Issue 745
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Letters To The Editor
Festival ThanksThe Combined Service Clubs of Ballina – raising funds for Ballina Youth House to provide accommodation and study opportunities for young people who are disadvantaged by their home environments. To this end we coordinated the highly successful 100.9 ZZZ Ballina Aquatic Festival. We estimate that over 4000 people attended the various activities from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, raising almost $4,000. This was made possible only through the support of our major sponsor, many other sponsors and volunteers, the participants who took part and of course the public for their attendance. Please accept our sincere thanks. Planning has started for the 2002 Ballina Aquatic Festival. We look forward to your support again to make it an even bigger and more spectacular event. Peter Dean Click here to comment on this letter.
Fundraiser ThanksWe would like to thank everyone who was involved in promoting the Japanese sale to raise funds for Hope Haven, and all those who attended. To be fair to all we did not open the doors until 9 am sharp. About 30 people were waiting at the doors at 9 am. Some had waited for an hour. Over 300 people came to see the goods displayed. We sold all of the small items and a lot of the larger items too. Several people also made donations. In total we raised $2280! (including $38 in donations). The money has been given to Hope Haven. The chairman was delighted by the response. Our parents in Japan were thrilled at the response and wanted to thank everyone for their support. They are planning to send more items for a future fundraiser. Please support us again when we decide on the date! Hiro and Carolyn Nakazaki Click here to comment on this letter.
Cap DevelopmentByron Bay's recent decision to cap development sits nicely with the 'Region of Villages' strategy being pushed by the Northern Rivers Regional Strategy Secretariat and Richmond Valley Council. The ‘ecological footprint' model driving the 'Villages' cunning plan shows clearly the Northern Rivers area is overpopulated. You only have to look at the degradation of our rivers, failing sewerage treatment systems and ‘overuse' syndrome in popular areas to confirm what the model says. In spite of overpopulation the 'Villages' paper states that a 'no growth scenario is not practically or politically possible at present'. No justification is given for this conclusion nor is there any respectable long term reason why we shouldn't be capping development. However you should look no further than the Minister for Closing Councils and Regional Demolition for the conclusion that nothing can be done. The problem is Harry's infected with untreated and acute Developers' Syndrome. Harry potters while development rages all around. The ballot box is the only known cure but sometimes patients with this condition are disinclined to seek treatment as the residents of the former Richmond River Shire Council will tell you. At Evans Head, Council continues to dump poorly treated sewerage water into the wetland system for Salty Lakes, part of Broadwater National Park. In spite of this Council is allowed to continue to approve new developments while the State government encourages them. Yes, they are moving to a new sewerage system, but with a time course that makes jellyfish look like sprinters in a marathon. In the meantime our environment is being corrupted. It's time for Harry to bite the bullet, follow Byron's lead and move to a ‘no growth' strategy for the North Coast. Given we're already overpopulated, perhaps we should start with a selective culling of politicians, councillors, town planners and developers. This could be achieved with a little forced migration to other lands where these individuals would be appreciated for what they are doing to us. And to get real economic benefit we could rebadge captured Indonesion fishing boats on their return journeys rather than sink them. And I bags Harry be put at the helm of the ALP Robert WRAN with Terry Christian Flanagan as his ‘little mate' to assist when sailing close to the democratic wind of the land of amalgamation, and Blue Water Specialist and general Rous-about Cr Don Harvey as chief petty officer in charge of the ‘heads'. Dr Richard Gates Click here to comment on this letter.
Online FanI would like to thank you for the opportunity to be able to stay in touch with my home town area. I live most of the year in the United States. I've been reading the big papers in Sydney every morning while drinking my coffee. Today I thought that maybe I would see if there was a site that had something on my home town of Casino. You did and it was really cool to catch up on what's going on at home. Anyway thanks again for giving me the chance to stay in touch with my adored home town. Michelle Ellis Self ControlI was in Nimbin on Wednesday, October 31, and noticed the Police and crowd outside Nimbin Hemp Embassy. Some time later, when I came out from my medical appointment, they were still there, so I went to see how my old friend Michael Balderstone, of the Hemp Embassy, was faring, I introduced myself to the Police standing at the Hemp Embassy's doorway, and told them of my support for Michael Balderstone and the Hemp Embassy, and that the secret is control, as in self-control as far as drugs are concerned, as I have believed and practiced where alcohol and tobacco are concerned, for over 60 years. Michael and his team use the Hemp Embassy as a control on the sale and use of Hemp. They also have hemp clothing for sale and hemp bricks on display. Cannabis is so much more expensive and trouble-causing when individuals sell it on the street. Michael supported the idea of Cannabis Cafes as in Holland. But the Lismore Police have prevented the development of that in Nimbin; a very short-sighted policy in this old woman's view, and the view of the Nimbin Older Women's Forum. Winifred Mitchell Click here to comment on this letter.
