Where's the madman now?
During the prelude to and conduct of the recent Gulf war Saddam Hussein was repeatedly labelled as a madman by members of the press and various "expert" analysts.
President Bush's recent medical history raises a very disturbing possibility. In retrospect, the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis were described by associates during the conduct of this unnecessary war. Restlessness and an ability to unsettle those around him by constant activity. Of course, this was explained away as the fervent desire of the man to set wrongs to right in the best traditions of the American dream.
The development of atrial fibrillation eventually led to a correct diagnosis of an over-active thyroid gland and now thinking people everywhere must re-evaluate the Gulf crisis in light of this. The balanced and considered strategy of a humanitarian idealist or the megalomaniac machinations of a mind unhinged during an organic psychosis induced by a thyrotoxicosis? The dreadful (and entirely predictable) consequences of this calamitous adventure would suggest the latter. A frightening prospect perhaps, but then we all have a healthy apathy to protect us from such things.
Dr Andrew Katelaris
Elizabeth Bay NSW
Active Employment Strategy
Although most of us who work in the CES are as concerned as Magenta Deluxe (GLW #14) about the problems of the long-term unemployed, the information we have received on the Active Employment Strategy to date indicates that it is little more than window dressing for a scheme designed to throw people off the dole.
The clearest indication is that three- and six-month interviews of the unemployed are arranged by DSS or CES staff, however at 12 months with the changeover from Job Search allowance to Newstart, all unemployed people must attend a Newstart interview but the unemployed people must arrange the interview themselves.
Unemployed people will be notified of these arrangements about six weeks before the changeover, but as long-term unemployed people are the most disadvantaged section of our society, particularly those from non-English speaking backgrounds, it seems certain that large numbers will not respond to their letters, and their benefits will be terminated.
On training, here again AES will deliver little more than currently exists. Many experts have criticised the current AES training programs as ineffective, particularly if those who receive training do not enter the workforce soon after completing their courses.
If the Labor government was really interested in helping people into useful employment, perhaps it could look at job-sharing, with full wages for all, or construction of public housing, better public transport systems, or earth repair projects. But then, maybe that will have to be for real alternatives in a left, green future.
Name supplied
Sydney
AES and training
Magenta Deluxe is correct to point out that business has always minimised its expenditure on training the workforce (GLW #14). However, until recent years it was forced to spend a lot more than it does now on apprenticeships and other forms of on-the-job training. My point in "Life on the dole is about to get harder" (GLW 11) was that the AES continues the recent policy of shifting much of the cost of that training to government, so that business is bearing less cost than ever for the training that contributes very generously to its profits.
Peter Chiltern
Sydney
Strengths and shortcomings
I was disappointed to see Helen Stannard's over-reaction to criticism of the Tasmanian Green MPs in relation to the conscience vote and abortion (GLW #14). Attempts to stifle criticism by calling critics anti-green are not going to help the green movement to develop into a viable political alternative.
An open discussion of the strengths and shortcomings of the Tasmanian Greens is particularly important in the context of moves towards a national green party. The reputation and popularity of Denison MP Dr Bob Brown are likely to lend a lot of weight to the Constitution of the Denison Greens as a prototype. In relation to this it is important to be aware that the Denison Greens are not yet a model green party.
While the Denison Greens have almost 200 members, they seem to have difficulty involving many of these in decision making — despite appeals to the membership to get more involved. At the last six-monthly General Meeting, which attracted only 33 people, it was explained that there was a problem, with most work happening in the parliamentary offices and it being difficult for other members to find a niche.
Similarly, whereas the Constitution states that the decision making body is the electoral council made up of delegates elected by local groups of six or more members, the reality is that few local groups exist and only one has regularly sent a delegate to electoral council meetings. This has left decision making to elected office bearers and much of the important discussion to informal networks just as it was before the Denison Greens were formed last December.
Obviously the Denison Greens' office bearers would like to have more involvement from the rank and file, but if this continues to be difficult to achieve, then perhaps we need to question whether the structure or the actual mode of operation is a block to developing the kind of vibrant organisation that the green movement needs. We should not shy away from these questions.
Tom Flanagan
West Hobart
[Edited for length.]
Power and kraft mills
Chris Harris's article relating to arguments against kraft pulp mills in Tasmania (GLW #13), amongst other things, states "if a chip mill was closed at the same time as a mechanical mill was opened, there would be no increase in demand for power."
It is regrettable that Harris failed to state that a new internationally competitive pulp mill would not only achieve this aim without the need to close any existing industry, it would also put about 5 megawatts into the Tasmanian electrical grid.
In the chemical recovery system in a new mill, 55 megawatts are produced and only about 50 megawatts are needed to run the mill, so a surplus of power. A surplus sufficient to provide approximately 75% of the power that a town like Burnie would need.
Why does Mr Harris choose not to relate facts like this?
