source : the age
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TRUMP
Rodger Shanahan shows that regime change in the Middle East is not affected by killing off the leaders of an entrenched regime (“Trump tried to cut the head off the Iran snake but it keeps biting him”, 6/4).
The Iranian regime entrenches its power with terror and fanaticism. MAGA kleptocrats, running the US to increase their fortunes, are using less brutal but potentially as effective methods of dominating the US government for profit by emasculating the “democracy” that Americans are so (mistakenly) proud of.
Recent Age articles have suggested we can be comforted that when Trump finishes his current term it will return us to “business as usual” (Peter Hartcher’s column, “The dawning of our vulnerability”, 4/4).
The American democracy, always weak, is now teetering on collapse and the MAGA movement has a further two years of succession planning, using its influence so egregiously that US courts, media and state gerrymandering would appear to be entrenching its power.
Betting on American democracy to deliver a return to a predictable and friendly US is as problematic and starry-eyed as Trump betting he can bomb his way to regime change.
Michael Langford, Flinders
Time for Australia to take stock
Peter Hartcher’s sharp critique of our lack of national security preparedness (“The dawning of our vulnerability”, 4/4) highlights Australia’s short-term thinking, a major weakness.
Countries like Switzerland and Finland have many months’ supply of food, fuel and other essentials stored securely underground. Their populations are almost all trained army reservists, with sufficient weapons on hand to quickly mount a substantial defence force. I imagine they are busily building a stockpile of drones and other defence equipment.
It is time for Australia to do the same, especially given our heavy dependence on goods shipped in from other countries, and the abysmal state of our defence recruitment and weaponry.
We should be emulating the long-term national security planning of the Swiss and Finns, building our own food, fuel, defence equipment and other stockpiles, funded by a tax levy on individuals and companies. Starting now.
Graeme Russell, Clifton Hill
We have no say in new world order
A very careful reading of the tea-leaves at the bottom of my morning cuppa tells me that there is every chance of the United States of America returning to its former isolationist posture in the near future. This, after over a century of intervention on a global scale, wherever it saw, in its infinite wisdom, the need.
If this comes to pass, we shall find out quick-smart which nation will henceforth become the world’s hegemon. Nature, as we know, abhors a vacuum. And that applies geopolitically, I’m quite sure.
I do so hope that we of the free world will be happy with our new liege lords. Sadly, we won’t have the freedom of choice.
John Sheldrick, Peppermint Grove, WA
Trump bailed out by those he insults
Trump has ridden on a wave of insults directed at government institutions, but if he didn’t have at hand the depth of expertise in the CIA, that pilot would have been taken by Iran and a mid-term loss secured.
Molly Hanrahan, Maldon
Song for Donald
Ode to Donald Trump: ″Trump never done nothing but build to destroy. He plays with my world like it’s his little toy″. (Apologies to Bob Dylan.)
Dan Drummond, Leongatha
THE FORUM
American exceptionalism
With regard to two of your correspondents (Letters, 6/4), I agree 100 per cent with their views on Pauline Hanson and Gina Rinehart’s Trump sycophancy, and the diminishing of the US as a beacon of democracy.
The rise of Donald Trump has not been meteoric, but has been decades in the making. His willingness to debase allies, refuse sound advice, ignore the needs of the general populace, enrich himself beyond belief, and go after his perceived enemies are the hallmarks of a despotic emperor.
By virtue of his unpredictability and destructiveness (and in light of all the recent disruptive, ghastly, disturbing events), Trump has turned the US into the quintessential rogue state.
The world is getting weary of his nihilistic behaviour, yet his cult-like followers continue to enable him. Rules-based international order is disintegrating and nobody seems to be willing to stand up to him. Meanwhile, far away from this madness One Nation seems to be picking up support with policies and rhetoric that incite fear, hatred and suspicion. Think about that.
David Legat, South Morang
If it’s broken, fix it
If the party political system delays or impedes good decision-making; if it forces priorities to change to ones that are not needed; if it increases the stigmatisation of the disabled, of ethnic groups, of women’s rights, of LGBTQI people and others; if it promotes the wealthy and puts economic pressure on those less well off; is it something that could and should be changed?
