THE passing out of the F-18 Hornet at the RAAF base ('Plane sad: end of jet set's era', Newcastle Herald 11/12) makes me feel old. It seems not that long ago I attended the passing out of the Mirage fighter and the introduction of the F-18 Hornet.
My daughter, now 38, danced to the beat of a live band when a two-year-old and the RAAF base staged a comparison between the Mirage and Hornet in a drag race as to which one could take off and climb the quickest. Although the F-18 was quicker to accelerate and manoeuvre, the Mirage was said to be faster at top speed. It would be interesting if a similar comparison was staged between the F-18 and F-35 fighter jets.
I am not sure how security works now, but last time it gave a real buzz when the F-18 came in low and took off vertically, the ground almost shook, even the brass band seemed to come in waves. This was, and probably still is, an experience well worth the wait as for hopeful aviators it certainly gets the blood pumping. It's like Top Gun in real life; an excellent recruiting exercise .
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
'Tis the season for confusion
I ENJOYED Marie Low's article ('Glad that Christmas comes but once a year', Opinion 10/12) with her drama over the preparation for Christmas. It reminded me of the confusion I suffer during this season.
I seem to recall it began with three men in the Middle East, riding camels through the desert, following a star to Bethlehem. Somehow the show moved from there to the North Pole with a fat bearded bloke with numerous names, either Santa Claus, St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle. This fellow appears to rocket around the world on his sled after visiting countless shopping malls.
To add to my confusion we have other Christmas characters such as Frosty the Snowman, six white boomers and strange people called Black Petes, found handing out gifts in some parts of Europe. Still, I find the therapy helps, with only a few days to go. Anyway, merry Christmas to all.
Tony Winton, Wallsend
No consequences beyond tarnish
I WATCHED some of the televised parliamentary proceedings from Canberra this week. Despite the faux Christmas bonhomie on display, I was struck by how many members of this government have now been at least implicated in behaviour that in my opinion should have led to real consequences, but for which they've escaped scot free (so to speak).
Allegations spanning from Robodebt to travel rorts, sexual misconduct, branch stacking, sports rorts, contempt of court, insulting Pacific Island nations, conflicts of interests galore, spurious documents, misleading parliament, lying, racist comments, deals and decisions for mates. I believe the list goes on. And there, presiding over them all was Scott Morrison. Not at his best, it must be said. Morrison's faux bonhomie is less convincing than most, if not completely off-putting. No, he's in his element when there's a scandal to dismiss, allegations to be denied, and responsibility to be shirked. On his feet, smirk in place and in full flight, ploughing through facts and the bleeding obvious like a combine harvester, leaving in his wake a trail of indecipherable mulch and chaff, not to mention a bewildered audience.
Sadly, we no longer seem to care that much about shoddy behaviour from the political class. No wonder it seems to be rife.
Michael Hinchey, New Lambton
High rise a low for city buzz
I FOUND the opinion piece by Philip O'Neill ('How can city' centre bring back the buzz', Opinion 7/12) interesting. I agreed with much of what he said.
His comment about making the city an attractive place was interesting. The city used to be an attractive place and at one stage, under the Joy Cummins plan, it could have been more so by turning the Honeysuckle goods yard into parkland. If the success of the foreshore was anything to go by, the parkland proposed in this plan had the potential to attract more visitors to the city.
Sadly that opportunity was squandered when the Honeysuckle Development Corporation decided to put high rise developments on the site, thereby cutting off much of the access to the harbour; not to mention the views from Hunter Street. A fast train service would be a good idea, unfortunately catching such a train from the East End or the city centre is no longer possible. A lot of bad decisions have been made and it will now be a lot harder to bring back the buzz and vibrancy the city once had.
As I have said time and time again, the need for good access to and from the city is something that our decision makers simply didn't seem to understand and a lot of good ideas were simply ignored. Had there been careful, sensible and well thought out planning, things could have been different. I wonder if anyone in power has learnt anything from all of this.
