Faith in leaders at an all-time low
With the resumption of the ‘Gaza War’, I have lost faith in the leadership of western democratic nations whilst they bleat that Israel ‘must be careful’ in their carpet bombing of Gaza and supplying the weaponry that enables them to do so.
The BRICS nations and those of the ‘global south’ have called out the genocide and Brazil, Turkiye and South Africa are currently referring Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The western democratic nations, after the carpet bombing North Viet Nam, silently mumbled about the Khmer Rouge, were slow to act in Rwanda and stood silently with the Rohingyas in Myanmar and Houthis in Yemen. Yet we leapt into action for Bosnia/Croatia and now Ukraine. Is it because they are European?
With the resumption of the genocide in Gaza, I am again aghast at the unnecessary deaths being perpetrated by the supposedly only ‘democratic government’ in the Middle East. Apartheid Israel is only ‘quasi-democratic’ like South Africa was prior to the election of Nelson Mandela. It is plain to see that Israel is in the grip of messianic Zionists committed to their vision of a homeland ‘from the river to sea’ and keen to sweep out all Palestinians and others as statements of Netanyahu, Smotrich, Gallant and other ministers repeatedly aver.
We have acquiesced too long on the USA’s UN Security Council veto that excuse Israel’s transgressions. We have permitted them to occupy another country and wring our hands whilst they terrorise the population then pretend to enter peace talks. Israel has repeatedly scotch them and assassinate any opponent at home and abroad to achieve their aim.
Derek R Costello, Belmont
Memories flood back
At the weekend, I visited the site of the magnificent sculpture of Frank Costa.
It brought back memories when I was a 12-year-old in the early 1950 ,when the Costa brothers were selling Heralds at the Moorabool-Ryrie Street corners.
Whilst the Stacey brothers were selling Heralds for Henry Franks newsagent at Moorabool-Malop Street corners, Brother Bill was at the National bank, Brother Stuart at Solomons, myself at the Commonwealth Bank and Gary Tanner was at Whites shoe shop corner.
It was good pocket money and great memories.
Ian J Stacey, Leopold.
Christmas in lights
Recently driving in the evening through the Portarlington estate bordered by Smythe St, Sproat St, Tower Rd and Queenscliff Rd, I saw Christmas lights put up by residents on and around their homes.
They were truly lovely. Not the tasteless gaudy commercial kind one sometimes sees.
These were just soft beautiful colours. Delightful. To the residents, congratulations.
Maruska Aughterson, Portarlington
