Latest news with #Letters
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Time to get serious about proper sanctions on Israel
You hear there's food. A truck might be coming. Maybe. So you walk – miles sometimes. You bring your ID, your kids, anything you can carry. You wait in the sun, in the dust, surrounded by hundreds just like you, hoping this isn't one of the days the Israeli army decides to shoot. On Tuesday, they did, leaving 59 people dead and more than 200 wounded ('At least 59 Palestinians killed waiting for aid', June 19). They came for flour and left in body bags. This isn't the first time. Three hundred and ninety-seven people have been killed trying to reach aid trucks in the past month. And it won't be the last — unless world leaders, Anthony Albanese included, decide otherwise. That means cutting diplomatic ties. Imposing real sanctions. Halting arms sales. Anything less is complicity. Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy (Vic) Thomas Friedman made a lot of good points in his article, but your correspondent Alexander Hilson (Letters, June 19) somewhat misrepresented what Friedman was saying about Palestinian self-determination. He didn't say that they would need the approval of the United States, only that any future government of theirs would need to fulfil the requirements of statehood. He went on to describe what this might entail. The real point is that thus far, all attempts at resolving the conflict have failed because the Palestinian leadership does not come close to meeting these requirements and is not fit to govern any future Palestinian state. Ridding them of Hamas has to be the first step before any recognition of Palestine. Steve Davidson, Turramurra Israel attacks Iran and suddenly Israel striking starving Palestinians queueing for food doesn't make it onto the front page. Israel's genocide in Gaza should not be buried at the back of the newspaper. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Democracy no ruler Correspondent Michael Berger says that, for the first time in 20 years, Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations (Letters, June 18). Evidently, this is enough reason for Israel to assassinate whoever it wants and bomb Iran. Of course, Israel itself is not in breach of non-proliferation obligations – it does not have any because it refuses to be part of the process. It does what it wants on the nuclear field with no supervision. When we compare the two states, Iran and Israel, Israel is much less compliant on nuclear non-proliferation. But Israel is democratic, isn't it? One of the good guys. Ask the Arabs of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights when they had a vote for the government of Israel. Israel is democratic in the same way as South Africa was democratic during apartheid – only some citizens get to vote. We are sometimes told that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. It is probably true that it is the closest to a democracy, as the free and fair election of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt was almost immediately overturned by the USA, supported by the local military. The Muslim Brotherhood is now declared a terrorist organisation. As far as many Arabs are concerned, the idea of democracy is meaningless as they will never be permitted to win by the USA and its local agents. Democracy cannot be used as a measure of legitimacy in the Middle East. Reg Lawler, Dagun (Qld) Alan Russell presents, I fear, an overly optimistic view of the restraints on Donald Trump over the Israel-Iran conflict (Letters, June 19). It is true that only Congress has the power to declare war, as it did in December 1941 against Japan. However, America carried on a decade-long war in Vietnam with no declaration of war. President Johnson was able to conduct the conflict there on the basis of a congressional resolution, 'The Tonkin Resolution'. Don't forget Trump's action against Syria in April 2017, when he ordered Tomahawk missile strikes on the Assad regime. No congressional declaration of war there either. Ken Webb, Epping With a foreboding sense of deja vu, I am reminded of President George W. Bush rushing into Iraq looking for 'weapons of mass destruction' (' Trump camp split over Iran ', June 19). Between the start of the war in 2003 and its end in 2011, the US had 4500 dead and 32,000 injured. They never did find the weapons. Gavin Williamson, Narrabeen Albo dodged a bullet I fail to see why our prime minister is so desperate to gain a brief audience with the world's most unreliable and egotistical leader – a laughing stock among other world leaders – even to trying to catch up with him on the sidelines of the Nato summit (' Albanese races to lock in new date with Trump ', June 19). Five minutes after the encounter, Donald Trump would have forgotten Albanese's name, let alone the contents of the conversation (Remember Joe Biden's reference to 'that fellow from Down Under'?) That brief but intense meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in St Peter's Basilica in Rome failed to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Indeed, Putin plays Trump like a trout. The tragic reality is that the US is no longer our great and powerful friend and is an entirely different nation from the one I once loved and lived in. Paul Keating is right to say that America's AUKUS review could save Australia from itself, so let's get on with it. Bernard Moylan, Bronte Shaun Carney, Australians don't understand why Australian leaders continue to chase after their American counterparts like lost puppies (' PM can keep playing that dead bat ', June 19). Scott Morrison's sycophantic behaviour to Trump was sickening and as an aside can be blamed, in no small part, on the Coalition's downfall. If Australia stops its wanton fealty to the US, at some point the US will eventually come running for favours. At that time, Australia should have developed alternate alliances and therefore either have bigger bargaining chips, or ultimately ask the US to speak to the hand. Ted Bush, North Epping Shaun Carney's column strikes a chord, as does Nick Bonyhady's concurrent article (' Paul Keating accuses Marles of 'careless betrayal ' over China', June 19). Gambling as a national trait is normally confined to enjoyable recreational activities, like the next race, footy match, etc. Gambling on igniting a potential world war is the 'ultimate crapshoot', one we'll happily leave to our American mates. Being pragmatic as well as maintaining our sovereignty are both part of our national DNA. Equally, kowtowing to or being bullied by any other nation doesn't sit well. Being dragged into wars, most recently by our previous US 'cousins', has concentrated our collective memory. Sitting this one out and ensuring we don't burn the bridges, economically and diplomatically, that Labor has worked hard to rebuild, is a wise move. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why Any politician or commentator perturbed by the snubbing of Anthony Albanese by Donald Trump should instead be thankful he was. Trump is highly unpredictable and with all the noise around the Israel, Gaza and the Iran conflicts, it was hardly surprising. Although we have always imagined ourselves as a special friend of the US, that has all changed with the America First mentality of the Trump administration. What Albanese doesn't need is the public humiliation of a Trump sit-down, highly likely when seeking tariff relief. Thus, I contend that the non-meeting was a good result at this juncture, with the PM able to maintain his dignity and self-respect. