Letters to the Editor
Bishop Browning's values
January 11, 2025
I am not a religious person, but I really appreciated reading Bishop Browning's assessment of Christian values and the contrast with a Conservative's self-interest. The world would be a better place if we took more notice of people like Bishop Browning.
Michael Keating from Barton
In response to: Awake O Sleeper
Gaza 'Moratorium'
January 11, 2025
I must have read dozens of excellent articles on these pages, including this one, on various aspects of the situation in Gaza and the Middle East, yet the slaughter of Palestinians continues with barely a murmur from the Australian Government. We need to take our opposition further. I suggest using the anti-Vietnam protests of the 1960s and early 70s as a model (yes, I was there!). A nationwide, co-ordinated, Moratorium would be a good first step. (As well as individual state-based committees, there was also a National Co-ordinating Committee). The immediate aims of this Moratorium would include, at...
Brian Bycroft from Evans Head NSW
In response to: Israel’s total destruction of a whole healthcare system threatens us all
Stand up, Australia!
January 11, 2025
Countries will find greater agreement with the late Henry Kissinger’s much quoted warning on international relations: 'It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy but to be America’s friend is fatal'.” We could tear up every agreement ever signed and not give them another cent, if Australia (or any country) is in strife, the US will help if it's in the interests of the US. And if it's not in the interests of the US, we'll be on our own, no matter what agreements have been signed, promises made, or how many squillions of dollars we've sent or...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Will 2025 bring the world a G3?
LA and Gaza
January 11, 2025
Looking at aerial shots of fire-stricken parts of LA, what other place in the world does it remind you of? Yes, Gaza. Destroying food aid, including Australian, in Gaza is reprehensible, but the full scale of destruction there, as we know is, sadly, much much greater. Both Gaza and LA are very sad events, one brought about by Biden and the US’ over the top response to 7 October, and the other, LA, so far as we know, by natural events. We mourn the huge loss of life in Gaza, and are thankful that the loss of life in...
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: American Israeli bombs destroy food aid in Gaza
The ABC's reporting on Syria dumbs us down
January 10, 2025
My complaint letter to the ABC in response to one of Eric Tlozek’s news report from Damascus was critical of Tlozek’s reporting, certainly, as Gayle Davies suggests in her letter (6/1/25). As an ABC correspondent in the Middle East (and as one who appears to speak Arabic), Tlozek should be aware of the dangers confronting Syria now that HTS is in charge and thousands of armed ‘jihadists’, many of them foreigners, are roaming Syria. A genocide on the scale of Rwanda’s could be committed in coming months. We should not be blind to this possibility. As for the...
Susan Dirgham from Melbourne
In response to: ABC editorial bias for ‘revolution’ in Syria and its implications
Helen McCue speaks for many
January 9, 2025
Dr Helen McCue, the views expressed in your article are most definitely not yours alone. They are the views of many Australians who, disgusted, sickened and angered by the duplicitous and mealy-mouthed words and actions of our government, long for our nation to make a stand for peace, for justice and for compassion. How can we live happily in Australia knowing that so many people in Gaza are being killed, bereaved, maimed, starved and left to suffer their pain?
Janet Grevillea from News South Wales
In response to: American-Israeli bombs destroy Australian food aid
Be more like Norway
January 9, 2025
The headline alone was enough for me to think about Norway. Not surprising, as I grew up there in the 50s and 60s. I went to the very best secondary school in the country, not because my parents had money, they didn't, but because I had good primary school results. I had the same German teacher as the present King Harald. When I migrated to WA in 1966, as an unworldly lad of 19, it took me three months to start wondering what was this nonsense (being polite here) of digging iron ore out of the ground, loading it...
David Stonier-Gibson from Highett, VIC
In response to: If only… 22 reasons to regret Australia’s missed opportunities
Fly on the wall at the Dreyfus-Netanyahu meet-up
January 9, 2025
Greg Barns and fellow P&I contributors raise serious questions about this trip. I am trying to imagine what is being said. “Look Bibi, socially cohering to you is getting very difficult for us in Oz. As the point man for the IRBO in Oz, I’d have to arrest you if you visited. I did manage to get one of your men, who is also an Aussie, off a charge of being an alleged accessory to a war crimes case over killing 50000 people, which was privately brought in Oz, although I did allow another Aussie to go to jail...
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: Dreyfus’ trip to Israel makes a mockery of Labor’s foreign policy
Participating willingly in genocide
January 9, 2025
It is difficult, if not impossible, to morally defend the political cowardice displayed by Australian politicians and their inherent racism, when they fail utterly to condemn what the world recognises as the crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing when committed by the criminal Zionist state of Israel. The Albanese Government remains so terrified of the Zionist lobby in Australia that it has been prepared to sacrifice any claim it might have had to moral rectitude, in pursuit of its continuation in a power without moral purpose!
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Dreyfus’ trip to Israel makes a mockery of Labor’s foreign policy
ASPI is a think tank? Are you serious?
January 9, 2025
James Curran's article provides much to consider. However, I hasten to query why we continue to characterise this organisation as other than what it so evidently is – a lobbying entity for the armament manufacturers / AKA military-industrial complex. Uniquely (I hope), given the almost automatic post-political career step for ministers for defence into armament manufacturers' employ — either directly or as a lobbyist — we have the nauseating burden of being the taxpayer support base for the whole wretched affair of creating evermore opportunity for said armament manufacturers to increase profits. War per se is not...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale NSW 2575
In response to: Marching blindfolded into the new Cold War
As always, one law for the rich and one for the poor
January 8, 2025
We may have abolished the wonderful British tradition of transportation except for refugees or maybe we have run out of places to transport the poor. The legal system is very much biased towards those with the money to pay. How often do our politicians and their staffers end up in goal ? I am aware of cases where the poor for a similar charge have been convicted and completed their sentence before a politician has been convicted or sentenced (Then I think they are only fined a sum which they could afford). How many royal commissions into deaths...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide
In response to: will-bail-in-victoria-get-a-battering-under-battin/
US has infinite capacity to incite trouble
January 8, 2025
Irrespective of the nature of the Assad regime, if the stories I read are correct then this seems to be another al-Qaeda associated mob ushered in with the help of the CIA. It seems that the capacity of the US to incite trouble anywhere in the world has no limitations.
Hans Rijsdijk from Albion Park Rail
In response to: An Islamist regime takes shape in Damascus
Think tanks and political parties
January 8, 2025
Thank you James – your statement ASPI was created by the Howard Government in 2001 to provide contestable advice on Australian defence policy” has me wondering about the advice related to the 2004 decision to join the illegal Iraq coalition. But other matters come to mind as well: your words had me thinking further about my sense of the persistent decline, if not absence, of political education that should be a political party’s mandate. Shouldn’t that be where the contest is joined? How and why have our major parties capitulated into seeing themselves as “social engineers”? Peter Varghese...
