Letters: Venezuelans may have reasons to be cheerful after Trump’s action
Possible positives for Venezuela
When Russia, China, Hamas and Helen Clark band together to call your actions illegal, one would think you’d feel suitably chastised, but Trumpian America seems particularly unperturbed by these accusations.
Perhaps that’s because they believe they have the support of the Venezuelan people, especially the 67% estimated to have voted against Maduro in the last election, and the eight million or so who have fled the country to escape his regime.
Then there’s the concern that the US can’t possibly “run Venezuela for a while” as Trump has posited. But why should that be difficult? After all, the US successfully ran Japan, a much bigger and more complex country, for seven years after the end of World War II and set it up to become one of the economic powerhouses of the world when they left.
I expect the Venezuelans are looking forward to something similar.
John Denton, Napier.
Keeping quiet may be best approach
The January 6 edition has a nice array of views upon Trump’s take-out of the truly feared Venezuelan leader. From criticism to support and even humorous approaches on the Nobel Prize nomination and Trump’s knowledge of history.
We all seem to be quick to judge, when all facts, backgrounds and reasons are not known.
Yet, when it comes to how drugs manufactured in South America hit our shores and do unthinkable damage we remain much more silent.
It may be drugs, oil or just a general dislike of the man himself, but we would perhaps be tactful not to voice our concerns too loudly.
The population of New Zealand easily fits in some of the US cities, so maybe it is better to bite our tongue, swallow our pride and let it play out as it always will, regardless of our differing opinions Down Under.
René Blezer, Taupō.
UN should protect today’s generation
I draw attention to a long‑overlooked flaw in the United Nations Charter.
Its opening promise is to save “succeeding generations” from war, leaving the living generation unnamed and unprotected.
This omission has allowed leaders to justify present-day conflicts as a sacrifice for future peace.
I propose a simple correction. Insert the words “this and” so the charter reads “to save this and succeeding generations...”
Peace must protect the living, not only the unborn.
Richard Tingey, Levin.
AI fears distract from reality
Recent public debate about artificial intelligence often echoes the fear and drama of science fiction – killer robots, sentient systems and runaway machines. Yet this portrayal distracts from the realities of how AI is actually entering everyday life.
Today’s AI systems are not autonomous threats, but powerful tools designed to recognise patterns and assist human decision-making.
They help doctors catch diseases earlier, support people with disabilities and give small businesses access to capabilities once available only to larger firms.
In New Zealand, AI is already being used quietly and practically in healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and business – not to replace human judgment, but to extend it.
The risk is not that AI will suddenly turn against us, but that we might put misplaced trust in systems we don’t fully understand. Technology amplifies human choices; it neither creates them nor owns them.
It’s important we shift the conversation from dystopian fear to thoughtful understanding. AI is not a person, not a villain, not a saviour – just a tool whose value depends on how calmly and thoughtfully humans choose to use it.
John D. Thomson, Wellington.
Unborn bear cost of alcohol harm
Not mentioned in the survey of the harm caused by the use of drugs and alcohol (Herald, January 6) are those whose lives are wrecked, with no possible cure, the children who are born with FAS (foetal alcohol syndrome).
People who consume drugs and alcohol accept the possible risks. (My choice is a G&T.) But unborn children have no choice and have to suffer the consequences of their mothers’ decisions.
Anne Martin, Helensville.
Drug survey misses mark
Massey University “researchers” ask 5000 drug users if they think they have experienced any negative effects from their drug use and describe the fact that 63% say “no” as groundbreaking.
The next groundbreaking research they may do will be to ask 5000 people if they think they are good drivers and be surprised if the majority say “yes”.
John Kothe, Torbay.
Good news stories welcome
With all the strife and grief in the world at the moment it was great to read two heartwarming Herald stories about much-loved dogs.
First, Rimu, a curly-coated retriever who was missing after the yacht she was on capsized, was found. And second, Nala, a blue heeler, and Jock, a black huntaway cross, who were in a ute that was stolen have also been found.
It’s lovely to know they’re safely back with their families.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
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