YOUR VIEWS
I AM an older citizen (I will be 80 next year) who has been affected by mental illness all her life.
I have worked in a professional capacity as a tutor (for the University of Queensland in English) and most of my life as a music teacher in schools and at my own studio.
I am neither ashamed nor reluctant to speak out for the many families in Australia (most of us) who are affected by mental illness in some way. Most of us are neither criminals, drug addicts or alcoholics and if some are, this could be due to lack of services.
The mental health system is in crisis. Nurses and doctors are superb, but there are not nearly enough beds or staff to deal with the thousands (should I say millions?) of ill folk.
If it were cancer, government money would pour in. The stigma of illnesses like schizophrenia has not disappeared yet it is often caused by physical changes in the nerve connection chemistry of the brain at what are called the synapses and neurons. Medication helps but the side effects are difficult to live with.
Let us all join together to demand of government a better deal for mental health
JUNE FOX, SOUTHPORT
I FEEL I need to defend myself against people who ignore the facts. I refer to the people who continually refer to me as an Extinction Rebellion leader.
At a peaceful protest in Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise, a thug started punching and hitting the passing protesters. I intercepted and hit the man.
I was issued with a $400 fine, which I fought in court, causing the police to drop all charges.
I was not guilty.
To answer the question why I joined an Extinction Rebellion rally is simple, to highlight the threat to humanity by man-made climate change. I have little to do with Extinction Rebellion but understand the reason for their extreme behaviour.
Throughout history, peaceful protests have put an end to horrific acts by the wealthy. Slavery was considered a right of wealthy people until protests by the brave terminated the trade. Segregation was considered ethical, until brave men and women protested against racist, wealthy regimes. Protesters against the Vietnam and Iraq wars were considered traitors, until royal commissions confirmed the protesters were honourable and the leaders of our nations were the ones at fault. They sent our brave soldiers into illegal battles, using falsehoods as their reasoning.
I have sent many emails to politicians without reply and signed many petitions with no success. It is very difficult to get politicians to act in accordance with the scientific evidence when they receive huge donations from fossil fuel companies.
Both Liberal and Labor governments receive staggering amounts of money from fossil fuel companies, this money is essential to getting them elected. The fossil fuel companies want something in return, they are not a charitable organisation, they are not so decent when it comes to helping the homeless. The fossil fuel industry only care about profits, they are currently holding the world to ransom, raising the price of petrol and diesel to unprecedented levels; yet stupid people still defend them.
May I remind the readers that not a single car on the Gold Coast was blocked as a result of Extinction Rebellion. Or not a single person glued themselves to any road on the Gold Coast. SHAUN CUNNEEN, MT NATHAN
SCOTT Morrison has the hide of a rhinoceros if he deludes himself into thinking business can continue as per usual now that his multiple deceptions face the full glare of an astounded populous.
If he does take John Howard’s advice and pathetically attempts to remain in federal politics, other members of the House of Reps will look at him, and feel only pity. DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH