Obama visit should be inspiring

It’s a thrill having President Obama visit, not merely for his esteemed status as one of history’s most significant figures, but for his flesh and blood representation of triumph against great odds and rise to the most powerful political office in the world. He grew up with an absent father, in a world where skin colour played a large role in shaping US political debate and the destiny of many of his generation. Even as President, his skin colour was a lightning rod for fervent right-wing nationalists who consistently questioned his legitimacy to lead his country.

His visit might be private but it’s a perfect opportunity for our political leaders to speak to our young, Maori and Pakeha, the disadvantaged, socially marginalised and disillusioned, about the great example he has set in his life and about the boundless possibilities they have to transform their lives and those of others through passion, hard work, and commitment.

Instead, we have Shane Jones attacking Air New Zealand’s board over its regional services and Winston Peter’s recent grizzling at our airline’s part-sponsorship of Obama’s visit, despite the significant economic benefits we stand to benefit from it. How terribly sad and pathetic.

Sam Clements, Hauraki. I too feel for the locomotive drivers who have to cross the Ngaruawahia rail bridge as part of their duties each day. The answers are simple. First, patrol the bridge regularly and issue trespass notices to everyone who is found on railway land. Then prosecute, without exception, anyone found ignoring those notices. Second, build a small “safety refuge” on the side of the main span so there is room for someone to stand clear of the train.

Martin Tyrrell, Papamoa. Rarely have I read such unmitigated sanctimonious claptrap as that emanating from the law schools. Wellington’s Professor Ursula Cheer, who presumably represents the views of the deans of the various law schools, needs to take a little reality check. With respect, perhaps I could suggest she and her ilk take more interest in university education which lately seems to be suffering from an overdose of political correctness along with other prejudices far more harmful to Kiwis than the alleged misconduct which, frankly, is none of their business.

The pre-occupation with the salacious will achieve nothing. Just let the law firms, and for that matter all other institutions, deal with the apparently unhealthy cultures. While no one condones this type of behaviour, it’s their reputations that are on the line and that is what will adversely affect them. The lack of objectiveness in this ongoing saga is appalling.

Rob Paterson, Mt Maunganui. If Ms Ardern and her green supporters are happy to ban oil exploration in New Zealand, and therefore presumably the use of oil-derived products, are we to assume she will depend on other countries to provide our requirements? Does this not sound blatantly selfish and hypocritical to expect others to to do what we are not prepared to do ourselves to sustain our privileged lifestyle ?

Has our Government never looked further than petrol, CO and nitrous oxides to ponder where their All Black jerseys, America’s Cup sails, Winter Olympic snowboards, paint, shoes, carpet, handbags, “paper” currency, fertiliser and insecticides, let alone that insidious packaging, would come from? Are they are content to selfishly use somebody else’s evil black product to manufacture these and a thousand other items?

Robert Burrow, Taupo. Having my 6- and 7-year-old nephews for the weekend, my wife and I decided to take them on a train and ferry ride from Avondale to Devonport. I rang the public transport information line and discovered a return trip would be $78. Although I could drive to Devonport and back every day of the week for $78, I wanted my nephews to have the train and ferry experience.

I was advised there were no family passes but I could get four day passes for $18 each. However, I would need to go to the New Lynn train station, buy four $10 Hop cards and load an $18 day pass on each card. The total would be $112, for a return trip to Devonport. My low opinion of public transport in Auckland has now reached a level I never knew existed.

Kent Millar, Blockhouse Bay.