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Cartoon by Cathy WilcoxCredit: Cathy Wilcox
Antisemitism
I am a Jewish Australian-American, and I’d like to say respectfully to Rabbi Abraham Cooper (“Rabbi pleads with Rudd in Washington to help end Melbourne’s pro-Palestinian CBD protests,” 22/1) to look after the rampant, surging and violent antisemitism and authoritarianism in his own country first before meddling in Australia’s. No one can deny the rapid increase in antisemitism in Australia, especially in Melbourne and Sydney. But since we’re in the business of advising people in other countries how they should handle antisemitism, I would say this to Rabbi Cooper: Americans have just elected a president inextricably aligned with Christian nationalists and whose closest adviser is a man who made a Nazi salute at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Please, don’t tell me it might not have been a real Nazi salute. Elon Musk has hailed the Alternative for Germany, Germany’s neo-Nazi party, “the only solution for Germany” and is closely allied with Hungary’s “no race mixing” neo-Nazi prime minister, Victor Orban. Dani Dayan, chairman of Yad Vashem, calls Orban’s statements “all too reminiscent of ideologies associated with the horrible atrocities of the Holocaust”.
Trump’s authoritarian actions have been well-documented. Z’hirut. Watch out.
Amy Bachrach, McKinnon
As a Jew, I feel safe at city pro-Palestinian rallies
Re Chip Le Grand’s “Rabbi pleads with Rudd in Washington to help end Melbourne’s pro-Palestinian CBD protests”: As a Jew who has frequented the rallies, I have never felt more safe, comfortable and welcomed than among people who come out to the city every Sunday to stand up for humanity and for what is right. The compassion, care and warmth evident among a melting pot of people from all different backgrounds (not just one group, as Cooper claims) speaking out and marching against atrocity, is inspiring. The article appears to me to be a tactic to bully the protests into silence.
Natalia Spivakova, Abbotsford
We who march aren’t antisemitic criminals
Re Chip Le Grand’s opinion piece ″Moving CBD protests harms no one″, (23/1). Le Grand’s implication that the disgraceful ″firebombing of a synagogue, cars in Jewish neighbourhoods and a childcare centre″ are in any way connected with peaceful anti-genocide protests is both baseless and offensive.
Those of us who march for justice each Sunday come from a place of compassion and grief — not hate. None of these acts of violence have been committed by anyone involved in these marches. Police investigations prove this. Not one of the suspects named by police is in any way associated with the pro-Palestine rallies.
Hate-fuelled violence is inexcusable against anyone; not just the several recent attacks against Jewish communities, but equally abhorrently, the recent attacks against Australian Palestinian communities.
As Nasser Mashni, one of the Sunday protest organisers in Naarm, has said: ″Hate has no place here.″ This principle guides our protest, rooted in justice and solidarity — not division.
Paul Evans, Carrum Downs
Moving rallies from city would stem free speech
Regardless of the fact that no links have been established between pro-Palestinian protests in the city and recent attacks on synagogues, Chip Le Grand argues these peaceful, anti-war protests should be moved from the CBD. To suggest that this is not an attempt to police people’s speech is laughable.
Previous governments allowed protests against the Iraq war and the Vietnam War, even while some protesters chanted ″Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Minh″ and ″Seig Heil″ at establishment figures. Were they wrong to do so?
If the pro-Palestinian protests are moved, they should be replaced by regular pro-civil liberties rallies.
Peter Martina, Warrnambool
THE FORUM
The great disrespecter
There is much to consider in Farrah Tomazin’s report “Trump’s migrant deportation starts as bishop pleads to show mercy”, (23/1). Donald Trump believes God saved his life for a greater purpose, thus begs the question of which God?
His body language communicated disrespect and contempt. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s plea to show mercy to asylum seekers who have fled war and poverty will fall on deaf ears. May others demonstrate the same courage as Mariann Budde in exposing many of Donald Trump’s lies and dangerous policy decisions, such as “drill, baby drill”.
Judith Morrison, Nunawading
Contempt for religions
One could argue that Jesus Christ was the ultimate ″woke″ left wing leader who urged his followers to show compassion and loving kindness. Bishop Budde’s bravery in holding Trump to account was commendable. Not only does Trump see himself above the law, but also above the teachings and core values of Christianity and, indeed, all the great religious traditions.
