Hard truths of obesity should be faced head on

Jenna Price’s reaction to being told she is fat is a welcome intervention (“I’m glad my doctor told me I’m fat”, September 11). She knew already but it took getting a balanced plan to deal with it – the Live Life Well program devised by Sydney University – to deliver the results she needs. Jenna’s reaction not to take weight out of context will benefit every age group by looking at our habits and see what we can get the right balance. Thanks, Jenna, for helping put a community concern into perspective with good advice. Glenda Gartrell, Newtown

The government launched a national obesity strategy in 2022; according to the Department of Health and Aged Care, obesity could cost the economy around $90 billion by 2032. There are clear social, health and economic reasons for investing in obesity prevention to reduce the negative impact of being overweight or obese on people’s health and wellbeing. Some might argue that fat-shaming should be tolerated but focusing on supportive and effective prevention strategies rather than stigma is key to achieving long-term positive outcomes. John Kempler, Rose Bay

Congratulations, Jenna! At school in the ’50s, we girls were measured and weighed by our physical education teachers at the beginning of each term. I had to attend foot class as a result of these inspections to improve my flat feet. Maybe our teachers were taking care to guide us in healthy ways. Alison Stewart, Waitara

Two sides to social media

I know from a previous career in adolescent mental health that it’s important for clinicians to carefully consider factors that precipitate or prompt someone’s mental distress as well as factors that help protect that individual’s wellbeing (“Parents rejoice over ban on social media for teens”, September 11). A major problem for the government’s proposed ban on social media for under 16s is that social media can fit into either of these categories.

For one young person, a phone addiction or bullying on social media will precipitate mental illness. Yet, for another individual, the communication and community they find via social media might be the lifeline that protects them from total despair or suicide.

Social media is not like child abuse (which is always a precipitating factor and never a protective factor). Instead, it’s like fire, which can either prompt a burn or prevent hypothermia depending on the circumstances. Yes, we need to work to keep social media safe but banning it will hurt as many young people as it helps. Vivienne Pearson, Byron Bay

Our prime minister wants to protect young people by banning some social media platforms “for those under the age of 16”. Meanwhile, the incoming NT Country Liberal Party chief minister says that the age of criminal responsibility will be lowered to 10 years old. What an immoral proposal to effectively jail young people that most of us say are not mature enough to manage the streams of disinformation and lies hitting them on the “socials”. Howard Clark, Ryde

To mitigate the harms associated with social media, a better plan might be to prevent access to those aged more than 16. That might dramatically improve the quality and suitability of content. John Ziegler, Bellevue Hill

Blow whistle on gas

Because we have lived with gas appliances for so long, we tend to forget they are highly polluting and can be damaging to our health (“How a home renovation stopped asthma attacks”, September 11). They emit methane and carbon dioxide – the two key gases responsible for global warming. They also emit carbon monoxide, which can cause headaches, nausea and shortness of breath, and nitrous oxide, which causes asthma. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would want these pollutants in their home unless they had no choice in the matter. Governments should encourage as many people as possible to make the switch to electricity for heating and cooking. The benefits of such a move would be legion. Ken Enderby, Concord

Given that it is as toxic as smoking in the home, fossil gas has got to go. Efficient and healthy electric appliances from induction cooktops to heat pumps, powered by renewable energy, are readily available. All Australians should be supported via tax concessions and other financial packages to retrofit our homes and businesses. By keeping our children safer from unhealthy chemicals, cutting energy costs and reducing climate harm in one sweep, the electrification of Australian households is a win-win. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

I feel fortunate that we were able to switch to electric some years ago. It’s now a well-known fact that gas is dirty energy and not safe in the home. As your article points out, the toxins released can cause serious health issues, including asthma. Small children are the most vulnerable. Clean energy is a much healthier choice for families that have the means to do it. Better for the planet, too. I hope more households will be afforded the opportunity to make the switch. Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa (ACT)

No comparison

Perhaps your correspondent from Ashfield can explain how she can equate a serial sex offender, a criminal - convicted of tens of crimes – and an habitual liar, with a tally of more than 30,000 documented lies and mistruths – with a woman who has devoted her life to the welfare of her community, prosecuting criminals and good governance in the US (Letters, September 11).

