World rejoices as Wild Boars are free at last

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This was published 5 years ago

World rejoices as Wild Boars are free at last

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

The world cheered at the result, and nothing to do with sport (‘‘Safe at last: extraordinary mission to free Thai soccer team ends with all rescued’’, smh.com.au, July 11). - Jen Lynch, Camperdown

While watching the heroic rescue operations in Thailand and seeing nations work so harmoniously together, the words of the John Lennon song Imagine came to mind. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this was the way the world worked always. - Jo White, Lilyfield

The quiet dignity of the soccer team and their rescuers is certainly an inspiration to us all. My heart sang when I heard the news that the entire team and their coach had been rescued. I’m sure we all wish the boys and their coach speedy recoveries, living long and happy lives. - Diane Cunningham, Buff Point

Forget the warmongers. Nobel Prize to the cave divers who brought international joy. - Nicole Oldfield, Wahroonga

An immediate AM for Dr Richard Harris. - Ross Langford-Brown, Randwick

Australian of the Year. - David Brender, Woollahra

Memo to King of Thailand and Queen Elizabeth re: Thai SEALs and ‘‘all-star’’ international divers – knight them all. - Flora Devery, Riverview

I hope the death of Thai navy SEAL Saman Gunan was not in vain. His service showed the great difficulty and danger of the operation being planned and clearly helped towards a solution that enabled the whole team and their coach to be safely returned to their families. - Alan Parkinson, Weetangera (ACT)

I bags the movie rights. - Justin Fleming, North Sydney

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Please Hollywood, let’s NOT have a film. - John Cahill, Mosman

It is heartening to see that humanity still exists when we saw the world come together in remote Thailand. The extensive coverage, with people from all over the world glued to live coverage of the evacuation, shows that nothing is impossible when we come together. Kudos to all rescuers for this act of bravery and thank you for covering in detail. - Balasubramanian Ramakrishnan, Cherrybrook

The brilliant rescue shows humanity at its best. The ‘‘me first’’ attitude of some so-called world leaders is shown up for the selfish behaviour it encourages. If only those young men attempting to imitate cruel ideologies throughout the world, and those taking out their frustrations on their fellow students, would imitate these courageous boys by learning a new skill to save lives instead of using guns and suicide vests to end lives, the world would be a better place and the human race could hold its head high. We may even be able to save ourselves from the fate of so many great civilisations that have gone before and which destroyed themselves through greed, corruption and hatred. - Helen Bersten, Roseville

Fantastic that the Wild Boars have been freed. Can we now populate the cave with the Crashing Bores – Leyonhjelm and Latham? - Matt Petersen, Randwick

... but why did they enter the cave in the first place?

It is wonderful that the Thai soccer team and its coach have been brought out safely. We have all watched and waited with them, their families and countrymen.

However, would it not be better for their mental welfare if not such a fuss were made of them – to avoid them dwelling on the trauma?

Secondly, there are so many children around the world facing appalling situations, why aren’t we worrying about them too? - Jennifer Hershon, Bellevue Hill

Both Julie Bishop and Penny Wong have voiced our joy at the rescue. They have also acknowledged the prominent part Australia has played. While I share this joy I also continue to mourn the needless deaths of the 12 asylum seekers in offshore Australian detention. - Robin Jones, Armidale

The rescue is a wonderful example of international co-operation, providing fantastic reality TV capturing our emotions and hopes that all will be rescued.

Simultaneously, the terrible floods in Japan have killed hundreds of people with many still unaccounted. It’s such a pity that the same degree of rescue support did not materialise there.

The media must play a role here in prioritising actual world news rather than simply concentrating on what’s more popular. - Eric Berry, Gordon

The successful rescue, with multimedia bringing us every detail in a running commentary, raises the question about striking a balance between satisfying the general public’s insatiable urge
to follow dramatic events and the privacy, dignity and safety of the victims.

Rescue teams erected screens to keep the media at a distance and used large umbrellas to shield the boys from view. Imagine if unscrupulous media crews had endangered the rescue operation or their own lives in the search for that winning shot.

Rejoice in the wonderful outcome, by all means, but temper it with the overarching need for safety and dignity. - Joan Brown, Orange

When do we ask: why was this rescue necessary? The cave visit was not a wise decision. As a parent, if I believed my child was off on a group exercise and then found he was in this situation, I would be full of anger.  There is a case of grave negligence here and, let us not forget, it has cost the life of a navy SEAL; he had a wife and  family. - Kay Halley, Manly

How refreshing to read that the parents of the boys are looking for someone to thank for their children’s survival rather than blame for their ordeal. - Gregg Smith, Wentworth Falls

Pragmatic China is not our enemy

Blaming China for threatening Australian institutions conveniently ignores the own goals we inflict on ourselves (‘‘MPs support Bannon’s alert over looming China threat’’, July 11). How dare we spy on East Timor for financial gain, after being the very ones whose acquiescence to Indonesia ensured Timorese misery for decades. How dare we concoct charges against Bernard Collaery and Witness K, honourable people who told the truth.

Of course foreign interference must be resisted but our MPs would be well employed to ensure that there remains something worth protecting.

