Dear Suse,

I forgot to add that I will try to get hold of
Roxane Gay's book - "Bad Feminist," it sounds
like a hoot. Annabel Crab gives it a thumbs up
when she writes -

"I am reading a book right now that makes me punch
the air with delight. It's called "Bad Feminist,"
by a funny, passionate, daggy, American writer and
Scrabble Champ called Roxane Gay. She had me at
"Scrabble Champ," really, but I love her personal
manifesto."

It's got me curious, especially after seeing the author
on "Q and A," last night.

Poirot,

Hamas had never wanted peace. After the last Gaza war it used most of its resources not on its people but on building an arsenal of about 10 000 rockets and building tunnels instead of housing.

In the war Hamas used or lost about 7000 rockets (I underestimated previously) each of which carries several kilos of high explosive and shrapnel that would kill dozens if they landed in a crowded area.

The problem for Hamas in their ambition to kill Israeli civilians is that Israel now has the Iron dome that shoots down the rockets, but some still get through.

As for the notion that acts of war by Hamas should only be met by similar weapons, this is ludicrous. If Israel would have fired 7000 rockets indiscriminately into Gaza thousands more would die.

Would you also have confronted the terrorist in Sydney with one policeman with a shotgun to be balanced?

Hello all,

I don't usually agree with ConservativeHippie, but last night's Q&A show was boring and predictable. Most people asking questions were women (are there really women and men?) - and there were not many alternative views last night either.

One of the previous Q&A shows had five different religious speakers - and so people watching got five very different views to hear. It was brilliant. Last night's show was TERRIBLE.

By the way:

1. The Andrew Bolt program is a joke - and why does he keep defending our prime minister - why can't Mr Abbott look after himself?

2. I am a vegetarian and I am for animal rights

3. We need to better protect our environment - it is vital

4. Major education and economic reform is needed, as there is too much unemployment at present - and will be in the future without change

5. We must stop complaining, realise we are generally fine compared to poorer countries and realise that efficient spending is required.

So I don't consider myself to be an extremist left wing or right wing person - I am simply seen as 'wrong' by some. I've had to push a strong case (as a result) on many issues and have been told I'm strange, weird, different.....

I will however be writing (wasting paper - awful) to the ABC for the first time to say something, re the Q&A program - and ask for improvements. An e-mail, may not get me a reply.

Dear Nathan,

Before you write to the ABC - you should be aware
that last night's program was the first time
they had an all-women panel, including a female
host. It was a one-of, special-event in celebration
of "International Women's Day," (Sunday, 8th March 2015).
"International-Women's Day," has been celebrated around the
globe since the 1900s. This is the first time that "Q and A,"
decided to celebrate it. Considering it relevant
today. It covered issues such as gender
pay gap, sexism, representation of women in the media, and many
other issues. Women around the world still face serious
issues including violence, wage inequity, and biases about
gender roles.

It is very overwhelming when men want to show their support.
It does spread awareness and it does make a difference.
All women, especially women like Australian of the Year,
Rosie Batty, whose husband murdered their young son, do
appreciate the difference that support from men can make.

'1. The Andrew Bolt program is a joke - and why does he keep defending our prime minister - why can't Mr Abbott look after himself?'

Just maybe Nathan he does not want a return to the handbag brigade which has gone a long way in sending this nation into bankruptcy. It was Shorten who helped knife Rudd remember. Don't forget that Bolt worked for the Labour party at some stage so maybe knows a little more than you.

Foxy,

"Women around the world still face serious issues including violence, wage inequity, and biases about gender roles."

So do other people.... except people such as the Queen, other women within the British Royal family, rich people in Hollywood and in Australia people, like Gina Rinehart - they may have some issues - but not financial ones. If I had to choose between giving two $20 notes to two homeless people in Australia (say one female and one male) or Ms Rinehart - Ms Rinehart won't be getting one cent from me. I chose this figure as I've been asked to give $20 from a homeless person when he approached me. I did give some money - just not $20.

We should stop focusing on humans 24/7 - and look much more at how people can work with and improve the planet we live in - not just a constant debate for the next how many years on what.....? A domination by the dollar sign, obsessing with averaged out figures or pay gaps, wanting an excessive lifestyle, more materialistic goods or another fancy car?

At present humans consider themselves to be number one. Humans destroy the environment for example and this was not discussed on last night's Q&A program. Women and men (all living species, including humans are affected by that). Humans need to calm down and stop rushing around.

We are exhausting ourselves in many ways as a result, and unless people have good quality calmed down debate, without bias (male or female), we won't see improvement at all.