Last Post, January 23

Manning up might no longer be necessary

When men are no longer allowed to be masculine, will they, too, be able to stand on the table and scream when there is a mouse in the kitchen?

Julie Weckert, Tanunda, SA

My children and grandchildren have a considerable amount of diversity in their ethnic backgrounds, but I have to admit that I am an old, white, Christian male. The only voluntary bit there is “Christian”, but even there I don’t think there is a realistic choice to be otherwise. The burning question is, am I toxic? Given that part of my daily diet is reading and hearing stuff from the modern politically correct Left, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

Make no mistake: When radical feminists talk about “toxic masculinity” they really mean white heterosexuality.

Tim Watkins, Brisbane, Qld

It’s drearily unsurprising that Aya Maasarwe’s tragedy has been used as an excuse for a spot of Israel-bashing (“No tragedy so great that Aunty and her friends can’t pollute it with distortion and bias”, Cut & Paste, 22/1). I’m forced to wonder how these people would have reacted if this beautiful young woman had been a Jewish Israeli.

Helen Jackson, Higgins, ACT

Tony Abbott is wrong. Neither of our main parties is worthy of a primary vote. Voters should preference their favourite independent or minor party and let the cards fall where they may.

Bruce Mullinger, Kurnell, NSW

After the next federal election, Paul Keating’s “unrepresentative swill” will dictate policy decisions, and in particular the crossbenchers will be the most decisive subset. This must be applauded. In effect, Labor's stated tax hikes, including thieving franking credits and limiting negative gearing, will have little or no hope of occurring. Hallelujah.

Tony Shinfield, Adelaide, SA

Of all the commentary in yesterday’s newspaper about the date of Australia Day there is no mention of the First Fleet arriving on January 26, 1788. Within the fleet of 11 ships were six ships containing convicts. Australia was first established as a penal colony. Why hide this fact?

Geoff Davis, Albion, Qld

Regarding Davos and Donald Trump, the bloke's decision-making is ageing well.

William Mapleston, Ashgrove, Qld

My wife took one look at the picture of Anna Wintour wearing her midi-length cap-sleeve dress in a native floral print (“Wintour lobs, putting tennis in vogue”, 21/1) and said “40 years ago, I had one of those”. Everything old is new again.

David Crommelin, Strathfield, NSW