Do NZers really value life above all else?

YOUR editorial (ODT, 15.6.18) on the need for extreme care when driving in winter conditions was timely and relevant.

I agree with your basic thesis that we need more roading infrastructure in the South. If successive governments had made use of all the motorists’ tax, we should now have a motorway (dual carriageway) from North Cape to Bluff.

However, in your otherwise excellent editorial I must disagree with your contention, ‘‘We are lucky enough to live in a country which values life above all else’’.

I think this is well wide of the mark when you consider the record number of abortions, domestic violence and violence against children, elder abuse, the high number of youth suicides and some people advocating euthanasia and assisted suicide in New Zealand.

I pray that when we do value the right to life above all other rights then we can all joyfully and gladly acquiesce in your statement.

(Bishop) Colin Campbell Mosgiel

Trump’s action

THE poignant and horrific shot taken by John Moore of a 2yearold Honduran girl, scared, frightened, shoelaces removed by border guards before being separated from her mother contrasts with the shots of Donald Trump at a rally in Minnesota.

This girl, and so many like her, are innocent victims. It is not all that long ago that we saw the same sort of shot of a drowned toddler in the surf on the shores of the Mediterranean. Yes, of course nations do need to control who enters and leaves their countries, but the actions of Trump who seems to blame everyone but himself in separating defenceless and innocent children from their parents is unacceptable. Time for the US ambassador to this country to be summoned to convey our disgust.

Russell Garbutt Clyde

SHAME on the ODT editorial propagating false narratives (22.6.18). But hey, why let the truth get in the way of ‘‘Trump the heartless monster’’ story.

Children held in ‘‘cages’’, detention centres, some very questionable audio, including images of processing areas under the Obama administration, are all designed to play their part in another histrionic media hype. But let’s not forget that Hilary Clinton back in 2014 clearly signalled that illegal immigrant children would be sent back across the border.

These minors are attempting to cross the border unaccompanied by an adult or some with adults who may or may not be a family member are often exploited by adults as future links to gain residency in the US. So, what would you rather have? Minors thrown in with adults, many of whom are not family members?

The facilities I am aware of provide bedrooms for the children, dining areas, medical and educational facilities, movie theatres, clothing, telephone access and outside exercise and activities. These children are reportedly reunited with their parents usually with a few months.

The Democrats, along with the fifth column legacy media, are using the images of these children as pawns in a game to discredit any good deed done under Trump.

Irian Scott Port Chalmers [Abridged]

ORC transportation

THE most surprising thing about seeing a job for a transportation planner advertised by the Otago Regional Council was finding out transportation in Otago is apparently planned. I’d always assumed it was done through a combination of some maps, a box of darts, and a blindfold.

Duane Donovan Bradford