Bruce Wearne from BALLARAT CENTRAL
In response to: Marching blindfolded into the new Cold War
Excellent essay by Joe Lauria
January 8, 2025
Joe Laurie’s essay is a model of scrupulous accuracy . It is an epitaph to the cruelty and mendacity of US policies on Ukraine under three past presidents Obama, Trump and Biden that have led to over a million dead Ukrainian soldiers and many dead civilians , broken families, and a broken country. The only solution — Lauria prudently does not go here, though he accepts the facts that Russia has won the war — is for the incoming Trump administration to work sincerely with Putin without playing more Cold War games to bring about real and permanent peace...
Tony Kevin from Canberra Australia
In response to: A history of humiliation
The West's latest failed 'March on Moscow'
January 8, 2025
After three years, Ukraine has been shredded. Russia is winning the war with an enhanced military, a robust economy, an established and supported leader and a respected position in the world. In opposition, we have a Europe reeling from sanctions blowback, recessions looming and EU nation states' leaders falling by the wayside. And so they should, having abandoned Europe's source of reliable and cheap energy, the energy that fuelled Europe's economic well-being NATO is looking like a busted flush. Nuclear is an option, but given the proven success of Russia's countering every weapons system supplied to date...
Hal Duell from ALICE SPRINGS
In response to: A history of humiliation
The Hannibal Directive
January 6, 2025
Les MacDonald states that Virtually nothing has been reported by the media, with the exception of an Israeli newspaper Haaretz and Al Jazeera, about the Israeli military Hannibal Directive, which has been a closely guarded secret of the IDF military for decades. The ABC published a very good article on this very subject on 7 September 2024. The article can be accessed here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-07/israel-hannibal-directive-kidnap-hamas-gaza-hostages-idf/104224430 It received some acknowledgement on X at the time, but I haven't seen any reference or follow-up to it in the mainstream media.
Terry Reilly from Victoria
In response to: The Hannibal Directive and mainstream media’s organised forgettinghttps://johnme
There are other options for ending Ukraine War
January 6, 2025
Russia will not leave Ukraine a broken state under Western protection (Beebe’s third suggested option). Russia will go on fighting and steadily capturing more territory for as long as Kiev keeps fighting and attempting acts of sabotage, terrorism, or drone or missile attacks into Russia. Russia will negotiate while it fights, but only when Kiev accepts the realities of Russia’s firm negotiating position: neutral Ukraine pledged never to join NATO, no Western security guarantees, human rights protections for ethnic Russians, Russian speakers and for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Beebe wrongly suggests both sides must concede ground in a...
Tony Kevin from Canberra
In response to: The Ukraine war is lost. Three options remain.
R&D challenges
January 6, 2025
The article by John H. Howard was of particular interest. He found that the nation needs a co-ordinated, cohesive and strategic approach to R&D. He cited findings of successive reports in support. His article omitted comment on Australian industry’s structure and ownership. Both remain significant factors. The 150% tax concession for IR&D was introduced in 1985 to induce industry to raise its performance. The decline in IR&D suggest that it was ineffective. Its detractors predicted this. Nevertheless, the government was persuaded of the need to raise IR&D and exploit the findings of publicly funded basic research, while limiting...
John McKenna from GARRAN ACT
In response to: 25 years of reviews and policy statements: What do they reveal...
AUKUS: a trojan horse?
January 6, 2025
It's becoming clearer by the day that the much vaunted but sketchily detailed AUKUS submarines are never going to happen, and never were going to happen, that they simply can't be delivered as indicated. They're simply the sugar coating to justify the always real intent and that is to turn Australia into a fully fledged [however, how many, and whenever they like] US/UK military base, with us picking up the tab for all necessary infrastructure. It's already quietly happening and don't be surprised if [included in the sweetheart deal] we agree to begin taking all US/UK [and maybe...
James Dirou from Surfers Paradise
In response to: John Menadue Pearls and Irritations articles
ABC reporting on Syria – editorial bias
January 6, 2025
With respect, I think Susan Dirgham's complaint to the ABC, mainly targeting Eric Tlozek' s reporting, is a little unfair. It is a bit much to expect a reporter on the ground in Syria, reporting on the immediate situation, but limited to less than five-minute slots on the TV news, to provide as detailed a commentary as Ms Dirgham expects. Her own perspective is longer, derived from her years of living and teaching in Damascus, and she rightly thinks the subject deserves more background and analysis. It's a job for an hour long Foreign Correspondent or similar, on both...
Gayle Davies from Armidale
In response to: ABC editorial bias for ‘revolution’ in Syria and its implications
Send in the clowns
January 6, 2025
While I have never been able to understand US democracy/politics and certainly don’t understand all things Trump, I fail to understand how he can take up so much space in Australian / world news. More recently I have come to understand that he is the great Western world diversion . Nothing to see here! Particularly in Australian politics. With the uS picking yet another unwinnable fight with China, funding genocide in Gaza and sacrificing the Ukraine etc Trump may just be the leader the US / world needs particularly with his love of all dictators (Putin, Musk...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: The-ukraine-war-is-lost-three-options-remai
Two articles I'd like to read and share widely
January 6, 2025
Following Donald Wilson's article, I would like two ideas further developed. 1. Regional tensions with China – What exactly are these? What are real, based on what China has said and done? What have arisen in response to (a) US verbal threats to and about China? (b) US military activity in the general area? and (c) US military activity in Australia specifically? What are baseless? 2. The desirability of Australia being a truly sovereign state, not tied to any other by unequal agreements of any kind – with reference to our military agreements certainly, but with particular reference...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Can true nuclear independence be achieved without ending the US Alliance?
Important article spoiled by rightwing commentator
January 6, 2025
I read with interest this article about the attack on USS Liberty by the Israeli Defence Force on 8 June 1967. Included with the article is an interview conducted by Candace Owen with a retired US sailor who was aboard the Liberty at the time of the attack. While the interview includes some revelatory details about the attack, its credibility is marred by Candace Owens’ clear anti-semitism expressed in the second half of the interview. There is a clear theme of miraculous intervention by a Christian God that pervades the interview. It would have served the veracity of the...
Therese Doyle from Newcastle
In response to: Pretext for war: Interview of a USS LIBERTY survivor
Cocos Islands
January 6, 2025
I would like the US to move their military base out of Darwin because it makes the capital a target. Darwin has already been built three times and its buildings need to be able to withstand a category 4 cyclone. Darwin was bombed during WW2 because the US had a military base in the country. Given the US is likely to use its military bases in Australia, during a regional conflict, without our knowledge or agreement, I would prefer they did not use somewhere that is expensive for us to rebuild.
Louise OBRIEN from Wollstonecraft
In response to: Will the Cocos Islands become like Diego Garcia, hijacked by the US?
Murdoch and much of the Western media
January 6, 2025
I never buy any media owned by News Limited, nor do I read any of their online news sites. Foxtel had to be sold because it was losing money. After the 6 January in the US, the Biden administration asked the UK government to put the boot into Murdoch, which they did by re-opening the News of the World inquiry, due to new information that came to light. The legal case between Murdoch and his children means that once he is dead, News Limited may actually change. It is time for Kim Williams to kick the...
