Support for Gladys shows few among us have not had a lapse of judgment

If ICAC didn’t see cause to send a brief to the Director of Public Prosecutions for it to pursue Gladys Berejiklian for breaking the law after interviewing her privately about her relationship with Daryl Maguire then, as Chris Merritt says, the agency is now no better than a peeping Tom getting its jollies by embarrassing the NSW Premier for a lack of judgment in her personal life (“ICAC public hearings a disgrace that must stop”, 16/10).

The irony is that given the number of letters and articles in The Australian this week and the outpouring of support for Berejiklian there are not too many of us who can say we have never been let down or embarrassed by someone due to a lack of judgment.

But then, of course, we didn’t have the ignominy of having it splashed all over the daily papers and the whole country talking about it. As Graham Richardson says, why can’t we say she has suffered enough and let it go (“Embarrassment is surely punishment enough for Berejiklian”, 16/10). After all, it is not a hanging offence and the NSW Liberals would be doing themselves and their state a great disservice if they forced her out.

Glenys Clift, Toowoomba, Qld

Amy’s the real deal

“Near flawless” is Cameron Stewart’s assessment of judge Amy Coney Barrett’s performance at her US Supreme Court confirmation hearing (“Barrett survives heat over healthcare, abortion rights”, 15/10 ). And, from reading of those proceedings, this former law academic would heartily agree. The putative Supreme Court justice gave a “constitutional law 101” lesson on the judicial role. She answered hostile probing with a patient courtesy. She correctly refused invitations to opine on hypothetical cases. She showed an admirable appreciation of, and determination to uphold, the separation of powers. In all, she came over as a model of judicial integrity and independence well suited as a member of America’s highest court. But, a warning to those hoping for partisan docility. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed former Republican California governor Earl Warren as chief justice hoping he would lend a conservative dimension to a court dominated by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “liberal” nominees. Instead, the Warren court became renowned as the most liberal in American history.

John Kidd, Auchenflower, Qld

Ardern’s spin

I’m writing from New Zealand to thank Greg Sheridan for his recent commentary on our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern (“Jacindamania sweeps the world, but Kiwis pay cost”, 15/10). It was absolutely spot on. I only wish our media was as smart and brave. Ardern may be acclaimed internationally, and popular at home, but not all New Zealanders buy into all the hype and spin around a Prime Minister who is now talking about quitting politics if her party does not win the Saturday general election.

Jason Collins, Strowan, NZ

Working class hero?

It was nice to read the expose about Bruce Springsteen (“A love letter to rock ‘n’ roll”, 16/10). He is undoubtedly a gifted musician who has stood the test of time. He is an ardent critic of Donald Trump and makes no secret of this. I think back to the days when Springsteen was a young musician who entertained and empathised with Americans who became victims of the rust belt phenomenon. They bought his recordings in the tens of millions. Donald Trump is giving the rust belt victims and their offspring hope of a better future. Better than Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ever did, but all Springsteen can come up with is anti-Trump statements. Springsteen needs to remember that the types of people Trump is reaching out to are the very people who made the Boss a very wealthy man.

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic