Letters to the Editor: 11 February, 22 March, 23 August 2005

Source: Waikato Times print edition

Friday, 11 February 2005 

Time warp

I didn't quite know how to take Dianne Yates' comments describing Don Brash as caught in a time warp. (Waikato Times, January 29)

Has political comment by our MPs descended to insults and labelling rather than offering an informed, balanced response? Or are her comments just a reflection of a tired, old left-winger without fresh ideas? Except, of course, the revolutionary bill to ban the docking of dogs' tails.

Only weeks ago, Dianne Yates was doing the time warp herself at the Riff Raff unveiling on the main street. Maybe she should take note of Richard O'Brien's lyrics, "It's a jump to the left . . . Then a step to the right".

Perhaps she should keep in mind that a step to the right might provide a bit more balance than a reflex jump to the left.

BOB HAMON
Hamilton

Tuesday, 22 March 2005

Celebrating the perverse

As a country that would pass up seeing an exhibition of the Dead Sea scrolls for an exhibition of body piercing, we are surely running true to form in displaying a statue of a transvestite in the main street of our city.

But then again, a country that boasts cross-dressing MPs, civil unions and The Virgin in the Condom is at the least achieving some perverse sense of consistency, or is that, a consistency in celebrating the perverse?

It is another example of the freakish, outlandish and offensive being lauded as having worth, value and significance.

Once again, a tiny minority group thumb their noses at those who hold to some sense of traditional values and morality. Only this time, it is being foisted on us by so-called artists rather than parliamentarians.

JAMES HAY
Hamilton

Tuesday, 23 August 2005

Cult symbol

With Rod Donald's remarks about Riff-Raff (Waikato Times August 8) and the Green's alignment with him, I would go along with Rod only so far.

I see the statue as definitely a cult symbol, but I also see the other political parties lining up with and "in" Riff-Raff as well.

In the statue's make-up I see the blues the Nats sing, touching the "edges" of the problems.

Speckles of red: Helen's face after the speeding fiasco and the art signature.

There is the multi-colour of Winston's racial "thing" -- not all that much grey though, but powerful.

There is present some gold; which all the parties are itching to get their hands on so they can get their tummies tucked.

Even the pro-pylon group is represented along with the anti-pylon group. Everyone is somewhat one-eyed about it.

The Maori Party has somehow changed the mere for a pitchfork with the "sharp-le" ends removed as it was when they once were warriors.

The open-mouth syndrome is evident as what we all have to put up with over the next few weeks, as we listen to promise after promise from the open mouths of each party. (Abridged)

GLYWN McINNES
Hamilton