Climate challenge provokes attacks

JAWS have been dropping around the newsroom since last weekend's column urged readers to take a closer look at the Coalition's climate change policy.

JAWS have been dropping around the newsroom since last weekend's column urged readers to take a closer look at the Coalition's climate change policy.

The headline ‘Direct action fattens the fat cats' drew the biggest-ever Word Around Town response but it wasn't just the influx of correspondence that had colleagues slack-jawed in disbelief.

It was the tone, the hostility, arrogance and sheer unadulterated nastiness in all but one of the replies pushing the anti-carbon tax barrow.

A couple of examples from notorious spammers Frank Johnstone and Prochein Woldnomish (obviously fictitious names they choose to skulk behind) were the friendlier of the bunch.

As usual, the column was written carefully so that no deliberate endorsement was given of Labor climate change policy.

It was totally focused on encouraging readers to check out the Coalition's Direct Action Plan posted online, which in my opinion is evidence of the hypocrisy practised by all political parties.

Of all the negative correspondence, just one posted online by ‘bigmanfisher' indicated he'd taken the challenge to check the Liberal Party website and while we may disagree strongly, for that reason I respect his point of view and democratic entitlement to express it.

Plenty of those who agreed with my sentiments had taken the time and made the effort to check out what the Coalition were offering and found themselves dumbfounded how easily the public is conned.

Fortunately, the vicious communications were in the minority but are so vile in their composition I would not insult the editor by asking too many excerpts be printed.

Dozens of positive, informed emails and letters showed the decency of the hardy bunch of souls who, despite being confronted with grotesque threats, intimidation and breathtaking ignorance, are still prepared to brave the slings and arrows.

 

 

The first letter arrived from IR:

I WAS worried when your column wasn't in last Saturday's Advocate and thought they might have given you the push because you're too ‘bolshie'.

How good is it to read the real stuff about Tony, in our safe seat for Nats and Lib, Coffs Harbour?

I can't bear to listen to him any more.

What does he care for our planet?

We are only going to be paying about $10 per week to help our environment, the cost of a couple of coffees.

I'm a pensioner aged 65, not on the huge salaries of Tony and the like and I don't mind paying $10 a week.

From their website, what you're saying is outrageous.

I hate this game playing on such a serious subject.

What about our children and grandchildren?

 

 

FP’s letter just demands to be published:

YOUR column on climate change and the Coalition's attempt to deny it exists was a breath of fresh air.

They can always find a professor or even a scientist to deny climate change is happening, just as the tobacco companies paid a highly regarded scientist to say smoking is not harmful.

To think the leader of any political party would fight so strongly to prevent major polluters paying a tax on a product that will affect generations to come.

Together with the fact money from our country's greatest resources are going overseas to foreign companies.

Many people think other countries are not doing anything about climate change.

But many countries are taking action and some have done far more than Australia.

 

 

M McM showed he’s a pragmatist:

I AGREE with a carbon tax and a mining and resources tax ... any that can boost public coffers and allow for increased spending on infrastructure and new stimulus plans.

Tony Abbott is all about trying to win votes using scaremonger tactics and the worst thing is that he has the backing of some very wealthy people who don't want to lose the capacity to earn $billions more in revenue.

Abbott if ever elected would do just what you mentioned – his policies will make the fat cats richer and everyone else would suffer.

This beautiful country would be left to the dogs.

I've never been so politically sensitive and vocal as I am today and that's purely because this country is throwing away billions of dollars in taxable revenue that could so greatly help each and every one of us.

 

Thanks to all our positive readers and keep that mail coming in.

Reason must eventually prevail and the blind ignorance and hatred on the redneck right of this nation has got to be resisted, calmly and responsibly.

Originally published as Climate challenge provokes attacks