Always quick to cast the blame on someone else, Donald Trump now castigates Democrat Californian Governor Gavin Newsom for the catastrophic damage caused by the Los Angeles wildfires (“Los Angeles fires fan the flames of Trump’s political opportunism”, January 10). Whatever the proximate cause, global warming has undoubtedly played its role in this unprecedented event. Not yet inaugurated, Trump has already touted the need to boost fossil fuels. At least when he annexes Greenland there might be somewhere for the Californians to find refuge. Bernard Moylan, Bronte
Does the majority of mainland Americans have such short memories that they don’t remember the catastrophic fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023? Those fires were also wind-driven, made worse by overpopulation in dry areas. Although I feel much sadness and empathy for the loss of life and homes, I can’t help but think those blaming the governor of California for this disaster is a step too far. Americans always seem to want to blame everyone but themselves. It’s climate change, buddy. Llieda Wild, Eastwood
Readers have blamed climate change for the catastrophic fires in California.Credit: AP, Getty, Bloomberg
The apocalyptic, gut-wrenching photo on yesterday’s front page (“Panic grips LA as new fires erupt”, January 10) not only exemplifies that the devastating effects of climate change have commenced, but also the “perfect storm” that California faces. I once worked as a structural engineer in Los Angeles and feel the need to explain to Australians who might not understand the city’s different, conflicting environment. Most houses and low-rise buildings in California are built of timber, which tolerates the significant earthquake loads that brick and tile buildings can’t withstand. The flip side is that makes them more flammable, particularly in the dry, hot and windy climate of LA – so this catastrophic firestorm was extremely difficult to fight, if not inevitable. Peter Allen, Castle Cove
Like so many, my heart breaks when I think of the loss of life and property caused by these fires, and the destruction of fauna and flora. On top of this, the fires add to the extreme levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. And if that’s not bad enough, we have leaders everywhere who are wilfully ignorant, who think dealing with the climate change nightmare is always someone else’s problem. My heart breaks to think of what sort of future my grandchildren, and everyone else’s, are facing. Please, let’s vote with our moral compass and our hearts this election and consider what kind of world we wish to bequeath. Francesca Stahlut, Armidale
The saturation media coverage of the Los Angeles fires invokes a comparison with the other tragedy unfolding in Palestine. The distinction could not be greater: five dead v 40,000; natural v calculated disaster; mansions destroyed v all infrastructure; front-page coverage v … ? Would it be different if more movie stars lived in Palestine? John Richards, Turramurra
Now is not the time to discuss the overheating of our planet, the lengthening of fire season, the increased intensity of fires, the savagery of winds, the loss of life, the devastation of wildlife. Now is also not the time to talk about the financial cost of these fires and the human toll they take. No, now is the time to “drill, baby, drill”. David Baird, Burradoo
I don’t see President-elect Trump holding a hose. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
Kiwi does it
Among the usual suspects and depressingly ubiquitous Orange Dotard commentary, it was heartening that the Letters Ed found space for humour. According to your correspondent, Australia “should seek, using military force as the last resort, to bring New Zealand in as the seventh state” (Letters, January 10). Much like the annual Bledisloe Cup massacres, any attempt to subjugate the land of the long white cloud by the land of the wrong white crowd would end in humiliation – but as the potential conquerors might say to your correspondent: kia kaha, bro! Chris Roylance, Paddington (Qld)
Is the Letters page swerving to the satirical? Your correspondent sounds serious with his suggestion we annex New Zealand and Papua New Guinea for strategic benefit – but surely he was chuckling into his coffee as he penned his subversive missive? If not, then the world, mad already, has become madder as we appear to give serious consideration to the man who, having bought a few Supreme Court judges and an election, expresses his inalienable right to buy a country or two. Alison Stewart, Riverview
One reader says Australia has as much chance of annexing New Zealand as it does of winning the Bledisloe Cup.Credit: AP
Donald Trump’s lawyers have filed an emergency petition to stop him being sentenced to prevent “harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government” (“Trump asks Supreme Court to block sentencing”, January 10). One would have thought the election of a convicted felon had already done that. Steve Bright, North Avoca
Libs need a strong woman in Bradfield
Tony Abbott, in his endorsement of Warren Mundine for the seat of Bradfield, stated that “the Liberal Party, not Labor, is best for people on struggle street” (“Conservatives rally round Mundine for key Bradfield seat”, January 10). As PM in 2013, Abbott guaranteed “no cuts to education, no cuts to health”. This promise was broken. His budget hit those on “struggle street” hardest, and he proposed a Medicare co-payment to hit “struggle street” even harder. As usual, Tony Abbott continues to live in his delusional world. John Cotterill, Kingsford
The Liberal Party must have a short memory if it selects Warren Mundine as its candidate for Bradfield. It must have forgotten the result when he was parachuted into the seat of Gilmore for the 2019 election. On top of this, an endorsement from Tony Abbott is surely the kiss of death. Michael Edgar, Balgowlah
