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Letters to the Editor:

They'll resort to anything

Isn't it interesting that our "values" driven Government is 
sending the message to the public that we now do not have to take 
responsibility for anything? Invade and occupy a country based on 
false pretences (let alone lies)? No worries. And don't be 
surprised if the looming federal election is postponed because of 
a "terrorist incident".

Howard and his crew are increasingly nervous about the elections. 
The numbers are not looking good.

In the US there has been a proposal by the newly created US 
Election Assistance Commission that Congress authorise a 
postponement of the election there, scheduled for November, "in 
the event of a terrorist attack".

Now, if they continue to follow the script, we should expect that 
idea to be floated here as well. And in Britain. After all, Bush, 
Blair and Howard all came up with the same lies about weapons in 
Iraq so they could invade. Then magically spewed out the same 
arguments and denials when it became clear they had lied.

And isn't it curious how the governments here, and in the USA and 
Britain have managed to get the same outcome from inquiries into 
why they went to war on Iraq?

The Flood inquiry here in Australia has found that the 
intelligence on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was "thin, 
ambiguous and incomplete". But no one is to take the blame. In 
fact this Government never takes responsibility for anything that 
happens — it's always someone else's fault.

Or in this case, no individual or individuals are to be named. 
Just like the whitewashes in Britain and the US. And there are 
two Flood reports, one that is to be made public, and one that is 
to remain secret! That's a double coat of whitewash.

All three rogue governments are on thin ice with the public. In 
the US and Britain, where voting is not compulsory, 
disillusionment with the whole stinking mess may see a small 
voter turnout that might or might not play into the hands of Bush 
and Blair.

We know how low Howard will stoop. Will we have a "terrorist 
incident"? That too might work against him (remember Spain).

Whatever transpires, a good rule of thumb with this lot is — 
keep in mind that they will resort to anything!

Nathan Barnes
Queensland

What is so great about Kim Beazley being reappointed to the 
inner cabinet of the opposition? I, like millions of Australians, 
can hardly wait for the elections to get rid of the hated Howard 
Government. Can the memories of the Australian people be so short 
to be enthusiastic about Kim Beazley?

Kim or "Bomber" Beazley during his former tenure in office 
created the "biggest" peacetime budget for the Australian 
military — $25 billion.

He committed Australian forces to a war, the Iran-Iraq war to 
clear mines. This war was sponsored and promoted by the US to get 
Saddam to fight the Mullahs of Iran.

He sent troops out to defend the then US base at Nurrungar 
against peaceful protesters.

He gained the name of "bomber" by his relentless pursuit of the 
New Zealand Government to buy the useless to their needs, so-
called "Anzac Frigates".

He was the originator of the "Collins Class" submarines project, 
which was and still is a complete failure.

He is remembered also for his sycophantic speeches about the US.

When will Australia grow up and have an independent and 
Australian-made foreign policy? Not while we have a false 
estimation of the Kim Beazley.

Denis Doherty
Glebe, NSW

Recently I was able to pass good news on to a young mother. 
Her husband has been recognised as a refugee after being locked 
in Nauru for three years.

You would think this would be the answer to her dream, but her 
nightmare still continues. He is not allowed to apply for her to 
come to Australia because he is on a Temporary Protection Visa 
(TPV). She has been discovered by the country where she is hiding 
and will be deported to Afghanistan in a number of days.

She will be unprotected in a place of devastation and danger.

Her husband was a shopkeeper, hardly a skill which will allow him 
to apply for a permanent visa under Mr Howard's new "pre-election 
compassion package" so teasingly dangled in front of TPV holders.

Proven refugees need a safe home. What is the point of making 
them suffer more? Votes?

Elaine Smith
West Haven, NSW