The difficulty we have is that in order to effect such change, we have to get those in the party-political system to get rid of it because only they can, unless there is a revolution, or individual Australians realise they can exercise their power by voting. There is a saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but what if it is broken? Do we have to just live with it?
Greg Tuck, Warragul
Foreign education
Barry Jones thinks it is a good thing almost all his nurses attending to him in respite care were non-Anglo. (″The man who knew too much″, 5/4).
While many may have been born in Australia or have received their training here, my experience is that the majority of non-Anglo health professionals, have received their training in their home countries. Australia attracts these professionals without using our tax dollars to educate them because of our attractive lifestyle and salaries.
However, is it morally acceptable to poach such essential workers from developing countries, who can ill afford to train them and desperately need such talent themselves? A wealthy country such as Australia should be able to supply its own requirements for such essential workers. Further, our foreign assistance obligations should be providing such expertise to the developing world, not the other way around.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
In whose interest?
Royce Millar’s article tells us the destruction of East Gippsland’s old growth forest was not only deliberate, but against good advice (″Confidential files reveal logging ban push ignored by the Andrews government″, 6/4). Stopping logging 22 years ago (as advised) would have saved Victorian taxpayers’ money, as well as the environment and threatened species.
So you have to ask, what pressures or incentives caused the Andrews and Allan governments to delay and keep flogging the forests? If it wasn’t in the public interest, then whose?
Liz Ingham, Yarraville
Behind the times
The Victorian government spokesperson spruiking its single-use plastic ban and Container Deposit Scheme (“Confidential files reveal how Andrews government shelved logging ban push”, 6/4) ignores that Victoria was the second last state, before only NSW, to ban light plastic bags and the second last, before only Tasmania, to get its CDS going.
The ACT has banned waste incinerators completely and NSW has banned them in metro Sydney. Nevertheless, Victoria has issued 11 ‘waste to energy’ licences in locations that include Wollert, Laverton, Dandenong, and Maryvale.
These enterprises will undermine progress to a circular economy and instead entrench waste generation.
Sadly, Victoria’s government continues to disappoint when it comes to protecting our ecosystems, and even some of our suburbs.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Bushfire inquiries
Re “Delay to crucial bushfires inquiry slammed as farce”, (6/4). Two separate inquiries into last summer’s bushfires seems to make no sense. Why not a single, integrated inquiry to “inform any decisions about firefighting equipment, staffing or emergency response practices for next summer”? The current duplication of effort looks like a waste of scarce time, resources and expertise.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills
Character evidence
It was distressing to read “Push to end ‘good character evidence”, (6/4) which describes the anomaly that still exists in Victoria’s justice system. How traumatising for victims that they must later endure in court the ‘good character’ references of their abusers. Why has Victoria’s Attorney General delayed the abolition of this cruel, irrelevant anomaly?
Sally Davis, Malvern East
Keyboard worriers
Everybody, especially those who are responsible for the emerging technologies, should read the excellent article by Stephanie Wood (“Keyboard Worriers”, 4/4).
Emerging technology offers many benefits and is undoubtedly essential for progress, but it’s important to recognise that not everyone is able to adapt at the same pace. Many elderly individuals, particularly those who aren’t comfortable with digital devices, can, and in fact do, feel left behind as new systems are rapidly introduced. I am a retired IT consultant, and yet I struggle from time to time and get very frustrated.
To ensure inclusivity, it’s crucial that these technologies are rolled out alongside existing, familiar options, allowing older Australians to access services and information without feeling isolated or forgotten. They need to be able to make phone calls that are answered by real human beings. By maintaining a balance between innovation and accessibility, we can make sure everyone is looked after as society moves forward.
After all, it is those who were the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers who made such a contribution to the technology that we enjoy today.
