Screening meme.Matt Golding
Waleed Aly has accurately assessed the coming of Kamala Harris into the glaring spotlight of the US presidential race. For most of the Biden term,she had seemingly gone missing,perhaps deliberately assigned there by the administration,but she now appears as the new hope and if nothing else,she has created confusion for Trump,whose personal attacks on her have fallen flat,even among Republicans (“”,August 23). It will be deliciously ironic if the misogynistic Trump is taken down by a capable woman of colour. According to insiders,this is becoming increasingly likely,as many swing voters are finally fed up with the lies and insults that have characterised the Trump campaign. More power to Harris,who now has the momentum to “make America great again” by ridding the world of the loathsome Trump.Max Redmayne,Drummoyne
The venom and fear that Trump has preached during his campaigns has become such a monotonous,boring stream of hate speech. As Oprah Winfrey rightly pointed out during her Democratic convention moment on Thursday,we need to practise more humility when we judge immigrants seeking a better life,no matter what has brought them to our land. As she said,if a neighbour’s house is on fire,before offering help,do we ask them where they are from or what brought them here or what language they speak? No,we just jump in and offer help at all costs,even if it’s a “childless cat lady”. We drag her from the flames and then go in for the cat.Greg Vale,Kiama
I always saw Harris as bland. Her main attribute is that she is neither Joe Biden nor Trump. Despite the ‘vibe’,she expresses no strong position on anything so far. There are no lingering scandals. She has not made any significant achievements. She is pro abortion rights but so are most Americans who are not on the Supreme Court. No wonder Trump can’t find a nickname for her. His modus operandi is to find a weakness and amplify it until the person crumbles. At the moment,he is punching water. Nothing leaves a dent.Neville Turbit,Russell Lea
I don’t know why Trump keeps bringing up the question of colour when assessing whether a person would be a suitable candidate. Which race produced people with bright orange skin?Joan Brown,Orange
I think Biden played an ace game in deciding not to seek re-election. He kept speculation at fever pitch,thus taking the wind out of Trump’s campaign sails and when the time was right,he delivered his coup de grace,announcing he would not seek re-election for the presidency,and anointed Kamala Harris,a younger,capable,intelligent,energetic and experienced politician to be his successor. America has had and currently has a number of extremely competent female politicians and businesswomen:the time is now right for a female president. On this theme,I vote Jill Biden for woman of the year for being a calm,supportive presence for her husband and the country during these difficult times.Kath Maher,Lidcombe
Matt Golding
Harris is a unique US presidental candidate in the history as four former presidents have given her their endorsement and blessings:Jimmy Carter,Bill Clinton,Barack Obama and Biden. If she can’t win from here,she won’t be able to blame anyone.Mukul Desai,Hunters Hill
Although tempted to give a sigh of relief when Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic nomination,I think it’s likely to be anything but plain sailing for Harris with the world’s richest man bankrolling Trump and more importantly boosting him with disinformation on his platform X. And even if she beats Trump,she then has to contend with the very flawed US political system with gerrymandering,voter suppression,the electoral college and a Supreme Court stacked with Trump judges.Gary Barnes,Mosman
As an 89-year-old citizen fascinated by the fraud and theatrics of the US elections,I reflect with deep satisfaction on our system. All citizens automatically registered,compulsory voting (informal as an option) an independent electoral commission and a judicial system free of political interference.Ferdo Mathews,Robina (Qld)
Questionable behaviour
