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Timely tactics While raising three boys and a girl in the ’80s, it was never acceptable for any of them to touch each other with the intent to hurt. Quick consequences of “time out” in their bedroom was always a good reminder. They have grown into fine, young adults who have never used physical means to win an argument or solve a dispute. Education in the home and reinforcement at school and in the community is a good approach, and hopefully a long-term solution to domestic violence (Letters, November 5). Barbara Tregear, Ashfield Big car selfishness Australia doesn’t need more big cars and utes. Standard parking spaces are not big enough to accommodate them, so their front or rear ends often impinge on the already narrow spaces other cars must negotiate to enter or leave car parks (“Big car drivers ignore risks for comfort and space”, November 5). When on the road, or parked parallel to the road, they are impossible to see around, which can lead to accidents. They also use more fuel, adding to carbon and micro-particle pollution. People may feel safe and “above the fray” when they drive these monsters, but what about all the other road users? I’ve always felt that if you have three children over six feet tall and they all play the double bass, an SUV is a good option. Otherwise, I do not see the point. Gerianne Rudd, Toowong (Qld) Power-sharing Joseph Ting is upset that others will be getting access to his otherwise unused solar power under the scheme for three free hours, describing it as robbing Peter to pay Paul (Letters, November 5). But in what way is Peter being robbed? The scheme doesn’t cost him a cent. It just uses power that is otherwise wasted during the day. This kind of “what’s in it for me” thinking is exactly the opposite of how we need to be in the new world of power-sharing. Andrew Taubman, Queens Park Your correspondent has a short-sighted and self-interested view of renewable energy. He appears unable to perceive the more general and indeed worldwide benefit that would flow from better utilisation of available solar power. Personally, as someone whose system can produce over 8kW in the middle of the day but whose feed-in to the grid is limited to 5kW, I am more than happy for the government to take any steps that would allow better use of the excess renewable energy that is currently going to waste. John Croker, Woonona Alan Stanley has got it wrong in saying solar or wind could consistently supply enough power to run an aluminium smelter such as Tomago (Letters, November 5). This is a 24/7 operation. Solar cannot supply this and the batteries needed would be so large you could never have enough. The big battery in Adelaide could supply Tomago, which uses 900MW a day, for about 10 minutes. There is only one answer for Tomago, and that is reliable base-load power generated by coal, gas, or nuclear. Terry Cook, Ermington Hope for democracy To be called a communist by the Prince of Hyperbole, Donald Trump, is a badge of honour as “radical, left-wing lunatic” is the customary epithet for his adversaries (“Trump meddles in New York mayoral poll,” November 5). The new socialist mayor of New York city, Zohran Mamdani, is everything the president is not – young, intelligent, articulate, multilingual, a climate change advocate and the holder of a host of progressive ideas. Could his election be the first sign that America First and narrow isolationism is making way for the return of America as a truly democratic nation once again admired and respected? Bernard Moylan, Bronte To submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.
