Latest news with #Letters
Sydney Morning Herald
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Political defectors are thumbing their noses at the electorate
There is currently no legislation or requirement in Australia that addresses political party defections or imposes sanctions (' PM defends Greens defector after allegations ', June 3). And yet I'll wager, if you ask the average person they'll say there should be. Lidia Thorpe, Fatima Payman, David Van, Tammy Tyrrell and now Dorinda Cox – all yanking the voters' chain, one after the other. Trust in elected officials is hard to find as it is, more so when politicians decide to switch parties midterm. Politicians should be discouraged from changing parties to avoid leaving voters with buyer's remorse. Turning against the platform that got them elected shouldn't be up to the politician's discretion. Party switching must be done with voters in mind, not on personal whims or (wait for it) to gain more power. Change in this system is especially necessary amid this string of high-profile politicians switching parties to ensure elected officials do represent voters' needs. With trust so scarce, anything that can reassure confidence should be implemented. Inconsiderate politicians need to prioritise their constituents and, if they won't, rules must change to hold them accountable. Bob Konig, Shell Cove As a member of the Greens, I say good riddance to Dorinda Cox. Labor can have her – she clearly shares their values more than those of the Greens. To defect so soon after Environment Minister Murray Watt made the egregious decision to approve the North West Shelf extension indicates she doesn't care a fig about the Murujuga petroglyphs on the Burrup Peninsula. As for the accusations of bullying her staff, they may have been dealt with, but losing 20 staff in three years says a great deal. Jenny Goldie, Cooma Once again I am astounded that electoral rules allow someone to be elected as a member of one party, and then they can change parties. And don't start me on the ethics of Dorinda Cox's situation. Glad I'm not a WA Green. Aidan Cuddington, Umina Beach The prime minister's welcoming of that political turncoat Dorinda Cox to the ranks of the ALP adds insult to injury and begs the question of what he promised her to defect, and whether her memory is so bad she cannot remember why the people of Western Australia elected her to the Australian senate in the first place. Labor should respect the wishes of the people of WA and refuse to accept her vote in the senate. James Fliece, Kensington 'The elected Australian legislators' (Letters, June 3)? Hardly. The teals will have zero real influence over this government and get to legislate precisely nothing. Which is why Greens senator Dorinda Cox saw the light and jumped into a party where she could. Peter Thornton, Killara I suspect that many people who voted teal would never have voted Labor in a fit, but their decision will probably keep Labor in power for decades to come because the teals only targeted conservative seats. But try telling them that. David Sayers, Gwandalan Where there's (cheap) smoke It is hard not to shake one's head at the boneheaded approach taken in Australia to curb tobacco consumption, principally by introducing the 'world toughest regulations' and the 'world's highest' taxes' (' Premier calls for tobacco tax review ', June 3). Then, fearing tobacco companies might find a market for vaping, a safer alternative to smoking, Australia introduced the 'world's toughest' vaping laws. Now Australia is awash with cheap illegal tobacco and unregulated but now more expensive vaping products. As a result, smoking is, at least anecdotally, on the rise. Australia's response to smoking takes the cake for politically motivated, dumb policymaking. Peter Barrett, Woonona It seems that the illegal tobacco operators have worn the state government down by flooding the NSW community with their outlets, while the government claims it is too hard for the Health Department to regulate and too disruptive for the police to investigate. Perhaps penalties and a few tweaks in the areas of law are required so that judges and regulatory authorities aren't left without any meaningful paths for prosecution and significant financial penalty. Donald Hawes, Peel Bad values, good response Peter Hartcher's article on Donald Trump's bastardisation of 'American values' and redefinition of 'natural rights', and attempts by the US administration to directly interfere in the politics and policies of other countries, is another chilling indication of the liar-in-chief's megalomania and wrecking-ball lunacy (' Team US redefining megalomania ', June 3). We should be thankful that Australia's democracy was robust enough to overwhelmingly reject the promotion of Trumpist right-wing 'big thinking' in our recent federal election, and that Anthony Albanese has the quiet courage to stand up to the would-be despot in Washington. Rob Phillips, North Epping Until recently I was planning to go to the USA this year with a sibling to visit our relatives in New York. However, having read of travellers arriving there and being asked to give access to their phones and social media, plus being taken away to be body-searched, I have decided it was too much of a risk. My social media is littered with anti-Trump material and I don't want to waste my money and time on the possibility I could be put back on a plane, having only be allowed to set foot in their airport. How many others will be censoring themselves from going to the USA? Con Vaitsas, Ashbury With the US playing fast and loose with human rights, it is high time we passed our own Human Rights Bill into law. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer Human cost People in Kennett City, Missouri are up in arms about the arrest and potential deportation of Carol, a popular resident (' A Missouri town was solidly behind Trump. Then Carol was detained ', June 3). So they should be, but one of their responses is instructive: 'No one voted to deport mums … just the gangs'. In other words, 'We are OK with him being mean to people we don't know or whom we disapprove of, but not to us or people we know'. Farmers who are going to lose their farms because their workers have been deported will be feeling buyer's regret, but they still support Trump. His supporters still have a long way to go before they return to humanity. