Eighty years on, nuclear lessons still to be learned

3 months ago 17

Dennis Glover, in his exposé of the needless and immoral 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (“Atomic bombs weren’t needed to end WWII”, August 6) and likewise the false rationalisation offered for current missile attacks on Gaza and Ukraine cities, makes the crucial points that “in built-up areas, there is no such thing as a precision bomb or missile” and “we learn from history or repeat it”. The use of nuclear weapons can never be justified, and so Australia needs to resist pressure from those countries that possess nuclear weapons, such as the US, take the only moral stance possible and become a signatory to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Paul Casey, Callala Bay

People lay flowers at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Dennis Glover points out the ghastly similarities between Japan’s stance at the end of World War II and Gaza today. Like Japan was, Hamas is also effectively beaten but refuses to surrender – embedded and all too willing to sacrifice innocent civilians. The cover of war unleashes the very worst human behaviour on both sides. Perhaps we only ever learn the lessons from history that suit our current purposes. Margaret Johnston, Paddington

How fickle the convoluted path that history carves us. The freshly awarded Japanese naval contract reinforces the futility of war (“Japan wins lucrative warships deal”, August 6). In 1915, the Japanese navy assisted in the safe escort of the ANZAC force to their “baptism” on the international stage of war. A shade over 20 years later and the Imperial navy loomed menacingly on our doorstep. Now, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima we see Japan, an important trading partner, is to supply us with warships. Let’s rather skip the conflicts and concentrate on the commerce. Steve Dillon, Thirroul

Total trumpery

How ironic that, soon after the World Meteorological Organisation celebrated its 75th birthday and not long before Brazil hosts this year’s climate summit, the Trump administration is making random cuts to its marine, climate and weather services (“Trump’s cuts cast a cloud over Australian forecasting”, August 6). In fact, it’s much worse than ironic, it’s dangerous. As Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean points out, the world relies on global collaboration for predictions of major weather patterns such as El Nino and La Nina, as well as warnings of catastrophic weather events such as tsunamis. It’s another example of Donald Trump’s amoral disregard for the consequences of his decisions, including cutting off life-saving funds from USAid. The evidence continues to mount that Trump may be plausibly accused of crimes against humanity. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)

Oxford Dictionary definition of the word “trumpery” – worthless finery, unsound reasoning, things of no real value, tawdry and worthless, fallacious. (French: tromperie – deceit) No further comment. Bill Baragry, Forster

Bridging the divide

As much as I believe in the right to protest, I believe that letter writers are on the whole unfair to Premier Chris Minns when he said protests that close the bridge cannot become a regular occurrence (Letters, August 6). He represents us all – those who wish to protest but also the silent majority who are inconvenienced. Everyone has a right to use their city. Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont

Readers are defending Premier Chris Minns over the bridge march.

Chris Minns can’t win. He was elected by a majority of us in 2023. He has done a reasonable job but no politician can please everyone. He is premier in difficult times, and believed it was in the best interests of all not to close the Harbour Bridge, a vital piece of our road network. I believe he acted in the best interests of the silent majority. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

I went on the bridge march on Sunday, but because my legs don’t work as well as they used to, I rode my mobility scooter, Neddy. We were towards the end of the march when we were told to turn around. I found myself on the wrong side of a traffic barrier and approached one of the policemen on duty and pointed out that although Neddy was a stout steed, he was not good at the jumps. No problem; I dismounted and the policeman and a colleague lifted Neddy over the barrier, steadied me while I stepped over, guided me to the next divider and repeated the operation. This interaction epitomised the attitude of the march as I saw it. I heard no complaints, even when Neddy occasionally ran into the backs of marchers in front of me. It seemed as though everyone realised that the discomfort of a bit of rain was insignificant compared with the sufferings of the Gazans. David Swain, Glenhaven

What about Syria?

Alex Kemeny, it’s a good question – where are the protesters for the Sudanese starving (Letters, August 6)? And what about Syria, where three million people are food insecure? Ex-president Assad had a policy of “besiege, starve, force to surrender”. His regime bombed food stores, livestock, agricultural machinery and infrastructure to starve civilians. He even besieged and sealed off Yarmouk, the “capital of the Palestinian diaspora”, leading to starvation and typhus, and then mass bombing. At the end of the war in Syria, 16 million people relied on humanitarian assistance. Can anyone recall a single protest, photos of the starving, letters to the editor during the 13 years of horror that left more than 600,000 people dead? Richard Abram, Bexley

Your correspondents question the focus on food security in Gaza rather than Sudan (Letters, August 6). There are presently 110 active war zones in the world, with very few mentioned in the Western media. Our energies would be well directed to the “stakeholders” in active conflicts. Consider the trillion-dollar arms industry, also the potential bounty of war: resources, land, money, power. Thus, a journalist researched Sudan’s 21-year civil war, portrayed by the Western media as a conflict between the Muslim north and the Christian and animist south. The journalist found many foreign countries were heavily involved in the war, “investing” with weapons and money to gain later access to Sudan’s wealth of resources, including gold. Incidentally, I have taught refugees and frequently heard people who’d fled to Sudan from nearby war-torn countries speak of the great kindness of the Sudanese people, and their willingness to share whatever they had with others in need. While we hear a lot about Africa’s troubles, there are also strongly positive attributes in its societies, too. Barbara Chapman, South Yarra (Vic)

A Sudanese mother feeds her severely malnourished son with peanut paste.

