Broadside
I read with disappointment of the demise of Broadside (GLW, April 28). Whenever a left journal folds it often reflects the unfavourable political circumstances rather than the merits of the particular publication.
However, one unfortunate trait exhibited from the beginning by those speaking on behalf of the paper, was the perceived need to denigrate other publications on the left. Whilst the paper was being published one could put that down to commercialism, but its editor, Ian Milliss, continues this questionable practice.
Ian insists that Broadside was independent, whereas Green Left Weekly is "part of party propaganda", which he explained as a paper pushing a consistent line in every article. But Ian's assertions are palpably false. Broadside was neither politically, nor financially independent. To begin with, the paper was conceived by and financially dependent upon the leaders of the former Communist Party of Australia — they withdrew the funds and the paper collapsed.
And all papers have a line, a point of view. Theirs was a line that said: "Everything has changed, let's cast our net wide, let's even run the opinions of conservative politicians"; a line promoted by the former British magazine Marxism Today, much admired by the financial and political backers of Broadside.
Green Left Weekly's line by contrast, as its name indicates, is unashamedly left of centre. But that does not preclude debate, rather, it focuses it; nor do articles draw a consistent conclusion. Further, the paper is sponsored by a wide range of activists and academics from very different political traditions on the progressive side of politics. In my travels I have found nothing but the highest praise for the paper, be that from Scottish nationalists, Welsh greens, South African communists or English social democrats.
Markets exist, and the market for progressive publications is smaller than we'd like. Broadside failed to survive in that market. Perhaps it was ahead of its time as Ian implies, but even then that's just a polite way of saying that it lacked relevance. Nevertheless, its demise is to be regretted.
Frank Noakes
London
Save Our Schools Campaign
Richmond, Northland, Fitzroy, Joseph Banks and Gravel Hill Secondary Colleges have been struggling hard to try and stop the closure of their schools. They are part of the general Save Our Schools Campaign to halt the Kennett government's destruction of Victoria's state school system.
55 schools, most located in poor and working class areas, have been closed, with plans to close another 130. Our state school system has started up in general chaos, understaffing and overcrowding.
In the face of this, teachers, parents, students and community members have occupied the five schools mentioned, while Richmond and Northland have not only occupied their schools but are running classes with fully qualified, union-approved voluntary teachers.
The Save Our Schools Campaign is desperately low on funds however. Teachers are receiving only a small amount of money for expenses at present.
That is why we have launched a pledge drive. This is one way you can concretely show your support. Fill out a periodical payment form available from your bank and credit our account: SOS Campaign Fund, account no. 10019175 (BSB no. 063165), Commonwealth Bank, Richmond, Victoria.
Thanks in Advance
Save Our Schools Committee
Pen friend
I am a prisoner on death row in Texas, USA and I am writing to you in an attempt to obtain pen friends.
I am a 31 year old man, originally from southern California. I am college educated and a US Navy veteran. I have many interests and hobbies, most of which were left on the street when I was arrested. I have been on death row now for five years. The criminal activity for which I was convicted took place in 1985.
I should also add that because my case has not been affirmed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, my death sentence could be overturned, commuted or re-tried.
I am interested in corresponding with women between the ages of 20 and 55. This is because I am vastly more comfortable with expressing myself to women. One should also know that I am not attempting to obtain pen friends for the purpose of obtaining money and/or favors. I receive a monthly stipend which should permit me to sustain one or two letters per month.
Michael L. McBride
#903, Ellis — I
Huntsville, Texas 77343
USA
Fluoridation
I read with interest a question and answer article on fluorine and artificial water fluoridation.
The article reminded me of the lead-up to the September 91 referendum which gave an overwhelming "no" vote. 72% said no to artificially fluoridating the water supply.
Good sense won out to the parroting and the propaganda of the proponents.
There have been many prominent people turn against fluoridation. Just recently Dr Richard Foulkes, the person who first recommended it to the British Columbian government in 1972. In January 1992 Dr Foulkes wrote a letter to the health minister, Elizabeth Cull, saying he'd been wrong, his staff hadn't shown him all the research even in 1972, and that after all these years a lot of scientific evidence has accumulated against medication for the general public with a toxic, bioaccumulative substance.
Being bioaccumulative the amount of fluorine in our regular food has been climbing pretty fast over the years. In 1950 the average person ate about 0.5 mg per day. Now that's up to 1.3 mg, in non-fluoridated areas and its over 4 mg in fluoridated areas.
It mentioned a town in Canada whose water supply is fluoridated with hydrofluosilicic acid. The acid contains about 24% fluorine. The rest of the mix is unspecified, except for trace amounts of arsenic, lead, mercury, chromium and cadmium.
What mix is in your water?
The article is referenced and covers the issue at large, if anyone would like a copy and send SAE to D. Mackay, 182 Lake Rd, Port Macquarie.
Don Mackay
Port Macquarie NSW
Grazing
The feral cat is not the only menace to natural wildlife, the loss of habitat due to grazing pressure can be just as harmful.
Television coverage of Simon Crean's venture into western Queensland showed the devastating effect pastoral activities have had in the arid zone. All the mature trees appear to be dead, the only ground cover is dust, there are no young trees and the main remnant vegetation consists of woody weeds — native shrubs that have survived because introduced stock find them inedible.
Not content with the almost complete devastation wrought by years of uncontrolled pastoralism, one spokesman was lamenting his inability to afford the fuel to push over the remaining mulga for stock feed.
Hopefully, Simon Crean will have more sense than to finance another descending cycle of land destruction and habitat destruction.
Col Friel
Alawa NT