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba Your correspondent who accuses Donald Trump of 'falsehoods, bullying, tantrums and intimidation' in his attempt to achieve regal stature needs brush up on his history (Letters, June 3). Weren't the ancestors of Charles III ruthless plotters and 'thuggish despots' determined to get their bottoms on the throne, and once there, ruled using the same insidious methods of which Trump has been denounced? Who knows, if the dear Donald manages to establish a US House of Trump, in a few hundred years his descendants may have wangled the same level of media manipulation and public acceptance the House of Windsor currently enjoys. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie Cheap tech gives defence more bang for buck Defence Minister Richard Marles could learn a few things from Ukraine's incredible bomber-destroying mission (' Anger over drone attack shows Ukraine hit Russia where it hurt ', June 3). First, it proved that today's wars can be won by nimble, cheap kit. Expensive bombers and nuclear submarines can be destroyed or thwarted by cheap drones and clever use of information technology. Doubling Australia's defence spending, as the US wants us to do, will not necessarily make our defence force twice as effective. We should emulate Ukraine and aim to get good bang for our buck. Second, the Ukraine attack demonstrated that military intelligence is essential to military success. Ukraine did its homework and knew where and when to hit Russia to inflict maximum damage. Most importantly, however, was the ability of Ukraine to keep its plans secure. This had to be a surprise attack. The mission was 18 months in the making but, crucially, no one leaked it to the Russians. Just as importantly, Ukraine did not share its plans with its allies. Zelensky obviously calculated the risk of telling the US, in particular, was too great. Loose lips sink ships, and there are none looser than those of Putin's good friend Donald Trump. Mike Reddy, Vincentia I wonder how much of the 3.5 per cent or 5 per cent increase on defence spending demanded by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth do the Americans expect to flow to their military/industrial businesses. A nice little earner behind a hidden agenda (' Albanese won't just roll over to Trump on defence budget', June 3). Ross Coleman, Glenbrook The USA wants us to spend more on defence. Sure, maybe we should. But let's buy all our new defence material from Europe, not expand the American arms industry. After all, with all these tariffs, anything 'made in USA' will be more expensive. Barbara Grant, Castle Hill I don't want my PM taking advice on national defence spending from an ex-Fox News presenter and a draft dodger. Wayne Fitness, Rankin Park Identity, crisis Another marvellous pairing of Herald articles today. In the first, by Roby D'Ottavi, he surmises that the young and culturally diverse people who have been converging on Paris have seemingly altered the outward French persona for the better (' Parisians shattered my stereotype. How rude ', June 3). And in the second, according to Sophie Gee, this is what Seamus Heaney is 'asking us to think about national identity as changeable, volatile and complex' (' Trump fears Harvard's excellence ', June 3). We are all now 'in a moment of crisis' if we allow Dangerous Don to enforce his warped idea of monoculture on esteemed institutions or, indeed, anywhere at all. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi Reading Sophie Gee's delightful defence of universities reminds me that it's not just populist American presidents that take aim at centres of educational excellence. Knowledge is power, but for many politicians power is sadly an endgame in itself. We've had our fair share of pollies who have promised to stamp out any dissident thinking within universities – especially when it questions the veracity of their own thinking, ideas and values. The paradox is that some of these individuals (but not the US president) were themselves a product of the very culture they aim to cancel. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why Double the work To imply that parliamentarians only work when they are sitting in parliament is facile (' Part-time parliament to make law for just 40 days ', June 3). All good MPs experience a doubling of workload when they return to their electorate offices, having to attend to both their parliamentary and electorate duties. Senator David Pocock is fully aware of this and is just taking a cheap shot that he knows will resonate with those members of the public who do not appreciate just how gruelling the life of an MP is. Gwynn Boyd, Mosman Lesson saved and learnt The University of Sydney allows students to harangue a captive audience with their pet political peeve at the beginning of lectures (' New rules for Sydney uni students ', June 3)? When I went to lectures I expected to be taught for the allotted 50 minutes. If students wanted to talk about politics – and believe me, there was plenty to talk about in the 1970s – they'd put up posters and invite people to a lunchtime meeting somewhere on campus. Taking time out of lectures or tutorials to wind up a few students, or distract and annoy the majority who couldn't care less, is, and thankfully now was, a dreadful idea. Andrew Scott, Pymble Name the problem Perpetrators of domestic violence are emboldened by a feeling of power over their victims (' What happens to men who have cause women harm?' June 3). Things need to change, starting with the practice of the wife taking her husband's surname, which suggests ownership and superiority. There could well be less domestic violence if this was no longer the case. Brian McDonald, Willoughby Glebe fits the bill Claims that Glebe Island is an important working port are a complete furphy (' Glebe Island firms as 'Plan B' for housing boost ', June 2). The Port Authority's own 2024 annual report shows that the number of trade vessels visiting Glebe Island last year fell by 17 per cent to 63 vessels, and accounted for 1 per cent of the total 5221 trade vessels visiting NSW ports in 2024. The principal use of Glebe Island over recent years has been leasing land to Sydney Metro, Infrastructure NSW (Sydney Fish Market) and the WestConnex project. The site is also being used for the Western Harbour tunnel construction project. WestConnex is complete, as will be the Fish Market by end 2025. With the planned