Pre-emptive strike
IN April 2013, a letter I wrote about North Korea was published in the Mercury. Were I to write this letter again, I would not change a word of it but I would add a couple of lines. The letter concluded: “In this day and age, the very idea of a pre-emptive strike is unthinkable. Or is it?” Now, I would add: “No, it is not, and we should do it sooner rather than later. The situation can only get worse.”
Proper home
IT was heartening to read about the preservation of some of Hobart’s more recent maritime heritage, for example, the Egeria ( Mercury, September 20). However, there is a vessel of greater vintage and arguably of more historical significance, the Admiral, built in 1865 on the Domain as an eight-oared charter ferry working out of Watermans Dock. It was used on occasions to convey Victorian-era dignitaries royalty and governors alike. Rescued from fire in 2006, restored and relaunched in 2009, this magnificent craft is presently maintained by dedicated volunteers. Admiral, currently stored in a shed at Frank- lin, should have a proper home, preferably in sight of the River Derwent and open for public display. There is a lot of empty space in the Brooke Street Pier.
Culture takes back seat
TASMANIA has added another page to its abhorrent disregard for its first people. Labor has joined the Liberals in deciding the so-called “cultural” pursuit of fourwheel driving in the Pieman is more important than Aboriginal cultural sites. Both parties are fully aware this area has been described by many as of “outstanding heritage value to the nation”. I feel compelled to speak out and I encourage others to do likewise. This is wrong. I weep that people of influence and power in this state don’t have the moral fortitude to do what is right, only what is deemed popular. unless they are backed by evidence of what has happened in the countries that have marriage equality, or shown to be demonstrable legal consequences of changing the Marriage Act. Assertions about what is “natural”, “Christian” or “against political correctness” and therefore good, need evidence, not merely assertion, to establish the claim. What defenders of traditional marriage need to show is, why in Australia in 2017 a person’s sexuality should determine their human rights.