The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Here you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
Re-think our attitude on alcohol
Tony Farrell at the Mount Medical Centre (Letters, February 27) wonders why there is not more of an uproar about the abuse of alcohol by young people.
Many adults imbibe at a very high level setting the example to our youth and as such are not in a position to kick up a fuss about anything. Although we have many freedoms in this country, anyone who exercises their right not to drink is regarded as quite strange by those who do.
It will take a mindset change to alter this attitude.
In the meantime, so long as the Government is in bed with the alcohol industry and it receives huge taxes from this product nothing will change from that quarter.
LAWRENCE WOODS, Katikati
Unnatural logic
How "au naturel" is riding a bike with a helmet on? Um ... let me see - it's not! So why go without clothing?
Your logic has holes.
On the off chance you don't already know this, even cave dwellers tens of thousands of years ago wore clothing, as do just-discovered tribes in deep South America and New Guinea. Funny that. I wouldn't have thought these groups were particularly "conservative".
We don't want to see your bits and pieces. We have our own. We respect them. Why are you so willing to share yours with the world (who don't want to see them anyhow)?
If bike riding in the nude is so important to you, why do you have to make a show of it on the beach?
Do you really believe that you are not showing off?
Let's take this further and say "Okay, ride on the beach". Then the precedent is set: Next you know, we'll have to agree to "just stopping for a coffee". "Why not, what's wrong with that? you might then say. "Society said we can ride on the beach with no clothes; what's the difference?
And so down the slippery slide we go; to catch a bus, go to work, go to the supermarket. Should fat and unattractive people do this, too? Or only the "presentable" ones? I wonder.
L MacDonald, Tauranga
Uncertain choice
There have been many varied performances "for" the Black Caps by Jesse Ryder, off and on the field.
I really feel that it is well past time that our selectors had a serious look at the suitability of his inclusion.
I am not wishing to overly criticise this sportsman, but I think the selectors have unfortunately placed him in a position which is beyond his ability and behavioural constraints.
Surely there must be other cricketers in this country more suited in all ways to inclusion in this side, which I have been pleased to see has been making much more of a mark on the international scene lately with regard to most players.BARRY H WALKERMount MaunganuiBrilliant eventCongratulations to all concerned with the organisation and delivery of the Pipe Band event on March 9-10 at Tauranga Domain.
Wonderful to see the "streets come alive" with crowds of all ages watching the bands perform on Saturday morning.
Just what the CBD needed, and the spinoff for the local economy and moteliers would have been most welcome.
Tauranga has one of the best facilities for Pipe Band Championships in New Zealand and I hope that we might see this event returning again soon.
Also great to see our two local Pipe Bands perform so credibly.
Well done all of you.
A Melvin, Avenues
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