... And another thing

The Age

Thursday August 20, 2009

FIFTY billion dollars ("Money talks in China deal", The Age, 19/8). How many black balloons? Forbes Sprawson, Hampton Business with ChinaFIFTY billion-dollar deal with China. We get all their clothing, household goods and toys, and they get our resources. What a gas.Myra Fisher, MoorabbinIRON ore and natural gas to a belligerent China? Shades of Pig-Iron Bob, I say.Paul Drakeford, KewBushfiresBLACK Saturday recommendation: "Warnings must use clear language, avoid euphemisms." Yet we hear "relocation" rather than "evacuation".Ken Dowling, WheatsheafIF THE Victorian Government were a company, the directors would not hesitate to replace Russell Rees. True leaders do not need permission to lead, they just take charge when the crisis arises.Tony Plews, HeathmontWHATEVER it takes, Mr Brumby? Then why is your Government considering shifting the urban growth boundaries to put more housing in bushfire-prone areas? Please desist and let common sense prevail.Colleen Hackett, HurstbridgePoliticsISN'T it amazing what 18 months in opposition can do to politicians? They are able to forget their own inaction, cronyism and manipulation and rediscover their honesty, zeal for reform and humility.Andrew Cameron, Newstead, TasPITY the Afghanistan citizens, especially the women; their choices in the presidential election appear to be between bad, worse, and worst.Marie Nash, DoncasterTHERE is a simple way to persuade 18-year-olds to get on the electoral roll (The Age, 17/8). Make it compulsory before getting a full driving licence.Robert Scopes, HurstbridgeFurthermoreSHAUN Carney (Comment, 19/8) may be right that nostalgia for the '60s ignores the downsides, but oh to be 22 again.Joe Wilder, North CaulfieldIT APPEARS that the so-called "white witch" (The Age, 19/8) has found a new way to print money.Karen Iuculano, GreensboroughI HAVE seen several Harry Potter films and every episode of Bewitched, possess a photograph of Stonehenge, and am prepared to save the Reserve Bank money by waffling at people part-time for $450,000 a year.John Ogge, HighettNOW that Vile and Tacky O (sorry, I mean Kyle and Jackie O) are back on the air waves, what has become of the child they humiliated, petrified and assaulted under the guise of "entertainment"?Diane Flentjar, NorthcoteFAR more disturbing than the news that nine out of 10 US banknotes have traces of cocaine on them (The Age, 19/8) is the fact that so many of them have also been up someone's nose.Jim Picot, Williamstown