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne Trump claims to be the greatest dealmaker and has many times declared himself 'very smart'. Yet the world watches as a real master manipulator outwits and outplays him like a pro and wedges the US into a dreadful corner. They're damned if they help Benjamin Netanyahu with a war he can't finish on his own, and damned if they don't. Trump, concerned only with the optics as he struts self-importantly out of a G7 meeting that would not have been focused enough on him, is clueless about the disaster that he has been sucked into by people infinitely smarter than him. He is everyone's fool. Graeme Smith, Daceyville In less than six months the Trump regime is beginning to turn on itself. The defence secretary is out of his depth. The trade war has been lost. America's allies want a new partnership without the US. Putin and Xi are smiling. Even our own prime minister is distancing himself from the Orange One. Now the commentators who enabled Trump's rise are enraged. When the burgers and sleepless nights finally kill him, what are the chances JD Vance will be any better? It's been just six months – there are still 42 to go. David Neilson, Araluen (NT) Conroy is too late Defence Minister Pat Conroy claims Mick Ryan doesn't understand Australia's 'defence initiatives' (Letters, June 19). Mick is not on his Pat Malone there. With Albo chasing Trump across the globe, begging for a meeting to grovel at his feet, what on earth are these defence initiatives? Just the one. Continuing to go all in with America. With the now reckless US no longer honouring agreements or sharing our values and goals, we are at best undefended and at worst strapped to a suicide bomb. Without a hint of irony, Conroy's response is weeks late. Those subs will be terminally late. AUKUS is nothing more than a $368 billion donation to the US military industrial complex. Those Israeli missiles don't pay for themselves. Paul Davies, Crows Nest Is $100m enough? Now that Optus will submit to a $100 million fine for unconscionable conduct, I have been reflecting on how our consumer protections have evolved (' Optus to pay $100 million fine over sales to vulnerable customers ', June 19). The laws are nowhere near perfect but are so much better now then in the 1970s, when freedom of contract reigned supreme and corporations ran riot over their consumer victims. Yes, it is hard to believe, but in those dark times, corporations were able to hide behind the notion that the parties had agreed to a contract, regardless of whether the consumer understood the terms. The only question now: is a $100 million fine enough? Michael Blissenden, Dural Pay to see results At a family get-together last weekend, I casually asked my granddaughter how she fared in recent uni exams (' Wake-up call as Australian universities slip in world rankings ', June 19). She said she didn't know. I assumed the results hadn't been released, but I was gobsmacked when I asked when she would know. Students have to pay a fee to receive their results. Once again, silly me assumed the fee was for some type of formal certificate, but no, they won't release your raw results until you pay the fee. This is a recognised top-level university. I get user-pays, lack of funding etc, but this is an absolute disgrace. Jason Clare, Federal Minister for Education, are you reading this? Albo, this is your country, slipping in the rankings. Brian Jones, Leura Wasted years It is not an apocryphal 'obsession with renewables' which will prove 'the greatest economic folly in the history of our nation' (Letters, June 19), but the decades Australia has wasted pandering to the wilful ignorance of right-wing ideologues, fossil fuel-funded fabulists and Murdoch minions ignoring the immutable laws of physics that rising CO2 emissions drive increasingly extreme weather events – then pretending that the observable reality isn't happening. New data from NASA has confirmed that these events will get more intense and costly until humanity accepts that the transition to renewables isn't optional (we either do it voluntarily or have it forced upon us by nature), so your correspondent Ian Morison's address is apt, as you can't see the trees from the Forrest unless you're prepared to ACT on observable reality outside it. Chris Roylance, Paddington (Qld) Profit from misery It is no surprise that the politicisation of refugees and the willingness of successive governments to outsource our responsibilities to countries willing to take our money has resulted in this level of corruption (' AFP probes firm's insured luxury ', June 19). While the alleged corrupt activities of Canstruct individuals is appalling, it is just one of many allegations of misappropriation of taxpayer dollars by various companies since the Rudd government announcement that no refugees coming to Australia by boat would ever settle in Australia. The only answer to this ongoing issue is to reinstitute onshore processing. It is more humane, more economical, and would go some way to restoring our international reputation on human rights. Judith Reynolds, Leura An entire article on the 'corruption-prone, dysfunctional and wasteful management of offshore processing' and not one mention of the name of the responsible government minister at the time of the contracts, and a suggestion that it was a political problem for the Albanese government, despite them being in opposition during that period. Very strange. Graeme Finn, Campsie In the interests of clarity, it was Peter Dutton, not the current government, who presided over the billions of dollars in government contracts to companies like LNP donor Canstruct and Paladin, ignoring warnings about them for years. Dutton was home affairs minister from 2017 to 2021. It was his department under former secretary Mike Pezzullo (whom Albanese sacked) that initiated the contentious Nauru offshore processing contracts. Alison Stewart, Riverview How perverse that the CEO of the company responsible for running the detention centre in Nauru, full of the most desperate individuals, was able to buy himself a $600,000 car. That our tax monies were used and are still being used to run this cruel and questionable policy that allowed the company concerned to make super profits is abhorrent. Alan Morris, Eastlakes Goldie-clocks The specialists driving expensive cars mentioned by your correspondent obviously didn't get the memo (Letters, June 19). A specialist with whom I once worked on the days he had a clinic would remove his Rolex watch before the first patient arrived and substitute it for a $20 Kmart variety. Elizabeth Maher, Gordon Dead last I have lost access to the crosswords without a premium subscription. Because I can't keep my mind active, I'm likely to be in the obituaries, if they are ever published again (Letters, June 19). Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
I don't get it: why can't Iran be allowed to have nuclear weapons?
