Letters
Diving in among the Mullum microwaves Q The proposer of town-wide wi-fi for Mullum was asked repeatedly, before and during the ‘community consultation’ meeting, to provide sufficient details to back up his claim of lower net radiation. This did not eventuate, and was one of the reasons for lack of acceptance on the night. The touted infrastructure sharing agreement with NBN Co was similarly unsupported. His letter to The Echo implied the meeting (he organised) was not representative. This overlooks the fact that he had months to mobilise his own supporters. Mentioning the ‘Russian’
safety limit is a furphy. Routers operate well below that anyway. The relevant issue is that peer-reviewed science routinely shows adverse biological and health effects at far lower levels. There is no guarantee current wi-fi users will want to buy into his proprietary, adsponsored agenda. It is also technically unfeasible to adequately service the existing area with fewer routers without boosting their power output. What we could wind up with is a parallel network that has a sequestered customer base, helps sell computers, and spews higher levels of
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anyone. On behalf of myself and my little lady a bloody big big thankyou. Steve Lee Willis & families Mullumbimby
Without hesitation I dialled 000. This goes out to all those professionals and in my book the heroes: from the voice on the line keeping me calm, to the paramedics who came to our house. Not to mention all doctors and staff at Mullum Hospital, to the Westpac helicopter/paramedics. Then on to the Lismore Hospital – all the doctors and nurses and staff in the emergency, truly unbelievable. I have no hesitation in recommending Mullum Hospital to
Toxic DU Great to see diplomacy being tried at long last in dealings with Syria and Iran. But it’s a bit rich seeing the righteous piety of US president Obama and secretary of state John Kerry condemning the use of chemical weapons when so much of the US arsenal, from bullets to bombs, including
microwave radiation further afield. Peter Nielsen Byron Bay Q It
is ironic that a successful objection to the Mullum Wi-Fi proposal would result in a higher level of wi-fi radiation than necessary. The proposal would reduce radiation from existing levels, but it seems that the ideologically driven opposition resists the proposal simply because it is about wi-fi, regardless of the fact that it would be an improvement on the status quo for those who believe in the dangers of wi-fi radiation.
drone missiles, is encased in depleted uranium (DU). When DU impacts, it explodes into an aerosol of toxic dust with a radioactive half-life of over four billion years. When this toxic dust is breathed into our lungs it leads to breakdown of kidney, liver, heart, blood and brain function, and is causing generations of grotesque birth defects, because DU attacks and mutates our genes, the building blocks of life. Surely there is a strong legal case to be argued that
Do others have deja vu? Shades of the anti-Mallamexpansion resulting in Woolworths? John Purssey Mullumbimby Q I
attended the wi-fi community consultation night. I have up until recently been under the mistaken impression that this is a community of peace, love and mungbeans. Turns out it has its unhealthy amount of small-minded fearmongers who can’t stand the idea of an idea being voiced. Nobody is ready or even close to hitting the on switch. depleted uranium is a chemical weapon and its use should be outlawed by the same logic that bans the use of Sarin gas. Michael Balson Upper Wilsons Creek
Recent research Recent research has shown that people who start a letter/ conversation with the words ‘recent research has shown’ seem to have scant knowledge of the subject about which they are talking and the term ‘peer review’ seems unimportant to them. Chris Cooney Mullumbimby
Unhappy mother Mother Nature’s angry and why wouldn’t she be? She’s had enough. Inaction on global warming, warnings, all over the world. Far too little, too late. Sally Freeman-Greene Byron Bay
Fix the bike tracks A recent Backlash item reported on an outbreak of bikes without lights. This certainly is, as mentioned, ‘plain fucking stupid’. However, there are a number of aspects to this issue that require consideration. Lights and reflectors, horns or bells and, at least, one working brake, are all legal requirements for bicycles in NSW. See RTA rules and regs. I have never seen any attempt at enforcing any of these. I have been cycling since God was a lad and in all parts of the world. Nowhere have I felt so vulnerable on roads or cycle tracks as I have in Byron recently. An increasing number of visitors are using bikes at night. Presumably hired, borrowed or stolen. At best, most have only one of the requisite safety items and, somewhat surprisingly, occasionally none. Also it is apparent that North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
Let’s not promote the positive of a responsible approach to reducing the evil wi-fi that permeates our town already; instead how about we crucify those who not only grew up here but love this town and only have the best intentions at heart. The hatred in the room that night made me sick! It surprises me further that the people opposed to a measure of wi-fi control will happily sit by and let the standard stay the same. Routers, tablets and phones already blanket the town at a level 100 times more powerful than the proposed idea of a regulated service.
These same naysayers took the opportunity to rubbish a panel of amazing people who gave their time to be there and organise a public consultation. Tall poppy syndrome is something Australia is known for, and it is such a shame for Mullum. If a community consultation is held ever again for anything, I hope the audience shows some respect and kindness to those involved. To the organisers: good luck, carry on and thank you for bothering to put your necks on the line and consult the sheeple. Ash Stennett Mullumbimby
many have not ridden before. Hence, the cycle paths of Byron are now considerably more dangerous than the roads. Especially when one considers that they are poorly lit (or not at all), often covered in broken glass and, as is the case of the Shirley Lane cycle path, an obstacle course of waist-high metal barriers. These were no doubt erected to inhibit motor traffic but at night they can be almost lethal for cyclists. I know of two such accidents. A letter twelve months ago to the Byron Council works department concerning this particular problem elicited nothing. So I am forced to use the roads at night and run the gauntlet of hoons throwing missiles from cars, drivers opening car doors, drunks and so on. I urge Council to make all the cycle tracks biker friendly (Pythonesque really innit?), bike hirers to ensure the bikes comply with the law, and some form of education for hirees. Simple as riding a bike. Tony Parker Byron Bay
You, the voters, have your say in about two years’ time and can get rid of them. Pity it can’t happen tomorrow. Paul Brecht Mullumbimby
EPA shame
Confusing?
Killing machines The International Fleet Review makes Sydney the centre of a massive killing machine. How many Hiroshimas could the combined killing power of these warships achieve? How many hospitals, schools and houses are collectively lost in favour of these machines of death? Pretty to look at, sure, but death in disguise! Gareth W R Smith Byron Bay
Those roads of ours I have just changed all four tyres on my car for the second time in 18 months! So if you see someone in a white Holden Lumina slowly picking around the potholes along Main Arm Road and wonder who it is, it’s me! Why? Refer to my first paragraph. Dianne Canabou Durrumbul
Good onya, Environmental In that flexibility (adaptabilProtection Authority (EPA), ity) is chief among survival for giving Forestry NSW ap- skills and in an ever-changproval to destroy more koala ing political and economic habitat in Whian Whian. sphere the ability to change There were other endan- your mind is surely to be gered species that are prob- lauded. ably dead, killed by falling But no! Our journalists trees and run over by logging and even politicians themtrucks. selves will tell us that poliEPA, you should take en- ticians who change are ‘dovironmental protection out of ing backflips’ (backflips with your job description and just pike, even), as though it were have Authority To Allow De- a political sin to adapt to new struction of Species/Habitats. circumstances. Shame, EPA, shame and the Thus credibility is estabO’Farrell regime and his re- lished by pig-headedness and sources minister should also refusal to adapt. hang their heads in shame; Confusing? that’ll happen in my lifetime, Jim Nutter won’t it? Main Arm The Byron Shire Echo October 8, 2013 11