Garrett trying to do his best
By Nat B Wheatley - Graceville, Qld
Peter Garrett did not give Gunns permission to build the pulp mill in northern Tasmania. On the contrary he said that if they built the mill it would not affect his legal obligation to decide on environmental evidence whether the mill could be allowed to operate (without which it would be useless).
The owners should have advanced the scientific investigation of the acceptability of discharge into the bay instead of trying to bluff their way to environmental approval.
The Environment Minister is trying to do his honest best - we should blackball anyone who tries to force his hand by getting at or putting pressure on the PM.
We would think less of the PM if he yielded to such dirty moves such as playing the financial crisis card.
Cut rates on business loans
Three cheers for Julie Bishop - about time someone raise the issue of interest rates on business bank loans.
The only way jobs are created is if companies can contain costs. A saving of 3 per cent in interest on a $1 million loan is $30,000 - nearly half of an average worker's annual wage.
Come on banks, you have the deposit guarantee from the Government to protect you, how about you do something in return to save jobs and/or create jobs by cutting interest rates on business loans.
Mike Angell - Auchenflower, QldBias reporting of Gaza conflict
Why is it that there is so much bias by the media right across the board against the Israel situation and their answer to years of fear from hundreds of missiles landing in their country?
What would you do if Newcastle flew missiles into Sydney every second day, or Geelong dropped them into Melbourne every few days? How would you react if New Zealand fired missiles into Brisbane every week? What do you think England would do if Harrods was blown up one day and then St Pauls the next day and then a few more landmarks along with dozens of innocent people, caused by missiles from Ireland?
I'll tell you what people would do in every case - they'd get fed up with it really quickly and retaliate in the strongest possible way. I have no affiliation with any group and no reason for any bias or favouritism, however I do have a logical, inquisitive mind and I'd encourage everyone else to do the same. Look at the history of these things.
Gary Smith - Brunswick West, VicNo honour for Bush and Howard
I read that John Howard has been 'honoured' by George W Bush. He will soon be the proud recipient of a medal of 'honour' for his efforts in giving aid and comfort to the US.
What was honourable about invading Iraq and what was honourable in giving silent assent to Gitmo prison? It just goes to show that Howard and Bush are tarred with the same brush.
We are lucky - one gone and the other on his way out, but sadly, neither with honour.
Iris Ashton - Kallangur, QldGitmo inmates not our problem
Why is it Australia's duty to take the Guantanamo inmates? America put them there so let them tidy up their own mess for once. It seems that we have to keep bailing out the 'most powerful nation'. We already have a massive influx of immigrants both legal and illegal putting a drain on this fragile country. We can't even keep up with the demand for water.
TCK - Captains Flat, NSWICC must take stand on Zimbabwe
After listening to Grandstand's interview with the CEO of the ICC, it still staggers me that the ICC can continue to abrogate all moral authority when it comes to the issue of Zimbabwe.
Although an honourable thought, you will never separate politics from sport because there will always be one side that won't adhere to that principle. President Robert Mugabe doesn't separate it, so that kills the ICC's argument.
I don't care what international body may be involved. The fact is that the Mugabe regime is a horrendously cruel and evil blight on humanity. To wash its hands of what is going on in that country really relegates the ICC to a moral vacuum and whilst that situation continues, I for one won't be contributing to cricket's coffers.
Colin David Claridge - Gympie, QldGitmo detainees aren't our problem
The US created the detention centre at Guantanimo Bay. Firstly return the property to the Cubans. The mess belongs to Bush, he can relocate them in Texas, they will be used to the climate.
We need not import their slops, we have a pretty good immigration policy thank you. I have been here for 20 years and want to continue living here. The US needs to right their wrongs, a new world order is required. Australia can not afford to be garbage disposal intake.
Noel - Carindale, QldGarrett a paper tiger
Environment Minister Peter Garrett is a paper tiger. He paid lip service to the electorate to win his seat and has done nothing meaningful since he sat his shiny backside on the front bench of Parliament.