Hoards descend

Offering suggestions on how to invest hoarded cash misunderstands the situation (“How to invest the $103.7 billion Aussies have stashed under the mattress”, August 6). Anonymity, a valued characteristic of hoarded cash assets, would be lost if the cash was invested. That is precisely why it is not invested. Some hoarded cash would have been received as income but not declared to evade paying tax. Much of the hoarded cash belongs to older people entitled to a part age-pension. Part-pension entitlements are increased when the value of means-tested assets are reduced – an increase equivalent to a tax-free return of 7 per cent per annum on cash deposited under the bed. Hoarding cash may be immoral but, done deliberately, it can be a financially sensible decision. Peter Mair, Dee Why

Peter who?

The happy news of one of the world’s most powerful batteries coming online here in Australia (“Huge battery switches on”, August 6) summoned a vision of a King Canute-like character in a suit and blue tie aghast that the tide now laps around his ankles. And then I read the musings of Peter Dutton, whose spectral words of “support” echo from his political grave (despite his promise to “maintain a graceful silence”) and I thank the electorate yet again for rejecting this gloomy naysayer for once and for all (“Dutton breaks his silence”, August 6). Alison Stewart, Riverview

There is nothing Dutton says that deserves a story in the paper. His comments do not make an iota of difference to the current issues and crises. The world has moved on, and so have Herald readers. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Nick Toscano’s article introduces the new $1 billion Waratah Super Battery as one of the largest of its kind in the world. This should be put into context. This battery would provide about 12 minutes of statewide electricity supply. The battery is presently designed to be a “shock absorber” in the event of lightning strikes or when the sun does not shine. Proponents of green energy might want to ponder on how many more batteries like this will be needed when we decommission all of our fossil fuel generators. Perhaps then they might accept that green electricity is not the cheapest form of 24/7 power. Richard Freemantle, Palm Beach

Chance to save Kosciuszko

Now is the perfect time for both sides of the NSW parliament to agree to repeal former National Party leader John Barilaro’s grotesque legacy (“Barilaro’s Brumby Bill back to divide NSW coalition”, August 6). The brumby bill allocates one-third of Kosciuszko National Park to 3000 feral horses. Their presence has caused enormous damage to a broad range of ecosystems and pushes already threatened species into greater peril. We have now seen the effective and humane removal of horses outside of the horse retention zones, bringing horse management in line with the control of other feral animals. People now broadly understand the science underpinning these management decisions. I hope the NSW Liberals join Labor in developing a common-sense, science-informed approach to managing national parks. Professor Don Driscoll, Deakin University

I have followed the debate about brumbies in Kosciuszko for years, and was dismayed at the support for allowing these feral animals to live in such a pristine, unique, part of the world. So I was delighted, thrilled actually, to read in your paper that many NSW Liberals now support independent MP Joe McGirr’s proposed bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. This truly demonstrates the importance of giving credence to science, rather than “legislation by emotion”. Terrylea Reynolds, Garran (ACT)

It’s fantastic to see current and former Liberal MPs like Matt Kean, Rob Stokes, Aileen McDonald and Robert Dwyer speaking out in favour of Joe McGirr’s bill. The current legislation, which mandates keeping about 3000 feral horses, has caused significant damage to our precious Kosciuszko National Park. It’s been a ridiculous law that many of us have been working hard to see scrapped. Kean hit the nail on the head calling the original bill a “mistake of potentially historic proportions”. Here’s hoping parliament acts swiftly to reverse this damaging policy. Ainslie Fisher, Leura

Brumbies in the Kosciuszko National Park are causing erosion to the waterways.

