Letters
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday December 18, 2009
Pray for rain, and a few votes"What is our Prime Minister doing?" asks Peter FitzSimons ("St Kevin should get the hell out of it", December 17). It seems to me likely that Mr Rudd goes to church - accompanied by photographers - for the same reason he watches Test cricket and rugby league. He is chasing votes.May I remind him of two things? Bob Hawke, when he was prime minister, bravely appeared in public honestly explaining to children why he was an atheist. Bob Carr, when he was NSW premier, refused to appear at sporting contests, preferring to relax by bushwalking. In spite of such deviant behaviour, both were comfortably re-elected.Perhaps I do Mr Rudd an injustice. He has at times asked us to pray for rain. Perhaps he believes that once Mary MacKillop becomes a saint, our prayers to her will quickly end the drought.John Morris Tweed Heads SouthPeter FitzSimons is mistaken on the matter of sainthood and miracles. He alleges that the "spirit" of Mother Teresa performed miracles and that this is impossible. He is quite right. When people pray to saints they ask them to intercede before God. If a miracle occurs, it is God's grace that performs the action, not the saint. Does FitzSimons really think the Catholic Church teaches that saints are like God? That would be scandalous, but fortunately it is not so.Father John Flynn SydneyI understand Mary MacKillop may be made a saint because in the 90 years since her death, her efforts have resulted (so the Vatican will say) in two people being miraculously cured of a terminal illness. Two people in 90 years? Two? I'd switch miracle providers.Tony Podpera Phillip (ACT)Nanny handout? That's a bit richSharman Stone and Bronwyn Bishop want the nannies of the rich to be subsidised from the taxes ofthe poor ("Nanny state holds appeal for Liberal heartland", December 17). It cost the Government $22 million to bail out the childcare sector after it was subjected to the entrepreneurial energy of ABC Learning, and now these spokeswomen for the rich want another handout. Stone should extend her consultations with mothers beyond Kew and Toorak.Geoff Mullen McMahons PointA real miracleOne liquor company is advertising, "We will beat anyone's price - don't be misled by 'Nobody Beats' statements." The other says: "Don't be fooled, nobody beats [us]." With a little work, should we be able to get our booze free?David Haworth SylvaniaTagging backMay I suggest an alternative punishment for taggers? The owners of property they deface should be allowed into the offenders' bedrooms to cover every available surface with Barbie and Dora stickers, Seekers posters and Andre Rieu bedspreads. Or would that be considered disproportionate?Cat Craddock HornsbyClick goes the cheerI don't ask much for Christmas. Well, perhaps a computer crash for those who send glitzy, animated "click on angel's halo, click on reindeer's nose" email greetings.Greg Thorp TurramurrraGreen bluesIf nothing else, the past few weeks have made me realise how many photographs there are of Tiger Woods looking dismayed, miserable or anxious. It really must be an awful game, golf.Rob Clarkson AnnandaleOldies but goodiesRobyn Dalziell (Letters, December 17) complains that Barry Humphries's show was "the same old run of gladi-throwing, sexism, bawdiness and anti-Australiana from Barry, Sir Les and Dame Edna". That's like going to a Rolling Stones concert and complaining that they sang Satisfaction or Jumpin' Jack Flash.Clare Raffan Russell Lea
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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