Media manipulation a threat to our democracy

No-one is more qualified to take the temperature of our political hopefuls than Niki Savva (“In this fight to save our politics, integrity and decency matter”, September 10). We can only hope that many who hold, or seek, political office will heed her appeal for integrity and decency. And our journalists would do well to examine their own performance and ask whether there is a danger that they might have a tendency to peddle the lies of the individuals that they admire. Australians have had a grandstand seat to observe the ruin of US democracy through the actions of cowardly politicians and the media mouthpieces that they employ. Our media has suffered greatly because of the manipulation by powerful overlords with a political axe to grind. Democracy and media independence are continually at risk, and we can only hope that our version of them survives. Derrick Mason, Boorowa

I would like to thank Niki for speaking out on behalf of a majority of the voting public who have had a gutful of the current state of politics in our country. I would suggest all politicians and journalists of all persuasions read her lecture transcript word for word every night before they go to bed. After all, what’s the point of going into politics if it’s not to leave a positive legacy at the exit door? Tony Clark, Red Rock

Niki Savva refers to a quote from Tony Blair that “the art of leadership is saying no, not yes - it is very easy to say yes”. In Australia, the reverse holds true for Peter Dutton; the leader of the opposition has no trouble saying “No” to just about everything. John Bailey, Canterbury

Carry on Clover

Clover Moore deserves four more years (Letters, September 10). She and her team have presided over the biggest improvement in the city in living memory, bringing design excellence and quality civic places to a city once left behind by the major parties.

We must remember that great cities take shape over time. Planning and growth are never perfect, but Clover’s city planning and assessment teams are in the midst of transformation. Just think about new projects being built now on Oxford and William Streets, and Darlinghurst Road, that are well underway. Green Square is an exemplar in city-making. Delivering public places, spaces and benefits before the housing arrives, not long afterwards.

That Clover has kept key people in their positions over a long period of time suggests a stable and respectful workplace that can diligently and accountably roll out the vision. We have been fortunate to have Australia’s best politician in Sydney Town Hall for this long. Another four years will see the city bounce back to its vibrant self, post Covid-19; an inclusive city of communities, creativity, economic growth, fun and ideas. Shaun Carter, Summer Hill

Yes, it should be over for Clover. It’s time to return the city to its rightful and traditional owners; cars and our wonderful and altruistic developers, so championed by both major parties.

And as to worrying about future generations, come on! We will always be just a blip in the long history of the universe. I demand the right to drive my enormous resource-guzzling 4WD truck down the middle of Pitt Street again. Pedestrians beware!! I’m coming for you! Robert Hosking, Paddington

Change for the sake of change without any clear path or vision for the future makes no sense. Clover is one of the few people (together with her highly competent team) who really cares about Sydney, and has the experience, vision and energy to continue to improve our city. Having lived in her electorate for 24 years, I am highly impressed with what she has achieved. Gillian Maury, Pyrmont

Clover Moore has consistently balanced the budget while boosting city amenity, community, efficiency, aesthetics, accessibility, shared facilities, sustainability, international networks and culture. Continuity serves us well. Clover has trained up a strong team in the six terms of the independent relay. She is brave. We have never had it this good. Stay lucky, Sydney. Jane Salmon, Killara

It is so important to vote on Saturday but more important is to cast an informed vote. I received no information in the mailbox nor via an internet search about the candidates in my ward for this coming council elections until such important information was published by the Herald. Thank you for providing the necessary information so that your readers are able to cast an informed vote. Brian McDonald, Willoughby

Military training hell

Having served, more than 50 years ago, in the military, and having presented one of the submissions to the royal commission into veterans’ suicide, I find nothing surprising about the report by commissioner Nick Kaldas (“Our nation’s shame: 3000 die in 24 years”, September 10).