The truth is that the arguments used to justify these weapons at Faslane is spurious. The world was fortunate that the Cuban crisis and the anti-nuclear campaigning throughout the world in the 1960s led to the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968. This was of critical importance at the time, otherwise we might now have 40 nuclear weapons states rather than nine. There was other progress later on nuclear testing, on reductions in warhead numbers, on better inter-state communications but we are now in a situation of rapid technological competition to see who can destroy the world faster. No political leaders of substance in the nuclear states show any interest in moving the world back from this spiral. By not imposing an economic, military and cultural boycott on the aggressor state, Israel, as we have done on Russia, western hypocrisy has sent a message to many states who must be thinking why shouldn't we have nuclear weapons too since you have them and tell us it keeps you safe. Until it doesn't. Isobel Lindsay, Biggar. Read more letters Nuclear energy is essential J Pountain (Letters, June 16) asks a question regarding nuclear and renewable energy and refers to Rebecca McQuillan's article ('Should Scotland blindly follow England down the nuclear power path?', The Herald, June 16). Your correspondent's main question was understanding how hydro power and nuclear power are equivalent in how they supply electricity to the grid? The answer is, they are not equivalent. Pumped hydro along with wind and solar energy provide intermittent supplies which require back-up from gas-fired generation and nuclear as base load. More recently more pumped hydro and battery farms are being built to back-up intermittent renewable sources of energy but these will only provide short periods, hours or half day, and total back-up is needed from gas fired plants and nuclear plants. These will provide the greatest amount of back-up along with some inter-connector supply from Europe. The Grid is a Great Britain electricity supply and it is now recognised that nuclear energy is essential for security of supply, keeping the price of electricity as low as possible and playing a big part in achieving net zero in the energy sector. The Scottish Government would do well to reconsider its objection to nuclear energy. Nuclear plants have been designed in the past to provide base load but new plants can be designed to provide flexible output similar to gas-fired plants and which they could eventually replace. The solution to the energy crisis requires an engineering solution, not a political one. Charles Scott, Edinburgh. Beware threat to our liberty Neil Cowan of Amnesty International writes that the blind acceptance of live facial recognition systems by the state will violate our individual rights to privacy, freedom of movement, expression and lawful assembly ("We need to guard against the rise of mass surveillance", The Herald, June16). Of course it will. That is what the state wants – control. But Mr Cowan didn't go far enough in outlining the threats to our civil liberties. In his astonishingly prescient 1969 novel, Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner predicted that an algorithm-driven worldwide surveillance system would track every citizen at all times using the power of "intelligent computers" as he called them then, or AI, as we seem to be calling them today. Artificial, certainly, but intelligent? No, not now and not ever. They are machines and however sophisticated the programs which drive them, they can only follow instructions which humans give them. To trust our civil liberties to the people who write these instructions is madness. There will come a time when it will be argued by governments and the IT billionaires that we would all be safer if we were chipped like our dogs and cats and that time is coming sooner than you might think. Our mobile phones and everything we do on them is already tracked. Who you are, where you are and what you are doing and why, is nobody's business but your own, unless it can be proved, by corroborated evidence, that you are breaking the law. Are you prepared to give up that freedom to further the profits of Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg, or the political aims of Trump, Farage and the Chinese Communist Party? AJ Clarence, Prestwick. A handle on Walter Scott In saying that Handel was first and foremost an opera composer Linda Hoskins (Letters, June 14) shows that she has kept abreast of musicological conductor Christopher Hogwood has remarked on the belated heightened awareness of the quality of Handel's operas. Yet his former immense popularity derived mainly from his oratorios, harpsichord suites etc, and how do these compare with Bach's? Regarding the question of the true worth of Scott's novels, it would be interesting to know what proportion of the reading public actually read Scott back in the days of his putative popularity. I can't prove it, but suspect that even in the 19th century, if anyone mentioned such names as Dandie Dinmont, Lucy Ashon, James Deans etc, almost any Scot would be prompted to think of paddle steamers rather than characters in Waverley novels. Robin Dow, Rothesay. • To add to the defence of Scott by Linda Hoskins, Sir Walter has the distinction that his novels influenced more operas than any other author. Robert F Gibson, Milngavie. Sir Walter Scott (Image: National Galleries of Scotland/Getty) Unexpected tonic for sales of Cola Congratulations to Aldi: you report that its own-brand gin from Scotland has just been named the world's best ("Aldi's gin named best in the world", The Herald, June 14). I see its name is Còmhla, Gaelic for "Together". There is a danger, though, that this could be mispronounced as "Cola". Being sent to the shops to stock up with supplies could have unfortunate consequences. Gilbert MacKay, Newton Mearns.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Nuclear balance might bring peace to Middle East
The recent escalation of the Middle East war is allegedly to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, but nobody is talking about the stabilising effects of mutually assured destruction (' Israel and Iran bomb each other as nuclear talks tank ', June 16). This was most recently seen in the exchange between the nuclear armed powers of Pakistan and India, where both parties talked a big game, had some symbolic interchanges, and took the first available off-ramp to de-escalate. Perhaps a nuclear armed Iran would lead to regional stability and temper Israel's increasingly dominant role in the Middle East. Just sayin' ... John Storer, Bulli Your correspondents Judy Hungerford and John Rome (Letters, June 16) seem to have a blinkered view of the Israel/Iran conflict. Mr Rome goes so far as to compare Israel's actions with those of the US when it attacked Iraq in response to the false threat of weapons of mass destruction. By contrast Iran, ruled by a malignant theocratic dictatorship mired in the Middle Ages and publicly avowing Israel's destruction, has well-documented potential to produce nuclear weapons. This, coupled with its intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities, presented a real and present danger, not only to Israel. The International Atomic Energy Agency just a few days ago declared, for the first time in 20 years, that Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. Iran has waged war on Israel for decades through its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Would Ms Hungerford and Mr Rome prefer Israel to wait until a mushroom cloud envelops Jerusalem? Michael Berger, Bellevue Hill What sort of dystopian, brutal world does the President of the USA live in (' Evacuate Tehran immediately, says Trump ', June 17)? Tehran has a population of nearly 10 million. Where does he expect them to go? How does he expect them to carry out such an insane direction? What sort of madness is this? Recently he wanted all Gazans to leave their homeland so