In Defence Of China

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday April 16, 2008

In defence of China

Some people (perhaps a lot) have very short memories. How quickly the world has forgotten that, the day after the year 2000 Olympic Games were awarded to Australia, China exploded a nuclear device in the atmosphere, to show its displeasure for being insulted by the Olympic Games selection committee.

Now, China is being insulted once again, by protesters who mistakenly believe that they can "tell" China what to do, in what I believe is China's business.

I do sympathise with the Tibetan people. However, the Chinese people have endured discrimination and abuse wherever they have gone in the world, including the goldfields here in Australia.

All down through history some people (including some countries) have been "expendable". Cases in point are Iraq and Afghanistan.

When so-called "democracies" take it upon themselves to engage in torture when dealing with prisoners taken in combat, it is obvious to me that something is very wrong with the world.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd may well be fluent in Mandarin language, but I would suggest that he tread very carefully as far as China is concerned.

Now is not the time for China to be criticised or for anyone at all to engage in protests. Allow China to enjoy its moment of glory and host the 2008 Olympic Games in peace. Respect should be shown, to the Chinese people, where respect is due.

Raymond Nelson-Pearce, Wollongong.

NSW: state in disgrace

The recent news about the number of new buses just gathering dust is another show of the gross incompetence of the people in the NSW Government.

If these people worked in the private sector they would have been sacked long ago. Who in their right mind would order any new products without finding out that they met the required specifications for the specific job they were needed to do?

The waste of money the NSW Government is costing the people of this state is a disgrace and an insult to us all. They seem to have neither the intelligence nor the integrity that is required of those in public office.

The time has come to remove all state governments, as we can no longer tolerate this level of incompetence. The state is rotting from the top down. "PS" now stands for "protected species". They just do not give a rat's clacker for the people who elected them ... and those in opposition are no better. They are all wind and water.

Brian George, Berkeley.

Act now on Dragons

With the wooden spoon extremely obtainable after only five rounds, I fail to see why all the regular St George Illawarra players are not discarded and sent by Nathan Brown to the Helensburgh Tigers.

Providing teams such as Wests, Dapto and Thirroul do not field full-strength sides, the Tigers would have a chance of making the semi-finals. And Wayne Bennett's job would be (made) so much easier, by not having to wield the axe so savagely to make way for the players he wants.

Many clubs have indicated that new coaches and players are on the merry-go-round already for the 2009 season, but why stop at next year? Surely the NRL can order clubs to come up with future plans so supporters will know the players' career paths?

To illustrate their impending changes of allegiance and undying loyalty, players could wear five or six oz-tag-like tassels on their shorts, each one representing a future club. Imagine the sight of a winger in full flight, a blur of colours, contrasting with the current year's advertising design masquerading as a football guernsey?

When an overseas visitor asked me what scrums were for, I explained they were meeting places for players, to rest and ask about real estate, restaurants, pubs and local government issues, playing opportunities, club attitudes and codes of conduct on the opposition's turf.

Paul Wells, Corrimal.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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