Readers are invited to submit letters to The Guardian.
Letters may be e-mailed to guardian@cpa.org.au.
Letters of 300-400 words are preferred.
Letters to the Editor:
War is not the answer
The horrific act of terror in Bali should teach us that war on civilian populations — whether in Afghanistan, Rwanda, Iraq, Hiroshima, the Solomon Islands, the former Yugoslavia, or on Australia's doorstep in Indonesia — wreaks appalling destruction and grief that can never be justified by military, religious or economic objectives. It is a crime against humanity. When the dead are Australians, we comprehend this truth. Why can we not see it when the dead are Afghanis or Iraqis? War is not the answer. Let Australia stand for peace. Linda Gale
Adelaide
Vice President, Progressive Labour Party
We have been bombarded with the tragic news by the mainstream media about the nightclub bombings in Bali. A tragedy similar to September 11. I believe we communists and atheists have had enough of these imperialist terrorist attacks. Both political sides condemn each other yet innocent lives are targeted. Let us not believe that these terrorists are soldiers of a supreme being. They are the disgrace of internationalism. Our world won't progress with these fanatics. We leftists are doing well to refuse to side with them. Terrorism is sending society back 2000 years. Julian Salciccia
Melbourne.
From whatever way you look at this latest tragedy the response is fear. Along with all the families of victims the ultimate victims will be the Balinese people. Just as they were picking up after last year's September 11 this horror happens to them. Why them? Seems like the people of the world have become victims of a highly planned campaign of terror. Hit the most vulnerable — the poor and the youth of the world when they least expect it! Freedom is gone. If you have to look over your shoulder all the time then there is no freedom anymore. Mary Jenkins
UPU WA Inc
The NSW Environment Protection Authority last week issued a warning to the public following the theft of a gauge used to measure soil density and moisture. The warning said, "The gauge could affect human health if it is smashed or broken open." The gauge, which was stolen from the western Sydney suburb of Merrylands, a densely populated area, contained a small amount of radioactive material. The Agency said, "If anyone finds the gauge or knows its whereabouts they should contact police immediately." What a scenario that conjures up! Such a small amount of radioactive material requires a general warning to the public and the urgent involvement of the police! How about this for a hypothetical situation? We are in a densely populated area in the southern suburbs of Sydney. Let's call it, say, Lucas Heights. A big, new nuclear reactor has been installed there on the site of an existing nuclear plant. Experts have warned that there are earthquake fault lines beneath the site but the State Government sweeps aside that concern, as it has others such as where the resultant nuclear waste is going to be stored, how would it be transported etc. Concerned residents and environmentalists have campaigned to have the whole thing closed down. It's been operating for a year now and the Government and pro-nuclear lobby have continued to reassure the public and ridicule those opposing the reactor. One night, snug in their beds, local residents feel a trembling beneath them. The crockery rattles. Cracks appear in the walls. It is the dread earthquake. Police and emergency services are out in force. Residents are being evacuated. The nuclear reactor site is sealed. But it transpires that by some miracle the tremor has not caused a radioactive spill into the atmosphere. Instead, it has broken the security at the reactor and a container of radioactive material has been stolen. What to do? Follow the instructions for the disappeared radioactive gauge? "Anyone with information about the theft of this container should call Crime Stoppers." Scary, isn't it? Nathan BarnesBack to index page
Brisbane