These days the main difference between successful people and unsuccessful people seems to be that successful people write books on success and unsuccessful people buy them ("You wouldn't read about it, and I assure you I won't", October 30).
John de Bres Rose Bay
Devils in the demonising detail
Demonising ordinary folk in this country struggling to maintain themselves and their families is but a further example of the deep malaise in thinking and policy creation demonstrated by the current government ("Stay at home parents don't get more: welfare experts", October 30). Distortion of facts and belittling those entitled to help are no substitute for the support and respect Australians deserve.
Anne Finnane Marlee
Regardless of whether stay-at-home parents are better off working or not, there are obvious flaws in our welfare system. In an era where we're all told to tighten our belts, there is no reason that our overly generous welfare system should come under scrutiny. Welfare should be available to those who genuinely need it, not those who just want it.
Peter Miniutti Ashbury
End to the purple reign
There have been many thousands of us over the decades, in the wind-down after a philosophy or history lecture, who habitually have sat under the jacaranda tree of the Sydney University Quadrangle ("Jacaranda takes a tumble", October 30). We discussed worthy issues and formed lifelong bonds. I often wondered, though, if it was any coincidence that the exam results were published and displayed in the covered walkway nearest the beautiful jacaranda tree. It made the results seem all the more palatable, for there was a greater beauty surrounding (both man-made and natural).
Janice Creenaune Austinmer
It is a sad reflection on our tertiary education when the academic fortunes of the future brilliant minds of our nation are determined by the seasons of a tree with purple flowers.
Allan Gibson Cherrybrook
Parents boost HSC stress
Often a student's HSC stress ("Alarm at growing opioid use in children", October 30) results from having overambitious parents who are trying to achieve their own fleeting moments of glory through the efforts and achievements of their child.
Joy Cooksey Harrington
Alienating school funding
It was heart-warming to read about the ridiculous idea of providing educational funding to a spurious and already-wealthy religious organisation that believes in imaginary aliens and keeps its inner workings top secret ("Scientology defends use of Sydney schoolchildren in ads", October 30). Then I noticed it was about Scientology! Can anyone please explain how the Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Presbyterian or Uniting churches are any different?
Tom Orren Wamberal
Sobriety part of the solution
Peter FitzSimons seems unduly concerned by the word alcoholic ("I am a much better husband stone-cold sober", October 30). If a person's alcohol consumption negatively affects their health, their relationships, or causes ongoing problems in the home, the workplace or with the law, they have a serious disorder. I suggest the treatment required is the same, regardless of the terminology used. Surely problem drinkers would be well advised to seek professional help, as sobriety is only part of the solution. There remains the risk for some people of becoming a dry drunk.
Graham Lum North Rocks
Power drives dirty politics
Is it possible that women have lied about Donald Trump's behaviour and were paid to lie ("Hawkins defends Trump after awkward video surfaces", October 30)? Such is the nature of dirty politics that the answer could be yes, it's possible. It is the delusion that power is what we need most in life that drives dirty politics, which is not limited to the US.
Geoff Hinds Merrylands
Jennifer Hawkins defended Donald Trump because he'll always be her boss.
Dimitris Langadinos Concord West