Letters: Why we need tolerance, respect and co-operation now more than ever
We need tolerance, respect and co-operation
As we struggle with increasingly extreme weather events due to climate change and compounding geopolitical crises, collective co-operation and trust in expertise are more important than ever.
Unfortunately, our political divide, and with it our social and economic fabric, is being pulled apart by competing ideologies and priorities.
On one hand, we have the idea that what’s good for society as a whole is good for the individual, and on the other, what’s good for the individual is good for society.
The two views often clash because one sees us all as part of a holistic whole in which we are all in it together and the other as competing individuals entitled to pursue our own agenda which hopefully will somehow work as a whole.
At a time when long-term planning and co-operation are vitally needed to cope with an increasingly volatile world, the very notion of a fair and rational society is being severely tested. When wealthy elites cynically pursue increasing inequality and populism plays up the disaffected and fearful, it tears at the notion of a good society.
Self-serving political and financial powers are manipulating the message in cynical ways, and are being amplified by social media echo chambers.
Where once a decent egalitarian society was something to aspire to, it’s now being demonised as woke. Where once medical science was trusted, it is now distrusted by manipulated sections of society.
Lobbyist-fueled opportunistic populism inevitably flies in the face of reason and resilience. We must all resist being sucked into the wrecking ball cultural war that is doing so much damage to the social and economic fabric of America.
Tolerance, respect and co-operation are not things to be ridiculed, but to be admired. Economic fairness is not anti-business. Listening to the experts and planning for the long-term future is best practice, not being a wimp.
We are only manipulated and tempted by the bright baubles of short-term political trinkets and mercurial populism if we allow ourselves to be.
Jeff Hayward, Auckland.
Rights of the child
What were the numerous so-called “adults in the room” thinking when they delayed referral to Oranga Tamariki when it was patently obvious that Baby Tahau and his siblings were at risk.
Was it fear of upsetting his mother when they said that “engagement would worsen following a referral”?
It is obvious that we are becoming involved in the lives of children at risk much too late. We are often held back for fear of infringing adult rights and freedoms. However, if this means children are neglected or abused, it must always give way to the rights of the child.
Glennys Adams, Ōneroa.
Fit for a President
While in Washington in late April, King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend a lavish state dinner hosted by President Trump.
King Charles will be mindful of Trump’s insatiable craving for flattery, recognition and awards.
The King cannot arrive empty-handed, and palace officials will be digging deep into the archives to find something appropriate and “fit for a President”.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush all received honorary knighthoods in the form of a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (GCB).
The difficulty (and sincerity) in justifying this highest of UK honours will be a challenge.
By the end of April, hopefully the Strait of Hormuz will have been reopened by Trump diplomacy, thereby avoiding the largest energy crisis in modern history and avoiding a global recession.
Another great honour for President D.J. Trump awaits.
The medal itself is extremely impressive and will have pride of place in the Trump presidential library in due course.
Bruce Eliott, St Heliers.
Pope’s popularity
It appears that the only consistency President Donald Trump is capable of is his ability to denigrate anyone who doesn’t agree with him and feed his ego.
Pope Leo is Trump’s latest target, but the President’s insults don’t faze the Pontiff as he doesn’t need to curry favour with the Trump administration. Unlike Trump, Pope Leo isn’t confused about who the Saviour is, and Trump’s bizarre AI imagery of himself must surely elicit only pity from the Pope.
History is filled with clashes between religion and politics and no doubt Pope Leo’s calm, modest style would rile an increasingly uncontrollable Trump.
However, the President should take heed. Pope Leo’s favourability rating is outperforming the President’s, and over 84% of US Catholics view Pope Leo favourably, with high approval across both political parties. Hopefully, this will reflect positively at the mid-term elections, where Americans can decide what “morality” is and isn’t.
Mary Hearn, Glendowie.
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