Personal beliefs should not override the beliefs of others
I strongly object to people like Bill English attempting to impose their personal beliefs to override the beliefs of others. End-of-life choice is a personal decision that no one has to take. As I knew the law in two US States, it only allowed permission to be given the drugs to end life under strict medical and mental standards. Their has been no legislative creep into change of the categories of permission there. In addition to requesting the drugs, individuals need to decide for themselves, in the presence of a doctor, to actually take the drugs. Therefore anyone not of sound mind is not permitted to do so. In one study one third of the people given this permission did not take the drugs but gained peace of mind from knowing that they could if they wanted to.
The alternative to this bill could be to increase other less acceptable methods of suicide, as may happen in some car “accidents”. The history of abortions outside of the law gives a lesson that we should apply to prohibiting or permitting end-of-life choice, or as it is called in the US, death with dignity. Kay Irwin, Parnell
The anthropic principle
To claim that the Universe was necessarily set up in a specific way so that humans could exist in it because otherwise we wouldn't exist (Letters, Aug 12) is to argue that it started out with “FOR USE BY HUMAN BEINGS” stamped on it.
So what are the chances that we'll find ourselves in a Universe that is inhabited by human beings? It's 100 per cent, because here we are.
If we weren't here we wouldn't be capable of asking why we are here.
Our existence doesn't put any constraints on how the Universe had to be set up, and the Universe didn't have to produce humans, but as it so happens it did. And as humans we shouldn't be surprised to find the Universe we inhabit happens to be habitable by humans. It's called “survival bias”. Look it up. As for fossilisation, think of all the millions of sheep that have lived in New Zealand. Where are all the millions of sheep fossils? The same goes for houseflies — we should be up to our necks in fossilised houseflies.
The reason? Fossilisation is rare. And there is a word for “transitional species”. It's “species”. Morgan L Owens, Manurewa
Haka is over-used
It is refreshing to see questions being raised over the All Blacks’ over-use of the haka (Herald on Sunday, Aug 12, “Should we blow full time on the All Black haka?”).
There is another consideration and that (in the context of family violence) is the perceptions in children and youth. What impressions form in these young developing minds? I suggest that a Once Were Warriors mindset is encouraged. They see their heroes projecting threats of anger and violence and the audience applauds.
From a rugby perspective, it is doubtful the adrenaline generated during the haka would be a good investment unless they score a try in the first two minutes. Hugh Webb, Huntington
Train drain
I read with amusement that NZTA are pushing ahead with poorly thought out transport projects, neither of which solves congestion issues with our international gateway airport.
Last week I returned from a trip to Fiji with numerous bags and some duty free. In no way would catching a cramped, slow bus then transferring at Puhinui to a train, with baggage in tow, be a first-world transport service the Government should be promoting. We need a fast train direct to the airport from Britomart, Pukekohe and Hamilton.
Why hasn't the NZTA or Government conducted an objective study comparing a fast train to the airport vs second-rate bus transfers? Jon Reeves, Mangere East