completion of the Western Harbour tunnel in 2028 and the Bays West Sydney Metro in 2032, the site will fall into disuse again. To continue to argue that Glebe Island should be retained as a full working port, while housing supply in Sydney is at a critical shortage, flies in the face of the reality that Glebe Island is not used for any material industrial purpose. The redevelopment of harbour foreshore both east and west of the Harbour Bridge over recent decades demonstrates that a more functional, liveable city is possible for those with the vision to strive for it. Jennifer Owen, Pyrmont Please, explain how building Sydney Harbour waterfront apartments will help young people get on the housing ladder. To this jaded eye, it seems more like an opportunity for the extremely wealthy to get even richer. Anne Cooper, Undercliffe Yet more plans based on the cosy government/developer relationship. Private landowners caught up in unnecessary land zoning constrictions are again ignored. Thousands of small blocks exist on Sydney's perimeter, which could provide additional housing if freed of restrictions. If the government was serious about increasing housing supply it would consider options beyond their developer friends' wish list. Diane Davie, Summer Hill Aurora's bad omen Geomagnetic storms caused by coronal mass ejections (CME) from the sun can give rise to spectacular aurora at mid-latitudes such as Sydney (' Aurora's burst of winter colour ', June 3). However, these should not be taken as marvellous events to be looked forward to. They should be a cause for trepidation since they mean that the CME was massive enough to breach the Earth's protective magnetic field and showers of high-energy particles could be powerful enough to destroy the electronics of satellites and even disrupt our power grids. Apart from the serious effects here on Earth, there are now tens of thousands of GPS and communications satellites in orbit, and thousands more are being launched as part of Starlink and other internet providers. This creates the potential for a powerful CME to knock out these satellites, causing them to tumble out of control and even collide with each other. Each impact would create thousands of fragments of space debris, and soon there could be a complete barrier of high-speed objects that would make rocket launches extremely hazardous. This is not a highly unlikely scenario and is being taken seriously by many in the science community, though less so by entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk, who are launching the fleets of vulnerable, low-cost internet satellites. So while we can enjoy the aurora, let's be aware that there can be serious consequences for our increasing reliance on GPS, internet and space technology. Dr Darrall Cutting, Forestville
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
KIEHL'S PARTNERS WITH THE ALI FORNEY CENTER AND CELEBRATES PRIDE THROUGH "LOVE LETTERS" CAMPAIGN
NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiehl's Since 1851 is expanding upon its longstanding mission to support the LGBTQIA2+ community through its new "Love Letters" Pride campaign. The campaign highlights the brand's Open Doors platform – a year-round commitment to supporting LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth. To further support the mission, Kiehl's is proud to continue its philanthropic partnership for the 2nd year in a row with the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit that provides LGBTQIA2+ youth with warm, supportive environments to escape the streets and prepare them for independent living. Their services include a 24/7 drop-in center, transitional housing, job readiness training, and health resources. In 2025, Kiehl's has committed to donating $150,000* to the Ali Forney Center to help provide safe, temporary housing as well as life-saving and developmental services to over 2200 LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth. Kiehl's recognizes that physical spaces are not always enough. To further promote the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQIA2+ youth, Kiehl's is launching the "Love Letters" campaign to provide a safe emotional space for the community. Through this campaign, the brand is going beyond offering safe physical spaces and is providing its community with safe emotional spaces too. Kiehl's has joined forces with LGBTQIA2+ creators, such as Alyssa Edwards from RuPaul's Drag Race, community members, and local non-profit partners to share heartfelt letters of appreciation to those who gave them a safe space to be their authentic selves. As Kiehl's comes together to celebrate the LGBTQIA2+ community this Pride, they want to help others share their story, loud and proud. They're inviting all to take pen to paper to honor the safe spaces they've discovered or created for themselves and others, along their journey. "For over 170 years, Kiehl's has been a leading brand in inclusivity and care no matter the form," said John Reed, General Manager of Kiehl's Since 1851. "Our continued partnership with the Ali Forney Center reflects our enduring commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA2+ youth and uplifting the communities that have always been at the heart of our brand." In addition to the partnership and campaign, Kiehl's is continuing their work via the Open Doors platform, launched in select countries in 2024, in which the brand partners with local non-profit organizations worldwide to provide those in need with necessities to live and resources to thrive. Kiehl's has a rich history of advocacy supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community dating back to the late 1980s. From supporting various HIV/Aids organizations to launching philanthropic initiatives and sponsoring NYC Pride – efforts that have collectively culminated in $1.4+ million donated to LGBTQIA2+ causes since 2015. A few key findings demonstrate the urgency of Ali Forney Center's mission and the importance of our partnership to raise awareness of these life-saving services: 40% of homeless youth in New York City are LGBTQIA2+ 80% of the youth the Ali Forney Center serve are kicked out of their homes and families due to their LGBTQIA2+ identity 85% of youth in the Ali Forney Center's program are enrolled in mental health counseling services, STD education prevention, testing and treatment 80% of youth graduate the Ali Forney Center into independent living compared