he could turn it into some sort of Las Vegas. Now he wants to depopulate an entire metropolis of 10 million people. Does he want to turn that proud city into a Disneyland? Why does Australia still bend its knee to such a destructive fool? Terence Golding, Bolwarra Correspondent David Lloyd defends Israel's actions on the grounds it is the 'only democracy in the Middle East' (Letters, June 17). Yet its government is controlled by an authoritarian, ultra-right religious group whose leaders have clearly stated their intention to wipe Palestine off the map. Surely, a true democracy would be putting all its efforts into securing a lasting and effective peace through diplomacy, rather than catastrophic warfare. And however hard Israel's supporters try to claim the fighting would stop if Hamas would release all the hostages, the history of the region tells us the opposite. Extremists on both sides want only one outcome – and we're seeing it in horrific operation as each day passes. Eric Hunter, Cook (ACT) Putin no peacemaker It is astounding that even the unstable Donald Trump could perceive Vladimir Putin as a peacemaker (' Putin a peacemaker? Only to Trump ', June 17). Stalin-like Putin is a killer. In addition to the brutal war he started and still wages against Ukraine, he eliminates any meaningful opposition to his murderous regime. Is it the Russian dictator's untrammelled power that Trump admires most? Is it the sort of dominance Trump is trying to exercise in a democracy which is fighting back against his authoritarianism? Trump's damaging tariffs, negativity on climate change, inability to curb China and threatening of the likes of Canada and Greenland connote a power-mongering mindset, which perhaps helps explain his admiration for, and temerity towards the despotic Putin. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne We've been subject to Trump's delusions for some time, but Putin as a 'peacemaker' is quite something. As Trump fast becomes an irrelevancy of his own making on the global stage, the tinpot dictator would be ignored by global leaders if not for the residual strength of the US economy and military. The former now in danger of being sabotaged from within and the latter in danger of being issued illegal orders. What becomes of the US, we will see in time. Marie Del Monte, Ashfield Of all the questionable decisions Donald Trump has made in his second reign as King of America, asking Putin to broker peace between Iran and Israel has to be one of the strangest – until you start to connect the dots. Russian influence on Hillary Clinton's campaign gave Trump inside running on his first presidency. Trump has personally received financial backing from Russia. Trump favours Russian interests when 'supporting' Ukraine in its war with Russia. Trump has fired everyone dealing with foreign influence against the US. Trump's 79th birthday parade looked more like a Russian parade. Trump won't be shirtfronting Putin anytime soon. He behaves like a Russian sleeper agent, milking his position for both Russian and personal gain. Geoff Nilon, Mascot Declining empire James Massola reports that our prime minister has been asked in Canada 'whether Australia would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the US if China attempted to take Taiwan by force' (' Defence ties with Australia key to Albanese's pitch in historic Trump meeting ', June 17)? Herein lies the real issue with the AUKUS submarines and the expansion of HMAS Stirling in WA, for the rotation of US submarines. It is patently absurd to contemplate that the declining empire of America, with a track record of failed military adventures in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, let alone the current MAGA kleptocracy, could successfully prosecute a war on the other side of the Pacific against the resurgent empire of China. The sensible policy positions for Australia to take at this time are 1) Australia will not participate in any war between China and the USA over Taiwan. 2) Australia cannot be used as a base by any power involved in armed conflict over Taiwan. Graham Cochrane, Balmain Death on the streets In the US and Australia, officials issuing teeth-clenched demands that 'violence will not be tolerated' are as empty as a gun after a shooting (' In a dangerously polarised US, violence is becoming a part of life,' June 17). As long as firearms are readily available, no one on the streets of Minneapolis, or Auburn, is safe. Mark Paskal, Austinmer Women will fix it Tuesday's headlines feature male world leaders throwing verbal and actual missiles at each other, male locals aiming guns at one another. Then reports of women being murdered and dumped, injured in men's gun crossfire, male brawlers wanting to bring back bare-fist fighting and others playing run-it-straight, in which they slam into each other until only one is left standing. It is well and truly time to hand over the running of the world to women. This violence has to stop. Kate Fellowes, Glebe Speak no evil Poor Alistair Kitchen becoming the canary in the coal mine (' Australian deported from US targeted ', June 17). As a lifetime Americophile, if scrutinised, my email shows that unequivocally to be so. However, my free speech also has large dollops of criticism of the current US administration, albeit without any seditious or violent verbiage. Yet, I am wary that fascist proclivities of immigration 'policy' await people like me if I were to arrive in America, although I have done nothing unlawful, like Mr Kitchen, I might be summarily ejected. Fascism is when powers are exercised arbitrarily as opposed to upholding the law as enacted democratically. Andrew Cohen, Glebe The problem with specialists Jenna Price has commented on the poor communication skills of medical specialists (' Soaring fees are a pain, but doctors have another problem ', June 17). There is one thing they communicate very well: arrogance. While the occasional specialist does manage to see patients at the appointed time, the time management ability of the majority is abysmal. For people who charge several hundred dollars for a few minutes of their time, they show precious little respect, even contempt, for the time of others. After experiencing an inexcusable waiting time at a specialist appointment, walking out and asking my GP for a referral to someone who could see people in a timely fashion, I was mildly chastised and told that it is expected that patients wait an hour at specialist appointments, as he himself had done on occasions. Sorry, but in my book that is entirely unacceptable. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills Medical consultations have drastically changed. Patients who would once have been diagnosed and treated by their GP are now too often referred to a specialist. As we are living longer, medical problems become more complex and frequent. The exorbitant specialist fees even for the better-heeled create enormous anxiety by anyone needing to access them. For too many it's not even an option – they must rely on the public health system, which does its best but is nowhere near fit for purpose. Old age ain't for sissies. Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick Most of us know what it's like to wait for ages at the doctor's. This is due to some patients being late, and its flow-on effect, and some patients taking longer than their allotted times, again meaning a delay for the next patient. So it is a combination of inadequate appointment times and patients not being punctual. In regard to better communication, the trainee doctor program at the university where I am a volunteer simulated patient has a strong focus on the doctor-patient interaction, with a student doctor's interview with the simulated patient being recorded for the student to study later and critiqued by medical staff, other students and the 'patient' immediately following the session. This is followed by a staff-student group reflection session. This university is certainly aware of the problem of poor communication and is proactive in trying to improve doctor-patient communication. Paul Casey, Callala Bay As an orthopaedic surgeon working in public and private settings, I feel compelled to respond to the Grattan Institute's recent report in Jenna Price's article suggesting that out-of-pocket costs for specialist care are driven primarily by excessive surgeon fees. This overlooks a crucial fact: Medicare rebates have not kept pace with inflation or the rising costs of delivering safe, high-quality care. Surgeons are increasingly absorbing the burden of underfunded procedures, or else charging gap fees transparently to cover real costs. More than 97 per cent of privately insured patients are treated under known-gap or no-gap arrangements. These are not surprise bills. They are the outcome of a system that relies on private practice to relieve pressure on overwhelmed public hospitals yet fails to fund that care adequately. Most concerning is the suggestion that patients should be denied their Medicare rebate if they choose a doctor who charges a gap. This punitive idea risks eroding clinical autonomy and punishing patients for seeking timely care from specialists they trust. We need serious, evidence-based reform – but that begins with addressing the core problem: under-indexed rebates, not so-called surgeon greed. Dr Manish Gupta, Glenhaven Play the ball, not the woman Correspondent John Kempler's suggestion that Penny Wong's wings need to be clipped (Letters, June 17) is reminiscent of the treatment doled out to Jacinda Ardern when an infamous radio announcer stated that someone should shove a sock down her throat. Both statements are abhorrent and denigrate these strong women, both of whom are exceptional in their field. It is difficult enough for women in politics but why must Penny Wong, in fulfilling her duties as foreign affairs minister, her decisions supported by our government, be subject to such expressions? To put it in sporting parlance: play the ball, not the man – or in this case, the woman. Dian Dennis, Epping Female bonding Right on Q, a lady named Blaise (perhaps in the like of a comic strip) moves into the top position at the spy agency, the mother of clever children who through their covert investigations disclosed the true nature of her work (' MI6 names first female spymaster ', June 17). Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook Housing indifference Premier Chris Minns and Planning Minister Paul Scully show no desire to engage with councils or citizens about their housing plans (' Councils resist plans for pattern-book homes ', June 17). They are mouthpieces for the development industry, whose lunches and meetings they have attended on a regular basis. The Property Council of Australia has even bragged about being an 'active partner' with the government on pattern-book development, and about being the original architect of the government's housing policy. It's time people woke up to the sinister effects of the lobbying industry, and of politicians who shrug off conflicts of interest. Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park Future options Elizabeth Knight is right about the possible sale of oil and gas giant Santos to a Middle-Eastern consortium (' Jim Chalmers faces a mission-critical national security test ', June 17). More than that, however, the treasurer faces, as do we all, two alternative futures. One continues business as usual, and the desperately slow death-throes of the fossil fuel industry, spewing avoidable greenhouse gases, heads for climate catastrophe. The other takes the climate and cost-of-living crises and energy sovereignty seriously by implementing distributed and smart renewable energy solutions and electrifying everything as soon as possible. The technology is here. The incumbents either transform, fast, or go. Sell the stranded assets, then flip off fossil fuels fast. Start today by getting solar and a battery. David Sargent, Seaton (SA) Space invaders No, Jayce, it's not just at the gym where your personal space is invaded (' Cosmetic surgery ads have invaded my personal space', June 16). My husband and I have each received repeated emails that refer to 'being soft down there' and encourage us to try penis surgery/treatment. While I know these are spam, I resent advertisers invading my personal space with stuff that doesn't concern me, and definitely shouldn't concern them. None of your business! Go away! Mia David, Wollongong Death of the obit I know as readers we're encouraged to write in response to news reported in the paper, but I'd like to discuss the disappearance of a certain kind of story – the obituary. Does the Herald now have a policy of not printing obituaries and, if so, if the obituary page has in fact died, did I miss its obit? I hope I'm wrong as the one absolute certainty in a very uncertain world is death. As I get older I find I've developed an increasing interest in the recently departed – the good, the bad and the ugly. I suspect I'm not alone. I appeal to the editors: bring back the obit. Nick Franklin, Katoomba
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Has Newcastle lost its small-town feel and shifted into a bona fide city?
I RECENTLY celebrated three years since returning to live in Newcastle, having been away for almost three decades. My main revelation upon return was that Newcastle had acquired that indefinable quality that comes from being a city rather than a large country town. At sunset recently, I stopped halfway across the Cowper Street bridge to contemplate Newcastle's changing skyline. With its combination of moored yachts and mid to high-rise buildings, the view of the waterfront and West End verged on glamorous. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I'm sure you'll allow that it's a great improvement on the grim neighbourhood some of us grew up with. The same can be said for many other parts of "town". The other day, I met an older Novocastrian who used to have professional offices at the top of town. He remembered the East End as being "awful", a grimy mélange of derelict warehouses, railway sidings, and pollution from the Zaara Street power station. Now, of course, the area is a tourist mecca and a highly successful event space. The shared paths along the foreshore and beaches are thronged, and the renovated ocean baths and new skate park have been enthusiastically embraced. Much remains to be done, of course. The slow death of street front retail has left large stretches of Hunter Street struggling to find a new purpose, Beaumont Street has its challenges, and while Newcastle's light rail line was the right idea, it remains a job only partly done. I'll report back in another three years. THE owners of Tomago Aluminium have warned that high energy prices may put the plant's future in jeopardy. That could cost 1500 direct jobs and an extra 5000 across the region ("Minister optimistic on smelter despite surging energy prices", Newcastle Herald 12/6). With energy prices to rise from July 2025, Tomago seems to be seeking government subsidy (taxpayer money) to keep operating profitably. Additionally, Alcoa plans to close down an aluminium smelter and two mills in WA this year due to high energy prices and production costs. With the US placing tariffs on Australian aluminium and Indonesia now expanding its cheap production, the future of our aluminium industry is not bright. Without reliable and affordable 24/7 energy supplies, productivity in Australia will continue to decline. It does not take an Einstein to figure that out. GRAHAME Danaher ("Tackling adversity way to go", Letters 10/6), and Steve Barnett ("Costs are high, but working hard tough to beat", Letters 5/6): of course, tackling adversity is a great part of life, and overcoming it is the greatest high. However, once 3.5 times the median national income was enough for a house deposit. In 2024, it's 8.6 times. Outrageously, concessional superannuation greatly favours the wealthy, people who do not need