Irene Renzenbrink, North Fitzroy
Musk’s Nazi salute
What a despicable display by Elon Musk following the inauguration yesterday.
What sort of person chooses to publicly align himself with one of the most fiercely despised symbolic gestures in the world? Reading about his family’s roots to the Apartheid scheme in South Africa, as detailed in yesterday’s Age, only makes me more afraid of the sort of person Musk is apparently unafraid for all to see. Any rebuke yet from Trump? Silence speaks volumes.
Joyce Butcher, Williamstown
No surprise in voter trends
We are all appalled by Trump 2.0 and rightly so. But as an outcome within the stream of historical events, is it all that surprising?
The US and other western democracies such as Australia, have now experienced decades of economic and foreign policies that have been anathema to the interests and welfare of their citizens. In the Australian context, taxation and economic policies have given lip service to equality, but actually benefit the well-to-do. Thus, income earners are fully taxed, but investors enjoy capital gains and dividend imputation privileges.
In foreign and defence policies, Australia has actively engaged in wars alongside the US in countries far away, and which have nothing to do with Australia’s self-defence.
The American electorate have opted to ditch the political paradigms of the past and move in a new direction.
David Fry, Moonee Ponds
Bad path to follow
Coalition party members want to follow in Trump’s path. Does this mean they want to become more racist, less inclusive and more ignorant? This isn’t the Australia I was brought up in, and I hope the Australian people see it for what it is – a lazy approach to policy to create fear to win government.
Bruce McMillan, Grovedale
Think before voting
The headline “Voters turn to Dutton as inflation fears bite” (23/1) says it all. Voters are upset by cost of living pressures and want some clear action. This concern is understandable, but it is concerning that voters are not remembering the changes the federal Labor government have already enacted for the public good.
Shaun Carney outlines more than a dozen of them (“PM’s rescue mission may be too late”, 23/1). He argues voter amnesia is due to Albanese’s failure to voice a vision and to be a strong, shouty leader.
Are we this shallow, that we cannot analyse the real situation? Apparently, we are. Voters are swinging to Dutton with his big talk and scant policy detail. His proposed reduction in government spending will hit the most vulnerable. His priority for nuclear energy will delay reduction of emissions and threaten the future of our planet. Think again, Australia.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Albanese’s tight deadline
Shaun Carney’s “Albanese now realises he’s on a rescue mission to save the sinking ship”, 23/1) is a compelling analysis of Anthony Albanese’s situation as we head soon to what is likely to be one of the most consequential elections in recent times.
Our energy future and realising the opportunities available to countries that drive the renewables’ revolution depend on the outcome.
The election of a climate denier US president in the US increases that opportunity. As the US pulls back, countries such as Australia have unique opportunities to fill the resulting void.
Carney calls out several key reasons for the government’s struggles, all of which equally apply to the Dutton-led opposition, but it is the government that people look to for leadership its confidence in understanding ordinary people’s challenges.
Albanese has four months to grab the attention of the doubters. For a start, it would be great to hear him articulate a position on what Carney says is the greatest policy challenge facing us, the inequality and intergenerational wealth divide caused by the nation’s housing arrangements.
David Brophy, Beaumaris
Pride march boycott
I, too had very negative opinions about police involvement with Midsumma until I had started working with some ex-police in my current work role.
They had suffered extreme post-traumatic stress, and I saw the human, and often complex side, behind the uniform.
Unlike the USA, we don’t have a gun culture, and the Midsumma organisers have lost some perspective in deciding to exclude a small group of public servants.
It’s why I won’t be attending the Pride March as a lesbian this year, and boycotting it along with my queer friends.
Jenny Smith, East Melbourne
Teacher’s unpaid work
Your correspondent (Letters, ″The cost of education″, 23/1) highlights the disparity between funding of government and private schools. The gap means government schools have little choice but to rely on parents for assistance. And, it’s not just parents who pay.
