I'm putting my verification anxiety to bed

Once if you recalled birthdays and anniversaries, it was considered a sign of a good memory.

Not anymore. One must remember eight passwords, six PINs and the name of your favourite teacher's dog.

Recently, I attempted to log into an account. I tried new, old, and special passwords and they were all rejected. I was locked out of my account. I felt like an international cybercriminal.

I was instructed to reset my password. I composed a town in Wales, a hieroglyphic and a number. It was deemed "weak" so I tried a weekday. It was "strong."

But in order to prove I was not a robot; I entered the verification maze. A code was sent to my phone, but by the time I located my glasses it had expired. I was then presented with blurry pictures of motor bikes, traffic lights and fire hydrants. I had to click on them. Success! I was me, not a robot and it was very reassuring.

Wiser, I wrote the password on paper and hid it. A very secure place.

I can see why people place documents and money under the bed. I am sure the mattress does not require a two-step verification process.

Helen Douglas, Stockton

It should never have come to this

I would like to express our family's warmest appreciation for the assistance that Newcastle Herald's Jamieson Murphy, Sage Swinton and Marina Neil gave our son, Nathan Steele, regarding his five-month struggle with appendicitis and continued dismissal from the Hunter's public hospital system ("Dad's agonising wait for surgery", Herald, 11/4).

Immediately after the Herald's involvement, Nathan received the long-awaited phone call and the necessary surgery three days later, on Monday, April 13.

The results of his surgery confirmed his appendix had adhesions to the pelvic side wall about 10cm in length and were consistent with previous bouts of appendicitis.

Well, it has been one month since surgery and Nathan is so much better; no more vomiting, no more diarrhoea, no more intense stomach pain. His appetite has returned and he is eating well. People have even commented how he looks so much better and happier.

It should never have come to this, if only our health system was in a healthier state.

Once again our sincere gratitude and warmest regards to the Newcastle Herald and its staff for their help.

Michael Steele, Heddon Greta

Better pack a brolly, at least

Next week, our weatherman-turned-lord mayor should prepare for a highly changeable forecast at his first ordinary council meeting. The evening will begin under clear skies and calm conditions, with not a cloud in sight.

Before long, however, a brisk wind will rise from the left, carrying a series of pointed, and entirely unnecessary, showers. The green fields will bend obligingly.

Soon after, expect liberal patches drifting in from the north, while brief bursts of independent sunshine flicker across from the east.

As proceedings wear on, conditions will deteriorate into squalls, punctuated by the odd thunderclap echoing around the chamber, before gradually easing.

By the close of business, calm will return. By morning, a cautious ray of sunshine may once again break through.

In short: a standard council forecast: take an umbrella, and perhaps a helmet.

Hilary Oliver, New Lambton

Intergenerational inequality

Labor's May budget aims to boost housing availability and affordability for younger people by limiting negative gearing to new homes.

While a noble idea, the reality of these restrictions is far from ideal. If wealthy individuals can't negatively gear older homes they'll simply buy new ones and repeat the cycle.

This ultimately reduces new home availability for younger people driving prices and unavailability up in an already tight market.

Furthermore, younger people buying older homes miss out on the benefits of negative gearing undermining Labor's claim to tackle intergenerational inequity. It's the young who are ultimately losing out and I'm sure they'll soon realise it's them who will face intergenerational financial inequity.

John Cooper, Charlestown 

Wealthy can't avoid paying fair share

The cries of woe at changes proposed to negative gearing, CGT and trusts reflect on the conservatives and the wealthy of this country. These changes are being claimed as a tax grab, but are actually changes to the distribution of the responsibility of who pays the taxes that support such things as hospitals and education and other government services. These provisions in our current taxation system were put in place by John Howard to allow wealthy investors to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

Robert Masterton, Adamstown

Human input missing

Regarding the story on the new basketball stadium at New Lambton ("Basketball stadium defended in report on $90m proposal", Herald, 20/5), I find it incredulous that there was not one human mentioned. This is becoming a popular way to report. Are humans scared or embarrassed? Are they ashamed?

Bryn Roberts, New Lambton

Singing the praises of new citizens

Recently, I was part of the Soul Song Community Choir that performed at a record citizenship ceremony at Wyong. One hundred and eighty new citizens swore allegiance to our great country. We rounded it off with both verses of our national anthem as it should be. What we noticed was the sheer enthusiasm and delight of our newest citizens. These are the people we need here.

Garry Robinson, Mannering Park

No heroes here

Hear, hear, Shane Tull ("Professional protesters", Letters, 21/5), there are many people who do amazing things for others without fanfare and heroics. I suggest these protesters stick to Rising Tide antics. It's a lot closer to home.

Fran Chapman, West Wallsend

Flotilla a lost cause

I looked up 'dumb' in the dictionary and got a picture of the Gaza flotilla (idiots doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result).

Ken Stead, Lambton

Day of international hugs

The Sumud flotilla heroes are making their way home, bruised, allegedly beaten and shot at by the IDF, but setting the standard of steadfastness needed to rid the globe of its most pernicious evil: zionism. If we had enough ticker tape to reach the moon and back, it would not be enough.

Niko Leka, Mayfield

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