Louise OBRIEN from Wollstonecraft
In response to: https://publish.pearlsandirritations.com/best-of-2022-white-mans-media-the-washington-consensus-a
American obsessions
January 6, 2025
Breakfast at 6am and flick on the radio. . .RN has the steady monotonous drone of a Boston bloke explaining about the snow/ice in his driveway; switch to ABC Radio News and yet another American accent droning. I gave up and wrote a short text of complaint and continued breakfast in silence. Kym Davey has explained this phenomena succinctly. We are a sovereign state and have an ABC chartered right to receive impartial news from our own domain instead of this slavish submersion in the brittle, crumbling culture of USA. America is not our friend We also...
Glenda Jones from Carlton
In response to: Best of 2024: ‘Disingenuous theatre dressed up as major news’: Why the ABC is lo
Good retrospective
January 6, 2025
Thank you Andrew for your retrospective. It's helpful to be reminded of the serious failure that arose from our Government's willing compliance with the US claim that the invasion was a necessary unilateral action. As it happened, such a rationale, two years later, was taken by Fiji's coupster when the RFMF took power from Laisenia Qarase's democratically elected government. And then we saw the sad procession of some duly qualified jurists from Australia and New Zealand seeking employment in the illegal regime. And that to this day casts a pretty dark shadow over the jurisprudence that is taught in...
Bruce Wearne from BALLARAT CENTRAL
In response to: The release of the 2004 Iraq War cabinet papers and what we were not told
Time to support the ABC
January 6, 2025
If we are to keep a public broadcaster like the ABC in this country, it needs public support not constant carping criticism that because ABC TV1 has a number of shows with an obvious tabloid bias, the whole of the ABC is rubbish. This is not true and so wrong! ABC TV 1 does have a number of shows with a tabloid bias but that is not the whole of the ABC, a big diverse organisation that has to address the needs of our modern multicultural Australia. ABC 24 and ABC Radio have good news services and are fostering...
Jennifer Haines from Glossodia
In response to: The ABC is already doing the Devils work
Biden’s Gaza vs New Orleans
January 6, 2025
Joe Biden recently claimed that he was sufficiently in command of his faculties to have contested the 2024 election after all. So it is not unfair to hold him principally responsible for backing, diplomatically militarily and financially, the murder of nearly 50,000 people in Gaza, 40 times those killed by Hamas on 7 October 2023. A large percentage, especially women and children, would not have been Hamas operatives. By all means the FBI should investigate the New Orleans mass murder, but in a fairer world they would also investigate Joe Biden and his key advisers for their role in...
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: 450 Days of Genocide: Israeli Occupation Burns Hospitals, Cold Ravages the Displ
Our immigration commentary is governed by White Man’s Media
January 1, 2025
In the case of Australia, the great multicultural nation, the views of WMM are reflected in the hierarchy of our immigration, refugee and foreign policy. Migrants from Commonwealth (cricket playing): most desirable by a street, Islanders ( rugby playing ) particularly in QLD and NSW followed by selected Europeans. The rest are cannon fodder for the present leader of the opposition any time he wants to stir up a vote winning racist headline. We won’t even bring home Australian journalists and citizens for fear of upsetting Murdoch.
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: White-mans-media-the-washington-consensus-a
Murdoch Royal Commission – when?
January 1, 2025
If only this great piece of journalism by John Menadue could make its way into the homes and eyes of all Australians, there may be enough interest generated to finally get our weak leaders to call for a Royal Commission into the Murdoch media influence in this country.
Gary Rollinson from Tanah Merah Logan City, Qld
In response to: White Man's Media
The ABC is already doing the Devil's Work
December 31, 2024
Paddy Gourley's contributions are always a source of joy and admiration to me; he brings such gravitas and subtle prodding of both the amusement and the need-to-know neurons. But I admit to amazement at his description of the (current) ABC as the most trusted source of news. I bet he can't say that without biting his tongue, it must be so far in his cheek. No longer, Amigo... Kim Williams' speech to the Press Club was — surely — an audition as a writer for the next Blackadder series? More bullshit than a Texas Rodeo paddock. And...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Va;e NSW 2575
In response to: Gina Rinehart, Kim Williams and the ABC
Plibersek could demonstrate political integrity
December 30, 2024
Binoy Kampmark characterises the Environment Minister role as being the fossil fuel industry’s closeted defender in government, talking environmental conservation while supporting its destruction. While her environmental reputation hung in shreds after her willingness to grant licences to new and expanding fossil fuel projects, Minister Plibersek seems to have worked in good faith with Sarah Hanson-Young and David Pocock to negotiate amendments to pass the Nature Positive Bill, before the PM intervened. The PM also pre-empted his minister in Tasmania when he gave his whole-hearted support to the salmon farming industry, which threatens the imminent extinction of the...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, Vic
In response to: Jesting on the environment: Australian mining gets a present
Was Einstein wrong?
December 29, 2024
Bill Uren using Einstein's phrase subtle is the Lord to not so subtly introduce a message retelling the absurd and incoherent claims of Christianity, is not something Einstein would have approved of. Einstein believed the foundations of faith (Jewish and Christian) were built on myth rather than truth. He dismissed the idea of an anthropomorphic God as well as the Bible, as human creations and strongly rejected the idea of a chosen (Jewish) people. He was right about the bending of the rays of a star. Was he wrong about the Feast of Christmas?
John Bracht from Canberra
In response to: A Christmas Meditation: 'Subtle is the Lord'
Let’s get this right: democracy is a diversion
December 28, 2024
After writing this I will go back to read this article. Let’s get this right: Democracy is a diversion. Hardly a day goes by when we aren’t bombarded with the virtues of democracy as a diversion from the fact that democracy does not exist. Democracy has replaced religion as the opiate of the masses, an illusion, a diversion from the day-to-day realities of CAPITALISM. The realities of a greed-driven society who, like casinos, are happy for the odd mug punter to have a spectacular win so all the other mug punters keep betting. Like all greed-driven systems that...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: lets-get-this-right-israel-is-not-a-democracy
Communication, not conflict...
December 25, 2024
I would like to convey my appreciation to Refaat Ibrahim for the sentiments expressed in the biography attached to his piece published on Christmas morning. At a time when so many leaders prefer bombs to diplomacy, his faith in the power of the written word is heartening. Thanks Refaat!
Gail Abbott from Armidale, NSW, Australia
In response to: Gaza lights candles during Christmas
The Earth is sick, humanity is the disease
December 24, 2024
Earth’s health is declining. Its seas are over-fished, and filling with plastic; its forests are shrinking as they are cleared for farming and development. Its soils are dying from the effects of fertilisers and pesticides used to feed more people than the planet can sustain. Its atmosphere is polluted with ever-increasing carbon dioxide and methane, which is heating the planet and destabilising the climate. Consequently our icecaps are melting, the Gulf Stream is slowing, and our forests’ capacity to absorb carbon is shrinking as forests shrink. As the icecaps melt, arctic permafrost is melting allowing trapped methane to escape....
