Brian Holden: Net violence seeps into society

The nation is appalled with the mindless assault on cricketer Jesse Ryder. For no apparent reason apart from what was described as an exchange of a few terse words, two thugs set upon Ryder, who remains in hospital.

Why people choose to target celebrities is not completely clear, but my bet is that jealousy plays a big part. The thought of someone rising to fame, is a bitter pill for some to swallow. If hurling a volley of verbal abuse is matched by a more caustic counter serve from the victim or, even more infuriating, ignoring it altogether, the abuser may choose to swing the fists.

Whatever the tactics used, such thugs are demonstrating to the world that they've failed to grow out of their child-like behaviour and instead choose to live the lives of gutless losers.

Of course, it is so easy to blame booze and the hanging out in the wrong places in the wee small hours when one should really be at home tucked up in bed. True, but the internet also has one hell of a lot to answer for.

There are games sites - I kid you not - that allow you to beat up your most hated celebrity, online. While Googling info on why people specifically pick on celebrities, I came across one "delightful" little site called Celebrity Punch Out. It shows a gallery with thumbnails of celebrities whose popularity and fame are known worldwide.

Okay, so there are a couple of baddies like Osama Bin Laden (deceased) who certainly deserve a decent whack or two, but most on the hit list are worthy people who would be rightly insulted if they knew of their appearance on the site.

Among the celebrities you can take a swing at are Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Bill Gates, and dare I say it - Queen Elizabeth II.

I could go into the nasty details telling you what happens to these poor souls as they are progressively beaten to a pulp, but the words would be rejected by my sub-editors.

As long as society allows sick websites like Celebrity Punch Out to be within a mouse click of all who wish to indulge (no password, age limit or payment required), mindless violence will continue. Shamefully, incidences such as that suffered by Jesse Ryder will continue.

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With the Department of Conservation looking at cutting 140 staff, we have to ask just to what extent such a vital service must be trimmed before it ceases to function altogether.

Indeed, like any other department, costs need to be kept relatively mean and lean. But have you ever wondered though whenever you see a rehabilitated bird or animal being released back into the wild, why they need a whole group of DoC staff to do it?

I've watched two video clips with numerous people releasing a handful of kiwi into the wild, which seems over the top. Okay, perhaps some were volunteers, but did they really need helicopters to fly the birds in?

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Only three more sleeps to go before we head off on our trip overseas. At one minute to midnight Saturday (but it's always a bit later), we'll be up and away to France where we'll be for three weeks.

We will arrive there to a somewhat more bracing printemps (spring) climate than we are currently enjoying here, but we know it'll all be worth it. From there we will go to Britain for the second half of our time away.

The And Another Thing overseas correspondence team will keep you informed of our activities while we are away.