Letters
Wall spin
Donald Trump’s proposed Mexican Wall is justifiably being criticised internationally. But equating his proposed wall to the Berlin Wall of the Cold War era (World, January 29) needs to be qualified. The Berlin Wall was intended to keep people in. Trump’s wall is intended to keep people out. Trump will be able to make much of that difference so critics should be prepared to counter that particular spin. Richard Keller, Wellington The Mexican Wall could well have a major weak spot because the ladder and grappling hooks were invented many years ago.
Trump is trying to keep out refugees, but refugees adopt desperate measures to find freedom, and I guess blowing a hole in the wall would not be that hard.
If prisoners can get out of inescapable prisons I don’t think a wall will be that much of a problem. Stan Chun, Wellington You have to admit Trump has made life interesting. The whole world, including Trump, is just waiting to see or hear what he does or says next. John Capener, Kawerau The reason DB Smith (Letters, January 29) ‘‘can’t recall any news items about Americans giving us the finger about our election decisions’’ is that, from a global standpoint, we are a small, insignificant nation and present no threat to America. So insignificant, in fact, that most Americans would be unaware of our elections anyway.
Trump’s election, his childish
News quiz
1. Woody Harrelson is making a movie based on a bizarre night he spent in which city? 2. Which pop princess is expecting twins? 3. Which actor who has just died was the ‘‘War Doctor’’ in the Dr Who chronology? 4. Former Police Association president Greg O’Connor is running for Labour in which seat? 5. How many sixes did Marcus Stoinis hit in his remarkable innings for Australia against the Black Caps at Eden Park? 6. How did Josie Butler make headlines this time last year? instability, and his behaviour since taking office, present a threat to the entire world. That is what people are protesting about, globally. Andy Bassett, New Plymouth
Great cricket
What a great celebration of Anniversary Day at Eden Park, when the Black Caps snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the first one-day international. Well done, New Zealand, after a sound defeat the day before in the rugby sevens. Go cricket – after all, it is summer. Leave rugby now for autumn. Murray Hunter, Auckland
Garden label
I wish to add my full support in relation to Yates and their gardening product Black Magic. The issue here is simply the name of a gardening product and its benefits when used in the garden, a product developed in the 1950s and still delivering the desired outcome. The word ‘‘black’’ seems to offend Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox – perhaps such songs as Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones, and Black Magic Woman by Carlos Santana should be banned from the airwaves. Arthur Sloggett, Rotorua
Sustaining life
The whole tenor of the push for euthanasia (Letters, January 29) is for people like Lecretia Seales whose illness is incurable. That’s hardly unforeseeable circumstances excusing the attending physician from maintaining the patient’s life.
As for the ‘‘huge toll’’ taken by euthanasia on the attending physician, Atkinson could read Josie Crawley’s story in the same issue. It’s family who take the major toll, can take it bravely and turn it to good account.
David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill is certainly irredeemably flawed, but for doctors who live by the Hippocratic oath there’s no moral and ethical hazard. They know a physician is there to sustain life, not to end it. Julia du Fresne, Hawke’s Bay
Rotate Treaty
Nadine Chalmers-Ross comments that ‘‘Taking the politicians out of Waitangi Day might actually make it a day all New Zealanders want to celebrate’’ (January 29).
Perhaps it would also encourage more enthusiasm if it was celebrated officially each year in rotation at those towns where the original Treaty was signed back in 1840. Nick Nicholas, Auckland
Good moaning
Allo, Allo – what’s all this about? Gorden Kaye’s character, Rene (‘‘The bravest man in France’’) never said ‘‘Listen very carefully, I will say this only once’’ (News quiz, January 29). Try Kirsten Cooke, playing the Resistance fighter Michelle Dubois, whose opening gambit was always that quote.
As a long-time fan of the show, it’s hard to think that she is now 64 years old. Even harder to think that the series ran from 1982 to 1992. Peter Patten, Auckland Quizmaster: As Officer Crabtree would say, Good moaning! I am clearly the guilty potty.
Israeli regime
Lynette Gautier (Letters, January 29) is correct to point out the horrendous abuses in some Muslim countries and areas, but I doubt that these practices occur in any of Israel’s neighbours, with the possible exception of Egypt. Palestinians, I’m sure, would eschew such behaviour, and rightly so. She asks if I can name one Israeli human rights abuse.
As an online subscriber to the liberal Israeli newspaper, Haaretz ,I assure her that I am right up to date with what is happening there.
Haaretz is very critical of the direction Israel is taking under Benjamin Netanyahu’s pro-settler regime, and has compared the ongoing occupation of the West Bank to ‘‘creeping apartheid.’’
Many decent, caring Israelis are now questioning this extreme government and demanding change. John Watkins, Katikati