I recall the assassination attempt on Labor leader Arthur Calwell years ago, and the killing of Fairfield Labor politician John Newman.
asserted
I → recall → Newman
However, it has been rare to see a woman in a country town attacked in this very public way.
asserted
woman → see → way
It seems to be difficult for women generally to come out in public and take an active political stance.
asserted
women → seem → stance
It isn’t easy to be involved in political comment, whether in the mainstream media or social media, and vicious putdowns by men are common.
asserted
putdowns → involve → men
I was called a “zio bootlicker” by one charming man online, and another stole my photos shared with friends for Anzac Day, using them to attack me politically over the war in Gaza.
asserted
another → call → Gaza
I now share nothing much online.
asserted
I → share → nothing
If you have a point of view deemed to be worthy only of cancelling and abuse, it is easier not to join the conversation – something I have tried not to give in to.
asserted
I → have → conversation
Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh
The incident in Wangaratta has brought into sharp focus the dangers elected public officials face daily as they seek to engage with those they represent.
asserted
they → bring → those
In the corporate world, the term ″tone from the top″, is often used, yet in the political arena those at the top often descend into megaphone vilification, risking the empowerment of aggressive actions.
asserted
those → use → actions
On Tuesday, many politicians across the divide spoke and wrote of Dr Haines’ compassion and the respect she demonstrated in her professional and political life.
asserted
she → speak → life
This incident must serve as a moment of truth for political and public leaders to not only set the right tone but to call out behaviours that are contrary to the beliefs and values we treasure.
asserted
we → serve → beliefs
It’s to redefine our national compass where the true north is compassion.
asserted
north → ’ → compass
Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook
The horrific attack on Helen Haines illustrates the woeful lack of security our politicians receive.
asserted
politicians → illustrate → security
The likes of Pauline Hanson not having a security detail is astounding to me, along with state premiers having no official residence and minimal to no bodyguards.
asserted
premiers → have → residence
We seem to have a much more carefree attitude towards politicians’ safety than other countries.
asserted
We → seem → countries
At the least, electorate offices facing the street should have bollards out the front.
asserted
offices → face → front
It is time for all Australian politicians to set examples of kindness.
asserted
politicians → set → kindness
Kindness is free and works well with good intentions – something we may need to be reminded of.
uncertain
we → work → intentions
A watershed moment has been reached with the attack on Helen Haines.
asserted
moment → reach → Haines
The media, politicians and the public need to be careful with their language ongoing.
asserted
language → need → ?
Perhaps a good place to start would be in parliament?
asserted
place → start → parliament
Some of the language and ideas spruiked under parliamentary privilege are not conducive to mature sensible political debate.
asserted
Some → spruike → debate
In Australia today, right-wing politicians flirt with neo-Nazis, a Liberal politician calls for the stoning of a Labor Muslim, minister over the actions of her portfolio, One Nation videos nastily attack individuals rather than policies.
asserted
videos → flirt → policies
We can see surely where this is heading.
asserted
this → see → ?
It’s time to act against the root cause of this problem: inequality.
asserted
It → ’ → problem
As inequality worsens, so too will frustration, hopelessness, dangerous ideologies and violence.
asserted
frustration → worsen → ?
When we lived in Mudgee in the late 1990s, we can remember John Anderson, who was our local member, and deputy prime minister at the time, walking along Church St with only an assistant accompanying him as he talked to anyone and everyone.
asserted
he → live → anyone
At the end of the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, we were in the multitude heading for the train station with Tim Fischer (then ex-deputy prime minister but still an MP).
asserted
we → head → Fischer
He had, it seemed, no close protection.
asserted
it → have → protection
How the world has changed.
asserted
world → change → ?
Potential mental instability, as raised by the alleged perpetrator’s lawyer, adds to the deep human distress of the whole situation.
asserted
instability → raise → situation
However, I cannot fathom the treatment of Daniel Duggan, an Australian since 2012, who has been in jail for four years without having broken a single Australian law.
asserted
who → fathom → law
He is accused by the US of training Chinese pilots.
asserted
He → accuse → pilots
No evidence is provided, statements are riddled with errors and silence greets requests for explanations.
asserted
silence → provide → explanations
He is on the cusp of being sent to the USA at the behest of the present administration under one Donald Trump, the state of whose mind and the worth of whose advisers will provide
asserted
is → send → advisers
And it all started with “Ditch the Witch!”
asserted
it → start → Witch
Ken Pares, Forster
Divided we fall
asserted
we → fall → ?
Australians are still trying to understand the terrible attack on the widely respected and loved Helen Haines, and Paul Sakkal provides perspective (“Political class must bridge the divide or face fractures”, October21).
asserted
class → try → fractures
Following this event, our politicians could resolve, now, to create the toughest legislation and penalties to restore order and decency in the online world, as it affects Australians.
uncertain
it → follow → Australians
Our political representatives deserve nothing less.
asserted
representatives → deserve → nothing
…and 54 more, not listed.
The Aporia