Chris Young from Surrey Hills
In response to: Barack Obama wants us to care about the oceans
Einstein used the concept of god objectively
December 24, 2024
Einstein used god in a culture-speak manner. He never referred to a higher being as His God. This article is totally out of order. I guess that's what hardline Christians do best. . .manipulate the words from eminent people and grasp at verbal straws and inflate them, in order to prove a nonsensical claim.
Glenda Jones from Carlton
In response to: A Christmas meditation: ‘Subtle is the Lord’
ABC coverage of the Gaza war
December 24, 2024
Richard Bean’s article summarises well the bias in the ABC’s presentation of the continuing genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing on the West Bank and Golan Heights. In addition, the obliteration of the people of Gaza is no longer as newsworthy as it once was as the mainstream media move on to Syria and Christmas time trivia, again failing to give proper coverage to Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and Syria and the appropriation of Syrian territory. I no longer watch ABC discussion and news reporting of Palestine as it invariably involves no hard-hitting critique of the slaughter of innocent...
Bob Pokrant from Fremantle
In response to: Palestinian voices silenced: 14 months of ABC’s RN Breakfast Coverage
Spare us this
December 24, 2024
What an appalling ramble from Bill Kelty. I'll mention only four points. 1. The environment, climate change and Indigenous rights are big issues for the future. No. They were issues decades and more ago. If they're not issues for now, there will be no future. 2. No mention of excess salaries and rapidly rising company profits. These come at the expense of workers. A fair day's pay comes before excessive executive salaries and dividends. Tax reform is essential. We need to check our greed. 3. AUKUS – what about Australia's lack of sovereignty? We must examine...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Best of 2024: The Labor Party has lost its way
Converting us to a better world
December 24, 2024
Three cheers for John Frew!!! Is there anything in our troubled world that hasn't got some form of greed at its base? Why are Gina Rinehart and Rupert Murdoch never satisfied? (How sad are they?!) You really can't pay tax on the balance above $3m (or whatever it is) on your super? So someone can eat? How long do you think you're going to live that you need all that? You need how many toilets for a family of four? I could go on and on and on and on and ..... People say...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Reframing wealth: A stark disconnect between wealth and poverty
Opportunity cost of AUKUS
December 24, 2024
AUKUS at $368 billion (and like all military projects it will probably double) has then an opportunity cost of around one million houses, or 12,000 primary schools or 4000 secondary schools, or 400,000 hospital beds. Puts it into sharp perspective. All for a phantom threat.
John Queripel from Kotara NSW
In response to: Reframing wealth: A stark disconnect between wealth and poverty
Trashing of reputation of institutions
December 23, 2024
Well-regarded independent institutions, which provide medical services and food aid at risk to themselves, have had their reputations trashed and labelled as antisemitic for reporting what they are dealing with. Anyone with the most basic knowledge of data collection must have some Idea of how one-sided the conflict is and make some comparison to the evil regimes that have been in the past.
Bob Pearce from Adelaide
In response to: no-longer-possible-to-defend-the-slaughter-of-over-40000
More 'whys' for Angela
December 23, 2024
Angela Smith's whys should be necessary reading for every self-respecting journalist. But there is an important why not mentioned in Angela's article. Israel's occupation of much Palestinian territory is illegal under international law. Just look at the many resolutions passed by the UN that have simply been ignored by Israel. The Israeli argument that it is allowed to defend itself against Palestinian attacks. But in fact this is not the case here. How can a country justify relying on self-defence when it is illegally occupying Palestinian lands? One would think that Palestine is perfectly within its rights to...
Hans Rijsdijk from Albion Park Rail
In response to: Reporting on a genocide: Questions for the legacy media
Climate change: who really cares ?
December 23, 2024
Climate change. Just another headline, just another diversionary rant for our politicians, just another look at me moment at some overseas climate convention. When there were still borders in Europe, I was stopped to get my passport stamped and the border guard asked me to turn off my car because of the pollution. Here we are years later driving bigger petrol guzzling resource wasting monster twin cab/cars than ever, we park by the side of the road with motors running for the air conditioning, texting on our phones. The sale of EVs are at best stagnant, no tax advantage...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide
In response to: is-humanitys-destiny-wintons-dystopian-world/
No man is an Island
December 23, 2024
Dr Geoff Davies asks “What are the five most precious things in my life?” Whatever the answers, all hinge on our willingness to see ourselves not as atomised, self-sufficient (and possibly selfish) entities, but part of a society. Sixteenth century poet John Donne, in ‘No Man is an Island’, wrote: “If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less”. The poet could not have foreseen 21st century sea level rise but the principle holds: some may prefer to think we are insulated from the consequences of climate change. However, the prospect of, say, vastly increasing...
Fiona Colin from Melbourne
In response to: Barrack Obama wants us to care about the oceans
Norfolk Island's problems are its alone
December 23, 2024
While there are lingering colonial problems on both the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, please do not put these two into the same basket as the fractious Norfolk Island situation! I visited Norfolk Island exactly one year ago, and I am somewhat familiar with its issues. I can only speak about the Cocos Islands, having lived there, having learned Cocos Malay and having written a book about the islands, their history and culture. It is so very, very different from Norfolk Island! Cocos' major issue is the lack of a vote at state level. Almost all...
Pauline Bunce from Perth, WA
In response to: Imperial Australia Still Lives
Racism, Australian style
December 23, 2024
It is all very well to pass anti-racism laws, but until they apply to politicians' impact on their place in the parliament and their pay packets, there is not much point to the laws as it is often senior politicians who are stirring up the racist violence with their racist biases.
Bob Pearce from Adelaide
In response to: chinese-australian-and-chinese-american-views-on-news-a-
Facts about AUKUS
December 23, 2024
A very good summary of the facts, as opposed to the propaganda, about AUKUS. I would also recommend the recent book by Andrew Fowler entitled NUKED. It comprises a really excellent detailed look at the fraud and hype generated by politicians and the armaments industry to substantiate the vast theft from Australians that this shonky Morrison project represents!
Les Macdonald from Balmain
In response to: Fear-mongering claims masquerading as facts
Top questions Angela
December 20, 2024
Top questions Angela! But just as importantly, the legacy media need to put the puppet-master, the US, under the microscope. It is well worth looking up Brown University’s record of US “interventions”.
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: Reporting on a genocide: questions for the legacy media
A new, secular flag for Israel?
December 20, 2024
One step to eliminating the problem of equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism and Judaism with Zionism would be to change the Israeli flag. Give up the religious symbol it bears and choose something without religious reference. I have no doubt that there are anti-Semites about. But equally, given the general ignorance and/or disinterest in all things political in Australia, I have no doubt that there are people who know nothing of Israel's 20th C history in Palestine. Thanks to sparse and selective reporting in the long term and sometimes even now, all such people know is Israel = persecution and...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn
In response to: Zio-Judeo-Conflation? No Thanks!