Safer TimesRE: Letter Mrs Mary Kershaw (Echo, Oct 18). Well, at 26 you obviously don't classify yourself as an adult. In my books that age puts you well into adulthood, although your mind is not as mature. The older generation were brought up with respect and to respect themselves and others, especially the elders also their property and not to take or break other people's property. There were times for them when it was safe to leave their doors unlocked, to walk down the street without the fear of being bashed or robbed. Knowing the people you passed in the street would smile and ask you how your day was, or comment on the weather. And that your children could play safely in the street and parks. You mention that they sit and watch TV all day and pop pills, play the pokies and use public transport. Well, have you stopped and thought they may be afraid to go out, or they don't have many friends, or that their budget doesn't allow them to do anything else, or their health is not good. Their 'so called' popping pills are usually prescribed by a doctor, and they need these medications to stay alive. Also, these older people are entitled to spend their money in any way they choose. If that means they go to the club and put some money in the poker machines, that is their choice. The elderly people you associate with must not have a very good outlook on life. Most elderly people I know do what they can to help the younger generations. The majority of volunteers are elderly people who pass on their years of knowledge. As children grow and mature they are praised for good things and punished for inappropriate behaviour and by this I don't mean physical punishment. My children lose privileges if they have broken the rules. If they have been good they receive praise and privileges. I don't go to church myself, but I believe you get back what you give out. You smile at someone and 9 times out of 10 you will get one back. Older people fear the younger generation as it is not safe to walk the streets or leave your yard. Sometimes you are not safe in your own homes, as people have no respect for themselves and others – break into homes and bash older defenceless people, stealing from them for their own selfish gains, or their illegal drug habits. You should rethink your own ideas as you one day will be the ‘oldies'. I guess you don't drink, catch buses, play the pokies, buy raffle tickets, take any form of medication (ie. Panadol) and of course you wouldn't own a TV, as they are bad for your mind. Maybe you should stop and think about what is right and wrong, and use your own morals to guide you, and stop blaming elderly people for your narrow mindedness. And I don't think your comment about 'especially white man elders' is relevant to the issue. We are a multicultural society and if you have a good look and the people that break the law, and have 'no respect for the law', you will see that they are a very mixed bunch of your own younger generation. You may be married, and you obviously look down on single mothers on welfare. Life doesn't always deal out ‘Aces' and sometimes we don't always make the right choices with our ex-partners, but we have respect for ourselves, our children and society. I work part-time and also receive a cut-pension. Yes, I am a single Mum, and I have 6 children, 4 of whom I am still raising on my own. I am 45 years of age, and believe the clothes you wear don't make a person different, it is what's on the inside that counts. If you took some time out from your busy pram-pushing schedule and visited some old people's hostels or maybe the Women's Auxiliary or the CWA, The Soup Kitchen or the Neighbourhood Centre, you possibly might change your ideas. And guess what lady?... 'A smile costs you nothing and gives a lot of pleasure' I'm also not on illegal drugs. Debbie Click here to comment on this letter.
Seen Pottsy?In April/May 1997 my wife and I visited Lismore (as well as other parts of NSW). The main purpose of the visit was to see my stepson (my wife's son) who celebrated his 30th birthday during April of that year. At that point in time he had been in Australia for several years. Our son's name is Graeme James Potts but as far as we could tell all his friends in Lismore only referred to him as 'Potts' or 'Pottsy' He was essentially living an 'alternative' lifestyle and in 1997 he shared a warehouse in Engine Street (No. 20) with several other people. He was then (still is) involved in performing arts based largely on circus style activity including tightrope, stilts etc. He later moved away from Lismore and the last time we were able to make contact with him was during this year (2001) when he was in Sydney, having not long returned from a European performance trip (involving a joint Australian/ French company), but did not at that time have a fixed location. During the European tour the company performed in England and we travelled down to spend a couple of days with him and he said that another member of the warehouse group still lived somewhere around Lismore. Unfortunately we do not have an address OR surname for this young man. His Christian name is Damien and he originally came from around Sydney. Our request is that you please publish our e-mail in the hope that Damien (or anyone else who knew Graeme) will see it and make contact with us, especially if he is still in touch with 'Potts'. Our phone number in the UK is 01506 410662. Les & June McAulay Click here to comment on this letter.
Shame AllThere barely seems a day go past lately that I haven't felt a deep shame about being Australian. What once was a proud, compassionate nation appears to have fallen victim to some of the worst and regrettable traits human beings can sink to. Ask yourself 'If your life was in extreme danger from a murderous regime, wouldn't you do what it takes to escape from such circumstances, especially if you have a family.' Such desperation clearly drives the refugees to take great risks to get to a safe haven. To draw an analogy; I recall watching the film, Titanic, at the point where people lined up to get a limited number of lifeboats as the boat was sinking; it brought the best and the worst from the human spirit – from extraordinary bravery where the uppermost thought was to save as many as possible without a thought for ones own survival, to the other extreme; of callous behaviour to save oneself even if it meant pushing others aside. Where does our nation lie on this continuum? 'Can't we do more for our fellow human beings and extend a helping hand to get to our land of near empty life boats'? George Pick Click here to comment on this letter.