The sooner the electorate sees through these idiots the better off we will be.
Why can't they simply tell Gunns they cannot have a pulp mill that is going to cause untold pollution to the waters around Tasmania?
The voters (remember them?) don't want these things. Pay heed or suffer the wrath at the next election.
Daryl McPhee - Urangan, QldGive Summernats a break
I can't believe some people are so closed minded about the Summernats and cars in general. I am a female and have been going to the Nats since 1995 and still can't wait until it comes back the next year. The Summernats brings heaps of money into the ACT community and not all of us are hoons.
Some of us are actually car enthusiasts who love cars, whether it be the art of conducting a good burnout, or the art of building a top level elite show car. If you haven't been to Summernats, which I am guessing you haven't from the stories many of you have written, maybe you can give it a go one year. Give us enthusiasts a break from the constant bagging by people who have no idea of what's involved in building a top level car.
Liz Dunlop, ACTGarrett's big sellout
What a weak pushover Peter Garrett has turned out to be. To sell out to Gunns is a sad day for the environment, when magnificent trees are turned into pulp - not to mention the pollution greed that has overtaken common sense in the name of 'growth. Capitalism's cancer will kill us all.
Denise Morden - Byron Bay, NSWSpeeding not the only killer
With most people obeying the road rules due to excessive fines for minor infringements and the placement of "sneaky road reinforcement", I can see why they are of the opinion that speed limits are not the reason for safety, nor should they be targeted as the major source of road trauma. More speed cameras means more revenue, not increased safety. Most normal people don't have accidents.
I see number plates on cars removed, and no police on the roads to check the reason for them. These same people are often in a contest to see who can get from Point A to Point B first.
While the move to prevent drink drivers is welcome, how about cracking down on hoon cars, with special licences needed for high performance vehicles? A record of good character? Breath testing for hotel patrons as they leave hotels?
We should also look more at drug testing in the city and some suburbs, where drugs are seldom mentioned but, it seems, are more than often the cause of accidents. The police are strangely silent in this area and missing from our roads when they could have a "real" result when taking these measures.
Stop bashing the good drivers by putting us all in a collective basket, and calling us all idiots. I say speed doesn't cause accidents, but inappropriate behaviour and non-attention to driving by various causes does. Even a non-attentive driver in a car park doing 5kph is more dangerous than an attentive driver on a good road doing 100kph.
John Vance - Bundoora, VicDebts piling up
The US Government has taken over all the bad debts from all the banks in the US. Now, the citizens own a big pile of debts in return for real estate which isn't worth the money the people have paid for it.
The banks must be thinking all their Christmases have come at once. They get to keep all the good loans and the American people pick up the tab for the banks mistakes. It still won't work. The good loans will be the next problem. No work, No repayments! How is anyone overseas going to get money from the Government?
David Hyatt - Gin Gin, QldSearch for news
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In Brief
Regarding the "Freedom Medal" award to John Howard. With all due respect: While Iraq burns and opium trade in Afghanistan soars, George W Bush and Mr Howard pat themselves on the back? It is shameful and outrageous. The award is a meaningless act, disrespectful of previous recipients and will only cheapen the award itself.
Lino Montuno - Ashfield, NSWWhy didn't the Israeli Government just deploy Patriot missile launchers along the border with Gaza, and none of the so-called rockets from Hamas would have entered Israel.
It is nice to hear our politicians praising the work and commitment of our dead soldiers in Afghanistan, but will those words be backed up by sensitive and unconditional financial support for the wives and children of the fallen? Words are cheap.
Joe Monks - Woodburn, NSWSo celebrities have condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza? Who do they think they are? I condemn rocket attacks too but do you think Hamas or Israel care? Get a grip.
Adam Bodnar - Mullumbimby, NSWRecession in 2009? What the hell would the economists know anyhow? They didn't see the writing on the wall for 2008 so what makes them able to predict the financial future for 2009? Nup, sorry, not listening, guys.
Cyndi Andrews - Darwin, NT