to the national average of 25% "We are immensely grateful and humble to Kiehl's for their unwavering partnership and generous support of the Ali Forney Center. As a brand deeply committed to community impact, Kiehl's has played a vital role in helping us provide life-saving services to LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth," said Alex Roque, President and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. "Their dedication goes beyond philanthropy; they have stood beside us as true allies in our mission to protect and empower some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Together, we are creating a more compassionate world where all young people are given the opportunity to thrive and their courage and beauty the opportunity to shine." To learn more about Kiehl's Open Doors platform, Ali Forney Center and the Pride "Love Letters" campaign, visit Live Your Pride With Kiehl's - Healthy Skin for All - Kiehl's. About Kiehl's Open DoorsKiehl's Since 1851 proudly launches a new global philanthropic initiative, Kiehl's Open Doors, providing safe, temporary housing, as well as life tools and developmental resources to LGBTQIA2+ homeless youth. About Kiehl's Since 1851Kiehl's was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village neighborhood. Kiehl's unique, extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations. Over the years, longtime customer favorite formulations such as Ultra Facial Cream, Micro Dose Anti-Aging Retinol, Avocado Eye Cream, Ultra Facial Cleanser, Creme de Corps, and new formulas such as Better ScreenTM UV Serum SPF 50+, Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalene Cream, and Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser have been created with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients and the education and knowledge culled from generations of research and requests from our customers. About The Ali Forney CenterThe Ali Forney Center (AFC) is the nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to protecting LGBTQ +youth from the harms of homelessness. Each year AFC sees more than 2,200 young people who are kicked out of their homes due to homophobia and transphobia and offers homeless LGBTQ+ youth a 24-hour Drop In Hub located in midtown Manhattan and 17 scatter-site housing units in four of the five NYC Boroughs. Ninety percent of the young people we see state religious beliefs as the leading cause of their homelessness, a staggering 95 percent of our clients are individuals of color largely from the Black and Latino communities. Nearly half of these young people come to NYC from across the country, mainly the south, fleeing homophobic and transphobic homes. Lastly, as the largest and longest running agency doing this work, we support smaller organizations and groups of activists that aim to support similar populations. Through capacity building and conferences, we expand our reach across the United States and throughout the world. In our most recent conference in March 2023, we hosted 55 people from 24 different organizations from across the country and internationally. *Kiehl's Since 1851 supports Ali Forney Center in their mission to protect homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning youth from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to be independent with a financial contribution of $150,000.00 in 2025. Kiehl's financial support of the Ali Forney Center is not influenced by the purchase of any Kiehl's product and Ali Forney Center does not endorse any Kiehl's product. For more information please visit: For press inquiries, please contact:Rachel WeinstockSenior Manager, Brand Engagement, Kiehl's Since View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851 Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Soccer fans are being unfairly demonised
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. SPORTS CODES I'm a footy and soccer enthusiast. I also have a young family. We went for dinner on Swan St before the A-League Grand Final on Saturday night. From our vantage point, the most dangerous aspect of the pre-match gathering (' Fans set off flares in Richmond ahead of A-League grand final ', 31/5) was the Victorian Police. While brash and noisy, the Victory fans were aware of families and other members of the public. The heavily armed police presence was not only imposing and heavy-handed but created unnecessary tensions. More dangerous still was the police blockade that forced the moving crowd into a small passage along Swan St. This could have turned into a dangerous crowd crush. While many flares were lit, no public property was damaged. Some media outlets have since described these scenes as chaos and civil unrest. I often wonder about the continued demonisation of soccer crowds. Sam Bentley, Fitzroy Unnecessary escalation I have family members who are not particularly soccer followers, but love sport and went to the game Saturday evening. They said the police presence was aggressive, overdone and was more about the police trying to make their stamp, than settle supporters. They weren't at all frightened by the flares, but were by the horses and police presence. Maureen Gunn, Strathmore Error of omission Your correspondent's concern about the behaviour of soccer fans in Richmond (Letters, 2/6) made no mention of the appalling behaviour of football fans on Saturday (' Man punched and kicked during MCG brawl ', 31/5). Is it only soccer fans who are perceived to be capable of such behaviour? Kurt Elder, Port Melbourne The original code In response to your correspondent (' What's in a name ', Letters, 2/6) the official and correct name for the great Australian game is Australian football, not Australian rules. Incidentally, your correspondent says it has less right to be called 'football' but it was codified in 1859, making it the oldest football code, including association football. Michael Pryor, Alphington City rules I concur with your correspondent, but would go one step further, and reference the local code as its original 'Melbourne rules'. During that era of codification, all English codes were referenced by the institution or town where the code started; e.g. Rugby, Eton, Sheffield, and Cambridge, which was the likely basis of the Melbourne rules. Thomas Wills returned from the UK with that cultural baggage. Indeed, The Sydney Morning Herald was publishing the results under the heading of Melbourne