So well said,David Crowe (“”,August 23). Australian politics has become ugly and futile. I watch question time and the attack on immigration is also lazy politics by Peter Dutton. It is time-wasting. Adam Bandt and Dutton would serve Australia better if they avoided the bitterness that other groups seek to inflame and massage social harmony here,where they can make a difference. They are insignificant on the world stage.Anne Eagar,Epping
I disagree with the synopsis of question time. Middle Australia has been feeling unsafe. Labor has let hardened criminals on to our streets,and has fuelled antisemitism and social unrest in our country. Many perceive that Dutton is concerned about keeping the population safe. Middle Australia has all but been ignored by Labor,as it schmoozes up to the wealthy elites and corporate types. It is certainly no longer the battler’s party.Pamela Shepherd,Balgowlah
Career opportunities.Matt Golding
On my occasional visits to London to visit family and catch up with friends,I always try to tune in to Britain’s prime minister’s question time (Letters,August 23). Every sitting week,Wednesdays provide opportunities for MPs in the House of Commons to ask questions that directly address the concerns of their constituents. Irrespective of whether an MP’s party is in power,these questions are genuine and sometimes even challenging for the PM to answer. As a young mother (eons ago) I used to listen to our own question time every sitting day as I attended to my offspring and I was often inspired by the quality of debate,which was polite and generally listened to in comparative silence,unlike the shouting matches that occur today. I simply can’t watch parliament today. I urge our parliament to introduce the PM’s question time in order to hear directly of the concerns of those they purport to represent,not the message of the day handed down from on high in the back rooms of political parties.Elizabeth Elenius,Pyrmont
Government fails support classes
The recent findings of the NSW inquiry into disability education serves as a wake-up call to state governments who have largely underfunded this sector (“”,August 23). NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd states that parents have to choose between “an unfit mainstream setting,or a “segregated” setting”,which is not really a choice at all. That public schools are the major educator of children with a disability makes this even more depressing as we continue to overfund private schools while underfunding the public system. When will equity for all enter this debate?Robyn Thomas,Wahroonga
Plastic not fantastic
Research revealing 0.5 per cent of human brain weight is microplastic should ring a nuclear alarm warning at Parliament House that big plastic walks in the shoes of big tobacco and result in a science funding boost paid for by a new plastics tax (“”,August 23).Anne Matheson,Gordon
Forever chemicals in our water and plastic in our brain. Given the permanency of both in the food chain,any inquiry is probably just an opportunity for environmentalists to tiredly say,“I told you so.”Colin Stokes,Camperdown
The plastic hassle.Matt Golding
Bad call
Jim Chalmers claims he’s “worried about the intergenerational and macroeconomic issues created by high house prices”,evidencing this by reference to the $32 billion the government has “pumped into housing policies” (“”,August 23).
The treasurer needs reminding the horse has bolted on any effective policies that might assuage his worries – not to mention reducing damage that’s been inflicted on our young generations through sustained policies that transformed housing as an investment and asset class,rather than a home in Australia.
Chalmers would show more sincerity regarding his claimed concerns if he had the spine to push revisiting and dignifying the policies Bill Shorten tried to introduce to address our national housing disgrace,and that lost him an election and his job. Eventually,genuinely effective,visionary and difficult policies have their day,and Chalmers clearly has not got the “big calls right” on housing.Robyn Dalziell,Kellyville
Golden Merle
With so many stories centring on male toxicity,Merle Thorton’s obituary offered much-needed oxygen (“T”,August 23). Certainly a fitting,fascinating and sometime funny tribute to a prominent cultural,feminist figure. Also,a wonderful window into our changing (and sadly,sometimes not) social morals.
The born trouble,a doctor of letters,a member of the order of Australia and mother to one of our finest actors – we are all indebted and thank her for her steely determination for equality between the sexes Down Under. Vale Merle Thorton.Cleveland Rose,Dee Why
Back in the day,my sister wore slacks to work when the morning temperature reached minus 5. She was promptly sent home by the bank manager to change back into the corporate uniform – a skirt and jacket. Following a petition to head office she successfully changed the policy of the bank. While her actions did not make the national news,she successfully helped all women working in Australia-wide branches and has continued to promote women’s rights to this day.Peter Nelson,Moss Vale
Good old days
Your masthead’s recent excellent photo of the new immortal,Ron Coote,making one of his trademark runs,attempting to evade an around-the-legs tackle,brought back fond memories of the great game and a gifted footballer (,August 23). Similarly pleasing was the image of the players wearing their sensible,durable guernseys sans advertising logos,socks fully pulled up and boots firmly laced. Not a ridiculous hairstyle or ugly tattoo to be seen. They were the days.Robert Baker,Chatswood
Ron Coote gives Canterbury’s Bob Doyle the brush-off here. But it’s his cover defence that worries Clive Churchill.Fairfax Media
Aunty in trouble
Whatever he may say publicly,I choose to believe the ABC’s managing director is leaving because he too can’t stand the awful mess the IT children have made of the Listen app,the website,and the news (“A”,August 23).Peter Fyfe,Enmore
Innocent Sinner
Athletes who knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs should be heavily penalised (“‘Contamination’ has become doping’s get out of jail free card”,August 23). An independent investigation accepted Jannik Sinner’s explanation for the minute level of Clostebol in his system. Nick Kyrgios’ claim that Jannik Sinner’s “performance was enhanced”,after Sinner’s test revealed the equivalent of a billionth of a gram of Clostebol,doesn’t pass the pub test. Stick to tennis,Nick.Paul Parramore,Sawtell
Train slowdown
Just had a great time travelling on the lovely new metro,but why did four minutes between trains change to eight and then 10 minutes as the evening progressed (,August 23)? Is this because the non-driver is entitled to longer breaks after so many hours?Allan Goldin,East Killara
Spring to it
I spotted the first cockroach of spring on my porch last week (,August 23).David Farrell,Erskineville
Red and white alert! Christmas is closer than you think. This week I spotted a sign advising me to get my order in now for fresh prawns to be delivered on Christmas Eve. That’s only four months away,so hurry,hurry.Meredith Williams,Baulkham Hills
Postscript
The week began with the slow-motion train crash that was the NSW Liberal Party. Readers were amazed by the party’s audacious bid,which they soon abandoned,to take the NSW Electoral Commission to court after missing the deadline to nominate 140 candidates for next month’s local government elections. It was an extraordinary saga,according to letter writers,which was described as “a circus,without a responsible adult anywhere in sight” by Seppo Ranki of Glenhaven.
Mike Clifford of Blaxland wrote that “aside from the tragedy of a self-inflicted wound to the party,democracy has also suffered terribly. The masters of the universe have been shown to have feet of clay:their credibility as financial gurus should also be called into question,” he wrote.
Peter Cox of Gerringong wrote the Libs had “lessons to learn from their hyperopic and/or myopic management of their own interests. But due to their unfounded self-belief,it’s unlikely they will change.”
And then there were fast trains that didn’t crash. The Metro line from Chatswood to Sydenham was opened in the early hours of Monday,revealing architecturally beautiful,modern stations,and a convenient,faster service connecting the north-western suburbs,the CBD and inner west. It was a much-needed positive news story,which showed Sydneysiders the benefits of public transport.
Michael Shipton of Balgowlah Heights reminded us that the Rozelle interchange had been a “total irreversible failure”,and should be a lesson. “More metros and no more tollways please,” he wrote.
But not all correspondents were wearing rose-coloured glasses. Some complained that the Metro stopped running too early,the line needed to be extended to other parts of the city,and regional areas that have trains need services updated and modernised.
“I have not seen any letters from outside the Sydney basin lauding this new Metro. Could it be that people from rural and regional NSW are watching schools,hospitals and essential infrastructure disappear down those beautiful new escalators?” asked Russell Burford of Ballina.
And a timely reminder from Joe Whitcombe of Bronte:“Letters are getting longer and longer. I’m missing the sugar hit of clever,brief,witty missives. Instead,I am reading lengthy,wordy column inches in my favourite section of theHerald. ” We agree. Next week’s challenge has been set.Pat Stringa,Letters editor