Slapstick tragedy
National MP Simon O'Connor, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Labour MP Meka Whaitiri are the Three Stooges of our own political abortion Grand-Guignol.
Simon O'Connor plays the hubristic, petty politician who strides about in gumboots where angels fear to tread. He trumpeted the US outcome with bizarre unawareness of the
controversy and pain and anger of many. His rambling apology since has only increased the effect.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta was vehemently against the US Supreme Court decision, questioning on Twitter; "how can this happen?" Only two years ago, she voted against decriminalising abortion
It happened because laws are managed by politicians and personalities, often usurping the outcomes and essence of justice itself. Mahuta is a perfect example.
Then there is the stooge who wants to play a ball in each court and loses both games. That vaudeville act goes to Labour MP Meka Whaitiri, who both voted against decriminalisation of abortion in our country in 2020, yet publicly supports it is a woman's choice. She put this confusing mix down to cultural sensitivities, yet uses the incredibly insensitive, judgemental descriptor of "the practice of aborting children".
What a shameful show - can we get a refund?
Russell Hoban, Ponsonby.
Western decline
Your correspondent G. N. Kendall (NZ Herald, June 27) ably described a number of events taking place in the world, which appear to be under-reported by Western media.
I was only vaguely aware of such organisations as BRICS and the work being done by China and Russia to establish an alternative (to Swift) interbank messaging system. It appears like we are looking at a giant chessboard where, slowly but surely, key pieces are being put into place that will eventually checkmate the collective West.
Kendall did not mention the likelihood that militarily the West is now probably also inferior to this bloc of nations. Which is another reason for the West not being able to call the shots as before. Many scholars of civilisation have coined this century the "Asian century". Are we now seeing its unfolding, and how does New Zealand align itself in the scheme of things? Many will not care, as long as they can continue to experience the distractions of sport, social media, celebrity culture, and game shows. A pity.
Tyrrell Harris, Waiuku.
Quarter acre
This Government has planned anti-nature, high-rise, high-density urban development in our major cities when research is emerging that dwellings without backyards are detrimental to children's health, often leading to obesity.
Sydney's experience shows this results in only the wealthiest who are able to afford a detached house with a backyard in contrast to the working class who are forced to live like sardines renting high-rise apartments or high-density housing.
This exacerbates a clearly defined tiered society of the rich, the not-so-rich and a cavernous gap to the poor which make up nearly half of New Zealand's population, one of the widest gaps in all OECD countries.
Is that the New Zealand we would wish on future generations? This anti-nature anti-Kiwi dream of home ownership must be stopped at all costs, either by protest or a vote of no confidence in this Government.
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.
Muldoon hindsight
The item in Sideswipe (NZ Herald, June 28) about Muldoon being a communist is not far from the truth.
For all his faults, and there were plenty, Muldoon was committed to the idea of New Zealand being a property-owing democracy. The right-wing of the National Party celebrated when he died because of his opposition to their free-market ideology. Muldoon would be rolling in his grave if he could but see how New Zealand has changed since then. Paupers in their own country indeed.
William O'Donnell, Sandringham.
Health inaction
Today's article (NZ Herald, June 28) highlighting the District Health Boards' warning 12 months ago of an impending hospital code red is an appalling indictment on the current Government.
The fact that the Health Minister has still not settled the nurses' pay which now extends back to 2018 is only making matters worse.
This is a shocking state of affairs and needs to be remedied without further delay.
Kiwis are becoming thoroughly fed up with this intransigence and lack of action.
William Black, Remuera.
