Commenting on the story: ‘This person might not have smiled today’: How Allen Edwards is healing himself by helping others

Congrats on a wonderful article. I’ve known Allen for years. But you have brought us depths of humanity and details I could only glimpse. There’s more to people on the street than we could ever guess. – Michael Brown

Thank you so much for publishing this awesome story of hope, gratitude and generosity.

We need more people like Allen, truth tellers who recognise their vulnerability and share their experiences and strengths with others in need. To give back when so much was taken is  generosity in action. His love for humankind is so evident in his extraordinary gift of relationship building .

I am so pleased to be sharing this world with a man like Allen and I am so pleased others feel like that too and support him in times of need. -Dianna Grigg

Thank you Allen for sharing your story. We really appreciate your contributions at Pilgrim and your support for people in need of someone who understands. – Marelle Harisun

Such a wonderful story. Please can we have more of these? – Anne Jusaitis

Commenting on the opinion piece: Facing up to a regional risk

Morry Bailes’ tale is a sorry one indeed. Sadly, I’m not sure that anyone at this stage “… looks to the United Nations in forlorn hope that … it may have some influence and power to pull dictators … back from the brink.” Rather, it seems increasingly clear that global politics has disabled the UN in significant ways.

Australia contributes roughly $60 million a year to the UN budget. I begin to wonder whether our national interest is best served by continuing membership of the UN, or whether that $60 million could be better spent in direct overseas aid, perhaps in the South Pacific or in Africa. – Stephen Trenowden