it, while the taxation tab is picked up by our younger taxpaying community. A parent recently expressed his bewilderment in the Sydney Morning Herald that, in retirement and with few expenses, he paid no tax, while his child with so many living expenses paid $37,000 on similar income. Employment is now far less stable, for a far more precarious life, for many. What toll is this taking on the social fabric? The recent Fair Work Commission decision improved real incomes by only 1 per cent, with much of the wage rise lost to inflation. Like me, Mr Danaher and Mr Barnett should be very thankful for how the times favoured them. At the start of his working life, Mr Barnett could pocket $60 of his pay. Sounds pretty good to me. MY parents didn't have botox injections, false eyelashes, manicures, exfoliation, waxing, cosmetic surgery, day spas, and that was just Dad. Throw in streaming services, exotic holidays, regular nights out, extra TVs, the biggest barbecue backyard smokehouse, spa, pool, four-car garage, double-storey house, jet ski, social media profile, designer clothes and handbags (are you reading this, honey? I hope not). I'm sure you people get my drift. I know it's hard these days, but it's not impossible to buy a home and start small, dream big. We are dreaming of a small, nice retirement apartment near the beach. It might be a cave overlooking the Hawkesbury River if Mac Maguire's prediction of 1000 years of Labor government comes true. Good luck, I hope you achieve your goals. MATT Ophir says he does not see any mosques being firebombed or sprayed with graffiti ("Targets of hate speak volumes", Letters, 12/6). What we are seeing is Palestine being destroyed and tens of thousands of its innocent citizens being slaughtered. Unfortunately, the hard-line government in Israel has used the bad behaviour of Hamas to invade the entire country. Yes, bad behaviour on both sides. I congratulate our government's brave decision to call out poor behaviour on both sides. I also congratulate the Albanese government on their response to the amazing clown act happening in America. Go Albo. WITH all due respect to Cr Clausen ("Councillors have duty to speak up", Letters, 10/6), the community's response to the Davidson Report, on display in these pages, shows it did nothing to restore public trust. Nor did accusing the lord mayor of spreading misinformation in any way stem the community outrage that drove the former lord mayor out of office. AN article on an Upper Hunter solar farm said it would cost $300 million and create five permanent jobs. I wonder where the thousands of permanent jobs will go when Mt Arthur closes, if five cost so much? APPARENTLY, Greta Thunberg and her cohort will be shown a video of the Hamas attack on Israel as justification for the invasion of Gaza. I wonder if they will also justify their response to the October 7 attack? The US wants us to spend more on defence, but surely the $368 billion for nuclear submarines more than covers us? I am not sure that Donald Trump knows much about the submarine deal, though. I RECENTLY celebrated three years since returning to live in Newcastle, having been away for almost three decades. My main revelation upon return was that Newcastle had acquired that indefinable quality that comes from being a city rather than a large country town. At sunset recently, I stopped halfway across the Cowper Street bridge to contemplate Newcastle's changing skyline. With its combination of moored yachts and mid to high-rise buildings, the view of the waterfront and West End verged on glamorous. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I'm sure you'll allow that it's a great improvement on the grim neighbourhood some of us grew up with. The same can be said for many other parts of "town". The other day, I met an older Novocastrian who used to have professional offices at the top of town. He remembered the East End as being "awful", a grimy mélange of derelict warehouses, railway sidings, and pollution from the Zaara Street power station. Now, of course, the area is a tourist mecca and a highly successful event space. The shared paths along the foreshore and beaches are thronged, and the renovated ocean baths and new skate park have been enthusiastically embraced. Much remains to be done, of course. The slow death of street front retail has left large stretches of Hunter Street struggling to find a new purpose, Beaumont Street has its challenges, and while Newcastle's light rail line was the right idea, it remains a job only partly done. I'll report back in another three years. THE owners of Tomago Aluminium have warned that high energy prices may put the plant's future in jeopardy. That could cost 1500 direct jobs and an extra 5000 across the region ("Minister optimistic on smelter despite surging energy prices", Newcastle Herald 12/6). With energy prices to rise from July 2025, Tomago seems to be seeking government subsidy (taxpayer money) to keep operating profitably. Additionally, Alcoa plans to close down an aluminium smelter and two mills in WA this year due to high energy prices and production costs. With the US placing tariffs on Australian aluminium and Indonesia now expanding its cheap production, the future of our aluminium industry is not bright. Without reliable and affordable 24/7 energy supplies, productivity in Australia will continue to decline. It does not take an Einstein to figure that out. GRAHAME Danaher ("Tackling adversity way to go", Letters 10/6), and Steve Barnett ("Costs are high, but working hard tough to beat", Letters 5/6): of course, tackling adversity is a great part of life, and overcoming it is the greatest high. However, once 3.5 times the median national income was enough for a house deposit. In 2024, it's 8.6 times. Outrageously, concessional superannuation greatly favours the wealthy, people who do not need it, while the taxation tab is picked up by our younger taxpaying community. A parent recently expressed his bewilderment in the Sydney Morning Herald that, in retirement and with few expenses, he paid no tax, while his child with so many living expenses paid $37,000 on similar income. Employment is now far less stable, for a far more precarious life, for many. What toll is this taking on the social fabric? The recent Fair Work Commission decision improved real incomes by only 1 per cent, with much of the wage rise lost to inflation. Like me, Mr Danaher and Mr Barnett should be very thankful for how the times favoured them. At the start of his working life, Mr Barnett could pocket $60 of his pay. Sounds pretty good to me. MY parents didn't have botox injections, false eyelashes, manicures, exfoliation, waxing, cosmetic surgery, day spas, and that was just Dad. Throw in streaming services, exotic holidays, regular nights out, extra TVs, the biggest barbecue backyard smokehouse, spa, pool, four-car garage, double-storey house, jet ski, social media profile, designer clothes and handbags (are you reading this, honey? I hope not). I'm sure you people get my drift. I know it's hard these days, but it's not impossible to buy a home and start small, dream big. We are dreaming of a small, nice retirement apartment near the beach. It might be a cave overlooking the Hawkesbury River if Mac Maguire's prediction of 1000 years of Labor government comes true. Good luck, I hope you achieve your goals. MATT Ophir says he does not see any mosques being firebombed or sprayed with graffiti ("Targets of hate speak volumes", Letters, 12/6). What we are seeing is Palestine being destroyed and tens of thousands of its innocent citizens being slaughtered. Unfortunately, the hard-line government in Israel has used the bad behaviour of Hamas to invade the entire country. Yes, bad behaviour on both sides. I congratulate our government's brave decision to call out poor behaviour on both sides. I also congratulate the Albanese government on their response to the amazing clown act happening in America. Go Albo. WITH all due respect to Cr Clausen ("Councillors