Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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Columnist Suzanne Moore is scathing in her assessment of Greta Thunberg, pictured, and “the left” (Comment, 11/6). She asserts that Israel has the right to exist yet is silent on the right of Palestine to exist. Palestinians have been maligned, dispossessed and occupied since 1948 and the Israeli regime is becoming ever more brutal in control of Palestinian lives. These are not hard facts to understand and Thunberg is surely aware of them. She has certainly become a powerful young voice of protest on various subjects, but this does not make her an adherent to a “moronic omnicause″. Perhaps she has become a tall poppy that others need to bring down.
Lorel Thomas, Blackburn South
At least, she is trying to do something
Columnist Suzanne Moore was scathing in her opinion piece about Greta Thunberg’s attempt to publicise the plight of the people in Gaza. Ms Moore refers to Thunberg and her crew as ″cute eco-warriors in shorts″.
Of course, I realise that Thunberg isn’t everybody’s ″cup of tea″. She is not short of confidence and is overflowing with the arrogance of youth. But at least she is trying to do something in a situation where lesser mortals fear to tread and which is the very definition of a moral quagmire. Ms Moore and others should lighten up on her. Save your angst for the real culprits in this mess.
James Tucker, Greensborough
An unjustified attack
Suzanne Moore’s comments are unjustified. It seems that those who do extraordinary things are often the target of this sort of attack. First, they are accused of acting in their own interest and gaining fame and notoriety from their altruistic actions and then their support for causes is questioned by accusing them of supporting the unsupportable, in this case, the terrifying policies of Hamas. Footage of a grim-faced Thunberg on the yacht that was seized by Israel before it had a chance to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza do not show a breast-beating egotistical young woman but someone, who from a young age, has thoughtfully tried to draw the world’s attention to the climate crisis and now, the dire plight of the Palestinian people.
Graeme Lechte, Pascoe Vale
The young activists deserve respect
The article by Suzanne Moore is a diatribe about youth activists. There wouldn’t be any need for radical youth activists, focused on climate, racism, sexuality etc. if previous generations had acted logically and appropriately, or, in the case of Donald Trump, reversed hard won and just gains. Whether it’s the Ukraine, Gaza, land clearing, or fossil fuel addiction, the present world is in bad shape, and these young warriors deserve the utmost respect, not condemnation from journalists like Suzanne Moore.
Jeff McCormack, Javoricko, Czech Republic
They’re just like Pavlov’s dogs
Suzanne Moore’s piece hits the nail on the head. However, I prefer to draw parallels of these career activists to Pavlov’s dogs. Never mind the facts, just make the right noises to stimulate them, and off they go. Without reason, other than following a narrative, they react to mindless slogans donning the garb and flags of their protagonists without a clue on what they represent. That Thunberg refused to watch an Israeli video of the October 7 massacres is like saying, Jewish lives don’t matter.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East
When an old saying would have come into effect
Greta Thunberg should have viewed the video and responded, “Two wrongs do not make a right.″
Ralph Frank, Malvern East
THE FORUM
The best pest control
It’s awful that “second generation” rat poisons are killing owls and tawny frogmouths much more effectively than the rats they’re targeting (“Ratsak losing its bite: Concerns over increasing resistance and environmental impact of poisons”, 11/6).
It seems rats are becoming immune, but our native wildlife that eat rats are not, and so the native animals which eat the rats die.
Second-generation rodenticides are banned in the United States, Canada and the European Union.
Time to ban them here too, I think, given there are clear alternatives: first generation rat poisons that break down more quickly, or, even better, snap traps and electrocution traps. If we’re serious about pest control, we must stop poisoning the native predators who do the job for free.
Isabelle Henry, Ascot Vale
Left and right views
With the axing of the ABC’s Q+A, there is still room for a current affairs program. But I suggest we have one with more bite. Let there be such a program that alternates in direction, with one week it having a panel of left-wing academics, and the next week conservative academics. Then I will know which one to watch, and I can become a fan.
