The big fear of many was that this time around Donald Trump would surround himself with competent people who could successfully implement a conservative agenda, i.e. the people responsible for Project 2025. However, Trump’s nominations so far suggest that won’t be the case (at least at first) and that chaos will once again ensue (“Trump taps Robert Kennedy Jr to lead Department of Health and Human Services”, 15 November). To head up Health we have a conspiracy theorist who thinks that vaccines cause autism and wants to remove fluoride from the water. Heaven help us if we have another pandemic. And he wants to gut the Food and Drug Administration as well, reducing the protection it provides. We take such things for granted but when they are no longer there we will realise how valuable they were. But this is the art of the deal. Kennedy gave Trump what he wanted in not splitting the vote, and now he gets what he wanted. As for Matt Gaetz, it seems that not only will he protect Trump as attorney-general, he will also protect himself by making the allegations against him of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use go away. Some Republican senators might object, but it is too late to say “no” now. They had their chance eight years ago. The GOP is now entirely Trump’s party. David Rush, Lawson
Donald Trump embraces Robert F. Kennedy Jr at a campaign rally.Credit: AP
Among Robert Kennedy’s promises is that he will make Americans healthy again. He could start by closing down the hundreds of junk food outlets that crowd American streets and shopping malls. The American diet, including huge portion sizes, is responsible for the high rate of obesity and diabetes. Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt
With an anti-vaxxer as secretary of health and a Russian sympathiser as national intelligence secretary, I think any day now we can expect to hear that Hannibal Lecter has been nominated as director of the FBI. John Bailey, Canterbury
Thank you, Waleed Aly, for pointing out that our too often self-referential commentariat, along with an embarrassingly large bunch of us, all need to calm down, reboot our minds and cease the hysterical hand-wringing over Trump’s victory (“Trump’s win surprised many. But the real shock would have been if he’d lost”, November 15). If Australia can be smart as well as lucky, we can not only survive the coming challenges and changes, but do well out of it all. Opportunity knocks. Brian Haisman, Winmalee
Support for Rudd
Well done on your recent editorial supporting our US ambassador Kevin Rudd (“Rudd spoke sense about Trump. It’s a vengeful News Corp that has the explaining to do”, November 15). You are certainly correct in saying that the Murdoch media campaign against Rudd is little more than an attempt to “get square” for Rudd being co-chair of Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission. It should also be remembered that during Donald Trump’s first administration, Australia went for nearly three years without the US appointing an ambassador. This was a blatant disregard for a loyal ally; a significant sign of disrespect. Malcolm Freak, Armidale
The only reason Murdoch has any real sway is because people continue to buy his products. This could change. After the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool, UK, in 1989, the Murdoch-owned Sun newspaper blamed football supporters themselves for the 97 dead and hundreds injured, which was subsequently proved untrue. In response, Liverpool news agencies refuse to sell copies to this day. Perhaps Australians should follow suit and do what the Scousers do. Imagine a No Murdoch day. Imagine a week. Complaining is not enough; only action will work. The choice is ours, and should not be Murdoch’s. Shaun Davies, St Peters
The editorial rightly suggests that America faces far greater challenges than our ambassador’s past criticisms. If Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, can be forgiven for calling Trump a con artist, then surely News Corp’s beat-up on Rudd should be dismissed as a petty attempt at revenge. Peter Nash, Fairlight
Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull are both outspoken critics of News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Waking up to some courageous and sensible political journalism was a great start to my day. First, I turned to the editorial and felt a sense of pride as the Herald strongly defended Australia’s right to keep its chosen US ambassador, Kevin Rudd, in the new Trump era. Well said. I then turned to the letters page to find a flurry of readers defending Anthony Albanese from yet another “Albo-bashing” article by Shaun Carney (“Albanese is drifting into oblivion”, November 14). As these letters emphasise, Albanese’s term has been free of scandals, dramas and embarrassments, unlike the previous Morrison government. Maybe a little more of self-promotion and better advertising of the government’s many achievements would help. But as these letter-writers show, unfair Albo-bashing does not fool the Australian public. It does not pass the pub test. Thank you, SMH. Warren Marks, Richmond (Tas)
Kevin Rudd may well have been trained as a diplomat, but comments he made about Trump in the past have made his position untenable. Time to move him on and appoint a more “diplomatic” ambassador. Like it or not, we have to get on with a new, possibly volatile Trump administration. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
