The NLA cannot afford to maintain its publishing of Australian books ("Cuts to National Library publishing 'tragic'", February 16, p3), the NFSA could digitise the entire collection for $50 million but gets budget cuts instead, and so do the NGA, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the Portrait Gallery and National Museum. What a blight on Australian culture. Imagine if instead of the War Memorial getting a $500 million boost, that money had been shared across all these institutions!
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Marguerite Castello, Griffith
Bemused and appalled
NSW National Parks Association executive director Gary Dunnett commented on the recovery efforts in Kosciuszko (February 16, p3) saying he was bemused and appalled by the omission of feral horses from the recovery program.
It continues to bemuse me that voters in the NSW state seat of Monaro, with so many wonderful natural high-profile tourist assets, continue to vote for John Barilaro. Mr Barilaro, as Deputy Premier of NSW, is the main block in the NSW government to getting rid of feral horses. So why did electors in Monaro re-elect Barilaro with an increased majority in the February 2019 NSW elections? Don't they care about Kosciuszko? Don't they care about the beautiful South Coast?
Rod Holesgrove, Crace
Bait, set, snatched
Keith Hill (Letters, February 16) should appreciate that Ian Warden is assisting readers, even miserabilists, with exercise by ensuring there is bait for Keith to rise to. Uplifting exercise (assuredly for Warden and potentially for Keith). If scored, an umpire for last Sunday's Warden would announce "bait set and snatched".
Bob McDonald (Letters, February 9) noted about letter writers "it would seem they have nothing better to do with their time". Rest assured, Bob, there is nothing better than writing letters to the editor. Remember Gough pronouncing "well, he may write letters [but may we Aussies read them]".
Warwick Davis, Isaacs
In our defence
In response to Bob McDonald (Letters, February 9), Dick Parker and Keith Hill (Letters, February 16), I confess to being a regular, almost 74-year-old writer of letters to The Canberra Times - and a few are deemed worthy of publication.
I am not one of Ian Warden's "miserabilists" (though some may disagree), and I don't spend all my time writing letters just for the sake of it. I find writing letters sharpens up my recently out-of-bed mind, especially if it involves preliminary research. I avoid giving the impression that I'm just "shooting the messenger". Rather, I like to think that I'm making a worthwhile contribution to the debate on whatever subject I write about.
This is particularly the case with climate change. I have a broad knowledge of how the Earth works (I have a PhD in geology), and a special interest in global warming. I therefore believe that it is my duty to correct mistaken views on this vitally important issue.
Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
Suave marketing
All forms of marine and terrestrial transport have been fingered as increasing the atmosphere's carbon dioxide level, thereby increasing global heating. The built environment contributes significantly to carbon dioxide production. Fossil-fuel produced electricity, deforestation and agriculture increase the carbon load. Most of the sources are easily identifiable as they are constantly visible in the process of daily activities.
By some feat of alchemy (alternatively slick marketing/lobbying), planes have somehow escaped the opprobrium attributed to all other forms of transport ("Airport's growth set to soar by 2040", February 16, p6). Air remains somewhat of a magic way to travel, exuding a clean, clinical impression, largely via its modernistic terminals. On a clear day, contrails appear to criss-cross the sky. While they look feathery and innocuous, they represent the effect of aviation kerosene being burned. Closer to "home" - and airports - spent/jettisoned fuel settles as gelatinous, tarry substances, identifiable in gutters.
So, the marketing gurus want to increase aviation's attractiveness! While consumers may initially be attracted to the idea, when collateral effects - kerosene air pollution, road congestion, price increases, development, increased water usage - are understood, enthusiasm may wane. The community should be wary as all that glistens is not gold!
Albert M. White, Queanbeyan
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