Nothing inadvertent about Dutton
December 20, 2024
Your correspondent Fiona Colin says (19 Dec. 2024): The Coalition, either deliberately or inadvertently, is creating another cost: uncertainty, a commodity investors do not want. Ms Colin is too kind. The Dutton led team does nothing that is inadvertent. With the only 'policy' in the coalition's kitbag being the flakiest of all takes on nuclear energy, sowing Uncertainty and its stablemate Doubt is their path to winning the next election. Anything but a firm foundation for the future. Anyone experiencing uncertainty or doubt needs to question everything. For objective, factual answers, the further they look away from Dutton...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Costs of uncertainty
Costs of uncertainty
December 19, 2024
Michael Keating provides a useful summary of the relative costs of renewables and nuclear energy. The Coalition, either deliberately or inadvertently, is creating another cost: uncertainty, a commodity investors do not want. Last July, eighteen industry and environmental organisations, including AI Group, the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Steel Council, and the Investor Group on Climate Change, issued a joint statement: “Australia’s existing national emissions and energy targets for 2030 are critical foundations for the investment we need to deliver reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Achieving them and the deeper targets that must follow on the road to net...
Fiona Colin from Melbourne
In response to: Dutton’s Economic Cons
Economic Truth v's Personal Opinion
December 19, 2024
Okay! this IS my personal opinion, but it would have been hoped that as Economics Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Gittins article criticizing members of his profession was more balanced. From my understanding ALL that economists can do is provide their opinion based on both facts obtained and views that they hold as to the likely outcome of recommendations provided. It is solely a political decision as to the course that is to be taken. We all know that no matter what political party is in power, the course of action will be to obtain the...
Philip Lalor from Warnbro Western Australia
In response to: Voters blame one man for rising energy bills while companies get away with gougi
Teals can break the vested interests’ stranglehold
December 19, 2024
We have carbon polluting the atmosphere, plastic polluting the seas, healthy soil being killed by pesticides and fertilisers, forests shrinking to make way for further development. These pressures are growing exponentially as people in both the developing and developed worlds seek ever-higher standards of living. Successive governments have failed to address these crises effectively because they have been, and remain, held in thrall by powerful vested interests. Mark Diesendorf cites five key areas through which vested interests achieve state capture: political donations, election expenditure, revolving door jobs, concentrated media ownership, and neoliberalism. All, he says, are vulnerable to attack. ...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, Vic
In response to: Consumption is driving global greenhouse gas emissions
Our global climate future may depend on China
December 19, 2024
‘Aggressive activist and journalist’ Patrick Mazza expresses his view that ‘China holds the world's climate future in its hands’. China is the world's biggest economy and emitter of greenhouse gases, and so is factually responsible for keeping the world close to the Paris agreed 1.5 or 2.0 degrees C limit. They continue developing coal but are now the world's fastest in growing solar and wind. Mazza concludes optimistically that ‘China has its own fate in its hands as well as the rest of the world. We hope it will take the needed action that will give us a fighting chance...
Barbara Fraser from Burwood, Vic
In response to: China holds the world’s climate future in its hands
Our language about Dutton needs to change
December 19, 2024
Personally, I thought Labor should have gone for generational change after Bill Shorten's defeat in 2019. But that didn't happen. Now we're at the point where Kym Davey's article summarises so succinctly why Albanese, along with Marles and Wong, should go now, especially, but not only, with regards to Palestine and AUKUS . My gripe with Davey's article is, however, his description of Dutton. ... Dutton has proven himself an effective Opposition leader. Not any sort of Opposition that I want. We need to change that language. Dutton has been an effective wrecker of parliament and trasher...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Albo has to go
AUKUS AS A PROBLEM?
December 19, 2024
The problem with this approach is that if deterrence fails the next step is war. It invites war. Following this doctrine puts us on a war footing and in a state of heightened readiness. Everyone is deterring one another at huge expense and no benefit to the societies involved, enriching weapons manufacturers and politicians while the people live in constant danger... And the problem with that approach is that it is an argument for total unilateral disarmament. Deterrence is achieved only when a potential aggressor or invader becomes convinced that the cost to themselves of any action they take...
Ian MacDougall from Farrer, ACT
In response to: AUKUS is an intergenerational disaster.
Albanese government must join the dots - and win!
December 13, 2024
Certainly, David Spratt's title is apt and true,Climate policy is on a collision course with physical reality, (P&I, Dec 3, 2024). Spratt does an excellent job with joining the dots between fossil fuel emissions mainly causing the planet's increasing heat and climate extremes, and the lack of a strong urgent global response. He concludes that the world needs climate relevant goals and prioritising of all countries' economics and politics. The Australian federal government must act accordingly and end new fossil fuel projects and exports, plus faster transition here to solar and wind energy, storage and grid. Also, we...
Barbara Fraser from Burwood, Vic
In response to: Climate policy is on a collision course with physical reality
Antisemitism claims obscenely manipulated
December 13, 2024
It goes without question that the firebombing of the Adass synagogue is a foul stain on the values of fair play that Australians hold sacrosanct. However the pontification of our political leaders - especially Dutton and Albanese - suggests that there has been wholesale lobotomising of all sides of our political spectrum. Yaakov Aharon's article should be required reading before any of these 'leaders' are allowed out of bed to spruik their abysmal BS. The article lays out clearly that the Adass Jewish community does NOT support the genocide that the Zionists are conducting, and that in fact the...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale NSW
In response to: Adass Israel synagogue is not your political football
Faking "social cohesion"
December 13, 2024
Several times Jeff Sparrow's article reminded me of an emerging 'concern' about “social cohesion” that attempts to silence discussion of genocide in Palestine to keep things 'peaceful' in Australia. A false peace, I suggest. Locally, various groups gather to support preferred theories. Hidden away, without moderation to determine true from false, disharmony festers unseen, unheard. For how long? In Canberra, I don't doubt Sen. Payman (P&I Podcast, Courage in public office..., 6/12/2024): Labor's caucus doesn't welcome divergent views. Without meaningful debate in parliament, outside that refereed space Labor mostly follows the US on Palestine, recent slight deviations...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: ‘A future of dust’ – Jeff Sparrow on Gaza and why, in evil times, writers have a responsibility to take sides
War criminal Netanyahu and his many illegal acts
December 13, 2024
War criminal Netanyahu has form in meddling in other country's politics. It is very disappointing that the Dutton opposition is equally opportunistic and totally uncritical of Netanyahu's devastation of Gaza and promotion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. Netanyahu and most of his predecessors have manipulated US politics for years. In the last year he has tried to goad Iran. He was heavily involved with the Iraq and Syrian catastrophes.
