Postscript

The Sunday Age

Sunday March 2, 2008

Michael Coulter

EVERY day around Australia, thousands of people marshal their thoughts, pick up a pen (or, more likely, switch on a computer) and write a letter to the editor.

It's a beautiful thing. Millions of ideas come across the letters desks of newspapers, some of them downright brilliant. It's reassuring to know there are so many people thinking hard about so many issues.

As a broad, not to say gross, generalisation, there are two types of letters. The first is from people who write only occasionally, perhaps once in a lifetime, in response to a particular issue or article.

The second type is from those who write copiously and ecumenically, sending their thoughts to dozens of papers (a process made infinitely easier by email). Usually they are passionate and articulate; quite often, they are funny. We salute them all.

Occasionally, though, there are letters that defy categorisation, and leave you wondering what mood the writer must have been in when they hit the "send" button. On that note, let's finish with an excerpt from a letter that, for various reasons, didn't quite make the cut this week: "Being overweight is a crime against humanity. Overweight people must be refused admission to pubs, clubs, churches, brothels, restaurants, prisons, and workplaces. Overweight people should avoid alcohol, petrol, money, television, junk food, sex, children, prayers, tranquillisers, happiness, and work." Indeed. -- MICHAEL COULTER

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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