Letters

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday January 15, 2008

Inspiring feat, in sport and the great outdoors

The smiles on the faces in the magnificent photo of the two young swashbucklers reaching dry land with arms around each other is proof positive that the great Australian ideals of mateship and adventure are yet to be killed off by the computer game industry ("Across the creek after a very long paddle", January 14).

Steve Partridge Marrickville

Two young men, a kayak, a wonderful welcome by passionate Kiwis. That is what sport can be: inspirational.

Chris Noel Cremorne Point

Didn't steal Hillary, at least

While in agreement with Paul Mirabelle's praise of Sir Edmund Hillary's extraordinary qualities (Letters, January 14), I must point out that Fred Hollows was also a Kiwi. One of Sir Ed's less important achievements was to avoid being declared some sort of east island Australian, as many of his successful compatriots, four-footed and two-footed, have.

Ross Chambers Springwood

Rich with possibility

A spokesman for the Packers announced that "they are definitely pregnant" ("Breath of fresh heir for Packer dynasty", January 14). They? Please explain.

Barry Schwarzer Turner (ACT)

The taxpayers of Australia can rejoice that their hard-earned will contribute to the baby bonuses for Nicole, Erica and Cate.

Dan Buchler Waramanga (ACT)

A few contenders for the title

Like Janice Lemon (Letters, January 14), I would like George Bush's place in history to be clarified. Is he the worst US president ever or is he the greatest stand-up comedian to occupy the Oval Office? His words suggest comedian but his actions scream otherwise.

Murray Howlett Regents Park

Janice Lemon asks whose presidency was worse than George Bush's and I was going to suggest William Henry Harrison, the ninth president who died 31 days into his presidency in 1841 with no accomplishments (he was struck down with ill-health from the end of his inaugural address and never recovered). Come to think of it, he probably still out-performed Bush.

Jeremy Brender Cremorne

Warren Harding, the 29th president (1921-23) is generally regarded as one of the least successful. While not involved himself, his administration was riddled with bribery and corruption and is probably best remembered for the Teapot Dome scandal. After 29 months Harding died in the job, but not before saying: "I'm not fit for this office and never should have been here."

Joe Dwyer Rose Bay

The worst American president? Surely Calvin Coolidge, who reportedly did little when in office and when told of his death Dorothy Parker famously responded: "How could they tell?"

John Crowe Normanhurst

Seasonal refreshment

I write to express my appreciation for the Summer Herald. The standard of articles has been excellent and the range of topics imaginative and stimulating. I have enjoyed also the items such as the quiz, the quotes and Ruth Wajnryb's contributions about words and phrases. It has been so readable I would ask that you publish it all year round changing the title to Autumn, Winter and Spring as the seasons change.

Ken Bock Carlingford

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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