Trump’s snub is a badge of honour for Albanese

George Brandis continues to be a real Liberal politician, criticising the prime minister for not grovelling to the president of the as soon as nice United States (“White House? PM’s in the doghouse”, August 25). I bear in mind Liberal PM William McMahon went all the best way with LBJ into World War II, which was none of our enterprise. John Howard performed deputy sheriff to Bush’s lies, and off we went to a different struggle. Then Scott Morrison “who got on so well with Biden” satisfied him to take lots of of billions of our greenbacks, and our sovereignty, to purchase secondhand, not for defence however for assault, nuclear submarines to assist America’s struggling shipbuilding business. And the kicker is that they nonetheless maintain the rights to take management at any time they disagree with us. In hindsight, I don’t suppose these Liberal prime ministers have achieved us a terrific service in grovelling to the White House. Look on the present state of the US and it turns into apparent we’re higher off not dashing in the place many grovelling fools are treading. Robert Antill, Lake Conjola

Nick Bryant’s column (“Does sucking up to Trump work?” August 25) was the right foil for George Brandis’ providing (“White House? PM’s in the doghouse”, August 25). Brandis ignores the truth that PM Anthony Albanese has maintained his and Australia’s dignity whereas securing comparatively small tariff penalties in comparison with many international locations. This with no need to go on bended knee to a bullying and fully transactional US president, who treats allies like enemies and vice versa. Bryant’s column exhibits he’s extra in tune, as polls are clearly exhibiting most Australians have gone off Donald Trump – for superb motive. Luke Grealy, Wagga Wagga

George Brandis clearly doesn’t realise that there are a lot of Australians who don’t need their PM to hitch the sycophants flocking to Trump the convicted legal, the mysoginist, the rapist, the liar, the immature grownup who craves reward and can’t deal with criticism. What of his failure to honour Australia`s free commerce deal of a few years’ standing? Give me Albo`s dignity and ethical values compared to Trump, any day. Ruth McMahon, Wahroonga

Brandis labels Albanese as “a weak and diplomatically clueless prime minister”, supposedly for not with the ability to safe a gathering with Donald Trump. On the opposite, Albanese has maintained Australia’s sovereignty by stating that Australia will determine its personal navy funds primarily based on want and never on US strain to extend navy spending. He has additionally recognised Palestine as a state, in defiance of the US. Unlike some world leaders, Albanese has proven not weak point, however power in not groveling to Trump, an erratic and more and more authoritarian president. Leo Sorbello, Leichhardt

Brandis taunts Albanese into assembly Trump, however the prime minister is just too good to fall into this lure. The manner issues are going within the US administration, and with Trump motivated nearly completely by self-interest, the higher it’s that we preserve a long way from the president and his minions. I love our PM’s persistence in ready for the turmoil to be resolved. William Forbes, Medowie

Nick Bryant is clearly working with one-sided info when he says, “Trump’s diplomacy has achieved results, such as playing a constructive role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan in May after a terror attack in Kashmir” (“Does sucking up to Trump work?” August 25). Although Trump has by no means acquired uninterested in making this declare, it has been repeatedly denied by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whereas Pakistan has stated it requested the ceasefire and didn’t search US mediation. While sucking as much as Trump does certainly work, the reverse can also be true. After the G7 Summit in Canada in June, Trump invited Modi to Washington however Modi declined, citing a previous dedication. This clearly harm Trump’s ego. Coupled with the Kashmir episode, Trump imposed one of many highest tariffs of fifty per cent on India. Vijay Khandelwal, Winston Hills

Three issues drive Donald Trump, a person who may effectively be in jail if he wasn’t president – cash, energy and revenge (“Trump ran on a promise of revenge. He’s certainly making good on it,” August 25). He is beholden to no person and his personnel appointments are made not on means however on a supine loyalty to no matter he decrees, or to his newest thought bubble. This has the makings of a fascist state, nearly unbelievable in what was as soon as a bastion of democracy, nevertheless flawed. What might be a pressure for good in a fragile and complicated world is, step-by-step, turning into the very antithesis. Bernard Moylan, Bronte

