Letters
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday June 19, 2009
Elle can control her image, just as men doHow absurd that a reputable tome such as BRW should sanction the description of Elle Macpherson as "controlling and prickly" in a business-related article ("Elle 'controlling and prickly', says magazine", smh.com.au, June 18).Does the magazine assume that being female and a model she should be obliging and easy going? And what does "model-like" behaviour consist of anyway? Champagne, flirting and skimpy apparel?As for "controlling", can you imagine any other magnate being blase about the very image her own that has been used to forge a mighty empire? Anyone, particularly a woman, is going to be concerned about her appearance and, in the case of a canny mega-millionaire, her portrayal. I would guess most men would be many times more domineering and cantankerous, perhaps even rude.Perhaps BRW should profile any of the excruciatingly difficult men who populate the rarefied realms of business.Jeni Bone Robina (Qld)Storm waiting to happenThe Storm Financial debacle is a case of the ends not justifying the means ("CBA sorry about Storm, offers help", June 18). When financial rewards within organisations are targeted at the ends (such as the amount of loans that are written) rather than combined with the means (the quality), it is not surprising so many poor loans were written. While the greed of participants was also a factor, Ralph Norris really needs to look no further than his bank's remuneration policies.Greg Loder SpringwoodBuilding boom-bustThe bright news started on page one ("New housing boom set to go through the roof") and continued on page 24 ("Stockland sees growth in retirement [housing]"), but ended on page 26 ("Falling housing starts leave building groups as sick as a brick").Mustafa Erem TerrigalBright side of lifeGoats were called "one of" the most damaging and destructive feral animals (Letters, June 18). We were already allowed to share the mantle. It is curious that some people needto keep repeating that man isso horrible.As Pascal said, humans are both glorious and horrible. Humans alone seem able to care about their impact on other species and spend resources caring for others. Not perfect, but pretty impressive in parts.Reverend Ian Powell Forest LodgeFresh evidenceYou report that heavy metals are "wiping out marine life" in a freshwater river ("Toxic metals threat", June 18). Readers will be relieved to know there was probably none there to begin with.Michael Vanderlaan North NarrabeenFraction of a differenceYour editorial on the suggestion that British Airways workers give up a month's pay notes: "This is the harsh dilemma, the choice between lost income and decimation, that now faces the staff" ("Companies are not magic puddings", June 18).So, if the staff agree to the company's proposal, they lose one-twelfth of their income. If they don't, and the company is decimated, they lose one-tenth. Doesn't seem like a great difference to me the chief executive's case aside.John Swaffer BerryIf it's our party, let us in freeIf Football Federation Australia and the Federal Government are so keen for Australians to embrace football and the World Cup bid, they could help by adding World Cup qualifiers to the anti-siphoning list.Richard Collins MaroubraPuzzle rear windowI'll see Barbara Moore's enemain Saturday's crossword (Letters, June 17) and raise her "excrement"in Monday's.Michael Jury Darlinghurst
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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