Tony Simons from Sydney
In response to: The Melbourne synagogue fire: Antisemitism, political meddling and exceptional victimhood
Politics and religion don't mix
December 13, 2024
One can only condemn the arson attack on the Ripponlea synagogue. The worshipping congregation there, as elsewhere, is hampered by the government of Israel hijacking their faith for political purposes: a religious symbol (Star of David) on the national flag; the declaration of Israel as a Jewish state. Plus the definition of anti-semitism that includes criticism of Israel - a nonsense since no state is perfect. Then there are those ignorant of history, not knowing that the century old trouble in Palestine is about land, not religion. And those who are rabidly anti any religion. It's a heady mix...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Attack on Ripponlea Synagogue: As faith leaders we stand together
Government Policy
December 13, 2024
Policy, policy, policy!!! As Australia continues to wallow in an economic morass of its own making, the howling of the Banshees for the Reserve Bank to do something is deafening. Howl as they might, however, it will make not one iota of difference!! Governments make policies, the Reserve does not! The Federal Government of Australia has been making poor decisions for many years (about 50) when it comes to economics and with the rum lot in power at present there is more to come. The raising and/or lowering of interest rates is an extremely poor substitute for poor...
John Bentley from TONGALA
In response to: To avoid recession, cut interest rates next week
Pre-industrial levels are not 'safe levels'
December 6, 2024
David Spratt and Ian Dunlop proceed on the basis of 'Drawing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels back to safe, near pre-industrial levels'. Unfortunately this level, vaguely denoted as 'near pre-industrial' is not safe. At this level, GHGs will still increase in the atmosphere as they have done for some 6-7 thousand years. Reducing emissions to pre-industrial levels reduces global warming but does not eliminate it. All land ice will still melt but at a slower rate. We still, eventually, destroy our ecological niche.
Chris Warren from Canberra
In response to: Climate policy is on a collision course with physical reality
Who does Australia "need", not deserve, as our PM?
December 6, 2024
Jack Waterford sums up Albanese's failings comprehensively. Dutton is his own walking advertisement of awfulness. So ….Questions to ask before voting: What's behind each leader? Policies, values, talent? How long have current politicians been in office? Time for generational change, new ideas, new perspectives? The National Party? Enough said for the P&I audience! Would Labor or LNP work better in a hung parliament? How pragmatic, consultative, flexible are The Greens? The community independents? The remaining odds and sods? Have these various cross-benchers been cooperative or obstructionist during the current parliament? What have they contributed?...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Does Albo even deserve to win?
Be bold, Michael Keating
December 3, 2024
Come on Michael Keating, be bold. Instead of the cost-of-living is the dominant political issue, how about growing inequality is the dominant political issue! Instead of maybe we will need to adapt to a society ... less demanding that productivity and living standards should always continue to increase, how about the planet simply cannot sustain current Western living standards Look at the facts you discuss Michael, and spell it out: - GDP is a catastrophic measure of societal well-being, and increasing GDP is the antithesis of what we need - increased productivity might be useful,...
Richard Barnes from Melbourne
In response to: Are you better off? If not, why not? Productivity, income distribution and the cost of living crisis
Australia does not need a Trump Government
December 3, 2024
The media ran an advertising campaign comparing Peter Dutton to Donald Trump which saw Climate 200’s donations surge by $380,000. Supporters were asked if they ‘want to feel different on our election night’ in an advertisement with half of Trump’s face and half of Dutton’s. The last thing we need in this country is a government anything like that of a Trump Government. Australia is very different to America. We have a different political structure and a different political history. People in Australia are better educated than they are in the US, especially compared with the US Southern...
Jennifer Haines from Glossodia
In response to: Does Albo even deserve to win?
Refugee status determination - the key issue
December 3, 2024
Having worked closely with Asylum Seekers for 14 years I must highlight a key problem with the recent Migration Bill changes - the uncritical assumption that the refugee status determination process is professional and fair and sensitive to changing realities. That assumption is simply not true. There are hundreds of innocent victims of the demonstrably flawed process, and many of these will be vulnerable to further unspeakable suffering if these changes are implemented. For example ASF17 whose case was recently determined by the High Court is an Iranian citizen who was held in immigration detention for a decade. He...
Graeme Swincer from McCracken
In response to: ‘Dark day for humanity’ as Australia chooses cruelty in Migration Bill changes
We miss the obvious on productivity growth
December 3, 2024
Our continuing belief that the comparatively small percentage of the world's population that is constituted by the West is the only relevant point for comparison can often obscure the obvious. If we extend those comparisons to countries outside the West which are achieving significantly greater rates of productivity growth we might see causes more clearly . China is an example. Productivity growth in a relatively mature and advanced economy is intimately related to the percentage of GDP that is constituted by Capital Investment. The Western economies generally hover around 20 to 25 percent of GDP in recent years being...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Are you better off? If not, why not?: Productivity, income distribution and the
Move over, career politicians
December 3, 2024
In a setting reminiscent of Monopoly, but dealing in real lives and real money, Binoy Kampmark describes our politicians as insecure little boys paying for the empty promise of useless AUKUS baubles in order to maintain the friendship of a narcissist incapable of unfailing loyalty to another. It's time to get rid of career politicians, feathering their nests now while also having an eye to greater future prizes. The forthcoming election gives us the chance to elect even more community independent MPs. Those we now have show what ordinary people with a wealth of experience in the real world...
Margaret Caĺinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Another nail in the coffin for Australia’s phantom defence needs
Winners and losers
December 3, 2024
We are losers under the current system. Once the students leave school they will be expected to function in our society - they will be mixing with people from all walks of life. One of the benefits of a desegrated school system is that students can experience our diversity in a supportive environment. This in turn will enable them to be more tolerant and appreciative of diversity. Creating social silos undermines the ability of students to fully appreciate the value of diversity.
john tons from adelaide
In response to: Australia’s school system: winners and losers?
Stephen Downes replies: "ABC delighted to be trivial"
December 3, 2024
I’m delighted that Sally Jackson, communications ‘lead’ at ABC NEWS, has corroborated indirectly my revealing (ABC News’ death rattle) the trashy triviality of the revamped broadcaster’s online front page. She’s clearly pleased that in September and October ABC NEWS ‘overtook’ that bastion of digital unimportance, news.com.au. In October, she says, 11.7 million read ABC NEWS online for an average of 31 minutes. Unfortunately, she doesn’t say what pieces were most read. Was it an article like the ones I cited in my piece, the one about hoof-like shoes, the hot news about a priest who lost his job...
Stephen Downes from WATSONIA NORTH
In response to: ABC News' death rattle
Correcting a common mistake
December 1, 2024
There is a common misconception that Anthony Albanese established the Parliamentary Friendship group with Palestine. This is not true. He was one of the founding committee members.
Ali Kazak from Canberra
In response to: The politics of ignoring genocide
Redesigned ABC website overtakes News.com.au as top online news publisher
November 29, 2024
Hi John, Someone shared with me the link to Stephen Downes' column on the ABC NEWS website: https://publish.pearlsandirritations.com/abc-news-death-rattle/ Some relevant data it might be worth noting for readers: Since the redesigned ABC NEWS website launched in August it overtook news.com.au to be the top Australian online news publisher in September and again in October. In October the audience was 11.7 million people and the average read time across the month was a very high 31 minutes. Regards, Sally Jackson Communications Lead, ABC NEWS
Sally Jackson from Australia
In response to: ABC News’ death rattle
ABC Blues?
