Infallibility
GIVEN that the Pope is infallible (Letters: January 12), and taking into account his many pronouncements concerning the reality that is climate change, do we then take from this that all Catholics believe in climate change? Do any that might not believe in climate change consider the Pope to be fallible? Which, considering his infallibility, seems a tad rude.
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Dave Robinson, Newstead.
Sea level rise
DESPITE the opinion of Tony Newport (Letters, January 17) that the Solomon Islands are proof of sea level rise, established facts tell a very different story.
Claims that the sea level around the Solomons is rising faster than anywhere else on earth do not stand up to scrutiny. The data is obtained from sea level gauges at Honiara and taken over a period of around 20 years, which is far too short to permit any valid conclusions to be drawn.
It is known that increased wave action caused by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation has increased the strength of tides which have had an abrasive, scouring effect on low lying islands in the vicinity. Additionally the Solomon Islands are being adversely affected by shifting tectonic plates which are having the effect of lowering them in relation to sea level. I will revise my views about sea level rise when the land south of Eaglehawk Neck has become an island due to the inundation of the isthmus, and that Bruny Island has become two islands for the same reason.
M. Chugg, Prospect.
Anti-monarchist
LISTENING to breakfast TV hosts, almost exclusively on commercial channels, competing for how much they admire the Queen is offensive to many republicans like myself. The arrogance of referring to Elizabeth the Second as the Queen beggars belief.
Imagine how many would look down their noses if the Thais referred to their monarch as the King or the Japanese referred to their head of state as the Emperor. It would be more edifying if the accused media hosts moved beyond their middle class superficiality.
Rod Fenner, Launceston.
