Letters, December 21, 2022

Missing the point

LAST week’s letter “Animal discrimination” by Christine Pierson, president of C.A.T.S. misses the point when she writes about “the attitude of speciesism” causing her offense.

Following her argument that cats should be given equal consideration in the Australian environment, is she quite prepared to accept the removal, completely, of the many Australian species already decimated by the introduction of cats and foxes into Australia and those that are fast approaching extinction as a result?

I applaud her work to sterilise cats and assume by doing so she hopes all cats would eventually be sterilised and unable to breed and so disappear from the environment completely.

Does she also extend her offence to “the attitude of speciesism” to the many other feral pests that have been introduced into Australia and which are causing so much harm to our Australian species? Pests such as foxes, cane toads, crown of thorn starfish and rabbits to name a few? Does she believe these feral pests should also have “equal standing under the law”?

Instead of condemning someone like John Wamsley who has done so much to provide us with the knowledge and strategies to save species, perhaps Ms Pierson could put her efforts into educating cat owners to build cat runs, which would not only prevent cats from roaming unchecked, removing our indigenous species, but probably keep their pets safe too.

Ian Westley, Mylor

Scientific approach

REGARDING John Wamsley’s letter (The Courier, December 14), Christine Pierson from C.A.T.S. has a very scientific approach to cat control. She knows about the vacuum effect, that is that the apparent removal of cats from an area does not eliminate cats.

And exactly what area is “overflowing with cats”?

Alice Shore, Birdwood

EV benefits

IMAGINE what it would be like if almost all vehicles in Australia were powered by electricity derived from  renewable energy sources.

The benefits available for all would be considerable, the air would be so much cleaner, the health improvements would be extensive, no more awful petrol or diesel fumes, no more relying on other countries for most of our petrol – a huge plus. Running cost savings would be substantial, there would be less noise, greenhouse gas emissions would be greatly reduced – a huge plus – human-induced climate change would be considerably slowed one could go on and on. Transitioning almost all vehicles away from fossil fuels would be one of the greatest achievements of the present century.

Bring it on more quickly.

Brian Measday, Myrtle Bank

Political sustenance

I REFER to Clive Bulmer’s letter (The Courier, December 14) and the many others he has submitted for the interest of readers during 2022.

Clive’s support for former Prime Minister Morrison brings to mind the story of the hungry and angry caged tiger which refused to eat correct and nourishing food following the dismissal of its keeper who, for years, had fed it rubbish.

Happily, with patience and determination, the efforts of its new keepers were rewarded and  the tiger flourished.

Clive will not agree but it is a fact that Scott Morrison fed Australians rubbish during his Prime Ministership and continues to do so in giving his current evidence to the Robodebt Royal commission.

Fortunately for Australians the Albanese government has the country on a diet of political sustenance guaranteed to enrich and sustain the nation for years to come.

Robert Armstrong, Mt Barker

Tough choice

IT appears that Michael Cornish and Brian Measday have a moral dilemma (The Courier, December 14).

They need to choose between exponential increase of mining for minerals or ending manufacture of renewables, preserving the natural habitat or paving it with millions of solar panels, protecting our fragile coastline or covering it with wind farms.

Tough choice guys, but you can’t have it both ways!

Anyway, I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and look forward to reading more letters in The Courier next year.

K. Stachovic, Meadows

Disappointing view

LAST night I visited the Mt Lofty Summit with an overseas visitor to view the lights of Adelaide.

After paying the $4 parking fee, we were so disappointed!

Trees have been allowed to grow around more than half of the vista and now the once splendid 180 degree night view is less spectacular than driving down Greenhill Road.

Do your maintenance and give value for money or withdraw the fee, National Parks.

Les Laub, Aldgate

Right to protest

WHAT is a protest unless it has an element of disruption?

Does the NSW Premier want all protestors that the government dislikes to be held in some back street somewhere and hidden from the general public?

The one-lane blockage by this committed person, standing atop a stationary truck on Sydney Harbour Bridge related to the minimal action and Australia’s slow response to the world’s most serious crises of climate change.

After this incident the Premier, believing he was on a vote winner due to the delays to commuters, announced a 15-month jail term or $20,000 fine if anyone disrupts by protest.

Would the Premier decide previous disruptions to Sydney traffic by transport truck drivers or farmers tractors to pursue their grievances as legitimate?

The right to protest without violence is a human right in a democratic society.

Glen Chenoweth, Goolwa North