
Issue No 118		02 November 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Letters to the Editor

The Ostrich Approach

Dear Sir,

With the continuing "Anthrax", scares proliferating through suspicious articles sent through the mail, it would appear that national security organizations are as usual not seeing the trees for the forest.

With every major city in the world having large multi storied buildings, and in some cases thousands of people working in them, with many more thousands passing through, one feels physical sickened at the possibilities for on the ground covert biological terrorism.

To give an example: - Most of these building are climate controlled by air conditioning systems which use cooling towers. The water in these cooling towers has in the past, been the cause of outbreaks of legionnaire's disease, a debilitating condition on occasions causing death. These cooling towers, if not regularly disinfected properly, are a perfect incubation environment in which to cultivate a lethal virus`.

As these towers are not secure and are rarely checked, and in fact many are probably not even registered with local health authorities, the possibilities for terrorist activities to swiftly and silently cause havoc in our major cities with impunity, is immeasurable.

We are at war, and the enemy has already displayed a proclivity for terrorizing the civilian populace, so I for one, will be avoiding large building that rely on water cooling towers to provide a climate controlled environment, unless thy can show that their cooling systems, are secure and constantly monitored by properly security cleared and experienced operators.

Air inlet vents in buildings should be immediately moved to inaccessible places, as these also are opportunities to create terror without the necessity to be of a close proximity, through the use of easily accessible chemicals and gases which can be introduced to building through these insecure accesses.

The continued Ostrich approach to this ever present terror in our midst could have serious implications for any government that does not ensure the safety of our citizens.

We are vulnerable!

Tom Collins

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Issue 118 contents

Interview: Flying High
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet on saving Ansett jobs, defeating Howard and wooing a new generation of unionists.

Corporate: Howard's List of Shame
ACTU President Shaharn Burrow runs through the litany of corporate collapses and down-sizes that have cut a swathe through the Australian community.

Campaign Diary: Week Four: The Battle Lines Drawn
It was a week that saw the leaders launch their campaigns, kiss lots of babies and battle for space with a Holy Jihad.

Industrial: Desperately Seeking Solutions
They might not call it 'industrial relations' in the spin of modern politics, but all the major parties have released plans that will affect the way we work over the next three years.

Economics: Manufacturing Prosperity
Neale Towart looks at the hidden debate of the election campaign - the degree of intervention government should take through Industry Policy.

History: War And Politics
The Conservatives are trying to wage war and win the election. The pundits say it�s a tried and true recipe for electoral success. The 1940 federal poll suggests otherwise.

International: Globalising Labour
On the eve of the International Metalworkers Federation Congress general secretary Marcello Malentacchi argues all nations need to retain a manufacturing base.

Review: Security - Who Needs it?
What does it mean to be secure? Should we even need to ask? In his new book, Anthony Burke asks the tough questions.

Satire: Locksmith Promises "Greater Security" If Elected
A Melbourne locksmith has agreed to run for federal parliament, campaigning on the key issue of security.

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