Why some think the Laws is an ass

Michael Laws, judging by his opinions, thinks he knows Mrs Feckless and the Feral family. He feels strongly that there should be a law to prevent them having any children. He says that both the Feckless and Feral family are pathetic parents and form a social underclass that should not be allowed to reproduce.

This is not a new idea. A little man with an odd moustache has already tried that approach. Hitler and his henchmen knew what was best for their nation. The gypsies, Jews and those with an intellectual disability were executed.

I am not suggesting that Michael Laws is like Hitler. That man started a war that changed the world, whereas Michael Laws is a radio talkback host, but what he is suggesting is morally shallow and big on generalisations. One: He is using stereotyping. This is the easy way out - it is a talking without thinking with no need to provide any supporting evidence. Two: He is saying that some people should not be allowed to have children but avoids the question of who would decide which people.

Would this be based on the Nazi approach, with the machinery of government deciding who the "acceptable" people were and who were not? He does not say who would enforce and carry out the resulting decisions. The Nazis did not have a problem with that part of it. They organised whole government units to round up those who did not fit their view of the world and transport them to death camps.

It is not just that the things Michael Laws is saying are offensive. It is that he offers nothing useful in return for simple bigotry. There is no reasoned set of ideas on how, socially and politically, we make NZ a safer place for children. He clearly has no commitment to making any contribution to society, as he rarely attends council and DHB meetings, although he was elected to do that.

There is no doubt that his connection to Whanganui has damaged the town's reputation. In the minds of many around the country, mentioning you live in Whanganui usually elicits a response that includes "Michael Laws" and "wanker" in the same sentence. The consistency of this reaction prompted a small informal survey of local people.

When asked what word came to mind when the name Michael Laws was mentioned, there was a range of replies. Five said "controversial". Five said "idiot" while others provided a range of descriptive words including nasty, arrogant, tosser and "megomaniac" (whatever that means). Some respondents used more than one word, saying "a two-year-old's ego" or "full of hatred". A few felt they could not say what they really thought as it would be unprintable in a family newspaper.

This is pretty strong stuff. He may feel comforted by the recognition but being described in such derogatory terms must provide pause for thought.

Those who stood in silence at the Anzac Dawn Service know what can happen when there is talk of making people "fit" a population agenda. Michael Laws' views on "breeding" and the Feckless and Feral families must not go unchallenged.

Terry Sarten is a Whanganui parent, writer, musician and social worker. Email: tgs@inspire.net.nz