Free society
What are the Liberals doing with their postal vote or plebiscite? Have they forgotten the fundamentals of a free society?
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In a free country like Australia, we make laws to protect the vulnerable and we make decisions about who is vulnerable (age, power relationships, etc). Why would any rational person who believes in freedom want to make laws to restrict what capable people in mutually respectful relationships can do or restrict the status of their relationships? And why would a rational person want to have a say on imposing or maintaining those restrictions? A vote in the Parliament is only necessary because a self-important little man wanted to impose his narrow views on society – a plebiscite (or postal vote) on such a subject is anathema to the ideals of freedom.
The only possibly vulnerable people involved in same-sex marriage are the children and it has been shown in studies and anecdotally that children of same-sex couples are no more vulnerable than those of other couples. The naysayers seem to have conceded this as they have already moved on to nonsense about freedom of speech and political correctness – nonsense because no-one will be less able to express themselves if gay people can be married.
Everyone in a free society like Australia is entitled to express their opinions (within the limits of inciting violence), but there is a big difference between expressing your opinion and voting on whether other peoples' rights should be restricted. I can imagine the Duttons of this world would want to, but why would a rational person want to have a right to have a say on the status of the relationships our fellow Australians - particularly when the status of those relationships will have nothing to do with most of us and will not affect our beliefs as they pertain to our personal behaviour, or affect our comfort or our security.
What could be more divisive in a society such as ours to require everyone to have a say on the status of the relationships of a specified minority?
Ray Hunt, Bega
Open day invite
Wolumla Public School is welcoming our new principal Mr Claxton as part of our 2017 open day this Friday.
Prospective families and interested community members have been invited into our school on Friday, August 18.
The day will start with a welcome assembly at 9.25am followed by morning tea baked by the P&C, a guided tour of the school and a barbecue lunch. We will showcase our quality educational programs, the costumes from our raved about Lion King performance, award winning artwork from our students and our passionate teachers in action.
The school community will also use the day to discuss the road traffic concerns surrounding the school.
The P&C, teaching staff, families and local community are all eager to resolve the parking and footpath concerns and are hoping to engage other interested parties on the day to assist in developing strategies to ensure the safety of our children.
Kellie Rosseland, Wolumla
Thanks for assistance
I would like to thank the two gentlemen from the Bega District Band who came to my aid when I fell near Horizon, along with a couple of other people.
I have had surgery on both knees – in the year 2000 and 2013 – so when I fell I really did hurt my knees and grazed my arm and elbow.
I hope I didn’t embarrass anyone, as if or when I fall I come up not very lady-like.
I’m still quite sore. I have spoken to the council and they are going to fix the footpath up as it is uneven in places, but my main reason was to thank the people for their help.
I have trouble getting up off the ground or floor so thank you again.