I have lived in the electorate of Bradfield for more than 60 years and voted for the Liberal Party at every election (yes, there are still some dinosaurs out there). So, with respect to those conservative members of the party, I say that I absolutely agree with teal candidate Nicolette Boele that it’s time for Bradfield to be represented by a strong, young and articulate woman. That is who the Liberal Party should endorse. Otherwise, Ms Boele will be representing Bradfield in the next parliament. Dennis Bluth, Cammeray
Social media beef
If the Liberals spent all the time they waste with “sizzle and no steak” social media distractions on actual credible policy development, they might get within cooee of doing their jobs and representing the voters who pay their salaries (“Modern-day talkback radio: the Liberals’ deluge is part of a plan”, January 10). The current lot of conservatives need reminding that “you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today” (Abraham Lincoln). If the Liberals can win office through lightweight, policy-free, facile social-media white noise, and enough voters were to put them there as a result, then Australia deserves what it gets. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville
The Liberals’ TikTok success tells me that their so-called policies are best explained in one minute or less, while offering a diversion for voters more interested in cocktails than the constitution. Colin Stokes, Camperdown
Circular Quay revamp just a pipe-dream
I would be surprised if those people calling for Circular Quay station to go underground ever catch the train themselves (“Hopes for grand revamp of Circular Quay fade as state takes “realistic” view”, January 9). It’s the only railway station within the city that’s relatively pleasant to wait on. I dread going down into the bowels of Wynyard, Town Hall, Museum etc. As for the space being given back to the people: We had the east side, looking over Government House and the Botanic Gardens, but both sides of government agreed to sell it for toaster apartments. The west went to the cruise-ship terminal. Winning plans for Barangaroo were scrapped to accommodate a new casino. From experience, I don’t believe a revamp will give us a beautiful harbour foreshore – we’ll just get more luxury apartments and retail centres at the expense of commuters. As for moving the station a block inland, that’s one way to totally disrupt easy public transport transfers. Peggy Fisher, Manly
Bates Smart’s vision for Circular Quay: the removal of the Cahill Expressway and the rerouting of the City Circle train line underground.
Aesthetics aside, consider the economic impact of having a fully functioning Circular Quay. The Harbour Bridge, Opera House and The Rocks bring huge amounts of revenue into Sydney’s coffers every year. Imagine the multiplying effect to the city’s bottom line if we were to have a similarly world-class urban design treatment of Circular Quay, which gave improved access, great views and allowed the refreshing sea breezes to blow through the CBD. And an underground rail that connected to the NSW Art Gallery, and modern ferry wharves that were a joy to behold and use. The design of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House invited some of the world’s finest creative minds. Think of the possibilities that might follow if world best designers were asked to contribute to a reimagined Circular Quay. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why
Just wondering if the $170 million already spent on just thinking about Circular Quay had been used for hanging gardens, artworks on the facade, glass-walled businesses under the expressway and maybe some large shade trees on the Customs House side, together with a thorough steam clean, may not have fixed the problem years ago. Jill Stephenson, Woolwich
As the people of New South Wales are billed “$170 million for basically nothing”, surely some accountability and explanation is warranted (“Circular Quay should be our crown jewel”, January 9). When can we expect a comprehensive and detailed financial breakdown, and reasons for such incompetence? Jennifer Fergus, Croydon
Going for woke
Waleed Aly nails it yet again (“Midnight hour for woke politics”, January 10). Last century the prevailing culture meant we had to endure only three or four months of electioneering by politicians. That culture encouraged them to then act like statesmen for the rest of their term. Now it is a full three years of electioneering, with the contemporary culture promoting that the primary focus of politicians is simply about getting back into power. Statesmanship no longer exists, nor does respect for politicians. A statesman has to make hard decisions and lead. That is a culture anathema to today’s political “leaders”. Thankfully, real community leaders are emerging away from politics. But we still have to pay for the politicians. Brian Eastoe, Stroud
If wokeness means acting with kindness for the common good, I can’t see how anyone would really argue against it. Perhaps opponents need an Anti-Woke Manifesto because, apart from opposing wokeness, I have no idea what they stand for. John Christie, Oatley
Waleed Aly writes that Midnight Oil was such an Australian institution that prime ministers were obliged to like them.Credit: Ten
White (not-so) goods
Stella de Vulder’s letter about robust old appliances rang a bell (Letters, January 10). In 1968, my husband and I moved into our first home, so we bought a fridge – a Hallstrom, a brand that’s no longer available. More’s the pity. After forty-eight years of sterling service, it had to be retired because of an irreparable gas leak. In that time, the only work it needed was a new door seal and a thermostat. The motor was as good as the day we bought it. They sure don’t make them like that any more. Ann Clydsdale, Bathurst
