Launceston's winter wonderland
Due to previous employment, I was privileged to have travelled all over the world, and although blown away by incredible scenery and history, I was always pleased to return to our beautiful city of Launceston, and Wednesday was one of the reasons why.
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From lovely warm summers to winter snow, although once in a century drop is something I have witnessed in my 80 odd years. We are truly privileged in such a well-kept city of convenience, pollution-free, with lots of clean fresh air.
I am a born and bred local Launcestonian, and wake up every day appreciating my opportunities, and where I am. We are blessed with freedom of speech in a democracy, living in paradise. Sometimes the challenges of life become hard, but then it is time to count our blessings, and in most cases here in Launceston we are so ahead. The Examiner showed us scenes, never before seen, highlighting the city's beauty. At my age and in God's waiting room I am so thankful.
Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.
Tasmania turns white
Palace letters looking to lay blame
TONY Newport (The Examiner, August 7) must live in some sort of bubble regarding the Whitlam dismissal.
He forgets to mention that the so-called 'rort' by Sir John Kerr and Fraser was pretty resoundingly ratified by the people via the democratic process - evidencing 'Res Publica' at the earliest opportunity. The whole episode simply supported the fact that we are an independent republic irrespective of what technical name we give our form of government.
Would it matter if we called the GG or the Queen for that matter The Grand Poobah? Let's face it, the whole palace papers episode has turned out to be a beat-up by a bunch of ALP luvvies for life who still just cannot move on and accept the casting vote of the people and are still hunting for demons to blame for the incompetence of the Whitlam regime.
Seward, Port Fairy.
Upper house, not the only way
Given the current debate about the future of the Upper House, I think it time to start to look at other systems at other times.
The 'direct system' of Athenian democracy from around the fifth century B.C.E. provides such an example. Each year 500 names were taken from all the citizens of the city. The selected 500 had to actively serve in the government and propose new laws. Any new laws were then voted on by all citizens.
This contrasts with our current "Representative system" in which citizens vote for members to represent them for six years and have no further involvement in any new laws. As Pericles said of ancient Athens that "We are indeed called democracy for the administration is in the hands of the many and not the few".
I, for one, think that a modified system which puts more input from Tasmania's citizens into decision making would progress.
Denise Gaughwin, Launceston.
