...AND ANOTHER THING

DEAR Santa, please turn their guns into guitars.

By InvestSMART · 20 Dec 2012

By InvestSMART ·
20 Dec 2012

Comments

DEAR Santa, please turn their guns into guitars.

John Ogge, Highett

Gun violence

USING the NRA's logic, Iran should be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, because "nuclear weapons don't kill people, people kill people".

Fabio Scalia, Windsor

A GUN without something to fire is just an interesting artefact.

Rosie Brick, Mount Martha

DO YOU think they would get the message if we told them that it was God's punishment for insisting on their God-given right to bear arms?

Colin Smith, St Kilda

YET another mass shooting in America? I bet no one saw that coming.

John Howes, Belmont

PERHAPS the US gun lobby will suggest that children carry guns to school to protect themselves.

Lance Cranage, Mount Waverley

THOUSANDS of words have been written and spoken since the latest US shooting. None of these have affected me so instantly, so deeply, as Tandberg's "Class of 2012 - when will they ever learn" (Comment, The Age, 18/12).

Dawn Evans, Birregurra

Politics

HEY, Bob Carr, what a legend, coming out of retirement to wreak more suffering on the most vulnerable people in the world ("Foreign aid shift draws protests", The Age, 19/12).

Trish Bolton, Northcote

THE spirit of Christmas is sadly lacking when the government cuts foreign aid to the world's most needy to pay for those in detention.

Mary Fenelon, Collingwood

LEND Lease banned from government contracts ("Lend Lease ban could go to court", The Age, 19/12) Ted must have forgotten that union members vote too.

Allan Russell, Whittlesea

THE North Korean satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 is supposed to be broadcasting patriotic songs but appears silent ("N. Korean satellite orbiting but 'dead"', The Age, 19/12). It just goes to show they are on a different wavelength to the rest of the world.

Alan Inchley, Frankston

Other matters

ATHEISTS can freely express their dislike of Christian celebrations and beliefs. Could they give their opinions of Jewish, Muslim and indigenous festivals, too?

Beryl Bartacek, Emerald

NO, PETER Hanlon, I can't convince my children about thongs, either ("Thongs, sung blue. Enough to make you primal scream", The Age, 14/12). They have to be told, too.

Francis Smith, Caulfield North

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What main social and political themes did the article highlight that investors might notice?

The article is a letters-to-the-editor round-up that highlights several themes: US gun violence and public outrage over mass shootings, debate over foreign aid cuts and protests around a policy shift, reports that Lend Lease was banned from government contracts (with possible court action), a reportedly silent North Korean satellite, and community debates about religion and cultural issues. These are the issues readers raised in the article.

Did the article mention any company being affected by government action?

Yes — readers referenced a news item saying Lend Lease was banned from government contracts and that the ban 'could go to court.' The article reproduces those reader comments rather than detailed reporting, but the Lend Lease contract ban was mentioned explicitly.

What did the article report about gun violence and public reaction in the US?

The article collected readers' letters reacting strongly to another US mass shooting. Comments criticised NRA logic, expressed frustration that mass shootings keep happening, and used vivid metaphors and satire to make their points; the piece captures community outrage and sadness.

How did readers in the article respond to changes in foreign aid policy?

Letter-writers criticised the government for cutting foreign aid to help pay for people in detention and mentioned protests around a 'foreign aid shift' tied to Bob Carr coming out of retirement. The article presents those reader perspectives rather than policy analysis.

Was there anything about international technology or defence in the article that investors might find noteworthy?

A reader noted that North Korea's satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 was reported to be orbiting but ‘dead’ — expected to broadcast patriotic songs but appeared silent. The article records this observation from readers.

Does the article offer investment advice or market recommendations for everyday investors?

No. The article is a compilation of letters and commentary on social and political topics; it does not provide investment advice, market calls, or financial recommendations.

How can everyday investors use the type of community sentiment shown in the article when thinking about risk?

The article shows how public opinion can be strong on political, social and corporate topics (for example, reactions to shootings, aid cuts, or contract bans). While the piece itself doesn’t analyse market effects, everyday investors can view such community sentiment as part of the broader social and political context that may influence policy or reputational risk.

Are there cultural debates in the article that reflect wider consumer or social trends investors should be aware of?

Yes — readers debated freedom of expression around religion and festivals and even lighter cultural topics (like thongs and parenting). The article captures local sentiment and cultural debates, which can be useful for investors tracking consumer attitudes or social trends, though no direct market implications are provided.