Letters: A climate of ‘whataboutisms’, will political journalists face the same scrutiny?
Letter of the Week
A climate of ‘whataboutisms’
I read with interest a letter to the editor by a correspondent from Napier. He repeated a claim that I have heard frequently in discussions about what New Zealand should do to help combat climate change. He says, “But here’s the thing, there’s nothing that we can cut in New Zealand to any effect.” This is because, as he implies, our contribution to the global total emissions is insignificant, so why bother?
However, in a Herald Review article, by Joanna Wane, about project Climate Trunk, which is led by London-based climate analyst and science communicator John Lang, he calls comments like the correspondent’s, “whataboutisms” – deflection arguments that shift the blame elsewhere. Later he says that the “we’re less than 1% nations” – and New Zealand is one of them – are collectively responsible for 30% of global CO2 emissions. That’s more than China’s.
Ruary Laidlaw, Kihikihi.
Memorial plan overlooked
The building of a war memorial garden on Barry’s Point Reserve, Takapuna, to acknowledge Korean and New Zealand veterans of the Korean War, was first conceived by the Korean Garden Trust in the last days of North Shore City.
As councillors we were fully supportive of the concept.
A fundraising golf tournament was organised by Mayor Andrew Williams to help raise the $3 million needed. Council donated $250,000, of which $100,000 has since been used to acquire planning consent.
The lease to use the reserve area in memory of those
who fought and served in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953 has sadly been overlooked.
“We will remember them.”
Jan O’Connor, Hauraki.
Illegal attacks deserve blame
David Harvey’s article critical of Iran for its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz bizarrely ignores that this was caused by the illegal United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran.
These appalling attacks caused great damage, including the destruction of hospitals, schools and universities, as well as killing 168 schoolgirls, civilians and those in leadership roles..
UN experts condemned the military assaults on Iran and Lebanon by the US and Israel as flagrant violations of international law. “The conflict risks engulfing the wider region in catastrophic armed violence and threatens to set yet another precedent of total impunity for some of the world’s strongest military powers.” The UN stressed the unprovoked attack by the US and Israel on Iran, carried out while negotiations were still ongoing, is entirely illegal under international law and constitutes an act of aggression. “US and Israel should stop waging and expanding wars, and considering themselves as above international legality,” the experts said.
Kay Weir, Wellington.
Journalist scrutiny
Now that it has been revealed TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman used a homophobic comment against another broadcaster in May last year, will other broadcasters aggressively interview her with a barrage of microphones thrust into her face suggesting that she resign?
After all this is what politicians have to endure on a daily basis. At least she has had about a year to think about it, unlike politicians who are expected to make comment on any issue whilst walking through the parliamentary foyer just about every day.
Bernard Walker, Mount Maunganui.
Morning media
After growing increasingly disappointed with TVNZ’s Breakfast programme – and with no compelling alternative on TV3 – we abandoned morning television altogether in favour of radio. Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB proved to be more engaging and, in our view, more balanced than what was on offer on screen.
However, we have recently come across Ryan Bridge’s Herald NOW on the New Zealand Herald, and it is refreshing to see a programme that is both well-presented and genuinely interesting.
The irony now is that the two most worthwhile morning options are scheduled at exactly the same time, leaving viewers to choose between them. While podcasts and catch-up services exist, they are no substitute for the immediacy of live broadcasting.
Perhaps the real question is why it has taken so long for television to provide a credible alternative in the first place.
Alan Walker, St Heliers.
Power of rail
In the Herald (April 29) there is an article on what New Zealand tourism is missing. What the article misses is that New Zealand has a very established railway network that reaches almost every corner of the country in style and comfort but it is not used.
If properly reinstated it would reinvigorate rural communities that depend on farming or other such like activities as well as boosting the number of patrons at motels and hotels in these places.
It would also provide valuable local tourism opportunities.
Unfortunately, the “powers that be” seem unable to grasp the fact our country is made up of hundreds of these small rural communities. Each community is inhabited by Kiwis from all walks of life.
Ian Miller, Avondale.
Rural road problems
Rural Hawke’s Bay farmers, completely cut off from main road connections due to flood-damaged bridges and now reportedly .... due to the high and “uneconomic” costs of bridge replacement (April 30) are being left with no feasible economic form of crossing. This is a problem looking for a sensible solution.
The rivers affected are all “fordable” at some point, and even a river crossing not available 24/7 would be preferable to no crossing at all. Councils must adapt their roading standards to suit rural circumstances instead of steadfastly adhering to impractical and useless policies that are not a solution at all.
Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
Disharmony, inequality grows
It’s becoming clear that many of the “reforms” that have been enacted by the coalition government are motivated by spite and ignorance rather than assisting the progress and wellbeing of the nation.
Undoing pay equity for female workers, undermining the status of te reo Māori as an official language, repealing the protections and guarantees of the Treaty of Waitangi in many of our laws, and rolling back our climate regulations, against the advice of experts.
Where is the benefit? Whose wishes are being satisfied by these unjust and spurious pieces of legislation? Corporate welfare is one possible answer. Racism is another likely motive. But it’s clear that the wishes of most people, who wish for a decent society, are being ignored as we speed towards a future of rising inequality and disharmony.
Vivien Fergusson, Mt Eden.
A quick word
It’s interesting to note, according to GlobalPetrolPrices.com, fuel prices in New Zealand have increased by 36.1%, Zimbabwe being the only country higher at 44.1% while Malawi is just behind NZ at 35.4%. Most countries are below 20% while Singapore is at 13%. Of course, we also have the privilege of getting an 8% increase on electricity price.
Chris Kaelin, Te Awamutu.
I am wondering what the Green Party actually believes in. I was under the impression their main focus was on the environment and ecological restoration. However, it seems some members of the party now display little or no respect for the police, with some members openly discussing the abolition of prisons. This party must get back to their original core values.
Janet Boyle, Ōrewa.
How ironic that the minister most proficient in Trump-type rhetoric – Winston Peters – is pulling Luxon back from pro-Trump moves on the Iran war. One bottom line to consider – Trump and Luxon are for the war, while the American and New Zealand people are opposed to it. Which side are you on?
Peter Beyer, Sandringham.
We have a democracy and it’s okay for Luxon to want to support the US. It’s equally okay for Peters to say, “hang on a minute, let’s chat about it”.
Personally, I think the US goes to war as a way to increase profits to arms manufacturers and to distract the citizens from bad healthcare and other internal issues
Randel Case, Howick.
It was great reading that New Zealand actor, Sir Sam Neill, no longer has cancer due to chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. The article goes on to say that the therapy has received regulatory approval and will be rolled out in some Australian states over the coming months. But the therapy is only available here through clinical trials. Let’s speed up that clinical trial and save more lives on this side of the ditch too.
Jim Heyder, Takapuna.
It seems as though aggressive, combative language and attitudes have worsened in society. Perhaps with social media everyone can voice their opinion to all and sundry. This seems to have extended to the political arena in New Zealand but also of course it’s election year.
Hamish Walsh, Devonport.