Threat to democracy

While sitting here in the Queenstown airport I have just finished reading the article ‘‘How IT Threatens Democracy’’ by Kofi Annan, which you published on February 21. The article rang true to me.

I encourage your readers to consider a read of a book by Walter Lippmann published in 1922: ‘‘Public Opinion’’.

Lippmann writes with great clarity about how - in that preInternet era - public opinion is formed and manipulated.

Awareness of just how we form our opinions and how that process is used by others for their purpose is something I think should be developed in all citizens of democracies.

I am a US citizen who has fallen in love with New Zealand and now feel protective about the country. Learn from our mistakes. Per Walt Kelly (my favourite cartoonist-philosopher): ‘‘We have met the enemy and he is us.’’ James A Klun Columbus, Ohio the lady that was backing into it. This man had the cheek to do a u-turn, go nose into the park as the lady was backing into it. She had her indicator on as well to show that she was going to park.

What he did is just not on in my opinion. Does he not know the road rules at all? I suggest he goes and does a defensive driving course or something like read his road code.

I even wound down my passenger side window and told him he was a cheeky beggar. That poor lady had to go further up the street to get a park.

If there had been an accident through him getting into this park while the lady was moving in, which she was, he would have been at fault.

If I had the chance I would have taken his car plate number and given it to the police.

The other thing I would like to say that what this man certainly wasn’t driving safely.

Our roads are for everyone and we all should drive safely and look out for or watch out for others. Do not be frightened to give the Police the car numberplates of those who do wrong on our roads. Mary Rose Grant

Temuka