Cartoons can be clever, provocative, thought provoking and often agents for change. Their ability to provide a commentary that entertains is well established.
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But there is a line beyond which a cartoon loses its literary merit to become offensive, disparaging and harmful to those targeted as easy prey. The cartoon carried in the Illawarra Mercury on June 26 is one such cartoon.
The depiction of a brothel to describe TAFE Illawarra offends those who have committed their lives to the betterment of others through vocational education and training. It offends those who reject sexism; who believe common courtesy and respect achieves more than personal vilification and sexual innuendo.
TAFE Illawarra is indeed facing momentous change. There may be times when many in the community disagree on how best to build a TAFE for the future. In all things, though, let us recognise the hard work and commitment of TAFE teachers, our students and business partners.
And let us resist the urge for a cheap laugh that undermines TAFE as an essential part of NSW.
Dianne Murray, Institute Director, TAFE Illawarra
After reading the ABC and Fairfax revelation that the NSW Liberal Party has been linked with donations from the Mafia, I contacted our state MP, Gareth Ward.
His reply? Have another drink!
Mr Ward believes it is a laughing matter that his political party is linked to taking money from a criminal organisation. Yet he is scathing of unions and union members seeking a pay rise to keep pace with inflation.
Maybe I will have that drink, Gareth. Should it be vino from the vineyards of Calabria? Or maybe a glass from Barry O’Farrell’s ‘‘forgotten’’ bottle of Grange?
David Hunt, Gerringong
Recent research by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union showed that once people were aware of some of the details in the recently signed China Free Trade Agreement, ‘‘92 per cent of voters opposed allowing Chinese companies, who are investing more than $150 million in projects in Australia, to bring in their own workers without having to advertise for Australian staff’’.
Also, ‘‘87 per cent of voters are against Chinese companies exporting goods to Australia without having to meet the same standards for protecting workers and the environment as Australian companies’’ (undercutting Australian companies). And most important ‘‘85 per cent of voters oppose allowing Chinese companies to sue future Australian governments if they pass laws that the (foreign) company believes will have a negative effect on them’’.
This could prevent Australia from requiring future governments to use BlueScope steel in construction projects.
Bob Patrech, Figtree
One of my highlights in reading the Mercury are the letters to the editor. How sad it was to read on June 29, of the passing of Trevor Mott.
While I never had the pleasure of meeting Trevor, I always enjoyed reading his letters. I can’t say I agreed with all of his views, but his contributions were always well thought through. His passing might require some other writers to step up. I note one of my favourites, Max Fisher, has been missing in action recently. Time to step up, Max!
Ezio Mormile, Farmborough Heights