Gorge
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IF THE appearance of the quarry at the entrance to our precious Gorge is anything to go by, then 24 cable cars, towering pylons and parking lots on Cataract Hill should complete the aesthetic and environmental embarrassment.
— CAROL REYNOLDS, West Launceston.
Abbott
GOT TO love the quote from the Liberal staffer this week who said the only progressive thing Prime Minister Tony Abbott would ever support is a progressive barn dance.
My word how true, solid gold.
— MAX WELLS, Sorell.
AFL
DELVING into the AFL statistics library, one particular statistic caught my eye.
The highest number of “uncontested possessions” are shared by Hawthorn and Fremantle, the two top rated sides.
If these numbers are a key to success, the game is doomed.
— HUGH BOYD, Launceston.
Same gender marriage
I HOPE there is someone out there with the ability to explain why the ALP and Greens demand the LNP provide a free conscience vote for their members in federal parliament on the subject of same gender marriage, when both of those parties do not allow a free conscience vote in theirs.
There is something not right about the state of politics in Australia when the opposition left side of federal parliament demand "Do what we say, not what we do" of the government and the media just let it go without question.
— LARRY DIGNEY, Frankford.
Black tie anachronistic
I HAVE been invited to three black tie dinners in the past month.
As I feel they are both elitist and anachronistic, I shall not be going, especially as I don’t own a dinner suit and wouldn’t give one space in my wardrobe.
One is for the Queen’s Longest Reign on September 9.
A late friend of mine and myself were going to have chicken and sparkling wine and wear Christmas stars as decorations (decorations may be worn).
I’m sure Her Majesty would have approved.
I am however, going to a Christ College reunion dinner in Hobart, the dress is smart casual, the organisers are in the 21st century obviously.
— MALCOLM SCOTT, Newstead.
Politicians
WHY is it that our politicians (the ones we elected) don’t consult their electorate about important decisions they are asked to make on our behalf?
If the majority of his or her electorate are against something they are required to vote on, but the politician is for it, it just is not a fair procedure.
Are the people who put the politician in the government forgotten by the politician?
In the 14 years we have lived in Tasmania no politician ever came to our door, or phoned us.
As for equal marriage, such an important decision should be decided by referendum not by a hand full of politicians.
A referendum could be attached to a federal election.
— WILLEM RAAK, Clarence Point.
Penalties campaign
AN online Tasmanian petition aimed at tougher penalties for paedophiles has gained more than 10,000 signatures in little more than a week (The Examiner, August 17).
As you would expect it would.
When a victim or secondary victim presents a bright idea, it’s usually worth listening to, largely because their thoughts and ideas are about protecting or preventing the next “victim”.
The woman who started the petition, whose daughter was molested multiple times, said “regardless of the outcome, her daughter was proud of what she had achieved”.
And so are more than 10,000 others.
— A.R. TROUNSON, Needles.
Medical cannabis
I STRONGLY agree that they should allow medical cannabis to patients in Australian.
It is not fair for the people who have cancer and Parkinson’s disease to have to live in pain where they could have a treatment that could help ease the pain and slow the cancer process.
Which leaves them knowing that they might live to see their child grow up.
You might not like the idea but what if someone you know has a disease like this, it’ll tear you up inside to know that you’re the reason some little girl or boy has to move around in so much pain.
So please help us get the government to agree to the medical use of cannabis in Australia for the people who need it
— NIKTARIA BRICKNELL, age 14, Ravenswood.
Rate payment failure
I HAVE read with interest the case of a ratepayer who has been prosecuted for failure to pay rates to the Devonport City Council.
At a seminar on Constitutional Law held in Launceston last year, this very point, payment of council rates, was discussed. It would appear that there are strong grounds to challenge the lawfulness, under the Constitution, to enforce the collection of council rates, and indeed, the legality of this type of revenue since Federation.
A recent example from a council area in Western Australia was given, where a citizen has successfully avoided rate payments by citing the relevant sections of the Constitution.
If a successful appeal is made in the case of the North-West man in question, it will certainly create a popular topic for discussion.
— FRASER MURRAY, Beauty Point.
Racism
THE word racism is being bandied about everywhere and is being used inappropriately.
Three dictionary definitions are: 1. A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to others; 2. A policy of government, based on fostering such doctrine, discrimination; 3. Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Those who use the accusation should look in the mirror and ask themselves if it is not themselves who are being racist.
In Tasmania there is no evidence the general community is acting in a racist manner against any minority groups yet those same groups freely use the term against others and claim discrimination.
— JOHN COULSON, Dilston.
Carbon emissions
ENVIRONMENT Minister Greg Hunt self-righteously announced, Australia will have the biggest per capita improvement in carbon emissions in the developed world, or words to that effect.
But Climate Change Authority head Bernie Fraser stated he was disappointed with the low percentage improvement and mentioned when coming from a high base.
What is going on I ask?
Let me do a simple calculation by way of example.
If Australian carbon emission is 1000t per person per annum (pp pa) and the improvement is 25 per cent then the improvement is 250t pa pp and the quantity of emission is 750t pp pa.
If the developed world average emission is 750t pp pa and the improvement is 30 per cent then the improvement is 225t pa and level of emission is 525t pp pa.
Which represents the moral high ground and the climate change responsible attitude?
Which statements misdirect the public and which comments add value?
— M.FYFE, Riverside.
Energy
OUR economy, historically underpinned by affordable fossil fuel energy, must adopt new, cheaper energy technologies to avert a train wreck.
Industry leaders recognise the light at the end of the tunnel: blinkered Government vision increases public nervousness about derailment.
‘Fossil fuel versus renewables’ focuses on climate change implications, CO2 and associated healthcare costs.
The renewables business case increasingly outstrips fossil fuel.
Consumer choice drives the transition rate: 1.4 million Australians have already installed rooftop solar (pricier than traditional technologies) for economic, financial, or environmental or social conscience reasons.
Impending arrival of economical battery storage and cheaper solar technologies will increase momentum for change.
Renewables pose less environmental, social and financial risk.
Informed logic indicates low cost distributed energy and storage progressively decimating old centralised, inefficient business models.
Fixation on antiquated models means Australians have the West’s highest energy costs plus delayed transition to economic reality; a reckless and socially devastating policy.
— MARK BARNETT, Launceston.
Legislation
I STRUGGLE to understand why some people feel it's their duty to deny others the same rights they themselves enjoy.
To put same-sex marriage into legislation means that it's optional,
No-one's going to make you marry someone of the same sex.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says marriage between a man and a woman has always been a feature of our culture, but the right to vote was once confined to whites.
We grew up as a nation when we realised this was discriminatory and changed the law.
Some Christians have religious reasons for opposing same-sex marriage.
To those people I say - we have ceased to uphold other biblical directives, such as those on slavery, for obvious reasons.
Laws have been changed throughout history to ensure citizens are treated fairly.
It's time it happened for marriage equality.
— JANE LEWIS, Pipers Brook.