My experiences at Third Training Battalion, Singleton, in 1970-71, I look back on as hell on earth. The real problem was the rigid rank system and the principle of instant, unquestioning obedience, with any demonstration of dissent likely to lead to disciplinary action. Some people put into positions of authority handle it properly, but others, given power, will exploit it to the limit, walking all over those of subordinate rank, humiliating junior commanders, sometimes in front of their troops, not listening to anything they might say, and at the same time loading them with total responsibility should anything go wrong.

Nobody could disagree with the need for discipline. It has long been recognised that a commander who is weak or off the pace will be quickly found out and that unruly elements within the ranks will quickly take advantage of that. A high degree of discipline is required in action, especially when dreadful things happen and the troops need to be kept operational. But how to balance that against the excesses by those who might be deemed unfit to exercise power over their fellow man is a serious problem.

No solution to that has ever been found and I have some doubt, despite the 122 royal commission recommendations and the quality of the commissioners, whether one will be found now. Malcolm Brown, Ermington

The government and the opposition have announced a bipartisan approach to the royal commission into veteran suicide. Why is it only this important issue that galvanises bipartisanship? What about other nationally important issues? Where was the bipartisan politics in the Voice referendum? Where is the co-operative approach to the existential crisis of a climate in crisis? No wonder we love the teals, who know how to work co-operatively on all big issues without losing their integrity. Dick Clarke, Elanora Heights

It’s more than 30 years since the handing down of the findings from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Since then, there have been more than 540 deaths of First Nations people while in custody. One of the reasons for this has been the limited implementation of the recommendations of the report. Will the families of veterans who have died by suicide endure a similar experience?
Graham Fazio, Cootamundra

If the defence minister is serious when he says he would respond swiftly and with “complete thoroughness” to the recommendations, then he would establish an independent task force to ensure every recommendation is indeed implemented. A task force with an authority to act and ensure compliance is the only way we can be sure the royal commission’s recommendations are carried out. Philip Machin, Lorn

Keep the Chauvel open

The loss of the Chauvel cinema will have a huge impact on movie attendees, plus the surrounding retail areas where patrons would have a drink or eat out (“It’s curtains: Paddington’s Chauvel cinema down to ‘its last days’”, September 10). City of Sydney Council deny it is its fault but council, as the landlord, has a duty of care to keep the interiors in good condition. A representative said they had a lease, but why would the lessee open when seats are broken and the carpet is threadbare? With Clover Moore’s fixation about “a vibrant Sydney”, keeping the Chauvel operating is one important measure to ensure that. Carole Ferrier, Darlinghurst

You must never say never

It is unacceptable that the Wharf Revue should go into permanent retirement and the memorable skits no longer inhabit our brains for extended periods. (“After 25 years it’s time for a final revue”, September 10). The three major culprits in the crime of bruising the egos of politicians and celebrities and exposing their follies should understand that their dedicated audiences will surely demand at least an occasional return to the stage, which would not be unprecedented. David Williamson appears to have given up the idea of retirement from theatre, and in the distant past, famous characters such as Sherlock Holmes were resuscitated due to readers’ demands. We can only request that the brilliant writers and performers of the Wharf Revue never say never again. Geoff Harding, Chatswood

Layout allowed speed

I hope the inquiry into the 2023 Greta bus crash considers the contribution of the road design on the tragedy (“Grief stricken relatives rail at Hunter Valley bus crash driver”, September 10). The very large diameter roundabout on which the crash occurred enables drivers to maintain relatively high speeds. If the road junction had been a simpler, conventional intersection, the coach driver would never have been able to reach a speed high enough to roll the vehicle. Nat Buckley, Drummoyne

Show of good swill

I read with concern various articles in the Herald reporting on allegations against the Swillhouse restaurant group, but was surprised to see the Good Food Guide take the step to remove its restaurants from recommendation. No such step has been taken against other restaurants that have been proven to underpay workers. The review should be about food, service and the experience, and not some moral arbitration about what conduct might be appropriate. We could go down about a rabbit-hole as to which great artists and people who we have celebrated had horrible flaws and whether we should now appreciate their works, but I would rather continue to enjoy the many good meals and occasions I have had at this group’s restaurants, comforted by the fact that following its removal from this august publication, it might be easier to get a booking. Ron Schaffer, Bellevue Hill

