It is such a shame that so many people, from near and far and all walks of life, seem obsessed with the idea of temporarily blocking coal from leaving Newcastle Harbour.
I guess the thought that every tonne of coal that's sold is adding to the issue of climate change, is what drives them.
Looking at the constantly increasing quantity of CO2 in the sky (measured at Cape Grim in Tasmania) tells me that world governments, while acting on some fronts, are still doing far too little to stem the problem.
Even our own government is still approving fossil fuel mines.
It's true, our world is driven by the economy, and there is still money in coal, oil and gas.
I've tried talking to politicians myself, even met with Albo, but he and all the key people in parliament seem far more worried about losing the next election than what global warming is bringing.
So can a blockade of the "biggest coal port in the world" do anything to sway them?
Maybe if enough people get involved it can help give MPs the social licence they say they lack. It's not an ideal outcome for Newcastle's economy for those few days, but let's face it, what other options do concerned citizens have?
Tom Hunt, Oak Flats
Police must retain cruise control
The timely report by Matthew Kelly that a cruise ship has cancelled its visit to Newcastle during a long blockade of the harbour in November by serial protesters Rising Tide is disturbing to say the least ("Port protest sinks ship visit", Newcastle Herald 4/9).
One of the protest spokespersons was reported to say they would agree to allow movement of non-coal ships during the blockade.
How can they be trusted ever again to honour any agreement given that a number of them openly failed to obey the agreed protest permit expiry time and refused to comply with police orders to vacate the harbour last year?
This will be at the forefront I'm sure of our police's decision to approve, or not approve, the application to protest.
I believe they have destroyed any credibility they may have had.
Allan Burke, Newcastle
'Never-never suburbs' missing out
I find it a dreadful shame that we of the "never never" suburbs have a difficult, if not impossible, time trying to contact our councillors while they pursue their political careers. The irony is they actually expect us to vote for them in an upcoming election.
John Bradford, Beresfield
Nuclear's not going to save us
LOOKING at wholesale electricity prices for NSW for a number of weeks when there was a lack of renewable generation, the wholesale price of generated electricity was around $265 per megawatt hour of power.
Now there is a fair bit of generated renewable electricity in the mix of generation the wholesale price of electricity is about $44 per megawatt hour of power generated.
For the year the average NSW wholesale price for electricity now is around $129 per megawatt hour.
If nuclear power was up and going now, the wholesale price of electricity would average above $300 per megawatt hour over the year.
By the time nuclear power is up and going the wholesale price of electricity is going to be much higher by a good amount.
Agner Sorensen, Teralba
Aggression demands a defence
I AM surprised by the opinions held by people such as Alison Harwood ("We must fight reckless recruitment into new arms race", Opinion, 31/8). While I acknowledge Ms Harwood's fine intentions, I also acknowledge that the pacifists amongst us appear to be living in a parallel universe.
First, there is no such thing as a "new arms race"; the arms race is the same one that has been going on since we came down from the trees. The only difference between a rock and a cruise missile is the technology and the number of people who can be killed at a time.
I, like I am certain the majority of the world's population, wish there was no need for us to create more weapons of war, but unfortunately the despots of the world do not agree.
In the past 20 or so years China has attacked India, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines and has made approaches for defence ties with several Pacific islands.
China has also loaned massive amounts of money to poor nations, knowing said nations will never be able to repay. Making such loans allows China a foothold into the domestic and foreign policies of these countries.
I would also include Russian aggression, China's militarised islands in the South China Sea and North Korea's ballistic missile capabilities both current and future.
Ms Harwood, if you believe that Australia should not be spending big dollars on defence, I would suggest you and my grandchildren start Mandarin lessons.
Mike Sargent, Cootamundra
Meat doesn't drive every feat of strength
Hamish Roberts started his meat-heavy diet almost a year ago and took a "break" while he was in Europe. ("Raising the steaks", Newcastle Herald 2/9).
He "works out a lot", but I'll take my diet advice from elite athletes Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams.
The former credits his predominantly plant-based diet for his exceptional health and longevity at the peak of tennis.
And the latter has been mostly vegan for 12 years, with the occasional break - for cheese.
Lesley Walker, Northcote
Missile plan a long way off mark
Pat Garnet ("Questions linger on missiles", Letters, 4/9), reminds us of the plea of war veterans long past - "never again".
To honour their sacrifice you would think that those who dedicated themselves to producing military explosives with the specific focus on getting as many human beings as possible ripped apart, would be reviled as monsters and prosecuted.
In Australia now, this is seen as a perfectly legitimate industry and career path from which someone can earn a very comfortable living while improving the country's GDP.
What have we become?
John Arnold, Anna Bay
Peter Dutton attacks are unfair
So the usual suspects are out in support of the undignified attack on Peter Dutton's character by Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
It brings to mind the quote often falsely attributed to Socrates: "when the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser".
Labor appears to be in panic mode because it's losing support for its green energy fantasies, its immigration and border security policies, and now Chalmers is blaming the Reserve Bank for its failed economic policies.
In my opinion Dutton is the only one showing strong leadership on these issues, and calling him divisive just because they don't agree is pathetic and childish.
Greg Hunt, Newcastle West
Protester appeal little deterrent
Once again our judicial system has failed us.
Laura Davy from Tasmania disrupted trains, put herself and others in danger, pleaded guilty, was sentenced to three months imprisonment and fined $1100.
She appealed and the appeal was upheld, sentence changed to 12 months, good behaviour bond and fine reduced to $800.
How is this going to send a message to those people to stop them disrupting the trains?
