Here comes the son
Lachlan Murdoch’s actions speak so much louder than words, as revealed in the timeline of events outlined in Paddy Manning’s excellent and balanced article [October 7]. The climate-sceptic Lachlan Murdoch sailing around the Mediterranean with his family on his luxury yacht while large swathes of the Greek Islands burned. Lachlan returning to the sanctuary of Australia within three months of the January 6 insurrection and a nation divided, fuelled at least in part by Fox News’ partisan support for Trump and his election lies. And then Lachlan pontificating about cultural “elites” at a conservative think tank. If it weren’t so terribly sad, it would be the stuff of satire.
Chris Brown
Erskineville, NSW
Lachlan Murdoch and family holidaying on their $US150 million super yacht? One word: obscene.
Heidi Vorstermans
Nunawading, Vic
Shattered lives
Not even a thousand words can convey the despair, misery and utter heartbreak portrayed in photojournalist Andrew Quilty’s confronting photographs taken during his time in Afghanistan [October 7]. I can’t begin to imagine the horror and danger of documenting the daily lives of the Afghan people nor the unexpected scenes of beauty. These photos gave just a glimpse into a world where freedom is unknown, and brutality reigns supreme.
Judith Caine
Donvale, Vic
Modern Guru
We really enjoyed your Modern Guru about people having phone calls with the speaker switched on [October 7]. Good advice given! I have another for you to consider. My wife and I term it “drive time”. This is where friends and family call when they are driving someplace to fill in their time while driving. I’ve done this myself. We often comment to each other how we are actually in the middle of doing something but can’t easily put the caller off, so we just keep going with the call. The best bit is when the caller reaches their destination and says, “Well I’ve arrived now and must go!” Very frustrating.
Mike Thorbecke
Castlemaine, Vic
I firmly believe that Danny Katz, as the author of Modern Guru, deserves a Nobel peace prize. His infectious humour delivers smiles to countless faces and his problem-solving is that of a true leader. Week in, week out his column is relatable and has come to fix many dilemmas of the modern world. This column caught my eye more than ever. The speaker dilemma. All of a sudden, I realised that perhaps my friends didn’t want to hear the droning of the kitchen sink, the TV, my neighbours blaring music and the howling of the wind outside while attempting to hear what I was saying. I am proud to say that I have changed my ways and always put the phone to my ear now. Magically, my calls seem to go for longer and my reception is much improved.
Zac (age 11)
Roseville, NSW
The Empty Plate
Good on you, Terry Durack. Every time at the Woolies self-checkout I have a spirited argument with the machine [October 7]. This morning, I snarled: “Unexpected item in the nagging area”.
Julia Bovard
North Sydney, NSW
ONLINE COMMENTS
Here comes the son
If Paddy Manning’s book on Lachlan Murdoch is as good as this article, it will be a powerful story. We have some archaic laws in this country, and we take high moral ground when we view how blacks are treated in America and how they were treated in South Africa, but we have treated Aboriginal people with disdain for hundreds of years and still do. We took their kids off them, we lock them up for minor offences, and we cannot even bring ourselves to give them a Voice in our parliament. Australians are worse than any other nation when it comes to how we treat those whose land we took from them and called it our own. We should be ashamed. Ken C
The scariest thing about Lachlan is that he’s reportedly far more right-wing than his father. How is that even possible? Eric Olthwaite
The only thing more sickening than the behaviour of this family is the kowtowing by elected officials and the slavish devotion by the masses toward their publications. Four Sight
While Rupert is alive, he is running the show. When he dies Lachlan is only one vote in four, and the rest of the family are not far-right-wing leaning. Lou2
James will win in the end. Uncommonsense
Letters from prison
What a great story of friendship and the effect it has on people. I really hope Polly gets better soon, and that Zak is released. AnnieH
This was an intensely emotional read. What a waste of young life. Details matter
And some wonder why there is a need for the Voice. I found the article depressing in several ways. fizzybeer
The writer of the best letter to the editor in October will win a Smeg coffee grinder offering 30 grinding levels and 350-gram storage capacity, RRP$389.
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