Dear Editor:The former Prime Minister has declared that he would be receiving the US award of the Medal of Freedom on behalf of Australia. A galaxy of ironies seems immediately attached to this statement, or so at least it seems to me. Other names in the press have been mentioned as recipients of that medal. What they don’t mention is that some of the worst dictators in Asia and Latin America have also been recipients of this award. I suppose it depends how you define freedom and who primarily benefits from that definition. The award is often, after all, awarded for “services rendered.” When you realize this, any veil before one’s eyes gets lifted.
Email: john.araneta@bigpond.com