The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
Fundraising movie evening gratitude
We wish to again thank the people of Tauranga who supported us at the recent premiere screening of Cyrano der Bergerac at Rialto Cinema.
This fundraising event was organised by the Tauranga Nanchang Friendship Trust with the intent of helping people to help themselves and aimed to raise funds to assist Christchurch earthquake victims who should benefit from your attendance at this screening. Our aim was to simultaneously give a good experience to the people of Tauranga and to help the people of Christchurch and, with the film itself, the spot prizes donated by local business and the follow up discounted meal at Collar and Thai it was all good for attendees, so thank again you for supporting us.
The trust also thanks for their interest and support: Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell and the team at Creative Tauranga, Shane Kennedy House of Travel, Simon at Bureta Pharmacy, Birchwood Motel, KwangChow Restaurant, Jane Watchorn at Harbourside Restaurant, Linda Preston at Mills Reef Winery, John Arts at Abundant Health and, most especially, Norah Reid. Without you all we would be lost.
In the near future the trust hopes to run similar fundraising evenings at Rialto.
John Hodgson, Tauranga Nanchang Friendship Trust
Heads in the sand
Dave Finney in his ongoing crusade (Your View, July 11) against Niwa and all other science groups researching climate change should remember that the notion "they have failed abysmally to establish a human signal in anthropogenic global warming" is purely in the minds of the sceptics and deniers.
The great majority of scientists involved are convinced the evidence is overwhelming. The money spent endeavouring to more accurately predict the course it will take and find ways to reduce its effect is minuscule compared with the ultimate cost to the human race (and all other life forms) if we all continue to bury our heads in the sand.
If Mr Finney really believes the greater public awareness of extreme weather events is solely due to "modern communications and the media's predilection for doom ... " based on "highly controversial and largely untrue" theories he should Google the words "climate change insurance" where he will find the insurance industry calculates at least a 2.5 to 6-fold increase over the last 10 to 30 years.
There is no argument that the recent La Nina bringing us record rainfall is a natural event but Niwa is equally clear the effect of the warming ocean and atmosphere on La Ninas and El Ninos in general is to intensify their power and destructiveness.
Peter Otway, Pahoia
No say in parade
It seems to me it doesn't matter what I think concerning Boobs on Bikes, the decision was already made. What I would like to know is when and how decisions like this get made for me.
I pay my taxes, my rates, vote the councils in for the Bay of Plenty area, work in a demanding job for this area, participate in local interests for this area but have no say in something that is so unacceptable and degrading.
I am under the opinion it is against the law to be naked or even half naked in a public place, so how is it possible that someone who has his own ideas about what Tauranga needs gets a deciding vote before I even get a choice.
This is not something that we want to encourage in our town, our youth have enough problems already without glorifying a porn king who is definitely not a role model.
Please, do we really have to put up with some idiot's idea of drumming up a bit of trade. What a turn-off, don't let it happen.
Gaile McInnes, Brookfield
Public porn
I wish to protest strongly and emphatically against having Boobs on Bikes parading through Tauranga.
How can there be one law against a semi-naked woman walking along a street in the city and another law allowing many women to shamelessly parade semi-naked down the same streets.
If a council can legislate by-laws for the betterment of a community, how can it not also make by-laws to prevent the open display of public pornography? Please don't allow this parade to take place.
I am very heartened that some council members have come out against it. Thank you.
Stephen Ashman-Gough, Waihi
Not about religion
What the heck is that stupid Steve Crow going on about - he has not got time for religion. This Boobs On Bikes tour is about showing your breasts in public not religion.
I bet if some of us women paraded in the downtown area showing our breasts we would probably get arrested for indecent exposure.
Come on councillors, are you going to let this Crow go ahead with this Boobs on Bike tour in our city?
E Taylor, Tauranga
Just bad press
The principals of the nine WBOP secondary schools met and unanimously agreed that the current negative wave of news reporting in the BOP Times does not reflect the vast majority of young people enrolled in our schools.
For example, a recent headline stating that 119 students were kicked out of school is totally incorrect.