November 29, 2024
I heartily enjoyed Stephen Downes review of the re-vamped ABC News website as it generally reflected my reaction to it. What dreck is this? The point I made directly to the ABC (through their feedback section) was that i hope the level of journalism won't degrade to News.com.au levels since they are making the website look a whole lot like News.com.au. I too find the For You section condescending and patronising. I don't read the ABC because they cover my interests; I read the ABC (less and less) to get news and current information. And this move to...
Steve M from Brisbane
In response to: ABC News’ death rattle
Murdoch will not win
November 29, 2024
I, too, made a futile complaint to the ABC about its lower primary school level news presentation and, on my phone at least, swipe right to try again for better news. It's a pity that when younger people need to know, on current evidence, the ABC will not be there to inform them. But Murdoch and his LNP puppets will not win. Alternative media are thriving with quality rising to the top. It's where quality journalism and expert commentators go when Murdoch thinks he has killed them off. Yes, Murdoch has undeniable influence. But when anyone starts to think,...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: ABC News’ death rattle
Government must commit to renewable energy shift
November 29, 2024
PM Albanese is refusing to commit to a strong emissions reduction target before our federal election in February or May. Regardless, Australia's new target is due by the end of February. So Superpower Institute director Ross Garnaut is urging Labor to develop our renewable energy economy for far greater profits than fossil fuels. And Sophie Vorrath is also urging Australia to help the world shift to renewable energy. Really, it is more than time for these actions.
Barbara Fraser from Burwood, Vic
In response to: Renewables superpower or climate coward? Albanese needs to make a choice before election
Let's indeed "play peace"
November 29, 2024
I hope many P&I readers will pay close attention to this excellent article. It has a lightness of touch but its truths couldn't be more weighty. We should be - and could be - a remarkable center for PEACE in the Asia/Pacific area, taking a far less subservient posture in relation to the corrupt and fast-fading war empires beloved on the LNP and of R Marles (to Labor's shame). We should be - could be - learning FROM Indonesia, encouraging our best and brightest to do many job swaps, to include knowledge of Indonesia in their professional education, and to...
Stephanie Dowrick from Darwin, NT 0800
In response to: War games? Let's play peace
Contempt of the LNP and Dutton in particular
November 29, 2024
I have no idea if this letter will ever be published, but I can only refer to the LNP and Dutton in particular as the contemptible scum of Australia. They have no shame what so ever and are proud to place politics above human life and dignity. It is as if they are proud of the hate they generate. I could add more, much more but it would not add any more clarity than what I have already said. I just wonder what sewer does Dutton want to drag this country into just to satisfy his own political agenda.
Peter Sheehy from Blackheath NSW
In response to: Denial of Australian visa to anti-Palestinian racists disturbs some Liberal Party leaders
The US political system: An American plutocracy
November 29, 2024
America has been a plutocracy for some time. As Warren Buffet said he pays less tax than his secretary which shows that the tax regime has been corrupted. Congressmen spend 70% of their time fund raising so that they are compromised by lobbyists and vested interests. The health sector costs twice that of Australia. Big Pharma, Insurers and the medical profession have caused major distortions with a much worse outcome for patients.
Tony Simons from Balmain 2041
In response to: The US political system and its capitalist, imperialist agenda has failed
"Local" ABC radio encourages law and orders fear
November 29, 2024
ABC TV news has it's failings but the push to localise radio is leading to local law and order panic. Melbourne Radio news now leads and often contains little else than the daily police briefings - burglaries and home invasions, gang violence and brawls, car accidents and chases, stabbings, suspicious fires, and deaths. There is no context or comparison with other times, months or years, leading to possibly misplaced fear and loathing. The ABC must do better.
megan stoyles from aireys inlet
In response to: ABC News’ death rattle
Israel bashing almost every week
November 29, 2024
I am fed up to the back teeth seeing relentless journalism about what Israel is doing to its neighbours. I have a more realistic appraisal. Like in the Middle Ages in Catholic Europe, Iran controls its citizens with religion, fear and scapegoats, mostly Jews. Their influence and control is so strong that Muslims in Sydney are wont to proclaim similar hatred. What we rarely hear is that Jews in all Middle Eastern and North African countries have been forced to flee for their own safety. Israel (and to a small extent USA) is the only country that will...
Peter Linu from Sydney
In response to: Defending the U.S. from the Israel Lobby
Even the Guardian bows to the Zionist Lobby
November 29, 2024
With deep regret and very considerable disgust, I need to point out that The Guardian Australia - despite its protestations of 'Independence' - peddles the very same disinformation as permeates the Zionist Lobby propaganda. Since the ABC on-line news has become on a par with a second-rate in-flight magazine or perhaps The Open Road for decent content and accurate investigative reporting, I have regarded TGA as the only viable option for widespread content news. However, look at most articles about the Israel vs. Palestine/Lebanon/Iran situation and you will find, more often than not in the first few paragraphs,...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale NSW
In response to: “Absolute savagery”: What is stopping Australia from holding Israel to account?
Our Malthusian demise is only deferred
November 29, 2024
Julian Cribb puts our global environmental crisis into an eloquent historical perspective. His portrait of humanity’s evolution over thousands of years captures the short-sighted, selfish culture which now dominates our world. Thomas Malthus foretold, in his 1798 ‘Essay on the Principle of Population’, how our population would inevitably outgrow our food supply. Population would be naturally limited by plague, famine, and war. We have, for the past 226 years, held Malthus’ prediction at bay through medical science, agricultural science, and the UN, but our Malthusian demise has been deferred rather than defeated. Humanity’s numbers continually increase, and our lifestyle...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, Vic
In response to: The gods look on aghast, as human calamity unfolds…
Carbon dumping should be called out
November 29, 2024
Carbon capture and storage, or carbon dumping, is absolutely a con trick. As Peter Sainsbury rightly acknowledges, despite decades of trying, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis “not one single CCS project has ever reached its target CO2 capture rate”. And carbon dumping accounts for just 0.1 per cent of carbon pollution that enters the atmosphere each year. Pumping carbon dioxide back underground is hardly a planet stabilising proposition. How about we stop digging the fossil fuels up in the first place? Multinational corporations and the governments that subsidise and support them to...
Amy Hiller from Kew, Victoria
In response to: Environment: Carbon capture and storage - what's the real goal?
Keating's Banana Republic
November 25, 2024
Contrary to the comment piece by Neil O’Keefe, Treasurer Paul Keating’s 1986 Banana Republic comment in a radio interview with John Laws was not a calming statement designed to avoid panic in the markets. It was a foolish panic-stricken reaction to disturbing Balance of Payments (BoP) figures that showed a large increase in Australia’s current account deficit. The comment caused the Australian dollar to immediately plunge by 3 cents. This came on top of a 1 cent fall in the dollar following the actual release of the BoP figures. The silly off-the-cuff remark required Prime Minister Bob Hawke,...
