Letters To The Editor

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Children detained

The Family Court has ruled the indefinite detention of children in immigration centres is illegal.

There are 108 children currently held in detention in Australia. They now have a glimmer of hope.

This is great news for the thousands of people in the Northern Rivers who have written letters, signed petitions and in other ways put their hearts and hands in service of their consciences on this issue.

Rural Australians for Refugees wants to thank and congratulate you all.

But Phillip Ruddock wants to appeal the decision - of course. Please act immediately to support this Family Court decision, and encourage him to release the children. Send letters and faxes, and get signatures of Aussie kids for the petition on Chilout's website: www.chilout.org/files/ChildrensPetition.doc

Please keep going, for the sake of all our children.

Bobbi Allan
The Channon

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War excuses

I am amazed at the gullibility of the majority of the Australian public who can swallow, without gagging, the pigswill John Howard is dishing out.

In response to the welcome home for our troops from Iraq, he states that they were "defending the Australian way of life". Huh?

What next? Outer Mongolia, maybe.

What a load of utterly disgusting ideology he spouts which permits the death of innocents in Iraq and Afghanistan, far outweighing troop losses. Okay, Saddam is gone (?) but that wasn't the excuse given for invading Iraq.

Another load of muck promulgated by the Coalition of the Willing is the myth of the 'liberation' of Iraq.

Iraq won't be liberated until the Coalition leaves the country. But they're too busy with their snouts in the trough, jostling for contracts and oil money, and whatever else of profit they can get their soiled trotters into.

Cherie Imlah
Mongogarie

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Simply the best

If you get a thousand letters like mine I'll not be surprised: Lismore Lantern parade, make that 'festival', what to say? Best on the planet isn't saying enough. Best venue on the north coast, perfect evening, top performance, unbelievably good small-scale fireworks, cast of thousands including Pegasus by Michelangelo, dragons, flying fox.

Stuart Wales
Lismore

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Loss of service

I write with great concern regarding the current funding situation for services for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The number of people with this disease is growing each week.

When someone with this illness needs information, support, or the name of a doctor who understands how to treat/manage their symptoms, these people now need to contact Northern Rivers Area Health Service.

For the last four years the Northern Rivers ME/CFS/FM Association received a small funding grant from the Northern Rivers Area Health Service, which enabled us to provide information, support and a quarterly newsletter. Unfortunately government authorities did not see the need for this funding to be renewed. The Lismore based office of this association has been relocated as of May 2003, but due to the appalling situation of no funds the only service we offer is the updated web page. Under our auspice the Tweed Heads ME/FM support group is still functioning and possibly a Grafton support group.

The National ME/FM Association, a sub group of the Northern Rivers ME/CFS/FM Support Association, has an extensive database of members Australia wide. We applied for funding to Federal and State Government, NSW Health and Northern Rivers Area Health Service, but all replied 'no money'.

A recent letter from the Parliamentary Secretary to the minister for Health and Aged Care stated. "At present, the Government does not have a position concerning the cause and significance of ME/CFS/FM within the Australian community, or the diagnosis and management of these conditions."

This is absolutely and totally unacceptable with so many people now being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The National Health and Medical Research Council has estimated in the year 2001, that possibly 70,000 people in Australia suffered from this disease. To date there is no accurate database of national figures.

We sincerely thank our supporters, friends, sponsors and our voluntary committee members and family who have given their time so generously.

Merle Fullerton JP
President per committee

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No power to the people

In the wake of recent comments in support of the co-generation power plant, I feel compelled to put the record straight.

The division of Broadwater is provoked by the building of a power plant in our village and not by the people who fight it, to protect their rights to good personal health and a healthy environment.

Documents, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, display a truthful picture.

Submissions in support of the Power Plant proposal amounted to 127, which were made up of individual people, including one letter on behalf of a sugarcane association.

Submissions against the proposal amounted to 91, excluding the consent giving authorities and other organisations such as Northern Rivers Area Health Service, all of which raised serious concerns for residents and the environment alike. This represents 58.25% in favour and 41.75% against. A far cry from 80% support, as claimed by Greg Messiter.

Besides, as the general public is not the consent giving authority in matters such as this, it is again proof that public opinion is of little consequence. It is interesting to note however that the main stakeholders, the cane farmers, were so poorly represented in their submissions and those who did reply were mainly from outside Broadwater.

