EDITOR: When did the noble profession lose its nobility?

Law has the standing of a noble profession.
I'm guessing that young intelligent people pursue law in a bid to make the world a better place.
They want to help the little guy beat the big corporation or help to right a wrong.
That may be all Hollywood and movies, but it is how I see the legal professional.
Why is it then that some of these highly intelligent people become defence criminal lawyers who are driven to get low-life scumbags like Michael Curran back on to the streets and then strive to get them lighter sentences when they appear before a jury.
What could possibly be noble about getting Curran out on bail?
What could possibly be noble about getting Curran off a murder charge in relation to Natasha Hayden's death and convincing the jury it was only manslaughter?
What could possibly be noble about trying to convince the Aaliyah Morrissey jury that Curran didn't beat that little girl to death?
In my opinion the answer is absolutely nothing.
The man who may have the answers to some of these questions is Paul Mabey QC, Tauranga's top criminal defence lawyer and barrister.
It seems if you are a murderer (or should that be an accused murderer) you run to Mr Mabey as quickly as possibly.
The Bay of Plenty Times has sought to talk to Mr Mabey before but he seems to be a man who only does his talking in court.
In the same week as Mr Mabey was trying to convince the jury Curran was no murderer, we ran another story to say he had taken over the legal representation of Wiremu Curtis, one of three men accused of murdering three-year-old Nia Glassie in Rotorua, and would be seeking bail for his new client.
I am sure I am not alone in wondering what drives criminal lawyers to defend inhuman creatures like Curran.
No doubt Mr Mabey won't appreciate my comments.
I also have no doubt that he won't speak about his motivations and we will all continue to wonder what drives a person to do what he does.
I can only guess (and in the absence of his opinion that is all we have) Mr Mabey is driven by a strong belief in everyone's right to a fair trial.
But when does fair to a murderer become unfair to society?
It is also more than a touch ironic that one has to assume that when Mr Mabey defends the likes of Curran and Curtis he is paid through Legal Aid, the same Legal Aid we fund through our taxes.
So we pay Mr Mabey to help Curran get bail and lighter sentences and get back on to the streets as soon as possible to commit more crimes. I'm sure that's not how I want my taxes used. How about you?
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Where have all the papergirls and paperboys gone?
I'm sure many of us earned our first wage check delivering papers in years gone by.
But maybe these days delivering the paper isn't as exciting as it used to be.
At the Bay Times we are always looking for young people who want to earn some valuable pocketmoney delivering our paper to you.
I hear from plenty of readers that a good delivery child is much appreciated.
There are plenty of kids out there who are happy to take the paper up to the front door if the occupant is ill or not mobile or if it is wet.
I guess these days there are lots of outside influences that distract kids away from a paper run but introducing a work ethic to a child at an early is not necessarily a bad thing. If you have a child who wants to be a paper delivery child, we are always looking for people so give Jenny in our circulation team a ring.
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Tomorrow brings to an end one of the best exhibits Tauranga has ever been privileged to host.
I am referring to The Earth from Above exhibition on The Strand.
I haven't spoken to anyone who has taken the time to have a look at these photographs who hasn't been overwhelmed.
In fact over 40,000 people have taken the opportunity to view this world-class exhibit.
I took my family down and we all loved it.
The children couldn't decide which were their three favourite photos. There were just too many to choose from.
If you haven't been down for a look, go tomorrow. You won't be disappointed.