Brash at Waitangi copped the seating plan from Hell

Whatever your politics you have to feel terribly sorry for National Party leader Don Brash after getting the seat from Hell at Waitangi last weekend.
If what was no doubt more of the game playing that goes on up there every year, Brash was given the dubious honour of being sandwiched between the snappy-dressing Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki and Tuhoe activist Tame Iti during proceedings at the Te Tii Marae on the eve of Waitangi Day.
What was worse, Iti acted as translator for the Opposition leader during sections of the proceedings.
When Brash realised what was going on and who would be his companions, I'm guessing that he would have longed for the good old days when his opponents just threw mud at you.
I'm also guessing that Brash and his media minders were a wee bit jittery at the thought of the image of the "three wise men" being circulated around the country. After all, it is not exactly the sort of photo that you would crave for publicity purposes.
Now you might want to call me a racist atheist (for the record I'm not) but Tamaki and Iti would be just about number one and two on my horror list of dinner party guests.
I find both individuals rather loathsome and while they push different messages, they have similar divisive themes.
Neither has any interest in making New Zealand an inclusive nation of all peoples no matter what their religion, race or sexual preference.
It has always bewildered me how a man of God (Tamaki) can live in a mansion in designer clothes while he asks his parishioners to tithe his church 10 per cent of their wages.
Why exactly are people who are scraping their way through life paying for him to live high on the hog?
It is quite simply obscene.
And the thought of his church becoming some sort of political force is even scarier.
I only hope that his followers see through his wafer-thin facade before too long.
And a little advice for Don Brash ... next time check the seating plan before you go to Waitangi.
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THE people have spoken ...
I asked you last week what you thought of our On The Street column in Monday's paper.
In this column supplied to us by TVNZ, we preview the dramatic week ahead on the most famous of streets.
In response to recent critical letters, I asked whether the On The Street column was a useful addition to our paper, would you rather it be run at the end of the week in case you missed an episode or would you rather see it go completely?
Well, as responses go, this plea for feedback struck quite a nerve.
When I returned to work last Monday morning, my email tray was overflowing with responses.
And the verdict ... 68% of respondants said get it out of Monday's paper because it spoilt their week.
I received comments like: "I don't want to know what is going to happen in advance. I wonder what made you think we would" and "It utterly ruins the highlight of our viewing week" and "I liken it to someone telling you what is in the Xmas presents a week before you get to open them!"
Now I don't want anyone to call me the Scrooge of Coronation Street so the column will find a new home from next week in Saturday's paper as a review of the happenings of the week.
That way you can catch up if you missed one of the week's episodes and we are not ruining the excitement before the event.
I hope that quells the Coronation Street anger in the community!