Letters to Editor: Lost bottle over breastfeeding

Lost bottle over breastfeeding

The latest outcry involving public breastfeeding leaves me breathless, much as my mother did during the formative weeks. It's about time we respected the rights of the baby to be fed anytime and anywhere it is required.
The owner of the cafe who asked a breast-feeding mother to either wear a dishcloth or leave has committed an enormous boob. This is an in-your-face affront to a modern, tolerant society.
Substitutes for the real thing are advertised on TV as being "inspired by breast milk". Well, I was completely inspired by breast milk, or I wouldn't be here - 65 years later - in excellent health, marvelling at the apparent need for a New Zealand Breast Milk Authority (yes, it exists) and those pathetic people who haven't the bottle to cope with a mum doing what comes naturally.
Brian Mackie, Napier
No right to give way
It was raining this morning (Wednesday 17th) and my granddaughter asked if I would take her by car to Taradale High School.
In view of the prevailing weather conditions, I obliged.
My journey necessitated me negotiating the Lee/Meeanee Rd intersection. I had decided to travel south into Gloucester St then down Hinton Rd and back along Murphy Rd, dropping my passenger off opposite the school en route.
There was a long wait at the Lee Road/Meeanee Rd intersection as left-turning traffic into Meeanee Rd gave way to traffic coming from the south and turning right into Meeanee Rd.
I write to point out that Meeanee Rd is a two-lane road in both directions at that point, without parking restrictions on the left hand thus allowing for left and right-turning traffic to do so simultaneously and then filter as the occasion demands.
Drivers who have been to the Gold Coast will be aware that at similar intersections, highway authorities paint directional arrows on the road to guide traffic through said intersections. Although I have recommended the same here my idea has not been adopted.
Accordingly, I take this opportunity to advise motorists I will not be giving way to right-turning traffic when I am turning left at the Taradale intersection to which I refer. I respectfully ask that you do not toot or give me the one or two-fingered salute but proceed and merge as per a zip.
While writing, I also ask that when you are out in your vehicle and about to enter one of the many Taradale roundabouts, you do not give way to a vehicle on the right that is still approaching the roundabout. You only need to give way to vehicles on your right that are already negotiating the roundabout. Please note if I am the car behind you and you are giving way unnecessarily I may give you a toot. Please do not be offended, the toot is for educational purposes only and does not refer to your character.
David Norman, Taradale
Hone helps the right
If Hone Harawera is so much against capitalist colonial pakeha why does he not give up his pakeha-created job, clothes, medical care, travel, house, etc... and put on a grass skirt and go live in a pre-colonial flax whare?
He seems to forget rich pakeha created most of the wealth and employment in this country.
He seems to admire Osama Bin Laden, who was nothing like Hone at all. At least he roughed it for a while in the Afghanistan mountains.
Hone is doing the right wing a huge favour; he is rapidly turning everybody against his anti-colonist attitude, including most Maori.
Andrew Karatu, Taradale