To The Point
It now does not pay to express what some snitch may consider racist views. Where does this leave Don Brash? NZ is fast becoming an Stasilike surveillance state on computer steroids. In writing this opinion, I may end up on their list. Whatever happened to freedom of expression?
Ken Martin, Lower Hutt
Kevin Bateman (Letters, Feb 13) questions the Catholic Church’s policy on birth control in light of the Pope’s encyclical, Care for Our Common Home. I always ponder the go-to desire to limit the population as a solution to caring for the environment. Is it that we should deny future generations the right to live, so we can continue to exploit and squander the world’s resources?
Teresa Homan, Upper Hutt
Since so many of us have used up so much electricity over the past 50 years listening to his wonderful songs, surely we can let Elton John have his ‘‘equivalent of 17 homes’ electricity use for an entire year’’ in the form of rocket man fuel. Before this tour he said, again, that this is definitely going to be his last. So, thanks for everything, Elton. Goodbye and stick to the yellow brick road.
Helen Carver, Dannevirke
Has Mark Reason forgotten how to write a positive sports column? Does he take pleasure in bagging our sports people and teams? Mark, please open both eyes.
Congratulations, Sophie Devine. Back in the day the most derogatory remark you could make to a male sportsperson was ‘‘you played like a girl’’. Now we wish they would – the girls win more.
Garth Scown, Whanganui
What a glowing tribute to Mike Moore last Saturday – plus not a word about his activities in Rogernomics or the utter misery he willingly helped cause people with it. So much for ‘‘objective journalism’’, eh?
Peter Sullivan, Johnsonville
If Lotto adds only $2 million or $3m to the non-struck top prizes every few days, you wonder what the percentage of payouts compared to takings is. At a $1 average spend per capita per draw, which must be a low estimate, it makes one wonder . . .
Rene´ Blezer, Taupo¯
Going by recent events of criminal activity, including gun use against police, it appears to me that last year’s ‘‘guns buyback’’ scheme was a waste of valuable police time and $300+ million of taxpayer money. Well done, prime minister!
Nik Zahariadis, Wellington
Re Morgan Kemp’s letter about the loss of experienced MPs each election cycle (Feb 14), my only regret is that they don’t introduce a ‘‘sinking lid’’ policy and not replace any of them. We’d all be the better for it.
Gill Berridge, Belmont
The prime minister must call a snap election and reject Winston Peters and his party. If Labour goes to the polls in September with him hanging around its neck, National will surely win. Courage, prime minister.