Letters To The Editor

Click here to comment on this letter.

Rail disgrace

I am a member of two heritage rail groups in NSW and I am appalled at the State government's disrespect for the country communities and how they are closing railway lines and cutting services because State Rail has not maintained their rail system for years in the correct manner.

In 2005 the Newcastle-Maitland service is supposed to be getting new rail cars, maybe the North Coast could benefit by their upgrade in possibly securing the six Railmotors that are at Newcastle which one would assume will be phased out when the new railcars are in service.

Personally I would like to see the line go from Casino to Brisbane via Tweed Heads, and I would also like to see the Northern line reopened from Armidale to Brisbane via Wallangarra.

I feel the NSW tourism industry needs this sort of commitment, similar to the Alice to Darwin railway line. I am also interested in starting a railcar company, with the possibility of servicing all the communities that State Rail has chosen to cut off by ceasing regular train services, a big ask as I am only a wage earner and don't have a secret stash of millions of dollars.

Perhaps this railway company that I would like to start could be a joint company with all the local councils and communities being involved in it.

I would like to hear from any rail action groups in the Lismore area who may have some ideas to overcome the present situation.

Brian Leedham
leedhamb@nlc.net.au

Click here to comment on this letter.

Anzac spirit

Congratulations to those responsible for Lismore's Anzac Day march and ceremony. The numbers of young people in the march whether they were in school, guide, scout or band uniforms was particularly pleasing. Kadina High School's Nick Hewitt played a hauntingly beautiful Last Post and the school choirs were wonderful. All schools, their students, parents and teachers played a role in making the morning so memorable.

I'd also like to pay tribute to Kadina's Leo Club members who also gave up days of their school vacation to sell badges to mark this special day.

Our returned service men and women can be assured that our young people are ready, willing and able to ensure that Anzac Day will continue to be one of the most significant days on the Australian calendar.

Jenny Dowell
Goonellabah

Click here to comment on this letter.

Udder waste

Can somebody politely tell Lil Johnnie that he is not the Commander in Chief? That's George Dubya!

The waste of $800,000 of taxpayers funds in staging his Anzac Arabian Odyssey would have more than saved our rural dental schemes, eliminated rural medical waiting lists and more. Why don't we hear the bovine voices of Messrs. Causley and Hartsuyker speaking up for their constituents on this matter?

John X Berlin
Maclean

Click here to comment on this letter.

Up in Arms

In order to have the present economic benefit, today, like the past thousands of years, we must have "slaves" or cheap labour, more fertile lands and the mineral resources of other countries.

Today the USA and England's most important and profitable product are Arms. By Arms I mean all military equipment and products necessary to create war. Every few years they make a new, better, more powerful and technologically advanced Arms. What to do with the older, second-hand and superseded Arms? Sell them to the future enemy, terrorists or mad dictators; this is good for our economy and business.

All we need now is one excuse to go to War. The other country must have a defect, the colour of the skin, or religion, must be different to ours. Their politics must be different to ours because they have a mad dictator and he is a danger to our allies. Our God did give us bigger guns so therefore their country must belong to us. Think of the benefit we get; destroy the Arms we sold them, then our economy and our business will improve, all is needed is a bit of human sacrifice.

We have the "Cain" syndrome, in order to have our brothers property we must kill him. This is survival of the fittest.

New Democratic System = government by the politician for the benefit of globalised international business. Our civilisation like the past ones is on the road to self-destruction.

Name and address supplied

Click here to comment on this letter.

Money talks

Regarding our trains issue. I have been told by someone who knows that the state of our train bridges are in such a deplorable condition that it would cost X amount of dollars to repair them, which the government would say they have not got. But they can always find money to go on their fancy trips overseas etc etc. One more disgusted member of the public.

Norm Reg Turner Davidson
Goonellabah

Click here to comment on this letter.

Highway terror

I retired about ten years ago, previously having driven heavy vehicles for about 39 years. Recently I had to return from the South Coast and decided to travel home during the late hours of the night. And what a shock that trip was. To my horror, I was caught up by a convoy of trucks, all travelling in the same direction, at Kew, and was then subjected to the worst display of arrogance, lack of real driving skill, and total bastardry that I have ever experienced. This nonsense included speeds up to 125kph, tailgating at unimaginably stupid distances of often only one or two metres, headlights being flashed into mirrors, and in my particular instance, was showered quite deliberately with rocks and gravel from the edge of the left lane. And all this bullying because I just happened to be there. This arrogance also included many episodes of crossing double lines and deliberate cutting off of other vehicles at merging. These blokes drive as if they are untouchable, and they have absolutely no regard for either the law, or other members of the motoring community.

