YOU must be ecstatic, Graeme Bennett, after hearing the East End development, pictured, will now go ahead after being held up so we could all look at the cathedral. ("Views of the cathedral are not so sacred", Letters, 28/10).
I was about to congratulate you on your views (no pun intended) on the building delays as you were spot on. But now a breakthrough and common sense prevails. Building work will resume.
To all the complainers who don't want any more urban sprawl and don't want any more high rise, I ask: where are people going to be housed? In my view the need is for housing and retail in the East End.
Hopefully that is what we will get and not just a view of the cathedral.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Newcastle
Earthquake drove the shake-up
I AM surprised that some experts, including Keith Stronach ("Landmark's rebirth opens new chapter", Herald 25/10), haven't mentioned the effects of the 1989 earthquake and the closure of the Royal Newcastle Hospital as major contributors to the downturn of the mall and the East End.
In my opinion, these factors made more difference to the inner city than the closure of BHP. The earthquake hastened the already imminent transfer of services to the new John Hunter Hospital, and many private medical practices leaving the inner city.
The significant reduction in regular visitors to the city - hospital staff, visitors, outpatients and those attending private practices, as well as people affected by the demolition or closure of other businesses due to earthquake damage, made an enormous difference to the remaining businesses in Newcastle in both the short and long term.
Any discussion of the history of the inner city is incomplete without this consideration.
Wendy Webb, Warners Bay
Stories didn't spring into being
YOUR correspondent ("Atheism demands faith as well", Letters 24/10) rejects the notion that Christian beliefs are based on "unsubstantiated mythical stories" and points out that Jesus was a historical figure, as if that settles the question. But there was a significant lag between Jesus' time on earth and the accounts of those times as set out in the Scriptures. Mark's account seems to be the first written, probably in the seventh decade CE, and the remainder were written at varying times over the next two centuries. Many rely on earlier accounts, including Mark's, as well as Paul's letters. The details of Jesus' life would also been inevitably subject to embellishment or variation.
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is a good example of an "unsubstantiated mythical story". The idea of Jesus being one with God had been rattling around but was not formally adopted by the Catholic Church until a group of men debated it at the Council of Nicaea in 325 and decided in a vote that Jesus was God. Transubstantiation, formally recognised at the 16th century Council of Trent, would also fit into this category. Both would no doubt appeal to the masses, but could clearly be described as "unsubstantiated mythical stories".
John Ure, Mount Hutton
Thorpe outburst cost her my vote
REGARDING Lidia Thorpe ("Senator confirms 'hairs' oath after challenging King, resists calls to resign", Herald 25/10): it is so sad to see her demean herself in public with what a lot of readers will consider an alienating outburst (myself included). I can see no better way to turn people away from the cause of the Aboriginal people.
As a representative of the public, people and nation by virtue of her parliamentary position, Ms Thorpe has the responsibility of proper behaviour and conduct. If we expect it and enforce it on our sportsmen and women, it is expected that parliament will follow the same rules (sorry, I forgot that they have yet to introduce that aspect).
In my view Lidia's conduct brings her no honour, and by it has lost my vote.
No wonder we do not trust politicians.
William Hancock, Rankin Park
Fort fight to draw concert crowd
COST of living is biting deep for people of the Hunter.
Normally attracting between 500 and 1000 people, the event scheduled at Fort Scratchley for Saturday has so far attracted less than 200, which is break even for our society. Besides the Australian Army Band (Newcastle) and the Waratah Brass Band, this year's performance also features the Australian Military Wives Choir.
At $25 per ticket ($32 if you want a chair) it is still one of the cheapest concert tickets available. This year, the decision was made to restrict attendance to those 16 years and older. More information can be found on the Fort's website. Come and enjoy the music and some of the best views of Newcastle including the harbour by night.
Rick Carter, Fort Scratchley Historical Society
Basketball in city deserves much better
WE should have a regional basketball centre here. A centre that serves the Hunter region properly, not just another tin shed. It should be the sort of facility you would see built in Sydney, and it should be built in an appropriate location rather than in the middle of heavily populated suburban areas. Glendale has been suggested. I think Novocastrians are over Sydney-centric state governments. The challenge will be finding a real independent.
Colin Rowlatt, Merewether
E-scooter fallout is there to see
IF anybody wants to get a real indication about e-scooters and their impact on a community just come to Forster and view the purple pollution littering our streets.
Ian Reynolds, Forster
Taking ownership cuts both ways
I FIND it interesting many 'yes' Voice voters demand that we all accept responsibility for actions of the past that we played no part in. At the same time they refuse to accept responsibility for actions that resulted in a collapse in early Voice support.
Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth
First Nations voters no monolith
INDIGENOUS support for the Voice was more divided than Michael Hinchey ("No shrinking violets", Letters, 26/10), suggests, with the five seats with the largest Indigenous populations voting 'no'. The 'no' campaign could not afford to be shrinking violets. Perhaps what Mr Hinchey calls their inescapable "shrillness" was necessary to cut through the louder (and much better funded) turkey-like gobbling coming from the 'yes' camp.
Peter Dolan, Lambton
Even more talk about God
PETER Dolan ("Bill offers a censorship risk", Letters, 24/10), your quotes about atheism reminded me of one from French writer Voltaire: "If God did not exist it would be necessary to invent him". This then reminded me of a quote from Mark Twain: "Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool".