The report that parliament is soon to consider repealing the appalling Barilaro wild horse legislation is welcome news and deserves support. As a long-term advocate for the protection of Australia’s unique nature, I urge our representatives to ensure this overdue private members bill gets up. Anne Reeves, Glebe

There will never be peace of mind for anyone who has any concerns for the environment until Barilaro’s Brumby Bill is repealed. The Liberal Party has an opportunity to demonstrate that it isn’t the lackey of the National Party, which created this tragedy. Annette Smith, Farrer (ACT)

Suburban crusade

Gold stars to Judith Pearson for her bravery at taking on the government housing reforms (“Mosman resident fights housing reform in court”, August 6). The low to mid-rise reforms, together with the Transport Oriented Development reforms, the prevalence of State Significant Developments and the introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority, have the potential to destroy this city as we know it. Don’t be fooled, if these reforms come to fruition there will be few trees left, a multitude of unit blocks staring at each other, insufficient schools, hospitals and green space, major deterioration of the natural environment, an increase in mental health problems and you won’t be able to go anywhere because the roads will be totally congested. Madness. What we know and treasure and what makes us the community we are, is in danger of being taken from us. Elizabeth Howard, Katoomba

Judith Pearson admits to being entitled to live in Mosman, justified because she worked hard. But so does a nurse work hard, but no matter how hard they work they could never afford to buy in Mosman. I was born and lived until my 20s on the north shore, including Mosman. I was part of that entitled group, through privilege, family wealth, businesses and old-school networking, which laid out a golden path for me, not available to most people. Throughout the world, major cities like Paris, New York, Tokyo and London have multistorey buildings, and always have. In the city, the quarter acre block is an archaic and unrealistic expectation. And if Ms Pearson is concerned about community, she should think of the wider community and the housing shortage, rather than her individual microsphere. As a baby boomer like me, her legal action, attitudes and privilege perpetuate our selfish, entitled image. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle

Castlecrag is in a similar situation to Mosman. Following due process, a development had been approved consistent with the wishes of the Castlecrag community and the vision of Walter Burley Griffin for this unique suburb. Unfortunately, a new developer has now bought the site and, without notifying council or community, is proposing a new development of up to 11 storeys on the top of the ridge line at the only entrance to the suburb. They are able to do this by applying to have this proposal considered as a State Significant Development, where the decision rests solely with the minister for planning albeit, apparently, with comprehensive community engagement and heritage impacts. It has taken seven years of negotiation to reach this point of agreement with the community, Willoughby Council and the Sydney North Planning Panel, and we now face several more years of “negotiation” to achieve a worse result. Michael Richards, Castlecrag

Red flag

Can the plight of refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru get any worse (“Leader of Australian bikie gang strikes security deal on Nauru”, August 6)? It beggars belief that any government would hire people with bikie gang affiliations to protect vulnerable people. Once again, the Australian government abrogates any responsibility for this mess while still spending millions in taxpayer funds to support such an unconscionable system. Transparency International Australia chief executive, Clancy Moore, suggests that, “taxpayer funds lining the pockets of companies owned by bikie gangs” presents “a giant red flag for the government”. So, when will our elected representatives actually take notice and stop outsourcing our responsibilities? Judith Reynolds, Leura

Powerhouse potential

The emotive language used by the National Trust to denigrate the proposed changes to the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, as reported by arts editor Linda Morris, reflects a broader cultural hesitancy to trust our most creative minds (“Powerhouse Museum rebuild accused of trashing heritage significance”, August 6). When you visit the revitalised Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Morgan Library in New York, it’s clear how far contemporary architecture has advanced in reusing, adapting and reinterpreting historic structures – breathing new life into old institutions. To insist on preserving a 1980s model of adaptive reuse, complete with warnings about “dark caverns and flights of stairs” is reductive and uninspired. Does anyone truly remember what the old Powerhouse was like? Romanticising outdated design standards ignores the exciting potential of bold, imaginative renewal. Jon King, Randwick

Church research

Land and Environment commissioner Timothy Horton’s claim that St Mary’s Cathedral is the oldest Catholic church in Australia has prompted some interesting research (“Controversial $39m development approved next to St Mary’s Cathedral”, August 6). Yes, Governor Macquarie did build a chapel on this (then) isolated spot in 1821, but I doubt it was of cathedral proportions. I had believed that St John’s in Richmond, Tasmania (1837) was oldest, but St Brigid’s at Millers Point (1835) and St Matthew’s Windsor (pre-1840) challenge for seniority over the current cathedral, which first loomed over the Sydney skyline in the 1880s after the original chapel was destroyed by fire in 1865. Kim Crawford, Springwood

As a 87-year-old, I have seen many changes to the central cityscape over the years, but the approval of a three-storey building next to St Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most appalling suggestions ever. Please do not do this. Beth Davis, Neutral Bay

Scenic route

Craig Moran wonders why it takes two weeks for a letter to reach Mudgee from Sydney (Letters, August 6). In the old days, your letter probably got to Mudgee on the overnight mail train from Sydney, arriving the next day. Nowadays, it more than likely gets sent to the mail redistribution centre in Brisbane via Melbourne, then sent back to Sydney to be placed on a truck to Mudgee via Dubbo. Scott McKinnon, Griffith

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