KEEP SOCIETY FREE
The AFP raids on a Murdoch journalist and the ABC last week is worrying for more than just the perceived attack on freedom of the press. The target of the raids is not the journalists themselves but the sources who provided the information they used to write the stories that caused the complaint from the government in the first place.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
We have little to no protection for whistle blowers in this country and it is they that journalists rely on as sources of vital, public interest information that holds the government of the day to account to the people. The government, complicit with Labor and the AFP, have couched the laws that allow these raids in terms of national security. The one term that cannot be questioned because if you do you are unAustralian and soft on terrorism. Funny though that leaks that show the government in a good light or support their particular ideology are rarely if ever investigated and never lead to prosecutions. Think Michaelia Cash and the AWU raids or the leaks about the medivac legislation that the AFP has just refused to investigate. Bugger keeping me, so called, safe, keep me bloody free.
Andrew Sefton, Thirroul
JOIN THE CLUB
Having read the rather disturbing contribution 'Bitter, sulking, vindictive' (Illawarra Mercury, Friday June 7) from Adrian Devlin I felt it appropriate to respond. Mr Devlin, similar to his cohort. Richard Burnett appear to have opinions about my character which fortunately for me, appear not to be shared too many others. The right of Messrs Burnett and Devlin to have and to express opinions is paramount in any free society.
What obviously irritates both men to the point of frenzied and unfounded accusations against me. Appears to be their concern I may be indirectly associating them with the "usual suspects", a term I use regularly in my contributions to the Mercury's Opinion Page. I use the term the "usual suspects" to describe contributors to the opinion page who are pedantic, frustrated and single minded "Neville nobodys" . Now if either Mr Devlin and, or Mr Burnett feel they possess those qualities and wish to apply for membership of the "usual suspects", they have my blessing.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
ATHEISTS ARE PEOPLE TOO
I was somewhat taken aback by Adrian Devlin's description of "the Atheistic Socialist Left" on the letters page of June 7, 2019 as bitter, sulking, vindictive and nasty. The implication clearly is that Atheists such as myself are not nice people and that this is reflected in the way we vote. When responding to Adrian's letters it's hard to know where to begin. Firstly I would respectfully suggest that such a diatribe from a professed Christian does a disservice to all those main-stream Christians who can express their views in a sensible and appropriate manner. Adrian does not promote their cause at all well.
Secondly I think I speak for most Atheists when I point out that, despite Prime Minister Morrison's apparent disagreement, there is no evidence for any connection between a supernatural being and the re-election of the Coalition Government. Should such a being exist I am sure He or She would be apolitical. I am happy to discuss politics or religion Adrian, but please keep them separate and go easy on the insults.
John Martin, Woonona