Metro kind of retro

The Herald recently highlighted estimated and allegedly very high costs for Metro extensions (“The eastern line hidden in $34 billion plan for next generation of Sydney’s metro”, September 10). The article did not cover the even higher costs of not committing to long-term expansion of Metro systems, which will be the further devouring of the city by cars and tollways that expand all sorts of burdens onto the individual and community. Great cities for people are not car-driven. I don’t think Sydney has ever recovered from the incredibly foolish decision to rip out 450 miles of tramway in 1961, a decision based on “expert consultation” begun in 1946. Imagine the joys of a universal tramway with state-of-the-art trams interconnecting everything and making the car of limited utility. I see the Metro as a retro attempt to reverse the appalling errors of 1961 and give Sydney a renewed glory.
Ivan Head, Burradoo

Dynastic lessons

The two stories that appeared alongside each other in Tuesday’s Herald – one a theatre review referencing King Lear, the other an overview of a future court case involving the family of Rupert Murdoch – had me thinking once again of the joys of English teaching pre-retirement (“Murdoch family power struggle in court”, September 10). The comments on King Lear’s exploration of “how we pass on our kingdoms” are juxtaposed with the story on the dynastic struggles of the Murdoch clan about to be play out in Reno, Nevada. A resource goldmine for a senior English classroom. Somewhat fittingly, events in Reno are to be televised.
Rod Leonarder, Roseville

Punt ad apologists

Given the evidence of gambling harm on individuals, families and communities, the government must weigh the odds, take a punt and splash out on a total ban on gambling advertisements (“Majority of voters back total ban on gambling ads as Labor delays decision”, September 10). Media companies and sporting codes ignore the plight of countless victims – what does it say about them? By their anti-ban protests, they champion unrestrained gambling, becoming perpetrators of harm. They should be held accountable.
Jennifer Fergus, Croydon

Pest control

I am hoping that featuring on page 1 of the Herald might cause Andrew Thaler to pause for a moment to reconsider his crude gibes (“Tiny town with a big issue: a pest who targets women”, September 10). Lesser men than he would be persuaded to keep their heads down and mouths closed. It remains to be seen how large the ego of this small-town bully really is. Lorraine Hickey, Green Point

One Trump or 2.0?

While Nick Bryant likens Donald Trump to Caligula, I prefer to compare him to Nero, who fiddled while the Roman Empire burned (“When I met Donald Trump 10 years ago he wasn’t crazy, he was charming”, September 10). If Americans elect Trump in November and if he carries out what he threatens to do, we could see the beginning of the end of the American Empire, torn by the civil unrest propagated by his unruly band of MAGA disciples. The Orange Lunatic, as described by former employee Anthony Scaramucci, is a bigger threat than Putin to world stability given his isolationist pronouncements on future US foreign policy. His domestic dictatorial intentions would make Trump 2.0 more unfettered and dangerous than before. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne

Let’s hope the US debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clearly shows, from two deeply flawed candidates, who will be better suited to White House responsibilities in these fractured times. Trump will probably self-detonate, rave on interminably and become aggro, while current VP Harris will probably mindlessly harp on about the borders/inflation being under control, while overemphasising she hasn’t changed her values.

Oh dear, what two poor choices have been thrust upon a suffering US public when so much is at stake worldwide. Albanese and Dutton seem positively cuddly in comparison. Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

Quality, not quantity

What is more important: a long life or a good life (“Red-light therapy. Cryotherapy. Hyperbaric chambers: The race to stay forever young”, September 10)? Instead of attempting to extend the life of oneself, imagine one focused on the lives of many. Closing the Gap, putting effort and money into combating the climate crisis, community betterment … what a wonderful world this could be. Zoe Vaughan, Arncliffe

• To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.
• The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.