Those hardworking cane farmers we had discussions with, all lamented the fact that they are constantly excluded from the decision making process by the board of the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative and some urged that whatever is being proposed must be of benefit to future generations and the land. It was stated that this is yet another initiative (the power plant) which will only cost the farmer dearly.

Those cane farmers are obviously aware of the Bolten Report, a BCG Report to cane growers, clearly stating that Co Generation Plants are barely financially viable and to no benefit to the cane farmer at all.

Ray Madden, the Corporate Relations manager from NSW State owned Delta Electricity, recently stated in the Ethical Investor publication June 2003, and I quote: "We followed best practice in community consultation - exactly as in Condong".

The NSW Government (Delta) is a major partner in this development. We yet have to find a Condong resident or a Broadwater Resident who actually had a discussion or dealings with anyone from Delta Electricity to date. Direct neighbours to the Condong Power Plant actually never were informed by the Tweed Shire Council until the Power Plant there had been approved. Maybe Delta's motto is "Silence is Golden".

There is one issue that amuses Broadwater residents no end. Whenever the issue of noise pollution is raised by the concerned population, the sugar mill management is at pains to make us believe that noise levels of the power plant will actually decrease. Now here is the news: The sugar mill has recently lodged an application with Richmond Valley Council to erect a 2.4m high paling fence around the mill owned manager's residence in Broadwater. Reason? Unbearable noise, partly due to already increased traffic and the fact that Country Energy has trimmed some trees in front of the property.

Greg Messiter, the people of Broadwater feel for you, as we also experience unbearable noise from the mill and increased traffic, with more to come. Which is it, unbearable noise or yet another lie fed to us? (Cane farmers, your meagre returns will pay for the fence. Has it got your approval?)

As in the past, the members of the Broadwater Action Group have no need to "B.R.A.G" but continue to make themselves available to educate and tell the truth about the Co-generation Power Plant in the villages of Broadwater, Condong and Harwood.

Peter W Tasslus
President, Broadwater Action Group

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NRMA members

Once again ASIC treats the 2 + million NSW/ACT residents who are members of the NRMA with contempt and disdain.

My wife and I travelled, at enormous inconvenience and considerable expense, to the SGM meeting is Sydney in October 2002, only to have Turnbull "throw" the meeting when the proxy count went against him. We have also attended AGMs. Now we find the NRMA will not come clean on how Turnbull paid $1.5 million for his bodgie proxy forms and "Your New Team" colour brochure, featuring personal endorsements from such luminaries as "The Parrot" and Channel 9's Terry McCrann in December 2002.

It is only pressure from independent press, letter writers and local pollies who will get the intransigent gubernatorial body to actually do something for members, whose funds are being depleted daily by an inept bunch of current NRMA board members.

The way Turnbull accounts for "mistakenly" spending $50K in members funds on personal expenditure defies belief, imagination, common sense and life's experience. Yet he has fooled David Knott and the gnomes at ASIC!

R.M. (Bob) Scott
Yamba

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Hemp helps

In response to Michael D Robinson, NSW Secretariat Australians for Drug free Society, in his letter 'No Dope' in The Echo. 'Marijuana is a dangerous and illegal narcotic drug.'

Marijuana is not dangerous and it is not a narcotic drug. It's a plant that is classified as a herb.

Some facts about the therapeutic use of Cannabis:

Cannabis generally relieves stress. Cannabis also dilates the arteries, and in general lowers the diastolic pressure.

A small percentage of people get high heart rates and anxieties with cannabis use - these persons should avoid it's use.

Some bronchial asthma sufferers benefit, but in others it may act as an additional irritant.

There are 60 or more therapeutic compounds in cannabis that are healing agents in medical and herbal treatments.

It helps asthma, glaucoma, tumours, AIDS, cancer therapy and sea sickness.

It also assists nausea, epilepsy, muscle spasms, antibiotic and CBD disinfectants, arthritis, herpes, cystic fibrosis, rheumatism and works as an expectorant.

It can assist sleep and relaxation, it helps increase appetite, and can reduce migraines and stress.

The principal use of hemp in medicine is for easing pain and inducing sleep and as a soothing influence in nervous disorders.

The nature of its effect depends much on the physiology and temperament of the individual. You also cannot become addicted to marijuana.

From the Bible it says 'and the Earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after its kind and the tree yielding fruit - whose seed was in itself after its kind. And God saw that it was good.' Genesis 1.12 (King James Version).

