No forgetting Djokovic’s pandemic stance

Andrew DysonCredit:.

No forgetting
Novak Djokovic says he is ready to move on from the turmoil of last year and he may well do so. However, I cannot forget what happened. This was never about whether Djokovic had the right to decide what was put in his body – of course he did. This was about a selfish man who chose to care only about his own narrow views and to show no consideration whatsoever for others. He was happy to come to Australia unvaccinated in the height of the pandemic.
He was comfortable to put at risk every Australian he met during his trip. This is not the sort of man I could ever respect and he can never be a true champion. I will choose not to watch any Australian Open match in which he is a player.
John Rosenberg, South Melbourne

Prejudice diktat
What’s the point of providing more details on the inclusion of the First Nations people in the Constitution and a Voice when those advocating for the no vote aren’t interested in anything other than what their prejudices dictate.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East

Adopt 30km/h
Zero pedestrian deaths in Oslo and Helsinki in 2019, as noted in the article ″⁣Plea for 30km/h limit″⁣, is something we should aim for in Greater Melbourne. It won’t happen unless we adopt the world standard of 30km/h rather than 40km/h.
The Department of Transport response is totally predictable for a very car-centric department. The 30km/h ″⁣trial″⁣ zones are only achieved after years of bureaucratic wrangling by local councils with the department. The government needs to urgently review and change the laws and regulations that strangle local councils who want to bring 21st-century road safety conventions to their residents.
Chris Trueman, Blackburn

Not suited for purpose
Cricket is a summer game yet the networks insist on dressing their male commentators in shirt, tie and suit to fulfil their on-screen roles. Can anyone please explain how wearing a suit and tie on a 36-degree day will make a male commentator more erudite and/or insightful? The networks’ female on-air staff (still too few in number, by the way) wear professional, comfortable attire in keeping with the summer season.
The poor Fox fellas all look like they have just come from a school photo in their matching suits.
Ditch the ties and suits. What’s wrong with summer strides and a crisp summer shirt? Or is the aircon too cold in the commentary booths?
Anthony Clifford, Wendouree

Scrap the day
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proposes scrapping a public holiday to spend money on higher priorities. How about we scrap the Australia Day holiday? It would save the increasingly bitter debate about what the day means; it would get the nation back to work after a month of almost no productivity; and it would save money, perhaps to spend on health, education, flood mitigation, road repairs. Perhaps we could scrap a few more public holidays.
Pam Cupper, Dimboola

Pluck the heath
In response to the article “Just too common: Time to ditch the floral emblem” (29/12), may I suggest murnong yam daisy as a contender to replace the Victorian emblem. Its tubers are a source of food, when flowering it’s an indicator of season change and it’s widespread in Victoria; not particularly pretty but very giving.
Thank you Tim Entwisle, maybe a few more Victorians can now name common pink heath as their floral emblem.
Bronwyn Davis,
Kennington

Diplomacy screen test
It looks like our reluctance to screen travellers from China, despite the recent rise of COVID infections, has a lot to do with not wanting to upset China after Penny Wong’s successful efforts to mend the bridges in our relationship with the communist state. Shouldn’t we be listening to medical advice from the Victorian president of the AMA, Roderick McRae, who says we should screen travellers from China and quarantine them at the new Mickleham facility for a week. Our hospital system is already under enormous stress.
Nick Toovey, Beaumaris

A giant passes
The man who turned football into ballet has played his final pass. RIP Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Or as he was known, Pele.
Mike Pantzopoulos, Ashburton

AND ANOTHER THING

Djokovic
Novak Djokovic says he can’t forget detention. He wasn’t on Manus Island, he was in a hotel in the city. How precious.
Julie Ottobre, Sorrento

Novak Djokovic can’t forget detention. Can he remember why he was detained?
Fiona Wilson, Thornbury

If Novak Djokovic “can’t forget″⁣ detention after only a few days, how must those poor souls kept in detention for years feel?
Randall Bradshaw, Fitzroy

As far as Novak Djokovic is concerned, I have not forgotten, and he is not forgiven, for his unwavering arrogance and selfish affront to our society. Not welcome.
James O’Keefe, East Melbourne

I’m sure being held in detention and deported will stay with Novak Djokovic. But he should see how Australia treats people seeking asylum who arrive by boat.
Belinda Burke, Hawthorn

Furthermore
We do indeed know where the buck stops with Qantas and Jetstar (Letters, 30/12). Alan Joyce’s back pocket.
Alan Inchley, Frankston

The only way Taliban control can be removed from Afghanistan is if Afghan men decide to fight for the rights of Afghan women.
David Parker, Geelong West

My New Year’s resolution, is to have no New Year’s resolution.
Steve Barrett, Glenbrook

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