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Pool resources must be shared
YESTERDAY I received my council newsletter and was interested to read the article about the planned upgrade to Newcastle Ocean Pool, especially the section that stated that it is a priority to maintain the sandy floor of the pool.
Many of us regulars were becoming concerned about that, given the recent closure for maintenance that saw a great deal of the sand removed. We understand that there is a vocal group who feel there was too much sand in the pool, but its current absence has made exercise more challenging for many of the regulars who now find it too deep for walking.
And I also know that we regular walkers have been blamed for the state of the sand...apparently, we stir up all the gunk. Truly, some people just love to complain. Many of the walkers are older and walking in the water is the only form of exercise they can manage. This is becoming difficult because, quite frankly, they cannot stand comfortably in the now deeper pool.
Maybe the swimmers could use the lap pool, since that is its function, and therefore not be annoyed by those of us getting our needed exercise by walking.
Jan Caine, Maryland
Fennell Bay plan needs work
WHILE I am not against the proposal ('Traffic in spotlight for estate', Herald 11/12) it needs proper infrastructure planning. Main Road 217 from Toronto through to Booragul struggles with current traffic flows and any major land release needs the NSW Government to duplicate this section of road including the Fennel Bay bridge. The stretch from Glendale to Speers Point sees daily traffic banking and with proposed development at the old Pasminco site this will only deteriorate. A 20-minute crawl from Glendale to Speers Point will remind us of NW Sydney problems.
Graeme Hooper, Carey Bay
SHARE YOUR OPINION
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name and suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words. Short Takes should be fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited in any form.
SHORT TAKES
I WAS so saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Gilligan ('A green life, gold legacy', Newcastle Herald 12/12). His leadership and guidance at the Tom Farrell institute for the Environment was inspirational.
Tim Roberts, Newcastle
I BELIEVE Pauline Hanson's statement that people on welfare have no rights, gives us a very good insight into the type of person she is. No wonder she fits in well with her Coalition friends, which she supports so faithfully in the Senate. She has moved high up the list of people who in my opinion should be deported from this great nation.
Darryl Tuckwell, Eleebana
BREAKDANCING is going to be an Olympic event? Get down! But I would much rather see a true test of human endurance, the Garrettathon; dancing like Peter Garrett over a 42 km course. Just imagine as they enter the arena for the last 400 metres with Power and the Passion at full bore, the crowd on its feet joining in. I'm starting training after Christmas; a good way to lose the Christmas excess.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
HISTORICALLY Liberal regimes have always made it a priority to destroy trade unions. Its mantra - we have a deal for you - is to drive down wages. Having the Liberal party telling us how to run unions, I liken to Dracula in charge of the blood bank.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
I LOVE watching the Big Bash cricket. Then to my annoyance they went on with the ridiculous one knee Black Lives Matter salute. Are we going to have to put up with this rubbish for the whole season? In my opinion it's enough to make you throw up! In England last week the two sides did the same thing before the kick-off and were booed very loudly by the crowd. Good on them. Get over it and move on with your lives.
Don Fraser, Belmont
IN reply to Kevin White (Short Takes, 11/12), I think you have a very short memory in regards to pork barrelling. Cast your mind back to 2013, Labor's failed University Plan, 2010 when Julia Gillard was slammed by the Australian National Audit Office. I think pork barreling has been going on for eternity by both parties and your comments merely reflect your political bias.
Tommy Diamond, Warners Bay
STEVE Barnett (Short Takes, 11/12), I have never seen a deadly treadly drag a person along. Better that some are pedalling than behind the wheel.
Graeme Tychsen, Rankin Park
IF ORICA is to continue to manufacture explosives on Kooragang then please move it in special trucks to a deep mining hole in the ground up the valley. If it explodes it can only blow up, not out. It may deepen the hole and loosen more coal, but will not destroy homes or infrastructure.
John Bradford, Beresfield
GEE, Dennis Crampton seems a bit mixed up (Short Takes, 8/12). He urges a crackdown on dissidents in the interests of a free country. I don't think that's how it works.