John Cummings, Anglesea
Analogue solution
It is little wonder the elderly (and they are no doubt not the only ones who struggle), are frustrated by Australia’s online bureaucracy.
I’m 80, I bank, shop, book theatre tickets, send greeting cards, and yet when it comes to Services Australia, I’ve also ended in tears. I made the mistake of contacting My Gov instead of My Aged Care, silly me!
Yesterday, I tried to submit a surgeon’s paid account to Medicare. After the usual nonsense of rejected passwords and codes sent to my iPhone, I had a brainwave and searched for Medicare claim forms and printed, filled and posted it for the price of a pensioner’s stamp!
Of course, an individual’s privacy is important, but why does the government keep changing the access to its portals?
If I, who am computer-literate, have difficulty what about the millions who aren’t? Do we really have to destroy the self-confidence of the aged by insisting on the use of the internet for services that should only be a phone call away? It’s time for the public service to live up to its name and serve the public.
Megan Peniston-Bird, Kew
Home care is worse
Those of us who were previously on a Home Care Package will remember being told when the new system came in last November, that no one would be worse off. A promise that, needless to say, has been repeatedly and egregiously broken.
I do realise that the Home Care Package, as it previously operated, was unsustainable.
For example, many clients, myself included, had accumulated thousands of dollars in their accounts, money which just sat there, helping no one. Clearly change was needed.
However, the Support At Home Service has swung drastically in the direction of “the less support the better”. A recent example of this left me reeling.
For many years, I have used the taxi card provided as part of my package to take me to the airport. These trips are almost always to visit family in Canberra or Newcastle. I’ve made two this year: one to see my eleven-year-old grandson perform in a musical, and the other to visit my sister, who was gravely ill.
I am 82, walk with a stick and have several medical conditions. To get to the airport by public transport with a computer and large suitcase is beyond me. I caught a taxi.
For this, I was reprimanded and informed that taxis could not be used for travel or “holidays” and certainly not to go to the airport.
I am left with the conclusion that if one is poor and old one should stay in one’s box and be thankful for small mercies. “Holidays” are not for us. I now wonder if attendance at an interstate funeral is permissible.
Judith Colquhoun, Fitzroy North
Gambling timing
For those who missed it, a capitulation to vested interests that ignored the Murphy report’s robust reasons for a total ban on gambling ads was finally announced on the eve of Easter, punting on the old playbook of dumping unpopular and embarrassing decisions while most people are distracted.
Rod Duncan, Brunswick East
AND ANOTHER THING
Trump world
Trump can now claim some kind of world record for the fastest and most destructive own goal in centuries of recorded military history.
Matthew Hamilton, Kew
I wish I were on that rocket to the moon escaping from the madness that is planet earth.
Peter Buxton, Somers
Donald, I think it’s time.
Max Lazarus, Vermont
What Trump is doing because of Iran failing to obey him is not a response. It’s a tantrum. He’s behaving like a two-year-old.
Juliet Flesch, Kew
One large media organisation seems to be boosting Pauline Hanson at every opportunity, that same organisation boosted Donald Trump back in 2015, look where that has taken the world.
Ian Hetherington, Moama
When I hear the abominable words coming out of Trump’s mouth I think they all apply to him rather than the people, organisations and countries he is talking about.
Ingrid Rodger, Williamstown
Furthermore
Donald Trump’s command of US forces is not in doubt, but his command of the English language leaves much to be desired.
Richard Opat, Elsternwick
Why I haven’t read an article written by Ross Gittins recently is now explained. What an ordeal. Best of luck to Ross for a speedy recovery.
Kate McCaig, Surrey Hills
After the self-proclaimed resounding success of the Opening Round, the AFL will surely announce the “success” of the disenfranchising first four rounds of the season too.
Peter Venn, East Bentleigh
Humankind’s brilliance shines in sending astronauts to the moon and testing the Orion spacecraft for future lunar landings and a moon base. However, wouldn’t this massive cost be better used for feeding the many who live in hunger, or use that intelligence to learn how to coexist peacefully?
Marguerite Marshall, Eltham
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