When our cabinet ministers and defence force spokesmen speak of (but refuse to release) a video that supports their statements, or they refer to an "executive summary" of the ISAF report, as supporting their versions (when, in context, the report doesn't), this is for domestic consumption only.
Ignored by them are the United Nations annual report 2010 and the follow-up request from the UN two years ago.
The former reports on the civilian deaths and injuries that night in NZ forces' sphere of operations; the apparent lack of aid (in the absence of hostile forces) to the wounded civilians; followed by the apparent obstruction and lack of co-operation with the lawful provincial authorities call into question not only what our people's mission objective were and under which rules of engagement we operate, but also what exactly was our mission's overall objective in Afghanistan.
Just yelling out "get some guts" in our Parliament is not an answer.
H NORTON
Kaitoke
Let it rest
I accept Bear's statement in the Chronicle (July 22) that he did not push the two female protesters into the path of the car driven by Chester Borrows .
I also accept the editor's note concerning video coverage of the event appended to my letter of July 20.
However, I stand by my statement made several times in correspondence over many months. The fact is that he laughingly claimed culpability one Friday evening at the St John's Club.
His motivation for making such a false statement at that time is not for me to hypothesise nor pass judgment on.
Hopefully, this issue can now be put to bed. (Edited)
D PARTNER
Eastown
Mental illness
There is much coverage in the news media of the runaway train of mental illness, proof that the "experts" are not experts.
They don't have a clue or they would be slowing the train.
We have a brain and we have a mind, which is the product of the brain.
If the brain is not functioning properly, the mind gets out of whack, strange thoughts happen.
Neuroscientists are now waking up to this.
They have decided that if the brain structure is not right, thoughts are rickety.
Their latest brain scanning technique is very revealing of the brain structure, but they do not know how to make sure the brain structure stays sound.
The human body is mineral. It is built with minerals when it is in the womb, supplied by the placenta -- which it can't supply if they are not in the mother's diet or body.
So you get birth defects from and the mother ends with post-natal depression because her body has been deprived of any minerals she had possessed.
The body is also repaired with minerals.
That's why they are so important in our diet: cancer protection.
There was a Wellington doctor some 30 years ago who was successfully -- "200 at that stage" -- treating depression and anorexia with minerals, mainly zinc.
Anorexia he found was in young women who were studying, doing sport and giving up meat, also at the stage they started menstruating -- all stressful things that leach minerals from the body.
Medical and psychiatric professions, with head in the sand, would not even trial them.
Minerals are dirt cheap. Everyone can afford them, not like medicines.
G R SCOWN
Whanganui
Seniors' concerns
One of our key concerns coming into this election is the growing racial divide and reverse apartheid taking place in New Zealand as a direct result of race-based political policies.
It seems nothing can be done in New Zealand now without Maori involvement.
There is even talk of Maori being involved in the America's Cup defence in four years' time.
Emirates Team New Zealand represents all New Zealanders, so why do Maori want to be involved?
NZSP believe we are all New Zealanders, no matter what our ethnic background, and until we can all accept this we cannot move forward as a nation.
Another key concern is immigration numbers and their flow-on effect on our housing and infrastructure.
There are simply not enough houses to cope with the influx of people coming into the country. Young Kiwis cannot afford to buy houses, as prices are being pushed up out of their reach by cashed-up immigrants.
The pressure on our medical services and hospitals is at breaking point, with doctors and staff working unrealistic hours to try and keep up with the demand.
NZSP believes immigration needs to be curtailed until infrastructure catches up with demand.
There is a shortage of teachers throughout the country.
Teachers cannot afford to work and live in places like Auckland with average house prices now over the $1 million mark.
With the city rapidly growing in population, this situation needs to be sorted out sooner rather than later, as our children's education is on the line.
The future of New Zealand is our kids.
In a knowledge-based society, the question is does New Zealand want to be out in the front or does it want to be left behind by the rest of the world?
The decision is in the hands of voters at the coming election.
We urge you to vote wisely as the future of New Zealand and our children depends on it. (Abridged)
PAUL REA
Chairperson, NZ Seniors Party, Hawera