rules as late as 1952. Soccer was just a contraction of association football, as rugger was a contraction of Rugby. Mike Pantzopoulos, Ashburton A thing of beauty Some moments transcend the ordinary and stir something deep within us. The aurora borealis, painting the night sky with its ethereal dance of colour, is nature's masterpiece. The electrifying opening riff of Money for Nothing by Dire Straits sends a pulse of energy through the veins. And then there's the sublime movement of the football by Collingwood's players, weaving magic through the midfield, turning Aussie rules into art with every pass and sidestep (' Hollywood Hawks have become a horror show after Collingwood smashing ', 31/5). These are the sights, sounds, and sensations that remind us of the beauty around us. Darren Grindrod, Glenroy A penalty too far The AFL 50-metre penalty too often turns exciting action into a 10-metre kick right in front of goal. I know a penalty is necessary but too often it seems to be given for trivial infringements and has disproportionate consequences. How about 25 or 30 metres instead of 50? Tony Owen, East Kew
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Nadia Reid Surprises Fans With Free Release Of 2011 EP 'Letters I Wrote And Never Sent' On Bandcamp
Manchester, UK – 20 May 2025 New Zealand musician Nadia Reid has delighted fans by suddenly releasing her long-lost 2011 EP, Letters I Wrote and Never Sent, available now on Bandcamp as a free or pay-what-you-can download. The EP, which had previously been unavailable to the public, marks a special moment in Reid's career. Written and recorded when she was just 20 years old, Letters offers a raw and intimate glimpse into her early songwriting. The collection features five tracks, including the title song ' No Good Talking Man,' which showcases Reid's signature blend of heartfelt lyricism and haunting melodies. In a heartfelt note to fans on her Substack, Reid shares, 'I've always been a little shy about these early songs, but they're a part of my story. I want to give them to you now, as they are.' She describes the EP as a snapshot of her musical journey, capturing the spirit and vulnerability of her beginnings. Fans can access ' Letters' now on Nadia Reid's Bandcamp page, possibly for a limited time, as Reid states "Felt sentimental. Might delete later." The EP is available to download for free, or for a contribution of their choice. Reid is about to embark on a string of European summer dates, including Glastonbury Festival and Green Man, followed by a UK September solo tour and New Zealand & Australia shows with her band in December.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Here's how the Knights lost their 'Newcastle' - and how club can win it back
I read with interest Greg Mowbray's opinion ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5), on the Newcastle Knights. Mr Mowbray stated the Knights' leadership must give fans something to believe in. As a former rugby league tragic and season ticket holder from the inaugural 1988 season until the end of Wayne Bennett's 2012 season, I agree partly with the statement. However I believe the Knights' leadership needs to change before things can improve. Along with thousands of others I cheered our team on, knowing all the players and watching our local boys in particular give 100 per cent every week win, lose or draw. Then the Knights leadership developed a fixation with appointing high-profile coaches such as Brian Smith, Wayne Bennett and Nathan Brown. In my view, they not only weren't successful coaches during their time here but collectively took the Newcastle out of the Newcastle Knights. Now we have probably the most ridiculous 10-year signing of a player who in my opinion is mediocre at best. If you ask me, CEO Phil Gardner needs to step out and Peter Parr to take on his role. Then coach Adam O'Brien must also go. I feel Danny Buderus is a standout for the coaching position assisted by Steve Simpson, Billy Peden and Mark Hughes - all of whom would gain instant respect and would put the Newcastle into the Knights. Then you would see a wholly different outlook as a club and a return of the Newcastle spirit, once again making our home ground a fortress. SO a writer sends in a rant (a long rant) about drivers keeping to the left while driving ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), declaring it's illegal and the cause of frustration to 'other' there was no mention of dangerous, disrespectful and intimidating drivers who speed (well above speed limit), tailgate (in any situation), weave in and out of traffic and swerve in front of other drivers they have overtaken. No mention of these illegal and selfish practices obviously undertaken due to impatience and total disregard for others on the road. All practices which inevitably can lead to serious road accidents. The writer's comment obviously directed at a certain demographic of the population. My comment: If your rant is so upsetting to you, maybe you need to start taking a bus or train. I WATCHED one of the best rugby league games in a long time last night between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. It had everything going for it. Best individual try of the year, and big hits right from the start of the game had you on the edge of your seat. The final result could have gone either way. The game did highlight a couple of things that I feel needs to be addressed. While the referees have cracked down on defensive shoulder charges of late (and for good reason) there seems to be no penalty for attacking shoulder charges from the other issue revolves around the 40/20 kicks in general play. The Bulldogs' Matt Burton put in a great kick during the game but wasn't rewarded because the result was too close to call. There needs to be 40/20 posts in place so there can be no doubt. Have them light up when contacted for extra drama. HOW shambolic and ludicrous is the application of the rules of rugby league these days? In a recent game, a ball carrier shoulder-charged a tackler, leaving him concussed with not a murmur from the referee or the farcical bunker. This was not a one-off incident as it occurs frequently in games with apparent immunity. Sure, some referees get it wrong at times, but they are at the mercy of intervention from officials who only react following media or public outcries. Fans must wait anxiously each week to witness which rule(s) will be zealously