David Rose, Nollamara, WA
Incubator for action
Your correspondent (Letters, 11/6) writing on The Project’s demise should also lament the axing of
Q+A which leaves a significant hole in our media landscape.
I was an audience member and saw an up-and-coming politician on the panel.
I was so impressed by their intelligence and ideas that I volunteered for them and they ultimately won their seat at the last election.
If it wasn’t for Q+A I wouldn’t have been able to be inspired and engage in that type of grassroots democracy.
Jen Smith, East Melbourne
Stimulating, not
At last the ABC has, following the demise of The Drum, rid itself of Q+A . Now we can look forward to endless reruns of Hard Quiz and maybe even 20-year-old repeats of Antiques Roadshow. That will really get the intellectual juices flowing.
Graeme Rose, Wangaratta
The ABC of departures
Lateline, Friday 7:30, The Drum and now Q+A, another interesting and intelligent show gone. What’s next? Watch your back, Bluey.
Greg Curtin, Nunawading
We need quality debate
It seems the voice of the ABC to inform and comment on matters of social and political interests is increasingly being silenced (“ABC set to axe current affairs show”, 11/6). We are still devastated by the loss of The Drum at the end of 2023. Currently we are seeing more lightweight entertainment shows such as Claire Hooper’s House of Games and Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee.
While these have their place, we need more quality Australian commentary. If you want light and frothy, there is much available on other channels.
These cuts are due mainly to the loss of funding from the federal government. Quality information and robust debate is integral to democracy, even more so in the face of increasing social media commentary, some of dubious origins.
So please remember, federal government, it is “our” ABC.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
What forums are left?
Your correspondent (Letters, 11/6) is right to highlight the demise of The Project and sadly now Q+A has also been axed.
Where do we have national conversations and hold politicians to account even if we vehemently disagree with people’s politics?
In a society where we are becoming more polarised, we need healthy discussions from various groups.
Sally Walcock, Toorak
Inspirational model
I watched the AFL hall of fame telecast and I was blown away not by a male footballer but a female – Erin Phillips. I had no idea how good a player she was, but more importantly what a pioneer she was in so many ways – not least of all through her pride in being gay and a mother. She is now my favourite AFL player of all time and I have seen many. She is inspirational.
John Rome, Mt Lawley
AFL is for the people
Thank you, Martin Flanagan, (″Stadium ultimatum a special kind of arrogance″, 10/6) for hitting it on the head. The AFL has developed into an autocratic corporate bully with its insistence of building a billion-dollar footy stadium or no Tassie team. The AFL has already broken a social contract with the AFL community by not upholding the ability for fans to watch free-to-air games on a Saturday night. It reflects the corporate affluent bubble they live in. It would not occur to them that maybe some people cannot afford to pay to watch.
If the AFL wants the stadium they should pay for it. Borrow the money and build it. But consult Tasmanians as to where they want it.
Mick Heaney, Reservoir
Out of bounds
I’m not an avid AFL fan, nor from Tasmania, but I can’t help but watch in horror at the way the introduction of the Tasmanian Devils team has been mishandled.
For a start, ongoing neglect by the AFL has systematically diminished one of its heartlands. A state that once lived and breathed Australian rules is a shadow of its former self and the local competitions are barely surviving. As a state, they watched for years while non-AFL states like NSW and Queensland had teams established by the AFL with significant financial support. And now, finally, they get their chance to join the competition and a completely unrealistic caveat is placed on their licence through the stadium requirement.
Why can’t the team get established, build up a following, use Blundstone Arena for the foreseeable future and then, when viable, build a bigger and better stadium with the AFL’s help?
The stadium requirement, which was imposed by the AFL, can just as easily be removed by them to make sure that the team can get established.
Instead what they’ve done is upend politics in Tasmania as well as take the joy out of AFL from a state that would passionately embrace their team.
The AFL needs to do better.
Kelly Ryan, Berwick
Doing a job doesn’t cut it
Like columnist Jenna Price (Comment, 10/6) I, too, was appalled that Scott Morrison received a King’s Birthday award for supposedly doing his job.
