Society at a crossroads
Trump's attack on the press is emblematic of dictatorial, autocratic regimes (Letters: Trump attack undignified, QA, July 11, p.4). It should be noted that those in power, who might be expected to spring to media's defence, are strangely silent. Could it be they are content for Trump to do their dirty work for them, in eroding the credibility of what few voices may remain in, euphemistically titled, democratic societies. Any pretence the US might be a democracy should have been, finally, dispelled when the US Supreme Court decided the 2000 presidency!
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Media, through time, has evolved a reputation not merely for reporting what is happening in society, but also providing an analysis as to why, and what outcomes may arise therefrom. Quality journalism also developed a reputation for its investigative prowess, frequently venturing where forces of law and order did only with trepidation. While the"fourth estate" were feared by wrongdoers, they were beloved of citizens, on whose behalf they shadowed the wielders of power. While politicians, generally, specialise in obfuscation, Trump, and his plutocratic coterie, ironically, all hostile to the objectives of departments which they head, has refined it to a new, abject, level. Until his arrival on the throne "fake news" and "alternative facts" had not been lexicon entries. Added to this mix is his vacuous, hours of darkness, venomous Twitter pronouncements. Anxiety-provoking examples such as these, set by the mammon-oriented, leader of "the free world", risk establishing rule with disdain for decency and impunity from legal process.
Albert M. White, Queanbeyan
Record number of blood pressure checks
I would sincerely like to thank all the local residents who took part in Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check this May and June, making it a huge success.
During the campaign a record 63,211 checks were delivered by Stroke Foundation in partnership with Priceline Pharmacy across the country. With your support, we far exceeded last year’s tally of 56,000 health checks. Disturbingly, one in three participants was found to have high blood pressure, which is a key risk factor for stroke.
The results came as a wake-up call to many, as high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Those found to have high blood pressure and an increased stroke risk were referred onto their doctor for advice on lowering their blood pressure, reducing their risk of stroke and improving their overall health.
Stroke kills more women than breast cancer, more men than prostate cancer and leaves thousands with an ongoing disability. Stroke attacks the brain, the human control centre, impacting both physical and mental abilities. It happens in an instant, changing the lives of the survivor and their loved ones forever. There is one stroke in Australia every nine minutes. However it doesn’t have to be this way, stroke is largely preventable.
There are many things we can all do to help protect ourselves from stroke, like managing our blood pressure, getting more active, maintaining a healthy diet, stopping smoking and reducing our alcohol consumption.
Thanks to our incredible supporters, more Australians are aware of their stroke risk than ever before. But the work doesn’t stop here – it is our mission to prevent, treat and beat stroke. With your help can continue to run free community health checks to identify Australians at risk of stroke and save lives. If we can reduce high blood pressure we will have a direct and lasting impact on the rate of stroke in this country.
Together we can also take the battle to a higher level by demanding our state and federal politicians commit to a funded national action plan to address the prevention and treatment of stroke. Take the opportunity to see what you can do to help today by visiting www.strokefoundation.org.au
Sharon McGowan, Chief Executive Officer Stroke Foundation