Applauding students

In response to the letters ‘Critical thinking’ by Bruce Bell, and ‘Just a day off’ by Alan Jones, March 12, both deniers to the anthropogenic cause to climate change. It would be nice if they could provide evidence in support of an alternative explanation that could be substantiated. That would make it more interesting and a test for a real scientific debate.

However, it is becoming somewhat of an annoyance to a point of absurdity to see a repeat of these letters that lack evidence, and thus can be considered baseless.

Contrary to running the children down for their march for a good cause to draw attention to the seriousness of the issue, they should be applauded. They realise that it is their future at stake and it will

be they who will be having to live in a world with increasingly dire consequences. Apart from raising public awareness, it is also aimed at world leaders and politicians for their slow and lack of action.

Already the children have a good grasp of the science through open learning, not being influenced by political bias, the intransigence of industry — particularly those that are dependent on fossil fuel — and certain religious dogma who reject any science that does not agree with their teachings.

Bruce Bell has a strange view in his critical thinking, while not providing any answers for the alternative case, and with his rejection of the science can only lead to a dearth of knowledge.

Ross Forbes, as a retired teacher, has written many excellent and informative letters

in regard to climate change to The Northland Age with the expectation that readers get a better understanding of the looming crisis, and if we do nothing it is only going to become worse.

RAY PATERSON

Kaimaumau factories; churches, etc. and now $100 million to owners of Ma¯ ori land mainly in Northland; that is race-based privilege (made on the eve of Waitangi too), being akin to pork barrel politics — Mr Jones strangely can’t provide details of whether a loan, gift, grant or what? Let me help you out Mr Jones — it is koha and will never be repaid! As one experienced commentator said, Mr Jones would be unable to spend $1 billion per annum unless he squandered it — well he is trying hard to achieve that goal by throwing dosh around like a drunken sailor. Interestingly it looks like he has also become the manager of cultural conflicts.

Two coalition ministers have already gone down the road for behavioural lapses and probably couldn’t perform tasks allotted anyway. At least four more need to go post-haste but then looks like you are only left with an oddball pack of nitwits and no good raw material to work with.

As for being the most open, transparent, honest and accountable Government that’s codswallop to put it politely — as they say, a fish rots from the head down and so it is with politics.

No one could seriously point to any of the myriad of policies that’s remotely viable. As for the review committees set up, what a farce these are. It is time for this bunch of stuffwits to go having regard to Kiwibuild absurd calculations on costs viability and unrealistic expectations of 1000 homes per annum that’s three per day or 21 each week, plus Mr Jones’ ludicrous profligate PGF splurging. ROB PATERSON Mount Maunganui and ended the day with only one gin and tonic as he had that dreadful mountain road to civilisation to negotiate. The Education Board pulled the stops out and, to cut a long story short, we ended up with a new school (painted by my wife and me) flush toilets and a new school house. Although short of the required funds, the Education Board supported the school and parents brilliantly and board officers had good relations with the school and district generally.

Finally a no-nonsense school inspector who sat down with pupils discussing their school lives and studies in a friendly way and meeting some of the parents. He discussed teaching and administration matters after school and I felt I had been giving a grilling but a fair go. We ran

several schools under various Education Boards on Christian name-terms with officers of the boards and co-operative relations with Head Office.

Education Board officers could come and discuss problems with school committees. Some aspects were not ideal, mainly because of financial limitations.

Primary teachers knew the standards required for pupils to hit Secondary Education running and that’s what they aimed at, plus lifting the struggling and extending the able. Teaching ability is a gift assisted by study and experience. P.C. over-the-top crap being gushed out of the ministry by people divorced from classroom reality interfering with busy, effective, distracted teachers and principals needs to stop. You can pick holes in any system but a cup of tea at ye olde Education Board HQ and a chat got results ultimately in by-gone days.

My oldest friends and I used slates to learn to write and record numbers on back in 1936 and, guess what, they became architects, lawyers, bank managers, farmers, and one a school teacher. HAMIORA

Kerikeri Assault

I feel a deep personal sorrow

Akin to the loss of personal innocence For I believe that there is no greater crime against humanity

Than the slaughter of defenceless innocents To contemplate this at any time an affront to all citizens

To contemplate and plan slaughter at a time of worship

And then carry out the intent an act of supreme cowardice

Such a one is to be reviled forever

This perpetrator has changed the face of a Nation

But not the way intended

For the Nation has responded with love for the victims

Horror, abhorrence, and rejection of the perpetrator’s views

And rises stronger than ever in respect for all ethnicities

And the right to be who you are where you are Secure in personal belief and the knowledge

That you have equal right to equal protection under National law

In a country founded on mutual respect and equality

Where no person is regarded as any better or any worse

And where once adopted you are accepted as one of us Encompassed in a cloak of acceptance, pride and brotherhood

We have failed to protect

For this I am deeply mortified, sorry and shocked

For we could have, and should have done better. ERIC WAGENER

Kaitaia