Newcastle Herald letters to the editor, November 14, 2020: Why Joel Fitzgibbon should 'follow lead of Greens' to win back hearts of Hunter voters

It's not climate change science that's coming after their jobs; it's the god of all right-wing politicians like Mr Fitzgibbon - market force capitalism.

And it won't be for any altruistic intentions like combating global warming, a less polluted planet or saving the future for our children, it'll simply be about the bottom line.

Market forces are essentially psychopathic and don't care about the needs of workers and communities who are often ignored in the scramble for profit.

For example, establishing slave-like sweatshops in third world countries negatively affect the citizens of those countries as well as denying employment opportunities for workers in Australia - because it's cheaper.

Capitalism often reminds us it's not a charity. Renewable energy is cheaper and it's coming to take over the world.

John Hewson warns that, "Climate tech is booming, as is climate finance".

Mr Fitzgibbon needs to follow the lead of the Greens and design a serious just transition policy now if he really wants to win back hearts, create jobs and serve communities.

I HAVE never been pro war, but the current inquiry into atrocities by Australian forces will only look for the scapegoats.

Our military throughout history has done what is asked by governments of all ilks.

The Navy has dealt with the ramifications of children overboard; the Royal Commission whitewashed then PM Howard who has perpetuated the myth portrayed by the media. Even a brave Admiral at the commission stating publicly that the PM's office was aware of the misinformation received little press.

The ongoing issues of lack of support for operational services people left needing early intervention for injuries or PTSD without loss of career or their lives by suicide is sadly likely to be addressed by the inquiry.

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Those who serve deserve better. Incidents like those being investigated will always happen when we send people to war.

Mistakes repeat in history when we fail to learn from them.

In sincere hope for change.

GLADYS Berejiklian wants to change the anthem. It's nothing more than a see-through attempt to deflect attention away from what she may or may not have known about the behaviour of her disgraced former partner Daryl Maguire. I ask why haven't we changed the premier?

What's going on at LNP recruiting? Christian Porter and Alan Tudge in trouble over alleged relationships and treatment of women. Barnaby Joyce and Angus Taylor's water buyback scandal. Bridget McKenzie's sports rorts scandal. Angus Taylor's (there's that name again) alleged native grass clearing scandal. And, they're the ones I can think of.

Former premier Mike Baird lost nine ministers who broke the ministerial code of conduct so he defunded the ICAC. PM Scott Morrison's government is suffering deep and deserved embarrassment after the Australian National Audit Office revealed the Leppington Triangle scandal. Morrison's response? He defunded the ANAO. It appears that you have been a bit shady to gain preselection to the LNP.

Labor ministers accused of corruption were investigated, tried and found guilty and rightly jailed. LNP members accused of corruption are always "investigated", yet that's where it ends. Never tried, never jailed. No wonder they're so brazen.

HUGE numbers of Donald Trump's supporters come from America's bible belt and without them he may never have become president. I believe many of these people have spent years being primed within their churches and Trump has made use of their vulnerability.

In my opinion the following is what myriad Christians see in Trump.

He is powerful; tick. A white, macho, successful male (has a much younger wife who gave birth to their son when Trump was 60); tick, tick. He raves like a fire and brimstone preacher; tick.

He supports the pro life movement (has never taken coronavirus seriously and rarely mentions those who have died or their families); tick. Adequate healthcare for all means socialism (a dirty word); tick.

Stands outside a church waving a bible; tick, tick, tick. Mentions Israel (a holy word for many); tick. Changes the US embassy to Jerusalem; tick.

Between Donald Trump and his Christian followers are the conservative middle men, pastors like the influential multi millionaire Kenneth Copeland who did very well out of Australia in the 1980s and 1990s with his "Kenneth Copeland Ministries". Copeland's wife is also a pastor and sat on Trump's Evangelical Advisory Board.

Jesus Christ is the opposite of what Donald Trump represents. He was Middle Eastern similar to a Palestinian, Jewish and poor. He was truthful, respected and included women, was humble and spread love rather than hate. And he would have wanted universal healthcare so that makes him a socialist too.

PETER Dolan (Short Takes, 9/11) talks about Trump and Hitler comparisons and he's right. Nothing can be compared to the atrocities orchestrated by Hitler. But when you compare their individual traits as world leaders they don't seem too different.

When Hitler came to power he used the divide and conquer theory to create a sense of fear for some of the people and a demand for loyalty from others. Donald Trump did the same. Hitler then used his oratory to spread his lies and false promises to his followers and to convince them that he was their saviour. Trump did much the same. Hitler ignored the advice of his general staff and nobody was game enough to argue with him. The same again with Trump. Then when Germany was on the brink of defeat Hitler was still claiming victory. And that is what Trump is doing now, because like Hitler he just won't accept defeat.

So if nothing else I'd say that certain aspects of their governing style are very compatible.

I CAN'T help but notice the amount of large industrial countries declaring a zero-carbon output within 30 years or sooner which is having an effect here expecting us to do the same. However, they are saying a net zero number, meaning the bottom line after subtracting carbon credits, growing more trees, recycling products etc, anything that will make up a number against their output, rather than actually reducing their carbon output. This allows the worst offenders who make the most profits, able to pay their way out and continue as usual, how about a bit of genuine disclosure, drop the wording net zero and tell the truth.

PLEASE, Greg Hunt, stop the nonsense (Short Takes, 13/11). I did not address your assertions about mental illness in young people due to 'climate alarmism' because it's science, not alarmism. Nor did I address your false claims about Prof James Hanson's 1988 climate predictions because a 30-second search shows he was very accurate. His critics, funded by fossil interests, fraudulently deleted two of Hansen's possible scenarios from the summary graph, leaving only his worst-case scenario. Greg, you should not spread such misinformation. It's bad for people's mental health.

MR Roach (Short Takes, 13/11), I have written about my concern for young people of climate alarmism at least twice. As for predictions, may I suggest you look up Prof Hansen on Wikipedia and you will find even he "stresses the uncertainties about these predictions", referring to modelling he has done over 30 years. My question is, and always has been, why scare people, especially the young, unnecessarily?

WHEN that odious individual Donald Trump is finally removed from the White House, can he be charged with bringing the whole game into disrepute and banned from access to Twitter and all other social media for say the next 20 years? For the sake of everyone.

FOR Michael Hinchey (Short Takes, 13/11) it's logical to call into question the character of Trump supporters, mostly millions of ordinary people. I thought he had already decided (Letters, 6/11) that they were, well, deplorable. Better, I say, to question judgement, not character, especially for people you don't even know. Anyhow, the Biden team wants to move on towards healing and unifying. Right?

CONGRATULATIONS to Newcastle Herald journalist Scott Bevan on his excellent hosting of the National Remembrance Day Service from Canberra.

PFIZER CEO seems a bit of a fizzer. Helping your fellow person or helping your personal self? And like COVID-19, the whole thing seems contagious. Legal and well planned but morally ethical ... no! Merry Christmas to those that are human.