Yes, 119 students in the nine schools faced disciplinary action but the reality is that only seven were excluded from their school - to be enrolled elsewhere.
The headline was referring to less than 1 per cent. We ask that when you publish factual material pertaining to this situation all schools are placed on a level playing field and all facts/opinions are considered.
To isolate secondary schools and make a comparison is totally irresponsible and does not reflect the reality that there is a positive and trusting collaboration between the schools.
Schools face challenges but all schools reflect the community which they serve.
Your readers have a right to read balanced reporting highlighting the needs and the strengths of the young people who are enrolled in our schools.
We ask for your support in accentuating the good news.
DG Randell, Principal - On behalf of WBOP Secondary School Principals
Editor's note: The Bay of Plenty Times covers stories it considers newsworthy. The 119 students were sent home either temporarily or permanently from school. All schools were given a chance to comment. The Bay of Plenty Times each week publishes positive stories about students and welcomes these stories.
Kids and poverty
Each and every day we wake to more tales of Maori poverty, inadequate housing and the ever-growing incidence of abuse and violence.
Never far behind is the wearisome cry from Maori leaders that the "system" has failed Maori.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia would no doubt look askance at any suggestion that her own misty-eyed Maori world view is a contributor to the plight of "her" people. No matter, therein lies the problem. A common catch-cry from Mrs Turia is that "every child is a taonga so keep 'em coming" - irrespective of financial circumstances.
Ever-present on the streets of New Zealand is the spectre of (extremely) young Maori women with child in pram, one trailing and one pending. Far from extracting millions of dollars for after-the-event programmes like Whanau Ora, Mrs Turia should be asking common-sense questions "if you can't support one child, why have five, six or seven?".
Herculean breeding rates sit uneasily alongside a nickel and dime budget with tears, deprivation and violence the only outcome. Sometimes "culture" is best left for stage and theatre. Just ask the children.
Peter Bullick, Tauranga
Pre-pay for stay
Re World Cup warning for hospitality (News, July 13)
We run a motel and avoid the no-payers by having everyone pay up front prior to their stay; no pay, no stay. I believe with the onset of the World Cup, restaurants and cafe owners need to adopt a policy of pre-pay.
Let's face it, you can't get a feed at any of the fast food chains without up-front payment.
Russell Bird, Taumarunui
Text views
* Hey, regarding boobs on bikes, I say bring it on. There's nothing wrong with it, people that have a problem with it, then tough bickeys.
* TCC & police stop sandbar & blues & brews & ne other enjoyment have now created a need 4'fun' so who fills the gape a porn show ... sad.
* No 2 boobs on bikes, let's make Tga a classy city not a sleezy one. Tony B.
* Definitely AGAINST boobs on bikes coming to Tauranga. Shameful behaviour . Why can't it be banned ?
* Please please please listen to the majority not the minority. Do we really need this sort of rep for our city?
* I think it is great to have boobs on bike in the bay! A time to party and chill out! For crying out loud why is there outraged people? Don't go out if the human body offends you!
* Boobs on bikes cmng 2town! Simple ifu dnt like it dont look stay hm
* Totally inappropriate, will avoid town during the parade.
* Boobs on bikes - need good dousing with cold water from hoses!
* Boobs on bikes? Nobody realy gives a damn, some think its realy neat esp males. But breastfeed in public and everyone has a problm with it.
* boobs on bikes This will be great i cant wait!
* Bike parade-i hope they al get pneumonia! Crow keep yr girls n yr parlours!
* Boobs on bikes bring it on will help liven up the dying city centre
* I can't wait to see Boobs on bikes here in Te Puke bring it on love the sexy looking girls
* Who cares bout boobs on bikes! It is all a bit of fun , natural part of a human body. Nobody has any fun anymore or a gd laugh, stop being a party pooper!
* Re boobs on bikes. Big concern. Too much evidence of psychological damage particularly 4 kids. Please fight 4 our kids and families wellbeing by not suporting!
* Goodness me! Whats the world coming to?! Boobs on bikes is so disgraceful! Women trying 2 get rights only degrading themselves! I as a women feel degraded. * Boobs on bikes just another case of small minded lil old tauranga once again.
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