When I walked into a well-known white goods retailer and told the salesman I needed to replace the Australian-made fridge I’d bought in 1980, he laughed and told me I’d be lucky to get seven years out of any new fridge. What has happened to quality control? Colin Hesse, Nowra
My lovely wife has had the same dishwasher since 1967: Me. Jim Dewar, Davistown
Test of the nerves
On the subject of driver’s licences (Letters, January 10), 60 years ago Dad and I arrived at the Mullumbimby police station for me to take my driving test. When we got back to the station and the sergeant asked me why I needed a licence, I told him I was starting my teaching practice placement the next day! He looked at me for a while, gave me the licence and told me to go home and learn to drive. Judy Brown, Carlingford
I can only assume the licence examiner was having a bad day when I took my test back in the early 1970s at the North Sydney motor registry. Either that or he was just a right old bastard out to destroy a young man’s hopes and dreams. Before one could even get behind the wheel to take the test, I recall it was necessary to pass an oral quiz of the road rules. Having studied the motor traffic handbook intensely for months leading up to the big day, I felt quietly confident I would pass. One of the questions was, “What is the first thing you do when you have an accident?” “Okay”, I thought. “I know this” and proceeded to rattle off almost verbatim the answer from the handbook. “Check to see if anyone is injured. If so, call an ambulance. If there is more than $50 damage (that’s right, $50!), call the police. Clear the road of any debris if it is safe to do so,” and so on. At the end of the test, the examiner smugly informed me I had failed. Surprised, I asked what I got wrong. He gleefully replied, “Just one question. The first thing you do when you have an accident is stop”. If looks could kill, he’d be dead. Fortunately, I subsequently gained my licence and over the years when reminded of this milestone event in every young person’s life, wondered if karma ever caught up with this captious public servant. I hope so. Jonathan Crosby, Dubbo
As we drove back to the Transport Office after my first attempt to pass my driving licence test I confidently enquired if I had passed. I knew it wasn’t going to be quite the answer for which I had hoped when the officer - pale and shaking- took a few minutes to answer and then between clenched teeth mumbled something about Valium as he stumbled back into the office. Elizabeth Maher, Gordon
Trolley trolls
On my recent three-minute walk to our local shopping village, which contains the two big supermarkets, I counted 21 abandoned shopping trolleys. Many had been there for more than two weeks. How can supermarkets afford to leave their trolleys littering our suburban streets for weeks at a time? Or are lazy, irresponsible supermarket customers to blame for this verge spam? Gerald Erickson, West Ryde
One correspondent asks why supermarkets don’t so more to retrieve their abandoned shopping trolleys. Credit: smh
Demountables? Luxury!
The proliferation of demountable classrooms in public schools brings to mind Monty Python’s Four Yorkshiremen skit (“Poor planning blamed for demountable boom”, January 10). Picture the scene, with alumni of our admirable public school system reminiscing, “When I was a lad we had overcrowded classrooms with no airconditioning.”
“Classroom, what we’d give for a classroom!”
“Luxury. We had demountables!”
“Tell the children of elite private schools today and they wouldn’t believe you.” Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Postscript
Is Australia still the land of the “fair go”? Two of our pieces, a news story about local opposition to proposed social housing for seniors (“‘Keep our curtains drawn’: Residents block social housing for seniors”, January 6) and an opinion piece about grandparents paying school fees, addressed this question this week, provoking a torrent of letters.
Anne Ring wrote, saying that supporting the proposed development in Riverwood would be “modelling a social conscience for children, rather than yet another example of protectionist NIMBYism.”
David Rush called out the actions of local MP Mark Coure, who said he was “simply passing on residents’ concerns” to the relevant authority. “What are his plans for reducing homelessness?“, David asked.
However, Bianca So from nearby Peakhurst said it was unfair to criticise the local residents for protesting, pointing out that they already have public housing on their street, and much more in their suburb.
But it was an opinion piece about school fees being paid by “the bank of nan and pop”, written by chief reporter Jordan Baker, that caused the mailbox to overflow.
Judy Finch said this practice was very concerning and that it was “changing the essence of our supposedly egalitarian society”. Using Baby Boomer grandparents to pay private school fees has increased the polarisation in our society and the potential for turmoil, she wrote. “We are losing our way.”
Peter Farmer disagreed. “If grandparents have a nest egg when grandkids appear, why not book them in? And let’s not pretend elitism and the old school tie don’t exist. Over to you, nan and pop.”
Finally, as I head to the beach for the weekend, I’m worried about taking the cabana, now that everyone right up to the Copacabana-loving PM has weighed into the debate on how much space they take up.
Tim Parker wrote in: “I read that the PM thinks that the use of cabanas to secure beach spots might be ‘unAustralian’. One might argue that arriving at a beach and claiming land that isn’t yours is very Australian indeed.“
Margot Saville, letters editor
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