Letters: When ageing leaders put nations at risk
Calls for full disclosure in Epstein case
The slow and heavily redacted release of the Epstein files graphically demonstrates behaviour of certain rich, famous and powerful men that is both entitled and confronting.
These named individuals, acting with Machiavellian impunity, cannot lie through the reality anymore. They are not enjoying the normal hospitality of a friendship, a dinner and a glass of wine.
Lessons to be learnt from the Watergate scandal (1972-74) should be a salient reminder to the Trump Administration and the US Department of Justice that a premeditated and orchestrated cover-up of the facts has consequences far greater than the alleged criminal activity under review.
Bruce Eliott, St Heliers.
Climate goals seen at odds with coalition priorities
How did Shane Jones get to be so powerful? Is it because leadership within the coalition is in such disarray?
We do know Simon Watts, our Climate Change Minister, has little stamina to stand up to anyone, and certainly not to a bully.
Jones is pompous and ruthless in his wants and needs, especially his desire to mine the earth for fossil fuels, those very same elements that are causing the heating of our planet, upsetting the balance of nature, threatening life as we know it. It’s dangerous logic.
His comment says it all: “I don’t see a future for New Zealand if we deny ourselves access to fossil fuels.” (NZ Herald, Tuesday, February 3)
It is a blunt reminder he is unable, or unwilling, to recognise scientific reports that conclude a life so dangerous for all species on our planet if we can’t “deny ourselves”.
It goes right against every species’ innate instinct to survive.
Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead.
Withdrawal from global health bodies questioned
The 80-year-old leaders in the world should retire.
Donald Trump and Winston Peters are showing their 80-year-old failing brains with the decisions they make that put us all at risk.
We see Trump destroying democracy. Peters is an appeaser, too afraid to oppose the wrongs of the world. Now he says we should leave the WHO. This is dangerous. Before the WHO made us safe, millions died of preventable diseases such as polio, influenza, TB, malaria, measles, etc.
When Peters shows his inevitable brain decline if he gets back in, we have the anti-environmental, pompous Shane “drill baby drill” Jones set to take over the leadership of NZ First. Then we are in even more trouble.
Those who think Peters is great need to look at the inevitability of brain decline and, if JD Vance as Trump’s successor is scary, so is Jones and his desire for the rerun of the failing coalition.
Phil and Frankie Letford, Hamilton.
We need stricter protections for marine wildlife
Every time I see a photo of someone parading a beautiful game fish they have literally tortured to death, it revolts me. The latest one viewed was of a woman who had tortured a marlin to death for seven hours.
If someone had taken seven hours to beat a dog to death while tied to a leash, I am sure they would receive a harsh jail term. Imagine that beautiful fish fighting for its life for seven hours?
We need to stop this needless cruelty. What is the point of it? It is not sport when only the fisherman can win.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
Ratepayers to Govt: Show us the money
Someone needs to remind the Eden Park board and the Government that the facility is not in actuality the “national stadium”, it is Auckland’s stadium.
And it is supported by the ratepayers to the tune of some $10 million annually.
If the Government wants it to hold more concerts, then it needs to show us the money.
C. Johnstone, Grey Lynn.
Free speech rights should apply equally
The question is not whether you agree with Brian Tamaki’s quasi-Christian ideas, which I don’t; the question is, why are his followers not allowed to march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge when other groups are?
If the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and the “One Ocean” fishing protest convoy have the right to cross the bridge, why not Tamaki and his troop?
Or is censorship okay, provided it’s only “Bad Bishop Brian” who’s copping it?
John Denton, Napier.
Other marches overlooked in weekend coverage
In response to Laurence Mallon’s “Stop The Madness”, I totally agree with you.
If the media would stop giving Brian Tamaki so much attention and publicity, he’d fade away.
There were three protest marches on Saturday, January 31. Which one got all the publicity? It wasn’t the Peace March, nor the march for Iran!
Joanie Bartels, Mission Bay.
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