The Editor

The Australian                                                                         September 8, 2005

In the newspapers of Sunday, September 11 2005, I read... 

Adelaide crowds gathered at the gates for the sellout finals knock-out between its two AFL teams were met with army counterrorism operatives body-searching every supporter for explosives and detonation devices.

As scanning equipment examined the contents of every esky, and football beanies were removed from patrons heads for examination, a spokesman said "To ensure that they stay alive, the general public needs to accept new standards of patriotism.  Objection to a body-search will result in the implementation of a full strip search.  Mention of the word "terrorist" will necessitate a lengthy interview with an ASIO agent. Any overdressed fan gaining access to the playing field will be treated according to the doctrines of the London police.  In order to prevent loss of life, we are prepared to shoot first and ask questions later."

The Editor,

Sydney Morning Herald.                                                 September 7, 2005.

Obviously stung by the contents of my letter to the editor yesterday, John Howard said today that his government can’t afford to cut the federal excise rate on fuel (‘PM won’t cut excise as petrol rockets’, Herald, September 7).

The Editor

Sydney Morning Herald.                                                           September 6, 2005.