It is the best of times, it is the worst of times; it is the age of technology, it is the age of post-truth; it is the epoch of opinion, it is the epoch of filter-bubble; it is the season of energy, it is the season of dissipation; it is the autumn of hope, it is the summer of despair; we have everything behind us, we have nothing before us. In short, the noisiest authorities have insisted by decree, for good or for evil, that this period is to exist in superlatives only.
Neal Williams, Mont Albert
Wars waged at home
We are told that all who are interested in societal cohesion have a responsibility to seek solutions (Editorial, 27/12). All well and good, but where do we start? As a young woman I was part of the movement to stop the Vietnam War. The huge response to the moratoriums here and overseas eventually stopped that war. That was people power at work.
Now people are fighting "wars" on our home turf – the war waged by governments and super-rich companies against workers and the least-well off; by the religious right-wing of the Liberal Party against LGBTI people and who hold a blind faith that God is in charge of weather and climate change is a figment of scientists' imagination. The "war" against kids getting a quality education in government schools; against young people competing with investors for a chance at the dream of home ownership. All that before they can even think about asylum seekers, the war in Syria and the growing numbers of the homeless. It is overwhelming. And that, folks, is how we get the likes of Pauline Hanson, Donald Trump and so on.
Carol Reed, Newport
Pension anger grows
With changes to the age pension to come into effect on Sunday, the question must be asked why parliamentary pensions aren't subjected to an assets test? Australia-wide, age pensioners, seniors and retirees are awakening from their slumbers and expressing anger. Politicians beware.
Gary Roulston, Endeavour Hills
Impressive Labor CV
Andrew Landeryou is famous for being an "ex-bankrupt and notorious former blogger, son of a former state Labor MP" (The Age, 29/12). He may soon have to add convicted criminal and former Victorian Labor Right faction heavyweight to his CV.
Harry Zable, Campbells Creek
MPs must step down
As the factions of the Liberal and National parties continue to tear themselves apart Australia needs a strong, trusted opposition. This will only be achieved when Bill Shorten steps down and senator-elect Kimberley Kitching announces she won't take up the position.
Meg Paul, Camberwell
Crimes not reported
Emma Ryan describes the fear of crime as overblown, mainly because of media coverage (The Age, 28/12). However, many incidents of crime go unreported. Often it's because you know the incident will be over before police can respond, and there may be no injury to a person or damage to property. There is also the fear of retribution from the perpetrators if they become aware of who called the police. This is why I and another female resident did not call police to attend seven incidents at our apartment building this year.
Name and address withheld
Ward off coverage
The best way the government can minimise opposition to offshore detention is to ensure emergency and high-risk cases are dealt with immediately before they get media coverage. Surely it can see that its inaction doesn't show strength of resolve but lack of care and compassion and concern about safety.
David Anderson, Geelong West
Don't forget Gorbi
Sorry, Tom Switzer (Comment, 26/12), but George Bush snr in the closing years of the Cold War did not implement the bold, humanistic policies of glasnost and perestroika, nor was he kidnapped by his own colleagues, let alone make his own job redundant for the sake of his people. Gorbachev did all of these and more, and is the one who really should be thanked for the largely bloodless end to the Cold War. In spite of his receipt of numerous peace prizes since that time (including the Nobel), Western media seem shamefully silent regarding his legacy.
David Perry, Eltham
Powerful reason
Apparently the power outages on Tuesday in South Australia were caused by terrible weather rather than the proliferation of renewable energy sources. Or is it because Mr Turnbull doesn't have a climate action meeting with premiers to derail at the moment?
Mike Fajdiga, Beaumaris
Short-cuts mean profit
Regarding some of the disasters highlighted recently by The Age, builders obviously see money in taking short-cuts, but it is less obvious why the people who oversee the builders do too. In the pre-Kennett days, surveyors were employed by councils so acted without fear or favour. My council made a builder demolish a verandah. Such decisions made impartial surveyors unpopular with the well-connected building industry. By using the magic words "removing red tape", the government brought into being private surveyors. While notionally appointed by the owner, the decision is generally made on the recommendation of the builder. Before a project begins it is easy to represent a conscientious surveyor as "difficult" and steer the owner towards a preferred surveyor. Surveyors hope for an ongoing relationship with the builder but don't expect one with the home owner.
Pam Luizzi, Kensington
AND ANOTHER THING
Labor has lost the plot (Peter Martin, Comment, 29/12). Following Abbott's oppose-everything path is a dead end.
Geoff Crowhurst, Thornbury
Bill Shorten should choose his friends more carefully.
Diana Goetz, Mornington
Peter Dutton has been silent on the death of Faysal Ishak Ahmed. Too busy attending his "Christian" church?
Reg Murray, Glen Iris
Are the cuts to pensions funding the transfer of public servants to Barnaby Joyce's electorate?
Les Anderson, Woodend
How many other ministers will transfer their departments to their electorates to prop up votes?
Adrian Peniston-Bird, Hawthorn
It's said that Australia's cricket captain holds the second highest office in the land; at least Steve Smith delivers.
Gavin Bowman, Mount Dandenong
The new Metro map's loose grip on geography conveniently hides the Doncaster rail black hole.
Jen Morris, North Ringwood
Melbourne City Council is going to burn $3 million on New Year's Eve. Wish I could burn my parking fines.
Keith Robinson, Glen Waverley
NYE fireworks: 10 minutes of entertainment for the family; 10 minutes of terror for the family pets.
Lee Palmer, Albert Park
Well done, Graeme Grant (29/12), you have found three wickets. That's a hat-trick.
Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale
Peter Thomson (Letters, 29/12), you sure know how to make your guests feel guilty.
Robin Martin, Coburg
I am one with the flies. The flies are with me. Why so many flies this summer?
Denny Meadows, Flinders