Over the last week there has been much commentary about comments high-profile rugby union player Israel Folau has made. He is allowed his personal opinion even though many people may not agree with it.
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I am strong believer in free speech as without a broad diversity of opinions being allowed we will slowly drift into a communist type country.
I don’t think the sporting codes should be getting involved in political issues. They should instead concentrate on making their sporting codes strong and free of drugs, cheating and betting.
The major companies who sponsor these sporting codes should not be dictating the opinions of individual sporting identities. But I have no problems writing into their sponsorship contracts about drugs, cheating and betting. Companies should concentrate on running their organisations as a couple of companies in the Israel Folau saga have questionable practices.
John Walker, North Wangaratta
Locals are penalised
Greg Aplin where are you? The state government that you are a part of brought in a deposit/recycle tax without thinking about the businesses, and consumers along the Murray that are left at a disadvantage.
We are slugged 10 cents per container with nowhere in Mulwala to redeem the tax. NSW businesses are finding people drive one or two kilometres over the river to Victoria and get cheaper drinks. Did you not think of a 10-kilometre moratorium so we are not penalised? Perhaps we need a new member for Albury.
Shayne Davison, Mulwala
Attackers are not victims
In an impressive line up Archbishop Glenn Davies, broadcaster Alan Jones and former human rights commissioner Tim Wilson are defending freedom of speech, but proving the most selective of saviours.
Hailing Israel Folau as a type of Socrates ,Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire rolled into one, the prelate, pollie and media star are bravely championing the freedom of Folau to say whatever he likes regardless of who gets hurt in the process.
This is a taste of the good old days when jokes about Jews, blacks, “wogs”, women, gays and disabled people were the stable diet of national life and those offended could sink or swim, suck it up or “take a chill pill”.
In a move worthy of the American gun lobby faith-based hatred is being given a new lease of life provided it’s done prayerfully. When sportspeople experienced the indignity of prejudice and discrimination on the field it was dealt with as contrary to national values because of the real damage to individuals and our society.
However when it comes to hatred against LGBTIQ people mandated by the bible It has been left to Qantas to blow the whistle as others traditionally coming to the defense of the vulnerable under attack feel curiously unable. Which reading of the story of the good Samaritan permits a free kick against a vulnerable minority and calls those putting the boot in a victim?
In contemporary Australia “strong role models” don’t incite negative judgements against members of their own team or society and clerics, broadcasters and politicians with even the most flimsy human rights covering over their natural ethical limitations don’t demand freedoms that can double as weapons without being called out.