The time has come for the awards’ criteria to be reviewed, and I suggest that no awards should be made for people who are supposedly doing their job. Awards need to be for exceptional and outstanding work in the community.
Jane Timbrell, Reid, ACT
Birthday present
I agree with your correspondent (Letters, 10/6) that a holiday celebrating the birthday of our mostly forgotten king is a demonstration of our political indifference.
But I disagree that indifference and lack of interest could be a threat to our political freedoms. Together with a proportional voting system that rewards centrists and a parliamentary system that resists demagogues (as we have no directly elected executive), the Australian “she’ll be right” attitude preserves the status quo. Polls show we want a republic, but we don’t care about it passionately. We’re not a nation of barricade stormers or even flag wavers.
If the King’s Birthday involves a sleep in, God save him and his holiday.
Gordon McNenney, South Yarra
A riot of hypocrisy
The riotous behaviour in Los Angeles prompting Donald Trump to send in troops is no worse than what happened on January 6, 2021, when Trump encouraged a mob of his followers to attack the Capitol. They behaved as thugs and outlaws with his encouragement and indeed sympathy.
Alex Lang, Warrandyte
Times such as these
The stand-off between US President Donald Trump and the Governor of California Gavin Newsom has reached the stage where riots have spread to other states. Trump continues with a performance that is more fitting for a TV show. Instead of recognising the critical nature of the situation and acting like a statesman, he flamboyantly signs executive orders to bring in the troops and resorts to using childish derogatory terms when referring to Newsom as Governor Newscum.
Trump not only demeans his high office but illustrates to his followers that respect for others, even those with whom you disagree, is a thing of the past. This from the leader of the Free World. What times we live in.
Bill Pimm, Mentone
Lessons in improvement
I am encouraged after reading the article “Reclaim the classroom” (11/6). A logical comprehensive plan that takes in both sides of improving, learning and teaching. Teachers have cited problems that students are having with concentration and distractions. The state government is reintroducing phonics and updating teachers on its application. All this is encouraging in the steps to navigate children to a better learning experience, as well as a safer and rewarding environment for teachers to work in.
Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris
US heads to the cliff
The bigger they are the harder they fall. With the US on the edge of a fiscal cliff, the world holds its breath. If the US defaults on its loans the world will be thrown into a depression that even Elon Musk and Donald Trump couldn’t have imagined.
Paul Chivers, Box Hill North
Credit: Matt Golding
AND ANOTHER THING
Trump
I wonder will Donald Trump pardon those arrested ″unlawful demonstrators″ in Los Angeles as he did the unlawful rioters at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Rosie Elsass, Brighton East
Donald Trump claims he doesn’t start wars, he ends them. Really? Ukraine, Gaza, and now LA.
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
On what planet is it OK to bring in the National Guard against protesters with associated arrests, yet what happened at the Capitol building after America’s last election was justified? The hypocrisy of Donald Trump is mindnumbing.
Paul Martin, Point Lonsdale
Would California like to become our seventh state?
Kevan Porter, Alphington
Give us our daily Trump. Make America grate again.
Andrew Walker, Wangaratta
Does the reaction of Donald Trump towards protesters in Los Angeles come straight out of Tiananmen Square archives?
Hank Dikkenberg, Glenorchy, Tas
The United States was once a great democracy. It has now become a dictatorship.
Ross Eva, Glen Iris
Maybe all those US gun cranks, who claim they need their guns to defend themselves against their own government, have a valid point after all.
Michael Meszaros, Alphington
To quote Elon Musk: “Patience is a virtue, and I’m learning patience. It’s a tough lesson.” To quote author Joyce Meyer: “Patience is not simply the ability to wait, it’s how we behave while waiting.“
Howard Hutchins, Wantirna
Furthermore
Great to hear Luke Beveridge is staying for another two years. The Dogs will need plenty of beverage to win another flag.
Robin Jensen, Castlemaine
Will Q+A be replaced by a low production game show or reruns of Antiques Roadshow?
Probably both.
Tommy Puckett, Ashgrove