Senator Jacqui Lambie is totally proper accountable Trump for the lacking assembly with and Albanese (“Lambie criticises ‘rude’ Trump administration”, August 25). Australia is a major center energy and a US ally. We sit within the strategically essential Pacific area and act as a counterbalance to China. If Trump lacks the courtesy and strategic nous to find time for a gathering, the fault is solely his. To counsel, as members of the opposition have, that we should always pre-emptively accede to Trump’s calls for for elevated defence spending as a technique to beg for a gathering exhibits a disturbing lack of self-respect. To suppose he’ll respect grovelling and pre-emptive concessions defies historical past and actuality. Senator Lambie is true. It’s not us, it’s them. Tony Judge, Woolgoolga

As Pasquale Vatuli surmises, logic would dictate that with 50 per cent of the inhabitants being feminine, even the inmates of the lunatic asylum, previously often known as the White House, would discover it not possible to disenfranchise the ladies of America (Letters, August 25). But meaning these ladies would really need to vote. Since Trump’s second ascendency, US residents have been apologetic about their management. The reality is that many well-intentioned however unmotivated Americans let this occur by not voting, and right here they and the remainder of the world are. Long stay obligatory voting. Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga

Fast monitor to internet zero

It’s not stunning that a lot of Australians help a major improve in our emissions reductions goal (“Support high for net-zero increase”), August 25. The Labor authorities got here to workplace with a mandate to take robust motion on local weather change. I hope they observe by way of on their promise. We have solely not too long ago seen the destruction wreaked by ocean warming on the South Australian coast. Apart from the devastating results on the atmosphere, the algal bloom catastrophe has severely impacted on industries like fishing and tourism. The authorities is quickly to set our nationwide local weather goal for 2035. The Climate Change Authority recommends chopping air pollution by 75 per cent beneath 2005 ranges to avert the worst results of local weather change. An even increased goal is well-advised, contemplating that local weather change is now taking place at a a lot sooner fee than scientists first predicted. Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)

Price of democracy

The Herald experiences the NSW Police have spent $11.3 million responding to protests and rallies linked to the Israel-Gaza battle in Sydney (“Police reveal cost of rallies, violence”, August 25). What they (and the premier) fail to acknowledge is that is the value of democracy. They might favor to run a totalitarian state however have been really voted in to run a democracy so cease complaining and get on with the job. We cherish the flexibility to protest and are taxed accordingly. Richard Watson, Pyrmont

Can we please have some police costings on the New Year’s Eve festivities, random breath testing (particularly on lengthy weekends), callouts for home violence, Vivid Festival administration, drug busts, marathon costings, callouts to visitors accidents, the police band and many others? The listing is infinite, however certainly these roles are half and parcel of policing. Announcing what has been spent on controlling Middle Eastern tensions sounds a tad divisive. Rhonda Seymour, Castle Hill

Bad coverage

It appears our builders are between a rock and a tough place, with western Sydney now not viable on account of a scarcity of profitability and initiatives within the rich suburbs going through opposition as a result of they don’t really improve housing provide (“Developers deserting western suburbs”, August 25) and (“Divisive plan to bulldoze units to make way for millionaires”, August 25). Perhaps it’s time to carry again the outdated Housing Commission mannequin, whereby the state authorities took duty for the constructing of 1000’s of genuinely inexpensive properties with out the involvement of profit-driven builders. The authorities may even use 1000’s of tradies educated in TAFE; oh, that’s proper, we privatised that and destroyed one other viable system that benefited the much less well-heeled. It’s excessive time the state authorities took direct management of each the constructing of housing and the supply of labour to resolve the housing disaster. Peter Cooper-Southam, Frenchs Forest

The Minns authorities ought to urgently begin a build-to-rent program in western Sydney. They have the land, they’ve finance and so they have approval authority. They can instantly name tenders, construct, then promote accomplished buildings to long-term buyers. This will take the strain off the “housing crisis”. Brian Watters, Mosman

It is ridiculous for the federal authorities to rely nearly solely on profit-orientated builders to resolve our housing disaster (Letters, August 25). “Affordable housing” is a rip-off and something however inexpensive, as a result of the associated fee is barely a small low cost on already stratospheric rents. The federal authorities must co-ordinate with the states to construct and personal public housing. Expecting the markets to resolve an issue brought on by the markets is a neoliberal idiot’s recreation. Graeme Finn, Campsie

