HAIL OUR HEROES
The Catholic Church has a liberal sprinkling of martyrs who have battled a patrimonial hierarchy.In Damien De Marco and Bishop Pat Power we have two more local heroes.
Matt Ford, Crookwell
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