As the Coalition’s attack dog Barnaby Joyce has again shown his insensitive side and continued the Coalition’s negativity on renewables and Labor ministers (“Albanese called for Joyce sacking”, July 30). The remarks aligning bullets to votes (in the current link to the Donald Trump shooting) are at best inappropriate, at worst downright disgusting. Barnaby is famous for the blank-look apology after having said or done something irresponsible.
Barnaby Joyce during Question Time earlier this month.Credit: James Brickwood
He doesn’t learn or continues to infuriate. With the current issues unsettling our community at the moment, his comments hinting at the use of firearms is most alarming. I hope his office phones are ringing off the hook as his constituents provide negative feedback on his alarming choice of words. The campaign to win is getting dirty again and we are back in the “ditch the witch” days of Tony Abbott. Perhaps it really is time for Barnaby to go! Robert Mulas, Corltette
Barnaby Joyce is incorrigible. He is a politician unencumbered by conscience, deep thought or coherent speech, but none of this excuses his use of a “violent metaphor” to peddle his ugly parochialism. Not only must he be removed from the shadow front bench, but also the Nationals must expel him as unrepresentative of their values, or risk being tarred with same brush. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield
No , Barnaby Joyce you have gone too far this time with your words. I have never found your words funny or useful. You bring disrespect to the position the people have voted for. The climate change crisis needs truth. No is Peter Dutton’s favourite word ,so he should say no to him and remove him from the shadow ministry. A sensible debate is expected by voters. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Magnificent amid heartbreak
I saw the television interview of Harry Garside after being beaten by his Hungarian opponent. And I was very impressed. He said he felt dejected by his loss. Far from it. He did us all proud and particularly what he said during his interview which was magnificent as it was magnanimous, especially to the youth of Australia. Good onya Harry! Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga
To watch the superb performances of Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus in pool was only matched by their exemplary example of how to be a winner and a loser in any aspect of life during and after the medal presentation (“It was supposed to be Arnie’s night, but it could end up being Mollie’s Games, July 30). I trust that Nick Kyrgios was watching and learning. Tony Denzel, Bonny Hills
The Olympics and the US Presidential race come every four years, giving us the two hot topics of the moment - Paris and Harris. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Offensive or inclusive?
The article by Rob Harris (“Organisers sorry for drag show”, July 30) is totally ill-informed and inaccurate. The so-called offensive tableau was an inclusive fashion parade which clearly depicted the figures from Greek mythology of the Greek Gods, Dionysus and Ariadne. The Olympics began in Greece long before the birth of Christ. There was no food on the table. The blue character was clearly Dionysus. Above Ariadne was the Corona Borealis not a Christian depiction. I understand Ariadne in fact was played by a woman, not a man in drag. Yet the claims of the Australian Christian Lobby went unchallenged. Katharine Crawford, Port Macquarie
With all the faux outrage could we at least report the facts? It was not a parody of the Last Supper. It was a bacchanalia. Kenneth Smith, Orange
French singer, songwriter and actor Philippe Katerine during the contentious performance.Credit: Twitter
Dire ecomomic consequences
The utterances of J.D. Vance may sound thoughtful and polished (compared to those of Trump), but as Stephen Bartholomeusz points out their proposed policies will have dire consequences for the US economy and that of the world (“Trump’s deluded desire for a lower US dollar”, July 29).
Vance himself has noted that a strong US dollar is “a subsidy for US consumers but a tax on US manufacturers”. Aren’t MAGA supporters mostly US consumers? Don’t they realise that the policies of Trump and Vance will most likely hurt them? They may have been hurt in the past by the loss of US manufacturing jobs, but a weaker US dollar won’t bring them back. This was shown in 1985 when Reagan tried the same thing and manufacturing jobs continued to decline. It will only make the bosses of companies that are still exporting even richer. Why do some people no longer trust experts and evidence, thinking that they know better or that things will be different this time? David Rush, Lawson
As one who is ‘troubled by the state of US democracy’, I find the editorial (“Harris faces a steep climb to presidency”, July 30) on the Harris campaign gives an unwarranted equivalence to Trump and Harris, denying the explicit, existential threat that Trump, by his own utterances, is making to democracy in those US. Harris shows by her actions since being appointed as Vice-President and by her stated intentions, to stay with the rule of law and the power of accountable government. Trump showed by his actions as President, corrupting the office of President, and by his stated intention to be a dictator and to dismantle both the rule of law and the apparatus of government, that he would destroy democracy. Let’s not have some whitewashing of that stark choice, by implying that both of these two candidates could maintain democracy in the USA. No. Barry Laing, Castle Cove
People don’t invest in lost causes. The fact that Kamala Harris’ election coffers are swelling should indicate that her fortunes are on the rise. Trump’s only answer to her are personal slurs, outright lies and innuendo which would suggest that he is running scared. She’ll wipe the floor with him in any election debate. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
Your correspondent’s assertion that, “Trump/Vance will not win,” is overly optimistic. Their subsequent opinion that, “Americans are not that stupid,” is generous by the same measure. In 2016, 62 million American electors gave Trump the presidency with only 46 per cent of the primary vote. In the 2020 election, 74 million people voted for him. This is a solid historical base which appears to be strengthening on a foundation of gimmickry, artifice and deception. I’m afraid that it’s an uncharitable generalisation but I do think that Americans are that stupid. In a country where voting is voluntary, this election looks like Trump’s to lose. William Galton, Hurstville Grove
Donald Trump with J.D. Vance at Saturday’s (Sunday AEST) campaign rally at Grand Rapids, Michigan.Credit: Bloomberg
Fiddling while burning
In a modern version of Nero fiddling while Rome burns, we have the election circus in USA and the Olympics in swing, while Californian forests burn, again (“Volatile conditions sparks speedy wildfire”, July 30). The climate catastrophe grinds onwards while we look the other way. At least there is now a chance that the next president of the USA will continue Biden’s massive effort, to do something to save us. Barry Laing, Castle Cove
Ode to a road
Your correspondent’s Ode to Parramatta Road, our oldest and most historic road (“Renovate not detonate”, July 30) was a delight.
So over to the councils along the way to approve and ensure suitable development in order to showcase our National Treasure which really does transport one from a crowded city to the beautiful Blue Mountains. Albeit a bit slowly at times! Kath Maher, Lidcombe
Coastal cool
It’s been so cold that when I go for a walk everyone is wearing beanies and I’m wondering if I’m living in Como or Cooma. Michael Deeth, Como West
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