I have already taken steps to try and have this highway terror stopped, including asking you to contact me, many people have, if you have suffered similar instances. I have drawn up a petition, and will have this, as well as all of your extra information, presented to Parliament for action. Please phone Norman Mann on (02) 6655 4920 or write to c/o Urunga Post Office, NSW, 2454.

Norman Mann
Raleigh

Click here to comment on this letter.

Car wars

As the social transportation system "is" become degraded in the Northern Rivers, I make three simple points, for I am a simple soul. Yes, we are all simple souls until your environments become your complexes. The first is not that simple to explain. The second point is complex. The third is obvious.

First, motor vehicles kill 1.2 million people each year. That's 10% of those maimed or otherwise seriously injured. 10 million maimed or otherwise affected for life. 100 million injured or affected by injuries of these shiny monsters. Billions became isolated to natural life so become metallic slaves in the cities. Our entire ecosystem is beginning to pay the price and most people have discussed this. And the familiar social breakdown caused by being unable to travel to friends and relatives. I do not expect people with cars to understand the latter. All this for pure pleasure and utility.

Secondly, terrorism and all terrorists included would be lucky if they destroyed 50,000 per year and injured more than a million of us, in this, their desperate attempt.

Thirdly, people, should peacefully stop using cars and we could help more than any war on terror. That is if you are serious in trying to save lives. The question is, do you realise we may be addicted to these murderous devices?

In every bit of unmeasurable sincerity,

Keith Stone
North Lismore

Click here to comment on this letter.

Bilious drivel

Well well, Bob Hodgkin's pathetic rant (Echo April 1, page 10) certainly has my vote for 'fool' of this year anyhow. Don't feel too lonely dear ole Robert as you did have stiff competition from many more of your dopey ilk who continue to ink our similar bilious drivel and crap the majority of us have come to expect from Green, Dems or Latham lovers such as your (in love with ones) self! What a misguided pompous April fool you are sir!

If at all possible 'Bobby Boy' open up your doubting Thomas awful brain to the following facts and truth!

A: I do not know the Editor of this Echo newspaper! B: I have never met him and I strongly suspect I never will nor would he want to. B (sic): I believe he has never altered or added to my efforts and has possibly (but rarely) subtracted anything except for length. You must understand it's not hard to fill many pages while you types exist.

So Mr No All-Hodgkins this Editor has nothing to do with the contents of my writings I can assure you so you're wrong again dear boy!

Unlike you I never take anything for granted and your ilk just prove we have to work hard to preserve our democratic rights. I again thank The Echo for his fairness and democracy for printing a good round up of people's opinions and not just the pitiful ravings of the left wing radical ratbags who pollute this place.

I sincerely congratulate Mr King as our Mayor. It is great to see that many out there still recognise a sensible decent pro-development family hand on the wheel. A pity I can't say the same for 'Byron'. What a basket case that place will end up. Greens will see to that! Expect the unexpected, perhaps even a toll to enter the joint. Who knows?

I for one will be saving my limited cash. Have a good day Bobby Boy. Keep trying ole son. Brownie points don't come easy!

On another matter I really have no idea why nuts like Latham and similar ilk such as Mungo - or is it Mungrell - (Echo, April 8, pg 10) where this McCullum animal says 'Downer' is a rotten lousy Minster etc etc. I mean they spew all this filth out of their sick mouths with utterly no sign of explanation why they feel this way about an utter gentleman! Probably the best and most effective foreign minister we have ever had. What in God's name are these imbeciles on about? What an atrocious pathetic bunch.

Howard leaves Latham and his Labor mates for dead and always will. Just like Carr and all his state mates they always stuff us up and we are seeing this right now. My memory is not that short regarding Whitlam, Hawke and Keating, and the colossal debt they put us all in and they will do it again and again. This mob are the true inventors of 'Russian Roulette' except their version has a bullet in every chamber and you get first go!

I will never ever understand why stubborn Labor supporters never seem to see through what the likes of Carr, Latham and their mates are on about when most other Aussies can see through them like glass. Latham lovers seem to be in some state of perpetual blindness.

Just look at what Carr has done with our trains and our XPT is just the beginning mark my word! The recent interference by Carr in local elections was just pathetic but at least 'Clover More' (sic) in Sydney pulled his horns in but places like the 'Bay' will just be a basket case. At least we fared a little better in Lismore. Good on you Merve (sic)! Boy do we need this bloke real bad.

It is great The Echo has, it would seem, a fair decent and intelligent Editor whose comments are right on the money. Thank you sir. A vast improvement on the other guy that is sure!

Now I don't know you do I? Of course not! Put that in your pipe and smoke it Bobby Boy! You will.

G Wallace
South Lismore

• Edited for length - Ms Ed.

Click here to comment on this letter.

Crossword Answers for this Issue