‘Critic’ must be pleased with all the attention

AT last Critic is getting the desperate attention it craves while crying foul over censorship, making the disingenuous claim it is trying to bring attention to the topic of menstruation as just another

‘‘natural bodily function’’.

Well, defecating and urinating are also natural bodily functions, but do we need such things depicted on a front cover for public viewing? Whoops, no doubt I just gave it another brainstorming idea for the next edition.

Then to have TomiAnn Roberts from Colorado College weigh in and embarrassingly twist the narrative to have us believe the University of Otago is suppressing the discourse on menstruation is just pure nonsense. It makes one wonder if she had ever seen the Critic magazine cover to begin with.

Critic will also make out that anyone criticising its latest stunt are just prudes. But let’s not forget this is the publication that humbugs people who don costumes for the Hyde St party it disapproves of as offensive.

You will also notice there is never enough page space for any opinion or topic that does not fit its own political inclinations.

It wasn’t too long ago it banned any mention of Donald Trump by name, and lacking any semblance of impartiality, openly urged its readers to vote LabourGreen in 2017.

So it is time to let some real talent in, instead of relying on Critic’s weekly callow serve of snarkhunt journalism, faux socialist concerns for First World ‘‘period poverty’’ and the infantile fascination for its own genitalia.

Like Blackadder once said to Baldrick, Critic has ‘‘. . . all the entertainment value of a tapdancing oyster.’’

Irian Scott Port Chalmers

Who is to blame?

THE previous National government, along with the banking/finance industry and Fonterra, should shoulder most of the blame for this avoidable situation regarding Mycoplasma bovis.

Many have been warning about the whole dairy/agriculture landintensification issue and its downstream effects. This, along with water quality, is a consequence.

It is no coincidence that National and the banks encouraged massive investment into dairying, which currently attracts $40 billion of debt, and therefore the massive land values.

So, as the highs of milk prices were perpetuated as ‘‘get into dairying’’ by all those mentioned, it inevitably promoted a multiple crisis in waiting.

As the demand for production increased and reduced costs needed, it was inevitable to see greater offfarm grazing and overseas semen imported, along with offshore feed stocks.

The sad thing is that there are so many landintensification lessons that could be learnt from overseas.

We don’t seem to learn any of the advantageous ones.

No farmer should bear the brunt of this crisis. The previous National government and the banks should step up and, instead of calling the new Government to account all the time, have some moral fortitude and carry the responsibility and cost. Hessel Van Wieren

Cromwell

Sovietera hotel

MR Tosswill is right: the new plan for his hotel is ‘‘terrible’’. It has all the charm of a Sovietera apartment block.

But perhaps the fault lies with himself? I suppose the choice of architect is up to him.

Having (apparently) dismissed the idea of the van Brandenbergs, he might like to talk with Tallwood, an Auckland firm specialising in designing towers of wood (NZ Herald, 23.5.18).

Now that would be bold and new and exciting (and green, and possibly cheaper). R. Gardner

Waverley