Chris Oldfield
Brighton Vic
Exotic plants
The camphor laurel (GL May 1) is but one of several thousand species of exotic plants that are invading Australia. We introduce exotics for ornamental and utility horticulture, agriculture, forestry, and accidentally. About ten per cent of what we introduce, eventually escapes and invades our native ecosystems. These plants, lacking their indigenous pests and predators, can often maximise their potential breeding capacity, and invade bushland vigorously. This means local extinction of indigenous species.
Horticulturalists are by far the worst offenders. Nurseries are the source of many of these plants, and indeed government nurseries are knowingly selling invasive exotic plants.
Native plant enthusiasts are mixing up Australia's flora, general garden enthusiasts are spreading many overseas exotics. Permaculture is responsible for encouraging people to import a great range of dangerously invasive plants. Of the approximately 500 species recommended in Permaculture Books 1 and 2, approximately half are known or potential exotic invasive plants.
Forestry sometimes uses exotic eucalypt species in replanting of logged coupes. This is dangerous, as eucalypts are invasive. Disturbance greatly exacerbates the possibility of invasion of exotic plants, thus logging native forests is inviting disaster.
The article in GL rightly questions the safety and use of herbicides to tackle this ecological disaster. Yes, they are dangerous, and we know little about their effects. However, there is simply no choice for the majority of infections of weeds in bushland but to resort to herbicide. Of course the most benign (apparent) should be used, and I recommend the Toxic Action Network in Tasmania, or the Total Environment Centre in Sydney for details.
But the whole problem would be avoided if people simply thought about the consequences of their gardening actions. First preference should always be local native species, grown only from local wild seed and cutting sources.
Never a better case of "prevention is better than cure".
John Robin
Meander Tas
[Edited for length.]
Voting green
Although I voted Green at the State Elections, it wasn't because of Dick Nichols' article "Why voting green is the only alternative" (GL #13). I wonder how many people after reading that article would think that Green politics defines itself by rubbishing everyone else. Green politics is something far more constructive, open minded, and optimistic.
Dick's article is written in the style of the old sectarian left — "everyone else is selling out ... that's why we are good" — full of conflict, antagonism and spleen. Dick refers to a conspiracy against the Greens of "the powers that be" to "(pretend) that the Greens are not a 'real' alternative, and using that as an excuse to avoid mentioning their campaigns."
Dick also suggests that Carr would rather see Greiner re-elected than work with anyone against the Libs: "Bob Carr's Labor opposition is doing everything to avoid drawing together an anti-Greiner majority ..." A possible alliance of forces that could be cobbled together includes "the unemployed", "environmentalists", "small farmers", "two or three million working people." Dick, that is incredibly naive.
Green politics operates from a different premise. Greens want to see a just, harmonious, peaceful world, and that is the vision offered by the Green movement. Not blood, iron and betrayal, as Dick implies consistently.
Erich Varquer
Nuclear power
News that the Soviet Union is to build another twenty nuclear power stations to overcome an energy shortage shows that that country is still as backward as most western countries when it comes to protecting the environment.
They seem to have learnt nothing from Chernobyl, Lake Baikal or the toxic waste dumps of the United States.
-1>The Soviet Union would be better advised to see their present situation not as an energy shortage but as an overpopulation problem. Increasing the energy supply will only stimulate further population growth and further aggravate the social tensions which are expressing themselves as ethnic violence.0>
C.M. Friel
Alawa NT
Undemocratic electoral system
Until all of the people vote on all of the issues which affect them, anything else is but a poor attempt at democracy.
Any system that takes power away from the people and puts it in the hands of an easily controlled few, leaves a lot to be desired.
To expect people to give preferences to parties they don't trust or agree with, is an insult to one's intelligence.
Under the current system our so called representatives perform a dictatorial role, with lobbying a vain and despairing exercise in democracy.
Even public meetings and debates more often than not get chewed up in the current system of power displacement and concentration.
How do we all have an equal say in matters that affect us? Maybe the answer lies in electronic communications. I.e. personal yea and nay transmitters. Who knows, time will tell.
D. White
Heathcote Vic
Tropical timbers
A court case currently taking place in Australia reveals the real methods being used to obtain tropical timbers. An Australian importer is appearing on 173 charges including duty evasion and fraud. The whole case looks just like the tip of an iceberg.
-2>The case also highlights the direct link between companies registered in Australia and the continuing corruption in Southeast Asia, PNG, and the Pacific0>.
Hereby arise serious questions regarding the conduct of Australian companies abroad:
Who is monitoring their behaviour?
Are these companies allowed to use illegal methods for which they would be liable over here?
Is the Australian government able to control them on a regular and thorough basis?
I seek an assurance from Mr. Hawke, Senator Evans and Mrs. Kelly that they really give this issue thorough consideration before they decide on the proposed conditional ban. While doing so they should, please, bear in mind that they will be one of the last politicians who will have any say in whether rainforests, which are a unique genetic storehouse of most life on earth, are going to survive this decade.
In addition, I am rather surprised and disappointed that the media still are not covering this issue adequately.
Mrs. Gaby Luft
Rainforest Information Centre
Lismore NSW
[Edited for length.]