Do what’s right for the country, stop politics

Schoeffer’s Gospel, circa 1472 attributed to him:Kay Craddock Antiquarian Booksellers.

Segaert makes an argument for understanding the influence of religion but there is no case for those who do not choose to be influenced by religious beliefs. Acceptance is required from both sides. Thousands of years of history do not determine its relevance to the evolutionary world. Keep religion away from politics and politics away from religion, so the way forward is not tied up. Robert Karen, Crows’ Nest

If, as Siegert admits, the expression of certain beliefs by certain religious groups is fanatical and harmful to others, he cannot expect others to be more understanding and tolerant of those who hold those beliefs. His inner-city Anglican church may welcome all comers, but that is not the case with all kinds of other religions, even those scriptural religions built on the love of your neighbour. Ross Duncan, Boots Point

Siegert’s “biblical view” is very Christian, and does not include those whose holy book is the Torah, and whose religious tradition expresses a radically different concept of human perfection. Just this week, we celebrated the Day of Atonement (Day of Atonement), where Jews are asked to ask forgiveness from those who have wronged before they decide to live a better life. They see themselves as clients with God in the responsibility to complete the world and are not free to stop this task, no matter how unattainable the age of Christ and ideals may seem.
It would be nice if the dominant religious institutions showed more humility in the face of the pluralism of our diverse society, and more respect for the sensibilities of followers of other faiths. Miriam Frommer, Darling Hearst

Christmas Island for ISIS Families

Discussion of the possible rescue of former Australian Islamic State families from Syria (“Political rift opens on repatriations,” Oct. 8) raises the question of where they might live and when they might be rescued. Perhaps the vacant and very expensive Christmas Island Detention Center can now be used. This would serve as a halfway home for families, to allow border forces to interrogate wives and assess the potential for any problems with extremism. Once all assessments have been completed and the families are found to be ready to return to mainland Australia, then allow them to return. Era Battaglia, Seaforth

Most of these women were tricked into going to Syria and then found themselves trapped in unwanted marriages. What about the innocent innocents? Do the objectors expect them to wither and die in these camps in Syria? All the women involved said they would gladly undergo all security checks conducted by the Australian Government and be prepared to spend time in prison if appropriate. We must show sympathy in this case as the danger to Australia in reuniting these women and children with their Australian families has been exaggerated. Leo Sorbillo, West Ride

These families are victims of the Islamic State, as are those who suffered from the terrorist activities of the organization. He recommended people with practical experience in this field to proceed with repatriations. Allowing these children to grow up in a safe society, with proper oversight, would be a much better outcome than drawing them into the mindless violence from which they wish to escape. The repatriations will allow our government and the Australian people to fulfill their duty under international law, while providing a workable solution. Derek Mason, Burrowa

Most likely, no one but their families wants the women and children back from Syria, but guess what, they are Australian and that makes them our responsibility, whether we like it or not. Phil Bradshaw, Naremberne

Hope for Heritage

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts and the planned 20-storey residential tower in Barangaroo.attributed to him:Rhett Wyman, Planning Department Portal

There is a glimmer of hope for Sydney’s heritage (“Minister overturns towering proposal,” Oct 8) after weeks of disturbing news about development proposals and government decisions that will lead to further loss and destruction of historic sites and buildings, including compromising one of our oldest museums. Oh, Barangaroo can still be the low rise, green space I thought it promised. An easy-to-miss line, “He moved from a city rich in history—Cleopatra, Caesar, Alexander the Great—to the outskirts of Melbourne” (“Rock star, Marxist and religious revolutionary,” Oct. 8), reveals perhaps the popular view that Australia has no history of value. The “difficult modification” we talked about in that article may be that we need to open our eyes yet to see, learn and appreciate our unique Australian, Aboriginal, built and natural history. We should not give in to those who tell us that we need to offset the costs of heritage preservation, for example, by stabbing the foundations of a tall building through the middle of a listed historic building. Sue Frost, Newport

missing episodes

And Roads Secretary Natalie Ward has talked about metro and Roselle Junction and cut travel times, all in one breath (Letters, Oct. 8). There will be no time savings for transit users without pedestrian connections between the metro and buses across the intersection, which are 150 meters apart. Kevin Eddy, Drumwin

Artist’s impression of the final smoke piles at Rozelle, where the WestConnex Highway meets the Anzac Bridge.attributed to him:Chris Fox Studio

Therefore, the government first builds a traffic road and operates it for a while. Then it sells it to a road operator for a traffic fee for a large amount based on the expected profits. The operator increases the fees charged annually to satisfy its shareholders. Over time, the hikes become too expensive for many road users, so the government actually returns the profits they made by deducting a portion of the fees incurred for many users. Sounds like a good business plan to me. Peter Wilcos, Byron Bay

Five dam solution

Raising the walls of the five southern dams near Abyan in place of the Warragamba Dam (Letters, Oct. 8). A large volume of water comes directly downstream of the Warragamba Dam from these small dams in flood and is dumped directly into the Nepen River, which bypasses the Warragamba Dam.
This measure would significantly alleviate downstream flooding at Warragamba Dam and in Camden. Lifting the Warragamba Dam is not the answer. Philip Powell, Bringley

The best solution to the Warragamba Dam is to raise the dam wall. Floods and droughts are a cyclical inevitable for Australia and our infrastructure must be able to handle these extreme conditions. Raising the dam wall will provide a buffer barrier to water shortage during droughts and will also increase water capacity to mitigate flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach

pride

With Britain skipping the queue and secured at the upcoming Eurovision, Australia and New South Wales must step in and claim the next big event of 2023, the coronation, to show the world that Charles is not just the King of the United Kingdom. Since it’s set to be a small event, you can present the Sydney Opera House or the new football stadium as the venue, followed by the world’s largest sausage at the Royal Botanic Gardens. John Woodward, Ashfield

high and dry

The word “grounded” (“Manley ferries can be grounded for weeks,” Oct. 8) for the three Manley ferries is not the correct term for a moored or moored vessel. However, upon reflection, it should probably be “installed” – on the continental shelf 20 kilometers off the coast of New South Wales. Hugh Darling, Castle Hill

Manly’s three new ferries are tied for repairs at the Balmain Shipyards.attributed to him:Oscar Coleman

Good thing we made them cheap. Alan Hicks, Stanmore

fortune pot

Be kind to your plantsattributed to him:Helen Nesdrupa

Gee, I feel kinda guilty now that I put my indoor plants out on the porch all night when it was cold and rainy (“Are the plants aware? I worry more about robots,” Oct. 8). Lisa Clark, Watson Bay

Lightweight

Surely the movie “Bikeshedding” (“It’s Right to Get Awkward to Sleep,” Oct. 8) is definitely what happens when people ride those rental bikes and then throw them under bridges or in canals? Ann Thomas, Balmain

how much cash

As long as we have merchants, we will never have a cashless society (“We use less money but for some, we make a cent,” Oct 8). Cornelius van der Weyden, Balmain East

digital parallax
Online comment from one of the stories that got the most reader comments yesterday smh.com.au
Work to broadcast the decision on the third stage of tax cuts before the budget
From Smack, City of the Fallen
″ Pessimists should go ahead with either dumping or delaying Phase 3 tax cuts — times dictate policy when we emerge from the economic effects of a once-in-a-century global pandemic. ⁣

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Originally published at Melbourne News Vine