John Jennings, Numinbah
Dangerous physical viruses are always with us. Currently it’s the COVID-19. We can suppress viruses through social distancing and personal hygiene.
Mental viruses, like racism, religious bigotry and authoritarianism are also always with us. These are far more dangerous.
Mental hygiene is not as easy as washing your hands and wearing a facemask. And social distancing won’t dissolve the unconscious prejudices within us. In fact, coming together brings out the violence within. Only then can you do something about it.
When the mind of a nation’s leader is fogged up with racist tendencies, or fundamentalist religious convictions, or control-freak tendencies, we have a problem. Sound decision-making hinges on sound and true premises, whether in America or Australia.
George W Bush said that he attacked Iraq because God told him to do so! President Trump threatens blood on the streets unless people do as they are told.
Tony Abbott declared, all over the nation’s right-wing press that ‘coal is good for the planet’. And now the Queen honours him. There are more suitable queens in King’s Cross.
Scott Morrison, in blind ignorance and bigoted to the hilt, upholds draconian drug laws reminiscent of America’s prohibition era. I suggest we apply roadside drug testing outside parliament and we’ll have fewer politicians talking nonsense all day. That will be at least one step in the right direction.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