It was long ago observed that an ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country. It seems rather paradoxical that some wish to punish Mr Rudd for telling the truth. Frank McGrath, Bulli
Political donation reform ‘suspicious’
While I applaud the government’s attempts to rein in election donations from wealthy individuals, its haste to rush such laws through parliament in the last sitting fortnight makes one question its motives (“Spotlight on crossbench over big money laws”, November 15). This will not only limit influence from individuals such as Clive Palmer, but it will also restrict trade union, right-wing group Advance and Climate 200 funding – perhaps not a bad thing. Increasingly, Australian elections are being influenced by donors with deep pockets, and most people do not wish us to follow America in this regard. However, this would appear to favour the two main parties, sidelining the teals and Greens in particular. A more thorough, inclusive and well-researched piece of legislation on electoral donation reform would be welcomed by many. The fact that the Coalition appears ready to sign off on this adds to my suspicions. In the words of independent senator David Pocock, it’s a “major party stitch-up”. Robyn Thomas, Wahroonga
Paul Sakkal’s article describes proposed legislation to get big money out of politics and to protect democracy. He suggests it may instead do the opposite if it disadvantages the teals, who many see as a very necessary new force for democracy in our country. Controlling Clive Palmer and other big-money groups is welcome, but the major parties’ dislike of the challenge the teals represent should not result in the further kneecapping of them. Labor cut their staffing after the last election. Democracy is under enough threats already, as evidenced in the recent US election. Gary Barnes, Mosman
Legislation to stop excessive individual political donations is welcome. It’s not about shutting out the Greens or independents. Do we want someone like Elon Musk able to fund whichever party or person suits him? We have probably the best system of government; let’s keep it that way. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill
Cranbrook’s new broom
We’ve seen this scenario before (“Cranbrook names first female head after scandal”, November 15). The boys get into deep do-do and a woman is sent in to clean up the mess. Ms Johnstone will need an abundance of passion and perseverance to get a good report card at the end of her appointment. Lyn Savage, Coogee
Anne Johnstone has been named the new principal of Cranbrook.
Super losing trust
By blaming a third-party administrator for the delays in claims processing, Cbus is sending the wrong message (“Super giant says insurance claim delays “unacceptable’ “, November 15). A superannuation fund is by definition a trust, and the holder of the super funds has the legal responsibility to do what is best for its members. A third-party arrangement looks like a cheap option to deal with claims, while leaving members high and dry if things are poorly handled. Stop the rot, take the blame and bring the claims process back in-house. Otherwise, this super fund might see its members on a bus to another fund. Michael Blissenden, Dural
Sick side of wellness
So it’s “breathworking” now. Another alternative therapy we can add to craniosacral alignment, ozone therapy and reiki (“Sex abuse, drugs and predatory gurus: the dark side of a booming wellness trend”, November 15). Conventional medicine can’t supply all the answers to today’s ills, so there will always be money grabbers, but at least it has a firm regulatory framework that can be used to monitor and regulate its practitioners. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth
Bitcoin blunder
It’s absolutely staggering that RBA governor Michele Bullock can say that she doesn’t understand something and then dismiss it with the next breath (“It’s not money’: Bitcoin has ‘no role’ in the Australian economy, says Bullock”, November 14). Bitcoin is repricing the world and will become the future base layer of the monetary system. With this position, Australia is sleepwalking into an impoverished future and economic irrelevance during the age of the bitcoin standard. Marc D’Amici, Petersham
Don’t ruin our new Metros
It is less than three months since the opening of the new Metro line and, this week, large, brightly illuminated digital advertising has appeared in the new stations. I was vainly hoping these beautiful spaces would be spared, but I should have known better. A few years ago, I watched as Chatswood station first acquired a large digital display suspended above our heads at its entrance, and then, one by one, any empty supporting column acquired smaller digital advertising. Finally, the wonderfully whimsical messages etched on the automatic gates were covered with large, crass, vinyl ads along their lengths at Chatswood, North Ryde and Macquarie uni metro stations. Are the beautiful, pristine walls of our new stations soon to be despoiled in a similar way? David Grover, Chatswood
Greyhound tragedies
