Getting over the Trump hump
Some days before the US elections, in these very columns, I predicted a win for Donald J Trump.
I was, of course, ridiculed by some people. But here we are in 2017 with the dawn of a new world in the US and perhaps for the whole human race.
But only if President Trump survives what I see as strong desire on the part of the swamp dwellers to crucify him.
And if that comes to pass, there could very well be another civil war in America. Deplorables versus the alligators.
They all need to get over or around the "Trump hump" and give the man a chance.
Damn it all, people, he saved the world from Hillary Clinton. That alone qualifies him for a place on Mt Rushmore.
POTONGA NEILSON
Castlecliff
Get over it, Potonga
Oh, Potonga, never, ever have I said "sweep it under the mat", but your "verbose diatribes" are non-productive.
I note you never write of the indignities and cruelties practised by tribe against tribe, both before and after European arrivals. Other nations have similar problems to Maori and don't continually gripe about it.
I was living in Indonesian Timor when East Timor was but a province of that country, was in that province during the transition to the founding of "Timor-Leste" and was fortunate enough to work alongside Gusmao, Alkatiri and Belo.
The atrocities by Indonesians against Indonesians are beyond belief, and yet the East Timorese are not bitter. They are getting on with life, determined to put the past aside.
I was in the thick of it, serving alongside our troops (Maori and Fijian soldiers) watching with great interest to see these people "get on with it".
I was in Poland briefly while it was still a quasi-communist-run country and in Berlin just after the wall came down, and those people are not full of "historical hurt" like you.
Get over it, Potonga.
MICHAEL WILTON
Taihape
Judge and Jewry
More musings from someone imagining the questions that will be asked when we rock up to the figurative Pearly Gates.
It will be interesting for someone who has a blood lust for Jews and Israel. They will not be alone, but in a long line from ancient times to the present day. From Egypt, to Hamon of Persia, modern day Iran to Hamas and the Palestinians. Meeting Jesus the Christ, who is judge and a Jew.
Jesus was born into this world a Jew, lived a Torah-keeping life, was judged at three illegal trials as a Jew and died on a cross as a Jew. If you doubt this, consider what the Roman governor wrote and nailed to the cross. This seeming victory of evil on evil did not last the weekend.
Telling the judge that you thought it was all a fairytale and you did not believe in God will go down like a lead balloon.
Here is a challenge to those of you who disagree with me. Ask God if He exists to reveal Himself to you. Be prepared, though, to hear the answer.
Mazal tov.
DAVID TUCKER
Wanganui East
Positive thoughts
Many of us are distressed by the contents of news we hear or read of each day. There is little we can do to help.
May I suggest these ideas to help us all to more tranquil thoughts and perhaps bring some normality to life:
Compassion costs us nothing -- kindness, a loving thought. Beauty is here in its bounty, colour adds cheer to our lives, music lightens our spirits, laughter's a balm for sore hearts, brightening our paths with happiness and guiding us on through our lives ... with the overall blessing of prayer.
M F SMITH
Whanganui East
Cup lifebuoys
I have been watching the TV broadcasts of the America's Cup and there's no doubt about it, we have had some riveting spectacles to watch. But a couple of things have me a bit concerned.
Firstly, where do the boats keep the big supply of lifebuoys somebody keeps chucking over the back of the boats, and who picks them all up when the races are finished?
G. A. MCGRATH
Wanganui
Who done it?
A question for Bernard Corkery: Who killed Laura Palmer?
CAROL WEBB
Twin Peaks, population 51,201
