WHEN PIGS FLY
Possibly due to our ancestry, a degree of criminality exists within the Australian psych? This would help to explain why; we as a community appear to be empathetic toward certain non-violent forms of criminality.
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Evidence supporting this theory can be exampled by our apparent adulation of the likes of Ned Kelly (although his was criminality of the most brutal kind), Alan Bond, Christopher Skase, et al.
So it would be reasonable to say the executives of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) would not be too concerned with the public reaction to their latest crime, providing money laundering services to drug cartels and terrorist organisations.
It is possible Australians will judge the CBA executive being penalised this year’s bonus for knowingly; enabling on at least 45.000 occasions illegally obtained money to be laundered through CBA ATMs as being a bit harsh.
Then again; “pigs might really be able to fly”.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
IT’S A MAN’S WORLD
Am I missing something here? There was a news item in the Mercury (August 9), describing an Australian man, Ricky Garrard, as ”Australia’s greatest ever crossfit athlete”, because he won a bronze medal in the Men’s Section at the World Crossfit Games, held recently in America.
Good for him. Later in the same article however, it was mentioned in passing that two Australian women, Tia-Clair Toomey and Kara Webb finished first and second respectively in the women’s section, at the same games. The article, I might add was written by a man. That could explain a lot.
John Martin, Woonona
WHO FOOTS THE BILL?
I have issues with the suggested non-compulsory postal vote on same-sex marriage.
The most significant being that the government has stated, if the plebiscite vote fails in the senate, it will bypass the parliamentary process and implement a voluntary postal ballot or poll at an estimated cost of $122m.
As the government is not prepared to accept the parliamentary decision, resorting to the ballot or poll is very much a party political strategy. As such, funding for the postal ballot or poll should be carried by the Liberal and National parties and government politicians.
Utilising public funds for a voluntary poll which is not binding on the the government is reprehensible and unacceptable.
This is particularly the case when $122m dollars could be directed to real priority areas such as funding medication for people affected by rare cancers, domestic violence prevention programs or addressing health issues in remote areas.
The non-compulsory postal vote should not proceed using public funds.
Christopher Peters, Dapto
NATION OF BLEEDING HEARTS
Is this country being run by a gaggle of bleeding hearts and sob-sisters.......?
Let me explain. A news flash earlier today revealed our ubiquitous Foreign Minister has given $20million _ I imagine borrowed - to the Southern Philippines.
Now, just imagine for one moment what $20million would do if directed prudently to elsewhere within domestic Australia: the construction of a number of new medical clinics; an urgent upgrade to an existing hospital/s; examine and correct the crisis confronted by Australia's homeless; conduct a detailed examination into the appalling suicide rate among Australia's vets, then take proactive steps to dramatically decrease the rate; and identified and upgrade Australia's roadway horror stretches.
Yes minister, Australia continues to hurt while the balance of the world prospers off the back of Australia's generosity. Well done.
DJ Preece, Balgownie