Cup batterer thinks he has last laugh

By CATHERINE MASTERS

The man who mangled the America's Cup with a sledgehammer three years ago is quietly laughing at the defection of Team New Zealand heroes for money.

The "desertions" simply reinforce the point he was trying to make when he battered the Cup in the first place, says Benjamin Nathan, of Dargaville.

Nathan was jailed for his act of political vandalism but now he is back, swinging a more peaceful verbal sledgehammer.

In a letter to the Herald, Nathan writes: "So, members of Team New Zealand are abandoning their posts to fight for another country against their own.

"The real ironic thing about this whole debacle ... is that people's eyes have finally been awakened to the reality of what the America's Cup is really about.

"Money. Something I tried to show them when I violated the Cup ..."

In hindsight he believes it was a mistake to attack the Cup because it alienated the very people he was trying to reach - patriotic New Zealanders.

"It is a rich man's sport which has nothing at all to do with the common people.

"The only ones to have profited from the America's Cup are the chief sponsors and Business Roundtable."

In court, part of Nathan's defence was his belief that none of the money generated would reach Maori, who were over-represented in prisons and dole queues.

One of the "deserters" referred to by Nathan but not named, Brad Butterworth, said at the time the attack was an "absolute tragedy which we can't understand."

But he also saw a funnier side: "We heard we are going to be racing for the America's Plate now."

In his letter, Nathan reasons it might be a bit harsh to call them deserters when they were national heroes who fought for New Zealand's honour, were adored by millions and given street parades.

"Therefore, no, I mustn't call these men deserters. It doesn't matter if they are turning their backs on their worshippers, or trampling the New Zealand flag underfoot, or spitting on the small New Zealand businesses who sponsored them.

"No, all that matters is that they are following the highest principles of their consciences and fighting against their country for money."

Gullible clowns in New Zealand had been fooled by them - but not by him, who had them "pegged from the start."

"What I can't figure out though is who committed the real crime. I, who did what I did from a sense of idealism (however misguided), or you who betrayed your country for money.

"I guess it must have been me because I received a sentence of two years, 10 months' imprisonment and universal hatred from my fellow countrymen ... for my 'crime,' while you on the other hand will receive more money, glory and honour."

Nathan says he is now developing his writing as a way to get his messages across. He is also researching a book on Dargaville.