Noblesse oblige
Melina Smith writes: Re. “Crikey says: all hail our future king ” (Tuesday). While I’m not a devout monarchist, I respect our tradition and English heritage. The great benefits of a monarchy is that it’s above politics, and the Queen’s significant charitable work has helped many disadvantaged people in the UK over many years.
Our own political class has become nasty and self-serving, especially with asylum seekers.
Privileged families have a lot of opportunities, but if children are raised well, like this young couple seem to be, can do a lot for the common good and social issues.
The pragmatism of politics and a brutal solution
Scott Mackinnon writes: Re. “An elegant solution” (Tuesday). Thanks to Les Heimann’s straightforward insight on how well PM Kevin Rudd has dovetailed an electorate’s majority desires to his and Labor’s gain. To add: it’s a crystallised show of how pragmatic a political leader must be. I wouldn’t be in politics; I respect PM Rudd for his tenacity, but I couldn’t live with having to make such decisions. That may be why I’m a bit apathetic, but I do keep reading and taking care of my lot. Thanks Crikey!
Orm Grace writes: A brutal solution? Most Australians I know are compassionate, not brutal. But what if the “brutal solution” does not stop the boats? It has not so far.
If we send hungry, destitute refugees to PNG where there is no future for them they may swim to Thursday Island — it’s not far!
The truth of cigarette advertising
Gavin Greenoak writes: Re. “Lies, damned lies and the tobacco packaging debate” (Tuesday). Plain packaging! I think not. I’ve one in front of me that says in very bold lettering: “SMOKING CAUSES BLINDNESS”, accompanied by an equally revolting image. In the ancient “spade-speak” this is simply a lie, an untruth, a falsehood, about which there should be no equivocation. But I live in a society where the end justifies the means, yes? Blindness indeed!
Gavin G – is it really a lie if there is clear evidence of a linkage between smoking and blindness?
MELINA SMITH: You are gaily discussing Australia’s present head of state. Australians have to put up with an INHERITED head of state in a world and a country where royalty has become an anachronism.
Let me set it out for royalists such as yourselves:::”When my brilliant orthopedic surgeon father died; he, lacking sons, left me the surgery, and its marvelous cash flow.
For years I’ve worked with patients whose bodies were shattered in car accidents, and have studied-in depth- all my late father’s records.” Accordingly, I trust you and your family will consider using my orthopedic skills the next time one of you has an accident.
BTW The royal personage who is our present head of state knows as much about Australia as I know about orthopedic surgery. In reality bugger all.
Why is Crikey taking the trouble to publish rubbish that doesn’t pass the simplest factcheck, as in Gavin Greenoak’s deluded contribution? The plain medical evidence is that smoking does cause blindness – and impotence, Gavin, if you’re interested. Drug addicts do a lot of rationalising, but there’s no need to package their delusions in your publication for consumption by the public.