I'VE just read the most horrifying story in the Sydney Morning Herald and I haven't been able to get it out of my head.
Two young women will be deported to their native Kenya, despite the fact that they will face the horrific ordeal of female circumcision when they get there.
An appeal to Immigration Minister Chris Evans to overturn the decision to deport the women was rejected.
How can any thinking and compassionate person allow this to happen to two other human beings?
A repeat request for the senator to reconsider is before his department now.
I hope to God that he thinks long and hard about the terrible ordeal that faces these women as he makes his decision and allows them to stay.
Or does the senator wish to join former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone, who has gone down in history as the woman who condemned another woman to undergo a forced late-term abortion when she was deported to China a mere fortnight before her baby was due to be born.
I've often wondered how the former senator sleeps at night.
Probably quite well, as she appears to be without conscience.
Hopefully, Senator Evans will prove more humane.
If not, I wonder if he would be willing to witness one of these terrible acts in person and still condemn any woman to be subjected to it.
Elizabeth Morris
Stanhope Gardens
Be bold on climate
Just a thought. I wonder if our illustrious leader got up at the roundtable discussion he chaired at the United Nations last week and said ``G'day. My name's Kevin, I'm from Australia and I'm here to help''.
Seriously though, we Aussies have always led the rest of the world when it comes to the big issues.
Let's stop worrying about economic impacts and what everyone else may or may not do and just make sure we do our bit.
Let's jump in and start cleaning up our backyard. Whether everyone else follows suit, at least we'll have shown leadership and done our bit for the world.
Toadying to big business and worrying about the economy too much won't seem so important when we've passed the point of no return with climate change.
If we don't stop this, there won't be an economy, or anything else for that matter.
P. George
Parklea
Key to conservation
A proposal has been made to the managers of Bidjigal Reserve to establish a ropeway adventure course through the canopy of a small portion of the reserve, next to the Ted Horwood playing fields at Baulkham Hills.
While the proposal would see two hectares of bushland used for this activity, the remaining 184hectares would be unaffected.
In fact, it is anticipated that the affected area would be more like 0.2hectares.
If successful, the proposal would see the removal of some trees and some vegetation. But proposed offsets, covering more than twice the affected area, would allow nearby bushland to be managed and degraded areas to be restored.
The proposal includes a commitment to public education about the reserve's natural values and its rich Aboriginal cultural history.
Perhaps the greatest gain, if the proposal is successful, would be the opportunity for more people to enjoy themselves in the bush and learn about its hidden treasures.
Spirited opposition to the development has been mounted by a group of residents the Bidjigal Reserve Action Group.
David Wilmshurst
Chairman, Bidjigal Reserve
Trust Board
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