A family member with a one-year contract to teach grade 2 this year, has spent around $500 to equip her classroom, and I have spent a further $50 purchasing books from op shops to provide reading material. She is working two days this week, unpaid, cleaning the room after a temporary wall was built.
Meanwhile, down the road at the local private school, teachers can get on with the job of preparation, in clean, fully equipped rooms.
Jan Storey, Beaumaris
Mental system declines
Your correspondent (″Restraint policy needed″, Letters, 23/1) is spot on in his professional justification of the role of restraint and seclusion policy and procedures in acute psychiatric care.
The mental health system, has always been the poor cousin of the general health system. It is obvious that this state is worse now since the 1980s when I trained as a psychiatric nurse years. Then, psychiatric nurses had three years of speciality training and restraint and seclusion were interventions of last resort. They were applied and monitored by qualified staff, not security guards or police, as happens now.
Severe mental illness is not pretty, and very often its sufferers do not attract society’s sympathies. Human rights abuses will continue against mentally ill people for as long as our mental health system remains nothing more than an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.
Michelle Goldsmith. Eaglehawk
Save Lost Dogs’ Home
“Lost Dogs’ Home in limbo as government stonewalls over deal”, 23/1) is a sad revelation about the future of this proud institution which has existed to provide compassionate care for society’s cast-offs since 1910. While it is vital that both the Victorian government and the home’s leadership can come to agreement without delay, the dealbreaker seems to hover around finances.
Would substantially increasing the annual fees paid to councils by a levy to be awarded to the Lost Dogs’ Home be a user-pays scheme to raise funds? It also might deter potential dog and cat owners from using pets as a disposable item.
Judith Hudson, Elwood
Tennis crowd stress
Tennis Australia is celebrating record-breaking crowds at the Australian Open. However, the apparent overselling of ground passes has turned what should be an exciting day of tennis into a logistical nightmare, especially for families. With four children in tow, navigating the packed grounds and waiting in long queues made it almost impossible to enjoy matches on outside courts. The day became a frustrating and stressful ordeal.
Megan Smithies, Frankston
Halting tennis
It is reasonable in an individual sport to allow short injury or toilet breaks without forfeiting the match, but if it goes beyond a few minutes, the offending player should receive a suitable points penalty spread over the next couple of games (it should cover both the opponent’s serve and their own serve).
If it is a long period, the player should forfeit a game. This would prevent tactical breaks intended to stop the opponent’s momentum whilst still enabling the player to continue participating in the match.
Graham Pilkington, Brighton
David Astle distraction
I enjoy doing the daily quick crossword, that is until the end of week approaches when I become mildly anxious. For I know that the crossword will have ‘Quick by DA’. I admire your love of language and all its quirkiness, David Astle, but on Fridays you often drive me to distraction ... and shouting cross words.
Ray Liversidge, Warrnambool
AND ANOTHER THING
Bishop Budde
How dare Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde embrace Christian values in a country that promotes them all the time.
John Rawson Mernda
Thank God for turbulent priests.
Jane Sullivan, Kew East
I vote for a sainthood for the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Washington!
Joan Segrave, Healesville
These supposedly masculine types now in charge seem to turn into snowflakes at the slightest hint of criticism.
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale
The eleventh commandment: Thou shalt not question or criticise Donald Trump or anything he says.
Brendan O’Farrell, Brunswick
“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest”(attributed to Henry II). Apparently, God’s spokesperson, Bishop Budde, does not regard Trump as God’s Chosen One.
Frank Jones, Melbourne
Old proverb: When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become king. The palace becomes a circus.
Danny Hampel, Caulfield North
Your 24 hours is up Trump, the Russians are still bombing Ukraine. You failed.
Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
Trump’s executive order to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement is consistent with the reasoning of a narcissistic brain.
Jenny Smithers, Ashburton
Coalition calls for ″Australia First″ should cause trepidation. If Peter Dutton wants to be Australia’s Trump, he will only be a second rate version, even using the Trump playbook.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
Finally
It’s never a good sign if people know the club president’s name as readily as they know the players. As a Blues supporter and member, I commend Luke Sayers for stepping down. As to the situation itself, that’s none of my damned business.
Mark Morrison, Kew
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