As a former SAS member, I would be ashamed to admit I had fired 22 bullets during a siege in which there was only one terrorist. It’s a miracle that more hostages were not killed.
Brian Doherty, Beenleigh, Qld
In a life-threatening hostage situation, the NSW police put their safety before that of those they are paid to protect. Don’t bother calling 000 — you’re on your own.
Bruce Watson, Mosman, NSW
This week marked the centenary of one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, when hundreds of young Australians died in one day. They were defending our freedoms and our Christian culture. This week also saw the vilification of a woman who called for an end to Muslim immigration, on the reasonable grounds that they pose a threat. The Diggers would be turning in their graves, wondering what it was they had fought and died for.
David Haselgrove, Main Beach, Qld
The solution to Islamic terrorism writes Vincent Zankin (Letters, 21/7) is for Jews, Muslims and Christians to proclaim “inalienable unity in the one God”. If that hypothesis has any validity why are Shia and Sunni Muslims killing each other in such great numbers? Don’t they believe in the same God?
George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW
I suspect there are many people with views on issues they may like to air via a plebiscite. If we are spending about $160 million on the exercise, why not make it a 10-question plebiscite with same-sex marriage, Muslim immigration and voluntary euthanasia being the first three?
Peter Scruby, New Farm, Qld