Troubled WatersCongratulations to SBS TV for screening the documentary 'Troubled Waters' on November 6. It showed the real truth behind the detention and gaoling of Indonesian subsistence fishermen and their involvement in asylum seeker transport. After watching this programme it's easy to see the rest of the world further heaping condemnation on Australia. No wonder Megawati won't take a phone call from George Dubya's lap dog John Howard. Considering what the Australian Government and West Aussie state government are doing to Indonesian poverty stricken fishermen, it's no bloody wonder. If you didn't watch 'Troubled Waters' it goes like this: Successive Australian Governments would have us believe that hordes of well-equipped Indonesian fishing fleets are continually and deliberately entering Australian territorial waters and ravaging, plundering and ruining our fishing grounds. In fact we've plundered and wrecked our own fishing zones with supersized ultra-modern trawlers which slaughter, daily, tons and tons of every conceivable form of marine life from shellfish to sea-snakes, sharks and stingrays. Plus massive seabed damage by drag nets. Because of pin-sized Ashmore reef, our boundaries extend some 350kms to Indonesia. In reverse, the Indonesian fisherman can only go about 35kms towards us. And they do it in small sailing boats, navigating by the stars, tides, wind and even cloud knowledge. No satellite navigating, colour screen fish finders, air-conditioned cabins, walk-in freezers, showers, dunnies, and non-stop piss-ups for these fisher folks. After we've arrested these 'criminals' for trying to feed their families, we burn their boats (which usually aren't theirs). Then we gaol them to pay off years worth of unpayable fines. While in gaol, these poor blokes aren't even allowed to earn prison wages, to send home for food. Upon release the fishermen go back to their little fishing villages and are subsequently fined up to 5 years wages by the burnt boat owners. Double Jeopardy. To pay it off quickly, they get asked to skipper an asylum seeker boat. Gotcha! Triple Jeopardy! A woman in a shack who was a wife and mother and quite sickly told how she had no option but to prostitute herself to feed her equally sick kiddie while her husband spent 2 years in a WA gaol. From fisherman to internationally condemned criminal in one easy Australian lesson. Frosty Grego Click here to comment on this letter.
Now for 2004The most divisive Prime Minister this country has ever seen has been re-elected at enormous cost. Until about four months ago the nation's voters were set to change governments having realised the 'mean and tricky' actions of the Coalition Government for two terms (five and a half years). Then came Tampa! Over $130 million ($3 million per day) was expended having the navy fire 'shots across the bows' of boatpeople – those types of people it was Ministerially implied who threw their children into the water – those types of people the Prime Minister did not want in Australia, those types of people it was implied were related to terrorism. The more than 200 boats, which arrived before the Tampa did not elicit the same response. The Tampa incident occurred leading into Election 2001 (coincidence?). By the way, according to the Weekend Financial Review, neither the SAS, nor the four RAAF fighters have left to fight terrorism in destinations unknown. Were their farewells staged for the election? When the baton is passed from Howard to Costello and non-core promises flourish, I hope Coalition supporters recall life under the Coalition government in the prior five and a half years. Don Hains Click here to comment on this letter.
Conspiracy TheoryFor over 50 years Middle-eastern oil producers, knowing that their oil will ultimately run out, have been buying up and colonising stable western countries with massive Muslim migration, building mosques, schools and, for those who believe that Christianity and Islam are on the ultimate collision course, Terrorist training camps. In the days following the Trade Centre bombing, we were told that those who signed the cheques for Bin Laden – 'would be hunted down.' Nothing more has been heard of this. Have the Gnomes threatened that if they will tell all – just what tails wag which dogs? No political party sought to make any capital of it when it was revealed at the Fitzgerald inquiry that the chief financial backer of the National Party MP and sometime Union basher, Russ Hinze, was a member of the Soviet Norodny Bank, the same people who used to finance those mysteriously strike-free building projects in the city. There are deceptively named Arab companies who deal on a daily basis (under the table?) with Union Bosses. Would that explain the demands by Union Bosses, with no reference whatever to the rank and file, for virtual open door Moslem migration into Australia! It might also explain those building and demolition sites where there is almost no Australian labour and many of the workers illegal immigrants. Some people say that if Labor is ever elected, Unionists will run the country. Not so, Social Engineering University Ratbags have long since stolen Unions from workers. Eddie Burns Click here to comment on this letter.
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