As for Dutton being positively cuddly, all the evidence shows he is modelling himself on demagogues such as Trump and Viktor Orbán to divide our community. Paul Fergus, Croydon

Rosemary O’Brien’s letter demonstrates the true evil of the Trump candidacy, and that is the normalisation of evil. Her reference to “two deeply flawed candidates” is offensive to Ms Harris. She is not a convicted felon, a fraudster, a racist, a misogynist or a person likely to promote a violent insurrection. If elected, she could be trusted to gather around her highly competent advisers and to act properly. Denis Hannigan, Toowoon Bay

The two US election debates will have the same result: 12 minutes into the first one it was clear Biden would not be president in 2025. In Wednesday’s debate it was clear after a few minutes that Trump would not win the election. And that was before I read Taylor Swift’s endorsement, “Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.” About an hour later her post had 3,155,049 “likes” = votes. Go girl(s). Carsten Burmeister, Balmoral

I think it would be a stretch for our Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, to suggest our migrant community is cooking and eating the family pet. However, where Trump goes he does like to follow so nothing would surprise me. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill

Take a punt

What price are the gambling companies offering on gambling ads not being banned (Letters, September 11)? Richard Thatcher, Bathurst

Jones remembered

There is a Sydney connection to the famous American actor James Earl Jones (“Circle of life: Voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa dies”, September 11).

In March 2013, Driving Miss Daisy, starring Angela Lansbury in the title role and James Earl Jones as Hoke Coleburn, her driver, was on at the Theatre Royal. What a rare treat to see two outstanding actors here in Australia. Lucky me to have the memory of seeing both of them live on stage. Gerald Flavin, Homebush

Military myth

Military training is based on a big lie (Letters, September 11). Recruits are misinformed that army service will teach self-discipline. It doesn’t; it forces, not teaches, individuals to blindly and unquestionably accept a commander’s directions, the rationale being that when forced into action with an enemy, leaders do not want a debate, they want blind obedience. In WWI rum was handed out to make “jumping the ladder” and advancing towards hostile fire more easily achieved. The modern army’s “rum” is bullying and constant hectoring. No wonder suicide is often seen as a better option than losing both personal autonomy and agency. Recruits must be honestly told what life in military service means. Trevor Somerville, Illawong

The findings of the royal commission into veterans’ suicide prompts the question, “why are our governments so inhumane”? Our MPs and public servants must share the responsibility for ignoring the cries from veterans and their families for acknowledgement of the trauma faced by returned personnel. Constant pleas for help were ignored and suicide was the frequent result.
It has been no different from the response to the suffering of genuine asylum seekers, often escaping from wars involving our armed forces, as our governments join with powerful allies in wars of doubtful legality to kill many more civilians than combatants. These victims often see no way out than suicide. Inhumane treatment of victims is too often the hallmark of a successful government. Doug Hewitt, Hamilton

Target market

Coke dealer Maisam Awaz may well be an idiot, but Magistrate Michael Barko’s spray about western suburbs gangsters ignores the obvious (“‘You all think you’re such gangsters’: Magistrate slams Bondi dial-a-dealer”, September 11). The eastern suburbs is well known as a key market for cocaine, with most of it being sold to well-heeled corporate types, many of them from Barko’s own profession. Colin Stokes, Camperdown

Those dreadful westies, bringing crime to the eastern suburbs again. Presumably, it would have been less disturbing if eastern suburbs drug users were buying their drugs from eastern suburbs drug dealers. Really, do we need this divisive, meaningless commentary from our courts? Robert Allan, Cambalong

Humble subjects

Words cannot adequately express the jubilation that coursed through one’s veins upon learning of the proposed visit of our beloved monarchs to our far-flung shores (“King Charles drops cancelled word ‘walkabout’ from Australian tour”, September 11). Their radiant presence should lift the spirits of all in our humble land, even those curmudgeon republicans. Let’s hope such royal blessings and munificence are not wasted on us; the lowly sons and daughters of convicts who will, hopefully, continue to appreciate and cherish this unbreakable bond with the mother country. God save the King! Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie

Revue memories

I suppose it had to happen (Letters, September 11). The Revue’s many devoted fans will have their favourite memories; mine being when Jonathan Biggins had to make a quick change off-stage but didn’t quite make it, appearing back on stage wearing part of his previous costume. He carried it off with great aplomb, adding to the hilarity. Joan Brown, Orange

Priced out

Now the terrace café at the Museum of Contemporary Art is to become an upmarket restaurant as it is “too premium a space to give over to it [a lower price point]“. This echoes the fate of Sirius, the ex-public housing building barely a stone’s throw from it, and will again effectively prevent the lower echelons from enjoying another affordable location with a breathtaking view of Circular Quay (“‘Not everyone’s going to like it’: MCA’s rooftop cafe to reopen as luxury diner”, September 11). All that will be left soon for someone on a beer budget to do around there is to sit on one of the few uncomfortable benches at street level with a polystyrene box of fish and chips perched precariously on their lap. Talk about “let them eat hake”. Alicia Dawson, Balmain

I’m really disappointed to read that another iconic venue is being taken over by a high-end restaurant. It feels like these changes are making museums and cultural spaces more elitist, which is such a shame. The MCA, in particular, seems to be moving away from its mission of accessibility and inclusivity. I’ve taken many friends and overseas visitors to the MCA and enjoyed coffee or lunch in the rooftop cafe, which gave us a wonderful experience of Sydney. That space is truly special. Jane Armitage, Mosman

Balanced approach

So many aspiring local councillors mentioned protecting heritage as a priority (“Housing plan could mean further train station sites”, September 11). How many think of natural heritage in their use of heritage? When an old building is demolished so is its gardens. Rarely is the biodiversity replaced. Now there’s a challenge, to protect both and also satisfy the new housing needs. Lyn Langtry, East Ryde

Feeling sheepish?

How ironic is the political movement calling themselves “Keep the Sheep” (CBD, September 11)? If farmers had any consideration for their sheep, then they wouldn’t let them go anywhere near those misery ships used for live sheep export. It is those calling for a ban that are pleading to keep the sheep at home. Eric Sekula, Turramurra

Climate threat

Peter Duntroon is copying Tony Abbott’s formula of opposing government initiatives in all areas, hoping that it will work again and bring him to power at the next election (“Dutton slams PM’s ‘assault on mining’”, September 11).

If elected, he will be the greatest threat to the climate effort being implemented by the Albanese government. He is already working with the Minerals Council to assure them of as many as 400 new mines when he comes to power which will be increasing our emissions for decades to come and thus thrashing the environment. I only hope that our young generation is aware of the damage the Coalition’s proposed actions will cause to the environment and vote accordingly at the next election. Bipin Johri, Epping

Peter Dutton has declared his hand in promising the mining industry to wreck the Albanese government’s renewables plan. We will now see whether the mining industry takes the bait and declares war on a policy that an overwhelming majority of Australians support. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

Essential ingredient

Regarding Ron Schaffer’s letter, I fear he is comparing apples and oranges (Letters, September 11). The purpose of a restaurant and/or bar venue is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment where people can go to eat, drink and relax. If management policies (or lack of them) mean these basic requirements aren’t met, the venue simply doesn’t measure up. We damn Picasso for his misogyny, but we admire his art, his genius. If the managers of Swillhouse were talented artists I wouldn’t condemn their art, only their behaviour as managers. Gerianne Rudd, Toowong (Qld)

Fact check

Your correspondent complains about the lack of effective action regarding Aboriginal deaths in custody and claims this derives from a failure to implement the recommendations of the royal commission (Letters, September 11). He needs to read the report of the Australian Institute of Criminology, published in 2019: Indigenous deaths in custody: 25 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. It is readily available online and summarises its findings.

“Data shows that Indigenous people are now less likely than non-Indigenous people to die in prison custody, largely due to a decrease in the death rate of Indigenous prisoners from 1999-2000 to 2005-06. Coinciding with this decrease in the death rate of Indigenous prisoners is a decrease in the hanging death rate of Indigenous prisoners.” Gary Stowe, Springwood

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