![Illustration: Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/s/k/z/y/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gus5k7.png/1488890127245.jpg)
Letters to the Editor
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Kings Cross deserves safety too
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. However, the fall in alcohol-related crime within the lockout zones still exceeds any crime displacement. In fact, with these latest statistics one might argue for extending the lockout zones.
Rail best for northern beaches
![The Spit Bridge, a lift bridge that spans across Middle Harbour may be replaced by a tunnel.](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/q/5/x/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.guqyye.png/1488753292929.jpg)
The State Government is reportedly planning a road tunnel to improve city access for northern beaches motorists ("Berejiklian hints at finally fixing notorious traffic snarl", March 4-5). While applauding the willingness to address access to the rest of Sydney from this rapidly-growing area, I wonder if expansion of the road network is the best solution? Simultaneously, a new harbour crossing is also being planned for Sydney's metro rail network. Why not build into this metro line the capability of expansion into a branch to the northern beaches? Crossing the harbour has always been a bottleneck for previous rail proposals, so here is an opportunity to take full advantage of a major piece of infrastructure, and also slow down Sydney's growing dependence on private cars using increasingly clogged roads.
Being driven mad
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How will the robot drivers be programmed to avoid jaywalking texters, ignore backseat drivers, respond to cries of children asking 'Are we there yet' and put coins in parking meters?
Joyce earns accolades on 18C
![Illustration Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/q/g/r/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gupuzo.png/1488760573735.jpg)
The debate over the race laws has put many people in the unaccustomed position of supporting Barnaby Joyce (" Christensen berates Joyce over race laws", March 3).
Postscript: Who will pay the penalty for Fair Work pay decision?
![How much workers should be paid for working Sundays is generating plenty of argument.](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/4/4/y/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gupk17.png/1488498193131.jpg)
There will be penalties paid once the dust settles on the Fair Work Commission's decision to cut Sunday pay rates for hospitality and retail workers – but judging from the passion the issue has generated among our readers, the most punishing ones will be political.
Crocodile tears for losers in pay decision
![Illustration: Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/p/6/l/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.guoxdf.png/1488521077267.jpg)
To believe that Eric Abetz has finally found his heart is to believe that a bovine can really make a lunar leap.
Watered-down HSC English syllabus a mistake
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Letter to the editor
The trickle-down economics is a myth: 'Gush-up' effect takes hold
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I struggle to follow the logic, more money given via a tax cut will lead to wage rises.
Liberal Party's broad church is broken
![SMH Letters](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/3/h/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gulymr.png/1488253374800.jpg)
It now seems delusional to believe the Liberal Party is still able to comfortably accommodate the agendas of both its fiercely conservative right flank and its moderate, progressive centrists
Missing in Iraq action: a PM with ticker
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If John Howard had said three things to George Bush history might have been different.
Palestinians playing own part in impasse
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A just and enduring resolution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is critical and long overdue ("Blind support for Israel does it no favours", February 18-19).
Reality check on insanity of wage growth
![Illustration Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/k/t/u/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gukay4.png/1488158076805.jpg)
Do we have record low interest rates? Tick. Stagnant wages and chronic underpayment of workers? Definite tick. Added to that, wages for many actually will fall thanks to the Fair Work Commission decision on Sunday penalty rates ("Paying the penalty: thousands face wage cuts", February 24).
How quickly we ignore Middle Eastern woes
![Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed 'THAT' two-state solution ...](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/i/k/9/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gujarp.png/1487916976840.jpg)
With Israeli PM [Benjamin] Netanyahu now in Australia, it appears that Australian political leaders are almost falling over themselves in professing their solidarity and affection for the the state of Israel.
POST SCRIPT
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When the re-education camps are being built to handle the grammar miscreants, could an additional wing be added to the "fewer/less" cell blocks? This will house those who talk about "the amount of people here today". Yes, sports reporters for commercial TV stations, I'm talking about you. Come the revolution we have a list and your names are at the top. Ian Morris 116 Homebush Rd Strathfield
Grammar's back, at least for a spell
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As a former manager of English for the NSW Department of Education and a passionate English teacher for over 30 years, I welcome the continuing affirmation of the joy and power of the English language in the new Stage 6 English Syllabus.
Expanding settlements is not self-defence
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As a lesbian Jew I share Michael Danby's approval of Israel's gay pride march and its thriving democracy.
Reinventing the HSC wheel gets top marks
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Those of a certain age will recall all too vividly when the concept of matriculation was dumped unceremoniously in the1960s.
Parasites and grubs survive red hot pokies
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Some politicians are heartbroken they are losing their gold pass. I feel your pain.
Coal-fired government shores up its future
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The damaging impacts of coal mining activity on land and water are anything but clean.
Sugar tax is first step in obesity fight
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Thank you, Fairfax, for implicating sugar in Australia's obesity problem, but it's a mistake to think that a tax on sugar will solve the problem. It just isn't that simple.
Parent's responsibility to pass on religion
![Illustration: Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/f/l/5/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.guf9vn.png/1487550286689.jpg)
Religious education is properly the province of a child's parents, not the state, and it is entirely inappropriate that the State should intrude.
Rules and tips for submitting letters
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It’s not that easy to get a letter published in the Herald, but things could be worse.
Postscript: Readers let us know how they want their Herald
![SMH Letters](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/3/h/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.guexfr.png/1488185702270.jpg)
As a sign of how much readers care about dear old Granny, it was heartening to see the strong response to Alan Stokes' column which canvassed a new way of customising and consuming the Herald. Not that the idea received much endorsement.
Religious pluralism essential
![Illustration: Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/p/7/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gue0au.png/1487285244094.jpg)
If we have to have scripture classes make it about comparative religions, taught by qualified teachers.
Put Premier's claims on mergers to the test
![Illustration: Alan Moir](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/d/m/z/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gud9um.png/1487550336511.jpg)
Premier Berejiklian says she "listens to the people" but on Tuesday she showed how little she cares for them.
Leave the NDIS alone, tax the rich
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Pitching those with disabilities against those welfare recipients targeted for cuts in their latest ill-fated tranche of legislation is so crass it borders on the unbelievable.
Blackout lies betray extreme negligence
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Letters
Cameron repels rational majority
![Illustration: Cathy Wilcox](/web/20170308071703im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/b/3/g/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.guayh2.png/1486946544688.jpg)
The front page picture of Ross Cameron ( ("Vitriol, far right style", February 11-12) conveys a disturbing, fanatical hatred. The appalling slurs unleashed at the so-called Q Society rally make laughable complaints about lack of free speech made by the likes of Cameron, Pickering, Hanson, Christensen, Kirralie Smith and Bernardi. Cameron no more represents the Christianity he hypocritically flaunts than paedophile priests represent Catholicism or IS the large majority of Muslims. Hanson, now strutting her loathsome stuff again courtesy of Turnbull's political naiveté, first castigated aborigines, then Asians, and now Muslims. Despite the noise this extremist mob makes and the media attention they crave, they are a small minority repulsive to the many who understand that it is not tribalism, toxic intolerance and irrationality that make for progress but co-operativeness, forbearance and reason.
Catastrophic heat fails to convince deniers
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Vast tracts of NSW are now classified as "Fire Risk: Catastrophic" ("Sports off, hospitals brace for sizzler", Febraury 11-12). Penrith had its hottest ever day at 47 degrees on Saturday.