have duty to speak up", Letters, 10/6), the community's response to the Davidson Report, on display in these pages, shows it did nothing to restore public trust. Nor did accusing the lord mayor of spreading misinformation in any way stem the community outrage that drove the former lord mayor out of office. AN article on an Upper Hunter solar farm said it would cost $300 million and create five permanent jobs. I wonder where the thousands of permanent jobs will go when Mt Arthur closes, if five cost so much? APPARENTLY, Greta Thunberg and her cohort will be shown a video of the Hamas attack on Israel as justification for the invasion of Gaza. I wonder if they will also justify their response to the October 7 attack? The US wants us to spend more on defence, but surely the $368 billion for nuclear submarines more than covers us? I am not sure that Donald Trump knows much about the submarine deal, though. I RECENTLY celebrated three years since returning to live in Newcastle, having been away for almost three decades. My main revelation upon return was that Newcastle had acquired that indefinable quality that comes from being a city rather than a large country town. At sunset recently, I stopped halfway across the Cowper Street bridge to contemplate Newcastle's changing skyline. With its combination of moored yachts and mid to high-rise buildings, the view of the waterfront and West End verged on glamorous. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I'm sure you'll allow that it's a great improvement on the grim neighbourhood some of us grew up with. The same can be said for many other parts of "town". The other day, I met an older Novocastrian who used to have professional offices at the top of town. He remembered the East End as being "awful", a grimy mélange of derelict warehouses, railway sidings, and pollution from the Zaara Street power station. Now, of course, the area is a tourist mecca and a highly successful event space. The shared paths along the foreshore and beaches are thronged, and the renovated ocean baths and new skate park have been enthusiastically embraced. Much remains to be done, of course. The slow death of street front retail has left large stretches of Hunter Street struggling to find a new purpose, Beaumont Street has its challenges, and while Newcastle's light rail line was the right idea, it remains a job only partly done. I'll report back in another three years. THE owners of Tomago Aluminium have warned that high energy prices may put the plant's future in jeopardy. That could cost 1500 direct jobs and an extra 5000 across the region ("Minister optimistic on smelter despite surging energy prices", Newcastle Herald 12/6). With energy prices to rise from July 2025, Tomago seems to be seeking government subsidy (taxpayer money) to keep operating profitably. Additionally, Alcoa plans to close down an aluminium smelter and two mills in WA this year due to high energy prices and production costs. With the US placing tariffs on Australian aluminium and Indonesia now expanding its cheap production, the future of our aluminium industry is not bright. Without reliable and affordable 24/7 energy supplies, productivity in Australia will continue to decline. It does not take an Einstein to figure that out. GRAHAME Danaher ("Tackling adversity way to go", Letters 10/6), and Steve Barnett ("Costs are high, but working hard tough to beat", Letters 5/6): of course, tackling adversity is a great part of life, and overcoming it is the greatest high. However, once 3.5 times the median national income was enough for a house deposit. In 2024, it's 8.6 times. Outrageously, concessional superannuation greatly favours the wealthy, people who do not need it, while the taxation tab is picked up by our younger taxpaying community. A parent recently expressed his bewilderment in the Sydney Morning Herald that, in retirement and with few expenses, he paid no tax, while his child with so many living expenses paid $37,000 on similar income. Employment is now far less stable, for a far more precarious life, for many. What toll is this taking on the social fabric? The recent Fair Work Commission decision improved real incomes by only 1 per cent, with much of the wage rise lost to inflation. Like me, Mr Danaher and Mr Barnett should be very thankful for how the times favoured them. At the start of his working life, Mr Barnett could pocket $60 of his pay. Sounds pretty good to me. MY parents didn't have botox injections, false eyelashes, manicures, exfoliation, waxing, cosmetic surgery, day spas, and that was just Dad. Throw in streaming services, exotic holidays, regular nights out, extra TVs, the biggest barbecue backyard smokehouse, spa, pool, four-car garage, double-storey house, jet ski, social media profile, designer clothes and handbags (are you reading this, honey? I hope not). I'm sure you people get my drift. I know it's hard these days, but it's not impossible to buy a home and start small, dream big. We are dreaming of a small, nice retirement apartment near the beach. It might be a cave overlooking the Hawkesbury River if Mac Maguire's prediction of 1000 years of Labor government comes true. Good luck, I hope you achieve your goals. MATT Ophir says he does not see any mosques being firebombed or sprayed with graffiti ("Targets of hate speak volumes", Letters, 12/6). What we are seeing is Palestine being destroyed and tens of thousands of its innocent citizens being slaughtered. Unfortunately, the hard-line government in Israel has used the bad behaviour of Hamas to invade the entire country. Yes, bad behaviour on both sides. I congratulate our government's brave decision to call out poor behaviour on both sides. I also congratulate the Albanese government on their response to the amazing clown act happening in America. Go Albo. WITH all due respect to Cr Clausen ("Councillors have duty to speak up", Letters, 10/6), the community's response to the Davidson Report, on display in these pages, shows it did nothing to restore public trust. Nor did accusing the lord mayor of spreading misinformation in any way stem the community outrage that drove the former lord mayor out of office. AN article on an Upper Hunter solar farm said it would cost $300 million and create five permanent jobs. I wonder where the thousands of permanent jobs will go when Mt Arthur closes, if five cost so much? APPARENTLY, Greta Thunberg and her cohort will be shown a video of the Hamas attack on Israel as justification for the invasion of Gaza. I wonder if they will also justify their response to the October 7 attack? The US wants us to spend more on defence, but surely the $368 billion for nuclear submarines more than covers us? I am not sure that Donald Trump knows much about the submarine deal, though. I RECENTLY celebrated three years since returning to live in Newcastle, having been away for almost three decades. My main revelation upon return was that Newcastle had acquired that indefinable quality that comes from being a city rather than a large country town. At sunset recently, I stopped halfway across the Cowper Street bridge to contemplate Newcastle's changing skyline. With its combination of moored yachts and mid to high-rise buildings, the view of the waterfront and West End verged on glamorous. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I'm sure you'll allow that it's a great improvement on the grim neighbourhood some of us grew up with. The same can be said for many other parts of "town". The other day, I met an older Novocastrian who used to have professional offices at the top of town. He remembered the East End as being "awful", a grimy mélange of derelict warehouses, railway sidings, and pollution from the Zaara Street power station. Now, of course, the area is a tourist mecca and a highly successful event space. The shared paths along the foreshore and beaches are thronged, and the renovated ocean baths and new skate park have been enthusiastically embraced. Much remains to be done, of course. The slow death of street front retail has left large stretches of Hunter Street struggling to find a new purpose, Beaumont Street has its challenges, and while Newcastle's light rail line was the right idea, it remains a job only partly done. I'll report back in another three years. THE owners of Tomago Aluminium have warned that high energy prices may put the plant's future in jeopardy. That could cost 1500 direct jobs and an extra 5000 across the region ("Minister optimistic on smelter despite surging energy prices", Newcastle Herald 12/6). With energy prices to rise from July 2025, Tomago seems to be seeking government subsidy (taxpayer money) to keep operating profitably. Additionally, Alcoa plans to close down an aluminium smelter and two mills in WA this year due to high energy prices and production costs. With the US placing tariffs on Australian aluminium and Indonesia now expanding its cheap production, the future of our aluminium industry is not bright. Without reliable and affordable 24/7 energy supplies, productivity in Australia will continue to decline. It does not take an Einstein to figure that out. GRAHAME Danaher ("Tackling adversity way to go", Letters 10/6), and Steve Barnett ("Costs are high, but working hard tough to beat", Letters 5/6): of course, tackling adversity is a great part of life, and overcoming it is the greatest high. However, once 3.5 times the median national income was enough for a house deposit. In 2024, it's 8.6 times. Outrageously, concessional superannuation greatly favours the wealthy, people who do not need it, while the taxation tab is picked up by our younger taxpaying community. A parent recently expressed his bewilderment in the Sydney Morning Herald that, in retirement and with few expenses, he paid no tax, while his child with so many living expenses paid $37,000 on similar income. Employment is now far less stable, for a far more precarious life, for many. What toll is this taking on the social fabric? The recent Fair Work Commission decision improved real incomes by only 1 per cent, with much of the wage rise lost to inflation. Like me, Mr Danaher and Mr Barnett should be very thankful for how the times favoured them. At the start of his working life, Mr Barnett could pocket $60 of his pay. Sounds pretty good to me. MY parents didn't have botox injections, false eyelashes, manicures, exfoliation, waxing, cosmetic surgery, day spas, and that was just Dad. Throw in streaming services, exotic holidays, regular nights out, extra TVs, the biggest barbecue backyard smokehouse, spa, pool, four-car garage, double-storey house, jet ski, social media profile, designer clothes and handbags (are you reading this, honey? I hope not). I'm sure you people get my drift. I know it's hard these days, but it's not impossible to buy a home and start small, dream big. We are dreaming of a small, nice retirement apartment near the beach. It might be a cave overlooking the Hawkesbury River if Mac Maguire's prediction of 1000 years of Labor government comes true. Good luck, I hope you achieve your goals. MATT Ophir says he does not see any mosques being firebombed or sprayed with graffiti ("Targets of hate speak volumes", Letters, 12/6). What we are seeing is Palestine being destroyed and tens of thousands of its innocent citizens being slaughtered. Unfortunately, the hard-line government in Israel has used the bad behaviour of Hamas to invade the entire country. Yes, bad behaviour on both sides. I congratulate our government's brave decision to call out poor behaviour on both sides. I also congratulate the Albanese government on their response to the amazing clown act happening in America. Go Albo. WITH all due respect to Cr Clausen ("Councillors have duty to speak up", Letters, 10/6), the community's response to the Davidson Report, on display in these pages, shows it did nothing to restore public trust. Nor did accusing the lord mayor of spreading misinformation in any way stem the community outrage that drove the former lord mayor out of office. AN article on an Upper Hunter solar farm said it would cost $300 million and create five permanent jobs. I wonder where the thousands of permanent jobs will go when Mt Arthur closes, if five cost so much? APPARENTLY, Greta Thunberg and her cohort will be shown a video of the Hamas attack on Israel as justification for the invasion of Gaza. I wonder if they will also justify their response to the October 7 attack? The US wants us to spend more on defence, but surely the $368 billion for nuclear submarines more than covers us? I am not sure that Donald Trump knows much about the submarine deal, though.
The National
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Unionists just don't view the status quo the same way we do
To those that have voted for Labour in Scotland and have never switched to the SNP, as well as Tory, Reform UK and LibDem voters, they don't see England, even politically, as a foreign country. Generally they don't have the burning antipathy that most of us lot have about being governed, and abused, by a much larger neighbouring country. In other words, as we would see it, they just don't bloody get it! READ MORE: SNP's losing strategy for by-election took the electorate for fools Clearly, if there was a totally fair press and media we would definitely get many more of them on board. However, the day we get a totally fair press and media in Scotland and the UK in respect of Scottish independence is the day pigs will be flying past my window and gieing me a knowing wink! Apart from the press, though, there are other factors. Somebody in the know clearly told Nigel Farage not to visit Hamilton, but to head for Larkhall, which let's just say is a place where there is an abundance of fans of Rangers Football Club. I guess we have to admit this was pretty clever as, generally, Rangers fans are not exactly associated with Scottish independence (I reckon that is one of the biggest euphemisms I've used in my life!) OK, so historically, that side of Scottish society has been overwhelmingly in favour of the Union and that can't be ignored. There is another aspect though. Many of us Scots, since time immemorial, have gone doon tae England tae make oor way in the world, for what we think is a better standard of living, and in many cases probably is. READ MORE: A large gulf has now developed between Yessers and the SNP Many don't come back, have bairns who end up having English accents and many of whom probably feel English, but leave behind family in Scotland that are proud as punch that their wee Johnny or Jeannie made good and made the family proud. Something tells me these ties to England won't dispose said family left back in Scotland to independence any time soon! Ye cannae upset the grandbairns! I've only touched on the factors that mean so many folk in oor great country are just totally addicted to being lorded over by the English state (although they don't see it that way, and that is the point!) So how can this mindset be changed? That's above my pay grade I'm afraid! Personally, I'm hauding oot fur oor young folk, far mair disposed tae independence, tae overwhelm Scottish public opinion at some point in the future, and make it happen. I'm almost 65 years old now, so reckon I probably won't witness this in my lifetime. But, hey, when it does, I'll be looking doon fae heaven (hopefully – fingers crossed!) and daeing the biggest fist pump in my life (well, maybe death!). Ivor Telfer Dalgety Bay, Fife SUSAN Forde's timely reminder of the sacrifice made by the 51st to help the Dunkirk evacuation proceed (Letters, June 12) should also remind all Scots (assuming they are the least bit interested) that between 1746 and 1940 the British establishment still held to the view attributed to James Wolfe. Post-Culloden he suggested that Highlanders would make a valuable contribution to British arms, yet if they were sacrificed it would be 'no great mischief'. No surprise, then, that the 51st were ordered to guard the retreat. Jim Butchart via email