scrutinised and applied before being forgotten about a week later. Fans want consistency in the interpretation and application of the basic rules like knock-ons, forward passes and off-sides and for the game to flow and not be continually stopped by the poor execution of the rules. Get these right and most of us will be happy. SO JEREMY Bath thinks we need to step up Wallsend Library's security to protect it from thugs ('Throw book at thugs', Newcastle Herald 16/5). I agree. We should all feel safe in our workplace, and it is a public building. While he is at it, perhaps he could ask councillors to stop all the attacks on our elected lord mayor? TO all those Labor voters out there spruiking about the election results, in reality, Labor got 34.6 and LNP got 31.9 of the votes. They only achieved such a landslide in seats on the back of preferences, predominantly with the Greens. Unfortunately, they will now have to deal with them in the Senate, so it's not beyond a possibility that things could turn before future elections if they are exposed for all their lies and scare-mongering. Unfortunately, I think the country may be beyond help by then. WHEN are the Newcastle Knights bosses going to listen to the voice of the public and do something about the way the team is playing? Every loss, they come up with total nonsense excuses. Great opinion piece, Greg Mowbray ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5). I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears as per usual. IS there such a thing as a penalty for a shepherd in league anymore? The game is becoming a joke. MARK Croese ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), a correction: the keep left unless overtaking rule in NSW is 80kmh, not 70kmh. What's more of a worry than people in the right lane are those in either lane tailgating, no matter what the speed limit is. JULIE Robinson's letter about Vatican smoke signals made me wonder about how they make black smoke ("Time for church to change ways", Letters, 17/5). Is burning Vegemite a possibility? I read with interest Greg Mowbray's opinion ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5), on the Newcastle Knights. Mr Mowbray stated the Knights' leadership must give fans something to believe in. As a former rugby league tragic and season ticket holder from the inaugural 1988 season until the end of Wayne Bennett's 2012 season, I agree partly with the statement. However I believe the Knights' leadership needs to change before things can improve. Along with thousands of others I cheered our team on, knowing all the players and watching our local boys in particular give 100 per cent every week win, lose or draw. Then the Knights leadership developed a fixation with appointing high-profile coaches such as Brian Smith, Wayne Bennett and Nathan Brown. In my view, they not only weren't successful coaches during their time here but collectively took the Newcastle out of the Newcastle Knights. Now we have probably the most ridiculous 10-year signing of a player who in my opinion is mediocre at best. If you ask me, CEO Phil Gardner needs to step out and Peter Parr to take on his role. Then coach Adam O'Brien must also go. I feel Danny Buderus is a standout for the coaching position assisted by Steve Simpson, Billy Peden and Mark Hughes - all of whom would gain instant respect and would put the Newcastle into the Knights. Then you would see a wholly different outlook as a club and a return of the Newcastle spirit, once again making our home ground a fortress. SO a writer sends in a rant (a long rant) about drivers keeping to the left while driving ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), declaring it's illegal and the cause of frustration to 'other' there was no mention of dangerous, disrespectful and intimidating drivers who speed (well above speed limit), tailgate (in any situation), weave in and out of traffic and swerve in front of other drivers they have overtaken. No mention of these illegal and selfish practices obviously undertaken due to impatience and total disregard for others on the road. All practices which inevitably can lead to serious road accidents. The writer's comment obviously directed at a certain demographic of the population. My comment: If your rant is so upsetting to you, maybe you need to start taking a bus or train. I WATCHED one of the best rugby league games in a long time last night between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. It had everything going for it. Best individual try of the year, and big hits right from the start of the game had you on the edge of your seat. The final result could have gone either way. The game did highlight a couple of things that I feel needs to be addressed. While the referees have cracked down on defensive shoulder charges of late (and for good reason) there seems to be no penalty for attacking shoulder charges from the other issue revolves around the 40/20 kicks in general play. The Bulldogs' Matt Burton put in a great kick during the game but wasn't rewarded because the result was too close to call. There needs to be 40/20 posts in place so there can be no doubt. Have them light up when contacted for extra drama. HOW shambolic and ludicrous is the application of the rules of rugby league these days? In a recent game, a ball carrier shoulder-charged a tackler, leaving him concussed with not a murmur from the referee or the farcical bunker. This was not a one-off incident as it occurs frequently in games with apparent immunity. Sure, some referees get it wrong at times, but they are at the mercy of intervention from officials who only react following media or public outcries. Fans must wait anxiously each week to witness which rule(s) will be zealously scrutinised and applied before being forgotten about a week later. Fans want consistency in the interpretation and application of the basic rules like knock-ons, forward passes and off-sides and for the game to flow and not be continually stopped by the poor execution of the rules. Get these right and most of us will be happy. SO JEREMY Bath thinks we need to step up Wallsend Library's security to protect it from thugs ('Throw book at thugs', Newcastle Herald 16/5). I agree. We should all feel safe in our workplace, and it is a public building. While he is at it, perhaps he could ask councillors to stop all the attacks on our elected lord mayor? TO all those Labor voters out there spruiking