Freedom in all things is to be cherished and defended but that freedom comes with responsibility. Dr Brash has become the focal point of many other views besides free speech. Photo/File
Freedom in all things is to be cherished and defended but that freedom comes with responsibility. Dr Brash has become the focal point of many other views besides free speech. Photo/File
Outdated views In two recent letters from Andrew Austin, the latest on August 14, he seeks to defend Don Brash and his views on free speech.
Freedom in all things is to be cherished and defended but that freedom comes with responsibility. Dr Brash has become the focal point of manyother views besides free speech.
Notably his much-vaunted ideas around Māori political representation, or more to the point lack of it, at local body level.
The responsibility Dr Brash has is to be more accurate and honest in his rhetoric and overview of political reality. His use of the term separatism is used often and completely out of context. The inclusion of Māori does not threaten democracy as he often claims, rather these terms are used to promote fear and confusion, and it works, at least among those who are already halfway there.
Andrew should try to understand that the progress made by Māori over the last 50 years or so did not come from free speech alone, it came from much vilified direct action and far too many court cases, fought against the Crown.
In an ideal world (for some) political incorrectness, even insult, may well make them feel good, but the price we pay for such behaviour is far too great. So, it is not the age of Dr Brash that is the problem, it his archaic ideas that can only lead to trouble like New Zealand has never experienced. Hopefully, we never do.
What a great article by Scott Yeoman (News, August 13). I am 100 per cent behind the ban of single-use plastic bags and the photos and evidence of the plastic waste ruining our oceans and shore-line disgusts me.
How does the plastic get into the water? Perhaps there should be greater fines for those idiots who use our environment as a rubbish tip?