The Timor spying saga is a complete disgrace, demonstrating that we are willing to stoop as low as possible for financial gain and that we cannot tolerate anyone speaking the truth about it. - Susan Connelly, Lakemba

As a progressive, my enemy is not China. The Chinese are pragmatic and are not ideologues.
Steve Bannon is all about ideology – he is an anti-progressive ideologue.  In summary, thanks but no thanks, Steve. - Boris Feigin, Narwee

Apart from the Australian government, is there anyone left who still worships the US as the leader of the free world? - Jim Ayling, Kirrawee

Staffing lessons

Another wonderfully informing article by Ross Gittins regarding better and more productive management of staff (‘‘How to work smarter, not harder’’, July 11). However the final cliched attack on ‘‘militant unionism’’, not putting clients’ interests above their own seemed completely at odds with his approval of the NSW Teachers’ Federation’s research into ways of ensuring that students’ needs do come first.

The professionalism of teachers’ knowledge and prioritisation of their students’ needs and the concerns that time management must be optimised, is driving the union’s praiseworthy study. - Vanessa Tennent, Oatley

Boris’ colonial karma

Boris Johnson, in one human frame, encapsulates British colonial history (‘‘BoJo’s not the Brexit Messiah, just a very (clever) naughty boy’’, July 11). The three words that summarise British history are: stiff upper lip. How else could a small island nation colonise the world?

You would be stretched to say Johnson has a stiff upper lip. His lips seem always to be moving freely. Yet in all his unconventional utterances and activities, he has managed to keep a stiff upper lip. He is perpetually angry but has managed never to say what he is angry about.

Former prime minister David Cameron never knew. His successor Theresa May seems to know. She has managed him with dexterity and insight. At last she has forced Johnson to say what he really is angry about.

Under May’s soft Brexit Britain will become a colony. There it is, the sudden and feared realisation that Britain is to become a colony of the EU. Being a colony is a fate worse than death. The great coloniser is to become a colony. No wonder Johnson forgot to tie up his shirt and press his pants. - Michael Kennedy, West Pymble

Share bikes can work

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Illustration: John Shakespeare

Vale Reddy Go and ofo (‘‘Bump in the road as bike share operators quit’’, July 11). What will I do on my daily walk once I can’t count dumped bikes? - Debra Miniutti, Ashbury

Has anyone (including councils) given consideration to the idea that there may not be anything intrinsically wrong with the share bike business model but something seriously amiss with the arrogance, immaturity and imbecilic behaviour of a lot of Sydneysiders?

Share biking seems to work exceedingly well and is incredibly popular everywhere else in the world, including my own backyard here in Newcastle. Perhaps Sydney should try regulating its citizens?- Antony Bennett, Bar Beach

Licence to mock

Any grant of a permit to EMS Rural Exports for the sheep belonging to Emanuel Exports would make a mockery of the suspension of that company’s licence (‘‘Sheep stranded by ban to sail on new licence’’, July 11). The two companies are closely associated, each has a troubled history of animal welfare and the Al Shuwaikh is one of the old, two-tier carriers due to be phased out.

Had the key recommendation of the McCarthy Review been implemented, this vessel would have been subjected to a drastically reduced stocking allowance for shipments during northern summer months. How can the Department of Agriculture be satisfied as to the health and welfare of the sheep as required by law? - Elizabeth Ellis, Leura

Solar profiteering

Yes, by all means reset the imbalance against consumers (‘‘Call for reset to fix power imbalance’’, July 11). Why are we, with solar panels, given a feed-in price of 6 cents/kWh only to have it on-sold to another consumer within the minute/hour for 30 cents/kWh. A tidy profit. If any other essential producer were to increase prices to such an extent, there would be an immediate enquiry. I have a good understanding of cost-benefit analysis, but this is well beyond being reasonable. - Bruce Clydsdale, Bathurst

Feeling fine

Richard Quilty (Letters, July 11) appears not to understand the real meaning of sexual harassment. It refers to any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour which makes the victim feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Judging by the smug response of The Church’s Steve Kilbey (‘‘Wow, I really have made it now!’’) after having his testicles grabbed by a fan, it seems that he felt rather pleased with himself and neither humiliated nor intimidated. Under the circumstances, it would be a waste of Kate Jenkins’ time to inquire further into an incident which does not fit the definition of sexual harassment at all. - Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow

No time to worry

The flip side is less time and energy to stress about work-life balance (‘‘30% surge in professionals with second job’’, July 11). - Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

Paying the legal piper

The Obeid legal debt is a state debt, so why not enlist the services of the State Debt Recovery office? It has enormous powers to recover the $7 million. - John Bracey, Forestville

Optimism is a wonderful thing and Andrew Tragardh, who is representing convicted charity fraudster Belle Gibson for non-payment of court fines must have it in spades if he believes his bill for her will be paid (‘‘Cancer fraud Gibson faces threat of jail sentence’’, July 11). - Alicia Dawson, Balmain

Raving over Latham

Mark Latham wouldn’t be troubled finding a conduit for his talents in England (‘‘Latham flirts with One Nation, LDP’’, July 11). The Monster Raving Loony Party would seem a perfect fit. - John Tuckfield, Moorebank

... or perhaps Whitlam is Labor’s Shakespeare and Latham is Labor’s Rodney Rude (Letters, July 11)? - Peter Mahoney, Oatley

Spring to defence

Sorry to disappoint Elizabeth Mackenzie (Letters, July 11) but the signage at the Botanical Gardens informs readers that at any time of the year there is a species of wattle blooming. - Suzanne Wicks, Potts Point

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