Rundle and UK election

Wilson Heatlie writes: Re. “Gorgeous George Galloway, the last socialist in England” (Thursday). Very interesting to read Guy Rundle’s perspective of the UK election, which is very clear and perceptive. However, I would point out that the party threatening to rock the English boat is the “Scottish National Party”, not the “Scottish Nationalist Party”  — although members and supporters might be referred to as “nationalists”!

What’s hiding behind Anzac fever?

Keith Binns writes: Re. “The old and new of Anzac amnesia” (April 24). Absolutely right, Bernard. Anzac Day is the opiate of the people, the new civil religion, the new bread and circuses, to keep the peasants quiet while you exploit them. Personally, if you’re going to deify a military conflict then surely Kokoda is a more suitable candidate: They were actually defending Australia and they won and it has a dash of multiculturalism, far more relevant for modern Australia. But I find it fascinating that we must believe in something, despite the rise of popular atheism. A recent quote from Steven Weinberg (arguably the world’s greatest living physicist) illustrates this well. He said: “There is a nobility in proceeding as if there were a purpose prescribed for us but knowing that there isn’t”. As a Christian, constantly being told in the media that I’m stupid for basing my life on an untestable belief (Which isn’t quite true, but that’s what I’m told), I felt very noble. I also laughed like a drain for a week.