Paul Malone from Ocean Grove
In response to: Is the USA a Banana Republic
Cribb article deserves a Walkley award
November 22, 2024
I have long admired Julian Cribb's writing but this article deserves an award - a Walkley award no less. He conveys the urgency of the planetary crisis in a way that goes beyond merely stating the facts. We need such a wake-up call what with more and more climate change-charged extreme weather events and loss of habitat causing biodiversity to decline. The 1972 book Limits to Growth warned that civilisation would crash by the 2040s should we continue on the current path and we are certainly seeing the beginnings of such a collapse even now.
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW (temporarily in Adelaide)
In response to: The gods look on aghast, as human calamity unfolds…
For whom the bell tolls
November 22, 2024
It's a statement we often see at the end of mini bios of P&I authors: The views expressed here are his own. But this time it struck me as poignant. Isn't this exactly what Mr Guppy's sad article was saying? The views are 'his', not shared by enough people in our vast country to be able to say these are our views. Certainly not shared by our LabLib parliamentary leaders, keeping in sweet with our US masters and being fêted by Israel. The few do what we can but, so far, we are powerless when up against our own...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Gaza rots the soul
Miller’s latest
November 22, 2024
The US’ Miller now says the US voted against a ceasefire because there are seven US citizens among the hostages, and the ceasefire wouldn’t cover hostages. Yet the ceasefire proposal last April would have released these seven Americans. Are they more valued now than they were then? Instead we have had a Bidenectomy to excise the Palestinians, backing an Israel which views them as a malignant cancer. All the while it has been winken (at the Israeli excesses while pretending the US has no control over them), Blinken (handwringing), and nod (to the deaths of over 150,000 Palestinians, and...
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: Gaza rots the soul
Silence is complicity -- Einstein
November 22, 2024
Every accusation a confession -- but also a distraction, incitement or form of silencing during genocide. P&I offers a beacon of truth, alongside other independent online journalists of principle, that informs and updates those who refuse to look away in the face of an illegal occupation, apartheid, genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes being committed by Israel in Gaza, the West Bank and now Lebanon. This daily testimony adds to the evidence needed to one day prosecute those responsible. The legacy media and ABC have failed us at every turn. As have our politicians. But perhaps Mr...
Annee Lawrence from Sydney
In response to: ‘Fairness and balance’ in P&I reporting on the Middle East
Naive and inaccurate
November 22, 2024
Andrew Podger’s article ‘Fairness and balance’ in P&I reporting on the Middle East (November 19) is naive and inaccurate. Full disclosure: I have written for P&I since November 2022; I operated as editor for six weeks between August and September this year. Podger thinks P&I is a news publication. It is not. Publisher John Menadue has clearly described it as a public policy journal. Yet he criticises P&I for not separating news from opinion – something which is the norm for news organisations. He expects P&I to follow the conventions of the Australian Press Council when it...
Sam Varghese from Melbourne
In response to: ‘Fairness and balance’ in P&I reporting on the Middle East
ABC Lies By Omission
November 22, 2024
3 Days ago the ABC reported that a Russian missile had struck a civilian building killing 10 people. What it failed to report was that the missile was sent off course by a Ukrainian AD missile. A friend who lives in Odessa, Helen Jones, tells me that people in Odessa are far more fearful of Ukrainian AD missiles that Russian ones, because the Russian missiles are aimed at military targets. The ABC report failed to mention anything about the Ukrainian missile.
Joy Ringrose from Pomona, Qld
In response to: "Disingenuous News Dressed Up As Theatre"
Middle class ism the answer to our problem
November 22, 2024
As a Married at 19 Father at 20 retired 72 year old regular visitor to the local yacht cub I am well placed to see what the divide between the haves and the have nots looks like . I worked and watched with waves migrants worked long hours grew veggies at home and made good largely for their children. I believe the answer is middle classism and Government should promote it. The bigger the divide between the haves and the have nots the more the divide is noticed and exploited by both sides . The stronger the divide...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: When the system fails
So obscene but I fear it will get worse
November 22, 2024
Has there ever been a more shameful time to be an Australian? Thanks to Morrison and Albanese, we have literally sold our sovereignty to the US in that we are paying for the facilities at their bases on our soil about which we will not be informed, let alone have a say. And now, thanks to Albanese, Wong and Dutton, what tattered shreds of moral fibre remained have completely disappeared with their parroting the US black is white lie about violent Israeli football fans in Amsterdam. In spite of the film and eye-witness evidence, for heaven's sake. Where...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: The Amsterdam incident exposes Australian supine and servile dishonour and dishonesty
Ending the Banality of Evil--Stand up and Question
November 22, 2024
Many of us have long suspected that opposition to the genocide against the Palestinians is more widespread than reported. But it is encouraging to see evidence of this opposition. Well done P&I. when the banality of evil was expressed in reporting the Adolf Eichmann trial, it was said that the root of this banality was a lack of questioning. Michael Davis PhD
michael davis from Mullumbimby
In response to: The Labor Government is morally moribund and scornful of international law
Indexation not the main game
November 21, 2024
Dear John. Thank you for your kind comments. Indexation has been applied to student loan debts since 1989. Recent high inflation has drawn attention to indexation, both how it is calculated and when it is applied. High indexation has certainly an issue - I hope I didn’t give the impression that I was dismissing it entirely - but in my view it is not the main game, which is the size of the debts to which indexation is applied. Indexation is much less of an issue in more normal inflationary environments; you’re not the first person to...
Damian Coburn from Australia
In response to: Indexation the killer
"Fairness and balance" in reporting genocide?
November 20, 2024
I am shocked by Andrew Podger's invocation of the slogan Fair and Balanced - formerly used by Fox News, to criticise Pearls and Irritations' coverage of Israel's disproportionate response to Hamas' crimes of October 7th, 2023. No surprise of course, that the Press Council, on whose board Mr Podger has sat, and whose standards he recommends, is funded by News Corporation. Israel itself has ensured that reporting from the Middle East is neither fair nor balanced by killing more journalists reporting from Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon since October 7 2023, than have been killed since the...
Gayle Davies from Armidale NSW
In response to: "Fairness and balance" in P&I reporting on the Middle East
Magnificent
November 20, 2024
John, Thank you for your simply magnificent response to Andrew Podger's total misconception of the momentous crimes being committed under Netanyahu's direction, and his fundamental ignorance of the role of an independent editor and commentator. Sincerely - Peter O'Keeffe
Peter O'Keeffe from Australia
In response to: ‘Fairness and balance’ in P&I reporting on the Middle East
How serious is Mr. Podger about the integrity of journalism?
November 20, 2024
I found the recent contribution by Andrew Podger to P & I, Fairness and balance in P & I reporting on the Middle East—putting it as politely as I can—to be curious. Not so politely, I might have used the description ‘paternalistic’ or, worse, the piece as one expressing “mock concern’ from one on high. Podger expresses sympathy for an impoverished electronic outlet’s built-in obstacle when it comes to meeting the standards to which respectable journalists hold themselves. He stresses the need to keep facts separate from opinion and to be fair and balanced, that is, to represent the...
Harry Glasbeek from Canada
In response to: ‘Fairness and balance’ in P&I reporting on the Middle East