Quips& Quotes
“The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” – John Kenneth Gailbraith, quoted in the Economist
“I deeply respect American sentimentality; the way one respects a wounded hippo. You must keep an eye on it, for you know it is deadly.” – Teju Cole, quoted in the Wall Street Journal
“The universe is not complicated; there’s just a lot of it.” – physicist Richard Feynman
“After being advised specifically not to look at the sun without protective glasses, President Trump stared at the eclipse without protective glasses. Afterwards everyone started advising him, ‘Whatever you do, don’t resign. Don’t do that.” – US comedian Conan O’Brien
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Life itself is the proper binge.” – Julia Child
“Super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.”
– pun quoted in the Economist about Mahatma Gandhi (who went barefoot and frequently had bad breath from fasting
“Free speech is not without consequences.” – US political analyst – and Kiwi – Danielle McLaughlin
“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: ‘President Can’t Swim’.”
– Lyndon Johnson
On the one hand, they have glorified the unjustified law-breaking of a gloating coleader who was hell-bent on promoting a cause of dubious value. On the other hand, they have invoked an internal rule of caucus, which nobody could care less about, to get rid of Kennedy Graham, a man of experience and principle.
Graham was always worth hearing on matters of foreign policy, where his United Nations experience has been invaluable. Environmentally, he led the way with his leadership of the 35-MP group on the Paris proposals for climate change. This group was remarkable in having representatives from every party.
It is commendable that other parties have taken up the Greens’ baton. The National Party is attending to the increases deserved by beneficiaries and all parties have got the Greens’ messages about the environment. The work of the Greens has been done. Farewell, Kennedy Graham! Farewell, Greens! Michael Gibson (Northland, Wellington)
ARDERN’S CV
Patrick Miller ( Letters, August 26) argues that because of
Tony Blair’s bad decisions and Helen Clark’s dictatorial approach, Jacinda Ardern’s experience of working for them should give voters cause for concern over her own leadership potential. But surely smart employees learn from their bosses’ weaknesses, as well as from their strengths? In any event, an aspiring politician seeking to work with the perfect leader would be waiting till the Second Coming. Joanne Wilkes (Meadowbank, Auckland)
WOOD WORKS
Sir Bob Jones is to be congratulated for entering the field of wooden building construction (“Game of Jones”, August 19).
Office blocks have long been unimaginative, with many hindering productivity. And living near Wellington’s port, I find it depressing to see the volume of raw logs that are exported.
I hope Jones’s wooden office block sparks further such buildings, thus keeping this valuable timber on our shores, contributing to more earthquake-safe cities and making for a more diverse cityscape. Stuart Froude (Paraparaumu) LETTER OF THE WEEK
TALENTED TOM WALSH
It was thoughtful of Paul Thomas to devote a dozen or so words to Timaru shot putter Tom Walsh winning gold at the IAAF world champs in London ( Sport, August 26).
Rarely is an athlete deemed worthy of a mention in the same breath as the All Blacks. Which may explain why the
magnitude of Walsh’s achievement has been so under-reported. Gavin Riley (Havelock North)
MANSFIELD’S HOUSE MOVE
Sir Harold Beauchamp, in his book Reminiscences and Recollections, clearly gives the reason the family moved to Karori (“The making of Mansfield”, August 12), saying it was for the benefit of both the children’s and his health.
As a walker, he would “get more regular exercise there than would have been the case had we been living in town”. Harold Beauchamp (Whanganui)
COPING IN THE COUNTRY
Is it just me or is Michele of Masterton, late of Mt Albert, whistling to keep her spirits up ( The Good
Life, August 26)? The cynic might give her, say, another 12 months in the sticks.
Ever the optimist, I hope that’s not the case, if only to prolong enjoyment of her endearing naivety. Larry Mitchell (Puhoi)
BILL’S BOARD
I cracked up at Bill Ralston’s assertion of being “not tribally of any party” ( Life, August 19). He may have been both a Labour and National voter, but what was with the billboard of Nikki Kaye and John Key in his garden last election? Sunita Azariah (Freemans Bay, Auckland) Bill Ralston responds: That doesn’t make me tribally National; Kaye’s a friend.
BRAVO FOR NZSO BACKING
Thanks to the Listener for sponsoring the NZSO concert on August 19 at the Auckland Town Hall. It was wonderful. An extremely talented violinist plus a rendering of Beethoven’s 7th that was nothing short of spectacular. Sue Greenwood (Whakatane)