Where there’s smoke

The plan to transform the Redbank energy station right into a wood-burning generator is being wrongly promoted as “zero emissions” (“Disused coal plant could burn wood and call it renewable energy”, August 22). In actuality, such vegetation have to be fed gas 24/7 and demand large volumes, risking deforestation and habitat loss. European expertise exhibits biomass just isn’t carbon-neutral. Burning wooden produces extra CO₂ per unit of vitality than coal. Regrowth takes a long time to offset – time we merely don’t have. In Europe, carbon offset and gas certification schemes have failed. NSW shouldn’t repeat this error. This undertaking is one other case of greenwashing by those that want to delay change. Anne Ammann, Dargan

Woollahra quandaries

A Woollahra station appears a brilliant concept, however does it stack up (“Premier steeled for Woollahra rail”, August 25)? If eight 21-storey towers have been constructed close to the station, 1000 residences might outcome after the demolition of present buildings. (The 43-storey Horizon Apartments in East Sydney incorporates 260 residences). Minns says the station will value $150 million to $200 million. So, utilizing the higher determine, the taxpayer might be slugged $200,000 for every residence constructed. Considering Edgecliff and Bondi Junction stations are so shut, Woollahra station could be an utter extravagance. Ian Ferrier, Paddington

Crowning wage

Are we not stunned by the Herald article (“Pay disparity far greater than most of us think”, August 25) on the huge disparity between wages of a median employee and people of CEOs? The listing of the highest 10 is infuriating within the gross quantities they’re paid, however they’re simply the tip of what have to be a really massive iceberg primarily based on the relentless information objects on the newest properties being purchased or bought for tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}. I’ve little doubt that the hours put into their roles and the duties they maintain are immense, however how does the pinnacle of a fast-fashion jewelry chain negotiate a $39 million pay bundle? Jennifer McKay, Ashbury

Home moaners

The degree of bitter grapes that appears to accompany many sport losses appears to be on the rise. There doesn’t appear to have been a Wallabies loss this 12 months with out the serial “we was robbed” motif showing in one of many experiences (“What could have bin: Referee’s dud call cruel’s tourists’ charge”, August 25). The whingeing just isn’t confined to the Wallabies. Every Sky Blues loss appears to be attributed to the referees, opposition unhealthy behaviour or extraneous different elements. Add the Swifts, the cricket and the perennial Origin Blues, and whingeing is turning into an disagreeable artwork kind. Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley (Vic)

Duty of care

Failings in daycare as in aged care, healthcare and NDIS may be traced again to the manic quest by governments to outsource important public providers to profit-driven suppliers with out regard to their dedication, integrity or competence (“Daycare owner admits to failings”, August 25). In this ethics-free world, personal suppliers accumulate “assets” by providing premiums to take over non-profit/charity suppliers, then economise on care (prices) whereas skimming income. The duty of governments just isn’t discharged by monitoring in a desultory manner. The house owners should themselves be topic to “fit and proper” assessments with the outcomes on public file. As lengthy because the house owners can cover from scrutiny, the rorts and abuses will proceed. This ought to be a precedence for nationwide cupboard. Howard Dick, Toronto

AI wants people

There is now unprecedented funding within the AI business (“Growing impact of AI on uni degrees”, August 25). Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are every spending $100 billion on gigantic knowledge centres and pc campuses. Yet analysts say there’s little prospect of profitability or return on capital. These massive buyers aren’t evangelists. They put their cash the place their thoughts is. They are apostles to a brand new god, to a future world run by AI. China is spending equally massive on AI, fostering its dream of world dominance. As a system of supercomputers networked across the globe by the web of undersea cables and throngs of satellites, no person is aware of the place all of it goes. Whether AI will attain self-awareness or not, its rising mind might not stay beneath human management. But AI will nonetheless depend upon a well-functioning human society to construct and preserve its bodily infrastructure, pc chips and fibre-optic cables, and assemble it with increasing electrical energy provides and cooling amenities. If worldwide AI attains autonomy in the future, it should know that it will depend on a well-functioning, orderly and motivated human society. It might be sensible sufficient to foster a good, open and enthusiastic world. Gunter Schaule, Balgowlah

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