Letters: 'Sprung from our society'

THERE is no adequate way to express how I feel about what has been perpetrated on individuals and Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole by a person from my country of birth.

It is not enough for us in Australia to say collectively that this is not who we are. Although it may be true as far as individuals go, we have to own that the person who has done this is one of us. He has sprung from our society and what we have allowed to fester in it.

We Australians have facilitated the election of some people with extreme and divisive views. When they are given publicity for espousing those views, they successfully divide the community with the fear and hatred they incite in their supporters.

The same divisive views are repeated and expanded on by some elements of our media and, when we continue to listen to and read what they say without challenging them at every turn, we only encourage and legitimise them. For this, we have to take responsibility.

It is not enough for Australia to simply tolerate those who are different to ourselves. We must accept and embrace the differences and work together, no matter what our skin colour or religion, if any, to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive society.

I am so sorry.

CATHERINE MOORE
Braidwood, NSW, Australia

Farm animals not pets

I do not want to keep writing on this subject.

But Lynley Tulloch's Opinion article (February 26) is so outrageously manipulative, I cannot let it pass. Under a picture of a Hereford bull calf being pulled to a halt for a throw, she quotes: "Do this to a companion animal like a cat and a dog, and you would be jailed."

This reference to a cat and a calf will make all these kind, loving townies dream of dear wee calves, like fallow deer fawns, perhaps, that they could pick up and cuddle. And those nasty cowboys crash them around with no care for their fragile little bodies.

Have you never watched bull calves "playing"? They bunt and knock with all their strength.
The weight of the calves used in calf-roping events has to be between 100kg and 175kg.
To compare them to a domestic cat or dog is just ridiculous. They are solid packs of bone and muscle, weighing around 100kg.

The regulations governing rodeos are approved by the SPCA, a representative is present at all events.

My two grandsons had pet lambs once. They would race around the house followed by the lambs. If they fell, the lambs would jump on them with their rubbery feet. Bruises and great fun.

Then, months later, we were up at the farm, and I looked up to see the two boys, then about 3 years, and 6, running towards me yelling for help. They were followed by two sheep — yes, last year's lambs — now full grown and wanting to play those delightful games again, with a bottle of milk to follow ...

I had my kelpie with me — "Go on, send 'em off," I said. She ran to the sheep and all stopped (she used to play with the lambs too). "Go on, go on, send 'em off," I shouted. So, with a rush and a roar, she did.

The sheep trotted away, looking puzzled. Frightened, distressed — absolutely not. I would like to know how these kind people judge "distress" in farm animals.

"Wild" bulls and horses shut in a small space, will want to get out, at least the first few times it happens. Once it has happened a few times — they can get quite ho-hum about it. Farm animals are not pets, though they and owners can get very close.

My observations tell me that animals with repeated close contact with humans change quite radically, and do learn to enjoy the contact.

SARA DICKON
St John's Hill

Never a Jacko fan

I found the Michael Jackson doco on TV nauseating and difficult to listen to, especially the mothers' "remorseful" attempts to rationalise why they failed to protect these young boys.

There is no doubt, and never has been, in my mind that Jacko was a creep and a groomer of innocent children for his own sexual perversions and needs. I have never been a fan.

However, I am alarmed to read that some NZ radio stations are refusing to play his music. What gives them the right to public censorship?

We are all capable of making choices for ourselves and our children. Switch it off, don't tune in and don't download, etc.

Hitler burned books!

VIV LABONE
(Baby Boomer), Whanganui

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