Fighter Planes? A Pair Of Slippers Would Do The Job

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday August 31, 2007

Can anyone explain what exactly an FA-18 Hornet fighter plane thundering across Sydney Harbour is supposed to do in the event of an APEC emergency? Turn sharply and strafe some terrorists on the ground? Blow a suspicious looking aircraft to smithereens above the CBD? Or maybe fly back to Williamtown for reinforcements? Just curious, but it just seems like a good opportunity for the boys to use their toys.

Jim Gentles Coogee

With the APEC summit fast approaching, no doubt the talks will turn to the subject of global warming. As an experienced teleconferencer, I can assure both John and Dubya that all such discussions can be achieved while in a dressing gown and slippers from the comfort of a favourite armchair. All without a vast carbon imprint, at minimal cost and zero upheaval of Australia's greatest city. It's still not too late.

Simon Rushworth Gladesville

The best way to demonstrate against the Howard Government's outrageous behaviour in holding the APEC meeting in Sydney instead of Canberra, where it rightly belongs, is to stay away and treat the spectacle with the disdain it deserves. Public demonstration, a right we should have in a democracy, is not the best tactic this time. John Howard wants a confrontation so that he can show himself as a "man of steel". Please don't give him what he wants. Let the water cannon stay unused and the prison buses remain empty.

Consider this letter my public statement of contempt for the Australian Government, its policies and its wanton disregard for the safety of the people of Sydney.

Janet McNeill Redfern

I've been a Letters page contributor and reader for more than 50 years and I don't think I've ever seen such self-serving and flimsy whingeing as we are now experiencing. Sure, APEC will inconvenience many, including myself. But we handled the disruption of the Olympic Games well and it reflected magnificently on Australia.

Sure, the citizen test will provide a modest impediment to migrants - but it will also empower them. Is it possible to re-test existing citizens to ascertain whether "a fair go", mateship and "can do" are still important to us?

H.E. Hayward Turramurra

I don't know what all this fuss is about. Our local Apex club meets every month without any problems at all.

Ross Krippner Coopers Shoot

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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