Kavanaugh case could change Irish attitudes
THE process for the nomination of one Brett Kavanaugh, an existing Circuit Court judge, to the US Supreme Court has been well covered by the media in this country.
Kavanaugh has been accused of serious sexual assault in previous years. This charge has been strenuously denied by Kavanaugh. If true, however, he should face the law, like anybody else. It is equally vital that the honesty of any aspirant Supreme Court judge be clearly established.
In Kavanaugh’s case, the balance of probability supports his case, rather than the accuser’s. It is becoming clearer that the issue is not really about his sexual conduct in the past, but the fact that his appointment might tilt the balance in the Supreme Court in favour of the right to life, and in particular the right to life of the unborn child. Supporters of abortion are not happy about this prospect. The message seems to be: ‘Catholics need not apply.’
The case could have a long-term consequence on Irish attitudes. Those who voted recently against the introduction of the taking of unborn human life should take note. DONAL O’DRISCOLL, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Support our troops
SOLDIERS have a contract of service not comparable with any other career or profession.
Apart from the Official Secrets Act they work under a system of discipline and control which exists nowhere else in society. Military law governs their lives completely. They must seek permission to get married, to go home in the evening, to go on holidays, to grow a moustache, etc.
And they must do whatever duty they are assigned to and go wherever sent at a moment’s notice.
Young soldiers sent abroad for the first time have to complete a last will and testament. The list goes on. It has to be so in order that they exist as a solid frontier of defence for our democracy. Observing disciplines and sense of service that is unique to them.
The soldier’s wife or husband becomes an army wife or army husband and has to fall in line with the many restrictions and separations associated with army life. This is only part of the story.
The remuneration they receive in no way compensates these families. But the powers-that-be cannot find a way to give them the rewards which they deserve for the service they give, and cannot find a reason for a special allowance which would recognise the unique nature of that service. That lack of initiative, loyalty and vision is appalling and sad.
HARRY MULHERN, Dublin.
An unfair tax
A CRUMB of comfort for homeless people is that their unwanted nomadic state sees them not liable for the Local Property Tax.
Since its introduction in July 2013, this financial liability on home ownership has been subcontracted to an organ of the State that uses its power to quell any attempt at non-compliance. Lying behind the bureaucrat text that the LPT is a self-assessed tax charged on the market value of residential properties in the State is the family home. This residence for which people worked hard, paid penal direct and indirect taxes and made a social commitment to a community. But when the end of the property purchase maze is reached, the Government offers the LPT gift-wrapped with a perpetuity ribbon.
The political spin that trots out the missive that the LPT aids local government funding is at best a senior political moment that forgets years of under-funding of local authorities by successive governments. For a country that is expensive to live in, one asks: where are all the taxes paid to central government ending up?
The tax trickle-down effect has yet to trickle down to those who get up early and work.
A tax on the family home, regardless of value, is entering a space where the government of the day could be open to a claim of encroaching into a person’s right to accept and pay taxes that are just and equitable. The LPT is an unwanted house guest that has outstayed its non-existent welcome. JOHN TIERNEY, Fews, Co. Waterford.
Stop the insults
IN the modern world of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, there seems to be an increasing number of people insulting each other, often anonymously. An insult, even just one word, can cause so much damage.
Most insults are intentional, although perhaps perversely I have been the receiver of a number of accidental insults by well-meaning people. I am under 60 but bald, overweight and a bit slow moving. A number of people, most of whom seem significantly older than me, offer their seat, although I always decline politely. I know they mean well so there is no insult when there is no intent to insult.
The same often occurs when I order coffee and get asked if I want the seniors discount. Again I ignore the accidental insult although sometimes I accept the discount so that they don’t realise they have ‘insulted’ me.
If only these were the only ‘insults’ that were thrown around, as sadly there are too many real insults causing too much harm. As I was told, ‘If you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say anything’ and maybe a quieter world would be a better world. DENNIS FITZGERALD,
Melbourne, Australia.