Byron
Shire Echo July , 9LettersLetters to the Editor Fax Email Deadline Noon, Friday Letters longer than words may be cut letters already published in other papers will not be considered pseudonyms not acceptable. Please include your full name, address and phone number.Must be an election in the offing Last week I was interested to read in The Echo several letters relating to the amount of funding I have been able to secure for the byron shire
. It has never been a game of vote catching for me rather it is about supporting community organisations that are in need of funding. With over two thirds of people from Byron Bay voting for someone else at the last federal election I am in the unique position of being able to do what I think is right. I do this in the full knowledge it doesnt make an ounce of difference to my vote. I always do my best to represent and support all the people of the Byron Shire and the Richmond electorate, regardless of whether they vote for me or not.Larry Anthony MPThe torture optionA rugby league tragic I may be, but I did sneak a view of the Dateline program on SBS during the match. So disturbed was I by its content that I watched enthralled the following days replay. It was truly frightening. After the horrifying evidence of kidnap and torture of the hapless individual Mamhoud Habib, an Australian citizen incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay, I became truly revolted. The interview with the leading law officer in this country, Attorney General Philip Ruddock, sent a chill through my spine.The unbelievable obfuscation and blame shifting of this creature from central casting of a Boris Karloff horror movie filled me with dread. It wasnt just the lack of compassion, it was the cold, clinical, cynical attempt at justification of a legal process which has been roundly condemned as deficient in the highest court of the nation which currently detains Habib. Commentators are often quick to condemn the current US administration, but it is heartening to know that this great democracy is robust enough to demonstrate that it will not tolerate the attempt by current incumbents of its leadership to subvert its constitution. Sadly our own political masters are so fearful of letting truth determine justice, that they are prepared to play Pontius Pilate to absolve themselves from any responsibility for the disgraceful treatment of fellow human beings, let alone citizens of the country whose rights they are sworn to uphold. History will condemn this Attorney General, and his Prime Minister, for their abject failure to stand up to the corrupt administration of a much revered ally.David Messiteraged economy functioning within a secure and increasingly complex and violent international community, Mark Lathams thuggish and lacklustre background are about as interesting and relevant as the lot of David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib Morrie Gleitzmans version of events in Australias detention centres Peter Garrets personification of peace and love and the host of other minutiae that your parochial media fossil drags out week after week. In the interests of responsible political journalism MacCallum should be replaced with someone who is capable of and prepared to present an accurate and balanced examination of the real issues facing the electorate in the leadup to this crucial election.Bill TweedieMember for Richmond Mungo MacCallums prediction of an October election is probably close to the mark The Echo, July 6. It will take at least this many of his weekly sideshows to demonstrate that Mark Latham and the equally vacuous Justine Elliott have the policies, experience and sheer ability to represent and promote our national and local interests. For an electorate whose principal concern is still the ongoing maintenance of a prosperous and well manas this newspaper, provides the means of imparting your plea. Please use this legal, and Im sure, much more effective way.Kerrie CooperMullumbimby Last week John Howard and a radio commentator were discussing Mark Lathams physical stoush of some years ago. When questioned about such behaviour in his own adult life, John replied, Im not a violent man. As a peace loving Australian it was so reassuring to have that confirmation from our leader. We certainly couldnt trust Latham as leader. A bloke so prone to violence could easily propel our country into an urge all in our fair land who have had an altercation, aggression, ignorance, rudeness or plain stupidity from the planning department to write in now. Come on, lets show the rest of this town why nothing gets done and why the poor business owners in this town are constantly crucified by the planning department of Byron Shire. Nows ya chance to get the knife inunjust, violent confrontation wonders of the world. All of the highest order, other- those people will have to be wise known as war. managed, accommodated, Michael Mick Malloy transported, fed and guided. Suffolk Park And that means jobs for generation after generation. Tasmanian old-growth Thats what the Greens forests continue to be devas- mean by job creation. Not a tated on the false promise of few jobs for a few people, at some economic benefit to the whatever cost, to employ Tasmanian people. In fact, all them for a short time.We are the economic benefit of this talking about jobs you can environmental rape goes to build futures, families and the few mainland institu- nations upon. tional shareholders of Gunns. You can help by coming Feeding the egos and pock- along to a showing of five Tasets of these few sees forest gi- manian forest films by Helen ants reduced to woodchips Shivanii Cameron, including that end up as paper in land- the award-winning The One fill. Eighty-five percent of Tree Project at the Heartspace, Australians oppose the de- upstairs from Santos Mulstruction of the majestic old- lumbimby, 5.pm on July growth forests Newspoll. . Please get involved. Howard and his governSusanna Flower Shop 7, Cavanbah Arcade, Greens candidate for ment couldnt care less, and Jonson Street Richmond Latham is scarcely better, opp. Beach Hotel New Brighton raising the old mantra of Byron Bay jobs. Well, if Latham is so keen on bedtime stories for his kiddies, perhaps he could tell them about the cute furry animals dying in agony from the baits laid as part of the logging process. The Greens continue to oppose the absurdly shortsighted policy of ripping the heart out of the heritage and wealth of Tasmania. Keep Certied Practising Accountant these forests and thousands ABN of jobs will be created. Eco-tourism is in its infancy. Over the coming years hundreds of thousands of people will want to see theseORIENTIQUEOFF ALL WINTER STOCKjust arrived Lynda Paloma blouses in new styles coloursW.D. NichollsGoonengerryThank you, CouncilByron BayGraffiti not OKAs a local resident I was extremely annoyed and disappointed to see red painted graffiti on signs and on the bus shelter in Goonengerry. The bus shelter, used by many local students over the last two years, has remained unmarked till now, showing the respect our local children have for public property. The message sent by this vandal is that its okay to deface property. Instead, to get the message across, the local media, suchAt long last I no longer have the excuse that I fell into a hole, when Im late for an engagement, thanks to the Byron Shire Council for reMichael Beasley centcurrent urgently needed Suffolk Park road repairs in the northern end of the Shire. After years of paying rates, its reas- Smell of death suring to know that I havent Mark Oliver July 6 is wondering what the smell is as he been completely forgotten. Jeana Campbell drives past Sunnybrand Ocean Shores Chickens. Well, my friend, that is the smell of death And not the Damn you, Council death of chickens that have Interesting to see what lived happy and peaceful Council deems important lives. No It is common pracand what is of lower priority. tice in the industry for chickSurely the somewhat dubious ens to be de-beaked, dedeal between our previous clawed, pumped with mayor and the planning de- steroids and stuffed into batpartment and his cafe is top tery cages for their short, sad of the list. lives. And why are they put If the new Princess of Mul- through this life of suffering lumbimby is to have any and torture For our tastecredibility at all she must in- buds stigate a state government Great protest meets issues enquiry. If she fails to, then of concern as they arise and all of you poor pathetic pass, yet we all continue to Greens that voted for her live with and accept Sunnyhave voted for a hypocrite. brand on the doorstep of In fact, heres a challenge. I Byron Bay.Peace for all creatures will help create peace for humanity. As Pythagoras said, For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love. So for those seeking peace on earth let us adopt thecontinued overleafBasic Tax ReturnsTake the worry out of preparing your tax return. see a professional. conditions applyPh THETHE RAILWAY FRIENDLY BAR, BYRON BAY Wednesday th 6.pmRAILSTHE FAMOUS RAILS DINERDEB BOND JEZThursday th 6.pmBO JENKINSFriday th 7.pmRADIO JUPITERSaturday th 6.pmAX7Sunday th 6.pmRED WHITE TRIOMonday th 6.pmBRIAN WATTTuesday th 6.pmBILL JACOBI