'In later times, some shall speak lies in hypocrisy commanding to abstain from that which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.'

Botanically, hemp (Cannabis Sativa) is a member of the most advanced plant family on the Earth. It is dioecious (having male, and female on the same plant, hermaphroditic).

It uses the sun more efficiently than virtually any other plant on our planet, reaching a robust 12 to 20 feet or more in one short growing season. It can be grown in virtually any climate or soil condition on Earth.

Hemp is by far Earth's premier renewable natural resource. This is why hemp is so important. This is Earth's primary renewable resource - one that has literally thousands of critical uses. Especially in replacing the majority of fossil fuels, timber and petrochemicals.

Hemp can save the world. It could help reverse the greenhouse effect. However, we cannot use something illegal to save the world.

But we can start a war and kill innocent people.

Lets get real and read the latest evidence on cannabis. Alcohol is more dangerous, so are most of the prescriptions doctors give us, not to mention other chemical drugs like ecstasy, LSD, GHB and heroin.

Let's not be arrogant and stupid about the latest findings. Humans have used cannabis since the begining of time for everything. We have destroyed much with ignorance. Let's get real. Knowledge is everything.

Blossom
Jarlandbah

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Ellis refreshing

Pezzuti can get nicked! I find Bob Ellis' articles intelligent insightful and refreshing.

Somebody has to expose the absurd behaviour of the Feds and the media. Ellis does it particularly well with admirable self control. There are millions of people who hate John Howard.

As for Pezutti no one could take him seriously, so why publish him at all ?

Jane Jennings

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Freedom threat

We voters should show a lot of concern about what this neo-fascist Government intends.

They want to abolish the Senate.

Now we all should know what that means. It means they could do what they like and pass all sorts of harsh, rotten pieces of legislation and we would have no more real freedom.

If we the voters spoke up, or spoke out, against any or all of their rotten pieces of legislation, we could be jailed or fined heavily, so think about this, should it become law.

Norm Turner Davidson
Goonellabah

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Round and round

I would like to express my concern regarding the safety of motorists and the lack of sufficient safety rails for pedestrians on many roundabouts in Lismore including Conway St and Dawson St, Ballina Rd and Dawson St, Woodlark St and Keen St, the list goes on. I have lived right next to the Conway St and Dawson St roundabout for the past two years and use it as a pedestrian on a daily basis.

My anxiety is ever growing and I know of many pedestrians who feel uncomfortable using this route but must due to all sorts of inconveniences Lismore's town planning poses.

Motorists, especially truck drivers, travel too fast through the roundabouts and it's rather surprising there hasn't been another serious accident similar to the one at the square recently.

Please, for the safety of pedestrians and motorists in Lismore alike, take this letter very seriously.

Paul Davies
Lismore

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Another party

Readers with an Army, Navy or Air Force background will be pleased to learn that a new political party has been formed specifically with their welfare as its aim.

The Ex Service, Service & Veterans Party will stand candidates only in the Senate at the next Federal Election.

Candidates will be chosen shortly from each state and when elected will make sure the government of the day looks after the welfare of long-term sick, injured and disabled Veterans.

Governments in the past have paid 'lip service' to Veterans' welfare but, when Federal Budget time comes around, completely ignored the representations of various Ex-Service organisations.

Those wishing to join this exciting new venture should contact the writer on 66252689, or log on to the Party site at www.esvp.asn.au.

Membership is a low $10 per year. Serving and Ex-Service personnel and their families are most welcome to join.

Jim Hawkins
Goonellabah

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Road rage

I am convinced that Lismore Council is on drugs. The wrong ones.

I moved here three years ago and was impressed with Lismore's use of roundabouts as opposed to traffic lights.

Roundabouts seem to be highly effective, and most drivers seem to be very courteous and concientious when entering them. Of course there is always an exception to any rule.

However, over the years I have noticed a rise in the number of 'left turn only' signs appearing to my increasing frustration.

It seems in order to get from one side of Lismore to another, one must go around in a series of circles.

The latest change to Carrington St at Conway St is a new nightmare in itself.

Also, Council's recent decision to overspend on Skyline Rd leaves lots of us in a ditch. Literally.

Consider Martin Rd in Larnook. Martin Rd carries two school buses twice daily, yet is marred with deep chasms, corrugations and pot holes, yet no-one seems to care about or maintain this road.

Bring on March 2004 and council elections.

Andy Gough
Larnook

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