EDMUND Casey draws on a wealth of first-hand experience in his comments on Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen (Have Your Say, CL 15/5/05), responding to Fr Ryan’s column (Real Life, CL 8/5/05).
Might I comment on what I see as one religious aspect of Joh’s contribution.
Joh went down the path in front of him, and most felt that the outcomes were broadly positive. Some were hurt by their/his choices and still carry scars.
I felt that much of the spite directed at Joh was because Joh kept the ‘liberal negatives’ out of Queensland, particularly in the school curricula, with Rona Joyner demonstrating what one committed and caring lady could achieve.
Since then, through power compromises, the pseudo-socialist groupings have gotten their spade in and the process of weakening ideals and traditions, set up for good reason over 20 centuries, has begun. The trend is toward the obliteration of the Christian ideal.
Yes, I’m grateful to Joh for holding the line against these ‘white ant’ directions, which undermine our institutions and our young. It will be marked by his Creator.
I join Edmund Casey in his prayer.
BILL WEBSTER
Holland Park, Qld
