News and views through personal lens

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

The news and the letters last week were typical of the discussions that take place through this column, and the prejudice that exists among the participants.

Firstly the logging truck vs tractor accident — did the tractor drive in front of the truck? Does the logging truck get the blame regardless?

As for the comment that these trucks are an accident waiting to happen, the same can be said of almost anything mankind is involved with. Surely, if we became obsessed with this, would we bother to climb out of our beds?

If this correspondent was to focus on our overall road toll (something happening, not a perceived threat) he could make a difference. Felicity’s response on Saturday really put that comment in the trash, where it belongs.

Then the article earlier in the week about the lifeguard abused because he was doing his job, trying to save lives. The statistics for drownings, like our road carnage, actually prove “stupid” is an affliction that really has no cure.

Our Prime Minister, mother-to-be — what awesome multi-tasking. Many of our parents can’t even find the time to run a household and raise a family. Is Ms Ardern a superwoman? Or is running this country and the economy less demanding than domestic duties?

The arrangement certainly proves that it helps if a child has two parents . . . but, fogie that I am, I thought it always took two people to conceive children.

Looks like 2018 is going to be another great year.

Enjoy it.

Phil Newdick