Whisper is one lucky greyhound (“Move over cavoodles: Meet Sydney’s $27,000 dog”, November 15). The greyhound racing industry is simply Australia’s largest puppy farm, sponsored by state governments. In just the past two weeks, two greyhounds have died at Wentworth Park in Sydney, while more broke their legs. The Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds says 117 dogs have died racing so far this year and that there have been nearly 10,000 injuries. Michele Nicholas, St Ives
More than 100 greyhounds have died racing this year alone. Credit: Peter Rae
Herald contributors for life
Con Vaitsas asks if anyone else has been collecting newspaper articles and letters, and what the best way to preserve them might be (Letters, November 15). My wife Genevieve is a regular contributor and pastes her letters into a red Star Trek notebook bought at Star Trek’s 50th anniversary event in Las Vegas in 2016: one letter to a page, the date annotated against the letter in her own handwriting. The notebook is rather “fat”. Slightly eccentric, maybe. Perhaps also idiosyncratic, quirky, offbeat, nutty or simply OCD. What I would say is that it gives her great joy. She will often ask, at about a nanosecond after 6.30pm, “Have I been published?” She has been published while on holiday, in different time zones, and while in hospital. The red Star Trek notebook will be one of her items on her coffin at her funeral, and her letter writing, including some of her classic letters, will be featuring in her eulogy. Live long and prosper. May her letter writing continue for many, many years. Graeme Milton, Dulwich Hill
The answer is yes. I have all my clippings, still as good as new, in a cellophane sleeve, safely hidden in a dark desk drawer. The packet sees light only when there’s another entry. Alison Stewart, Waitara
I have clippings going back for many years. The trick is to store them out of the light, as otherwise, the paper turns a dirty yellow colour. Dave Horsfall, North Gosford
The biggest problem with preserving newsprint is that the lignin from the wood pulp breaks down and causes acid browning. There are alkaline sprays, usually containing magnesium oxide, that can be purchased to counteract the effect. Graeme Finn, Earlwood
How to save Herald articles and letters pages? Take a screenshot and store them in the cloud. The older paper ones? I had photos, which I have also loaded into the cloud. Easier to find, too. Michael McMullan, Avoca Beach
I still have an exercise book containing all of my late father’s published letters, going back to 1964. All remain in excellent condition and make for interesting reading to see what the important issues of the day were. As for being eccentric, I think the world is a better place for having people like you in it, Con. Nick Bencsik, Hunters Hill
Con, I have created an album on my phone with (my) published letters and links to favourite articles. No need to print them off and easy to refer to. Angie Miller, Bondi Junction
As an older letter writer, my bigger concern is how not to fade away faster than the clippings I have stored. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal
I also have a folder of my letters to the Herald, as well as childhood memorabilia. I intend to scan and make them into photo books so they are preserved forever without fading. Margaret Grove, Concord
Postscript
The new/old US president, Peter Dutton and babies were on the minds of the readers this week as we processed the news about Donald Trump’s victory and contemplated the future of humanity.
Jenna Price triggered a firestorm of responses when she wrote a column (“Declining birth rates reveal something very scary about our national mindset”, November 13).
“I’ve been telling young people this forever. Have kids. They are our hope for the future. Now, our fertility rate is the lowest it’s ever been and shows no signs of bounceback.”
Karen Joynes pointed to climate change as being a likely cause of the baby drought. “As we continue with destroying biodiversity, worsening ocean acidification, increasing plastic pollution and so on, we increase the threats to all life on Earth.”
Peter Hartcher’s opinion piece (“Trumped! It’s the democracy, stupid”, November 12) was also very popular. Donna Wiemann was concerned about the effect of the US election on Australia. “Thanks to Trump, the Coalition is cock-a-hoop at their current prospects of re-election, and no holds will be barred in the divisive, polarising, fear-inciting campaign they will run. It’s time to wake up, Labor”.
Similarly, Neil Ormerod said that “Dutton is playing out of the same game plan as Trump, feeding into the insecurities and uncertainties in the electorate, amplifying them, then using them to justify draconian policies”.
Like many of us, Peter Croft is missing the best US president, Jed Bartlet. “I must say that the writing and acting in the last two seasons of The West Wing have really gone downhill”.
The other effect that the US election has had is the average length of contributions to the Letters pages, which are creeping higher and higher! Please remember – the shorter the better, so I can include as many as possible. The more time I spend editing your (excellent but longish) missives, the less time I have to persuade my own two young adults to have babies. Would Jenna be available for babysitting? I hope so.
Margot Saville, letters editor
- To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
- The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.