about the election results, in reality, Labor got 34.6 and LNP got 31.9 of the votes. They only achieved such a landslide in seats on the back of preferences, predominantly with the Greens. Unfortunately, they will now have to deal with them in the Senate, so it's not beyond a possibility that things could turn before future elections if they are exposed for all their lies and scare-mongering. Unfortunately, I think the country may be beyond help by then. WHEN are the Newcastle Knights bosses going to listen to the voice of the public and do something about the way the team is playing? Every loss, they come up with total nonsense excuses. Great opinion piece, Greg Mowbray ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5). I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears as per usual. IS there such a thing as a penalty for a shepherd in league anymore? The game is becoming a joke. MARK Croese ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), a correction: the keep left unless overtaking rule in NSW is 80kmh, not 70kmh. What's more of a worry than people in the right lane are those in either lane tailgating, no matter what the speed limit is. JULIE Robinson's letter about Vatican smoke signals made me wonder about how they make black smoke ("Time for church to change ways", Letters, 17/5). Is burning Vegemite a possibility? I read with interest Greg Mowbray's opinion ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5), on the Newcastle Knights. Mr Mowbray stated the Knights' leadership must give fans something to believe in. As a former rugby league tragic and season ticket holder from the inaugural 1988 season until the end of Wayne Bennett's 2012 season, I agree partly with the statement. However I believe the Knights' leadership needs to change before things can improve. Along with thousands of others I cheered our team on, knowing all the players and watching our local boys in particular give 100 per cent every week win, lose or draw. Then the Knights leadership developed a fixation with appointing high-profile coaches such as Brian Smith, Wayne Bennett and Nathan Brown. In my view, they not only weren't successful coaches during their time here but collectively took the Newcastle out of the Newcastle Knights. Now we have probably the most ridiculous 10-year signing of a player who in my opinion is mediocre at best. If you ask me, CEO Phil Gardner needs to step out and Peter Parr to take on his role. Then coach Adam O'Brien must also go. I feel Danny Buderus is a standout for the coaching position assisted by Steve Simpson, Billy Peden and Mark Hughes - all of whom would gain instant respect and would put the Newcastle into the Knights. Then you would see a wholly different outlook as a club and a return of the Newcastle spirit, once again making our home ground a fortress. SO a writer sends in a rant (a long rant) about drivers keeping to the left while driving ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), declaring it's illegal and the cause of frustration to 'other' there was no mention of dangerous, disrespectful and intimidating drivers who speed (well above speed limit), tailgate (in any situation), weave in and out of traffic and swerve in front of other drivers they have overtaken. No mention of these illegal and selfish practices obviously undertaken due to impatience and total disregard for others on the road. All practices which inevitably can lead to serious road accidents. The writer's comment obviously directed at a certain demographic of the population. My comment: If your rant is so upsetting to you, maybe you need to start taking a bus or train. I WATCHED one of the best rugby league games in a long time last night between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. It had everything going for it. Best individual try of the year, and big hits right from the start of the game had you on the edge of your seat. The final result could have gone either way. The game did highlight a couple of things that I feel needs to be addressed. While the referees have cracked down on defensive shoulder charges of late (and for good reason) there seems to be no penalty for attacking shoulder charges from the other issue revolves around the 40/20 kicks in general play. The Bulldogs' Matt Burton put in a great kick during the game but wasn't rewarded because the result was too close to call. There needs to be 40/20 posts in place so there can be no doubt. Have them light up when contacted for extra drama. HOW shambolic and ludicrous is the application of the rules of rugby league these days? In a recent game, a ball carrier shoulder-charged a tackler, leaving him concussed with not a murmur from the referee or the farcical bunker. This was not a one-off incident as it occurs frequently in games with apparent immunity. Sure, some referees get it wrong at times, but they are at the mercy of intervention from officials who only react following media or public outcries. Fans must wait anxiously each week to witness which rule(s) will be zealously scrutinised and applied before being forgotten about a week later. Fans want consistency in the interpretation and application of the basic rules like knock-ons, forward passes and off-sides and for the game to flow and not be continually stopped by the poor execution of the rules. Get these right and most of us will be happy. SO JEREMY Bath thinks we need to step up Wallsend Library's security to protect it from thugs ('Throw book at thugs', Newcastle Herald 16/5). I agree. We should all feel safe in our workplace, and it is a public building. While he is at it, perhaps he could ask councillors to stop all the attacks on our elected lord mayor? TO all those Labor voters out there spruiking about the election results, in reality, Labor got 34.6 and LNP got 31.9 of the votes. They only achieved such a landslide in seats on the back of preferences, predominantly with the Greens. Unfortunately, they will now have to deal with them in the Senate, so it's not beyond a possibility that things could turn before future elections if they are exposed for all their lies and scare-mongering. Unfortunately, I think the country may be beyond help by then. WHEN are the Newcastle Knights bosses going to listen to the voice of the public and do something about the way the team is playing? Every loss, they come up with total nonsense excuses. Great opinion piece, Greg Mowbray ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5). I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears as per usual. IS there such a thing as a penalty for a shepherd in league anymore? The game is becoming a joke. MARK Croese ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), a correction: the keep left unless overtaking rule in NSW is 80kmh, not 70kmh. What's more of a worry than people in the right lane are those in either lane tailgating, no matter what the speed limit is. JULIE Robinson's letter about Vatican smoke signals made me wonder about how they make black smoke ("Time for church to change ways", Letters, 17/5). Is burning Vegemite a possibility? I read with interest Greg Mowbray's opinion ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5), on the Newcastle Knights. Mr Mowbray stated the Knights' leadership must give fans something to believe in. As a former rugby league tragic and season ticket holder from the inaugural 1988 season until the end of Wayne Bennett's 2012 season, I agree partly with the statement. However I believe the Knights' leadership needs to change before things can improve. Along with thousands of others I cheered our team on, knowing all the players and watching our local boys in particular give 100 per cent every week win, lose or draw. Then the Knights leadership developed a fixation with appointing high-profile coaches such as Brian Smith, Wayne Bennett and Nathan Brown. In my view, they not only weren't successful coaches during their time here but collectively took the Newcastle out of the Newcastle Knights. Now we have probably the most ridiculous 10-year signing of a player who in my opinion is mediocre at best. If you ask me, CEO Phil Gardner needs to step out and Peter Parr to take on his role. Then coach Adam O'Brien must also go. I feel Danny Buderus is a standout for the coaching position assisted by Steve Simpson, Billy Peden and Mark Hughes - all of whom would gain instant respect and would put the Newcastle into the Knights. Then you would see a wholly different outlook as a club and a return of the Newcastle spirit, once again making our home ground a fortress. SO a writer sends in a rant (a long rant) about drivers keeping to the left while driving ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), declaring it's illegal and the cause of frustration to 'other' there was no mention of dangerous, disrespectful and intimidating drivers who speed (well above speed limit), tailgate (in any situation), weave in and out of traffic and swerve in front of other drivers they have overtaken. No mention of these illegal and selfish practices obviously undertaken due to impatience and total disregard for others on the road. All practices which inevitably can lead to serious road accidents. The writer's comment obviously directed at a certain demographic of the population. My comment: If your rant is so upsetting to you, maybe you need to start taking a bus or train. I WATCHED one of the best rugby league games in a long time last night between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. It had everything going for it. Best individual try of the year, and big hits right from the start of the game had you on the edge of your seat. The final result could have gone either way. The game did highlight a couple of things that I feel needs to be addressed. While the referees have cracked down on defensive shoulder charges of late (and for good reason) there seems to be no penalty for attacking shoulder charges from the other issue revolves around the 40/20 kicks in general play. The Bulldogs' Matt Burton put in a great kick during the game but wasn't rewarded because the result was too close to call. There needs to be 40/20 posts in place so there can be no doubt. Have them light up when contacted for extra drama. HOW shambolic and ludicrous is the application of the rules of rugby league these days? In a recent game, a ball carrier shoulder-charged a tackler, leaving him concussed with not a murmur from the referee or the farcical bunker. This was not a one-off incident as it occurs frequently in games with apparent immunity. Sure, some referees get it wrong at times, but they are at the mercy of intervention from officials who only react following media or public outcries. Fans must wait anxiously each week to witness which rule(s) will be zealously scrutinised and applied before being forgotten about a week later. Fans want consistency in the interpretation and application of the basic rules like knock-ons, forward passes and off-sides and for the game to flow and not be continually stopped by the poor execution of the rules. Get these right and most of us will be happy. SO JEREMY Bath thinks we need to step up Wallsend Library's security to protect it from thugs ('Throw book at thugs', Newcastle Herald 16/5). I agree. We should all feel safe in our workplace, and it is a public building. While he is at it, perhaps he could ask councillors to stop all the attacks on our elected lord mayor? TO all those Labor voters out there spruiking about the election results, in reality, Labor got 34.6 and LNP got 31.9 of the votes. They only achieved such a landslide in seats on the back of preferences, predominantly with the Greens. Unfortunately, they will now have to deal with them in the Senate, so it's not beyond a possibility that things could turn before future elections if they are exposed for all their lies and scare-mongering. Unfortunately, I think the country may be beyond help by then. WHEN are the Newcastle Knights bosses going to listen to the voice of the public and do something about the way the team is playing? Every loss, they come up with total nonsense excuses. Great opinion piece, Greg Mowbray ("Knights leadership must give fans something to believe in", Opinion, 16/5). I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears as per usual. IS there such a thing as a penalty for a shepherd in league anymore? The game is becoming a joke. MARK Croese ("Sitting in the right-hand lane is simply wrong", Letters, 17/5), a correction: the keep left unless overtaking rule in NSW is 80kmh, not 70kmh. What's more of a worry than people in the right lane are those in either lane tailgating, no matter what the speed limit is. JULIE Robinson's letter about Vatican smoke signals made me wonder about how they make black smoke ("Time for church to change ways", Letters, 17/5). Is burning Vegemite a possibility?
