Letters to Editor: Brutal street attack shocking

Brutal street attack shocking
"Thugs". A word less appropriate for the scum bags, that hurt, and damaged close friends of mine.
I am staggered and appalled that my friends, who are loving parents to their grown up children, one of whom served in Afghanistan in the NZ Army and have a young son waiting to be called up for his basic training, as well as being loving and caring grandparents to their many mokos, were set upon in an unprovoked attack!
What is this world coming to that filth like these are trolling the streets looking to get their kicks talking up how tough they are after smoking dope and drinking themselves to oblivion and acting out their DVD fantasy of wanting to be "BAD"!
So what does my mate and his family get out of this ghastly nightmare? Months of damage repair and possible counselling? An invite to talk things over with those who attacked them at some talk-fest session and no hard feelings!
PD for a few months and some pitiful fine that won't make up for the lost wages from work.
Lack of confidence to ever trust anyone again. Henare O'Keefe's hikoi on crime and violence in our community must ring true for all of us "Enough is Enough". I for one have had enough. Hang in there bro - your army buddies are with you and your family.
Steve Tipu, Napier
Good samaritan
While in Napier on Queen's Birthday weekend, I was the recipient of an act of kindness to strangers.
I was visiting my mum, I'm from Sydney, she is in a nursing home, and I was endeavouring to catch a bus to visit mum.
I had a suspicion that the buses were not running due to a public holiday so I ventured into the local cafe where the staff kindly consulted the bus timetable.
My suspicions were verified, no bus! On the way out of the cafe with my coffee, about to have a strategy meeting at an outdoor table with myself, thinking it would be quite a big walk, Mr Smith (I know his full name but won't use it ) whom apparently overheard my conversation with the cafe staff asked me where I was going. He then said he was passing that way and offered to give me a lift.
I salute Mr Smith for his act of kindness to a stranger. This seems to be a Kiwi trait. In this day and age we need more acts of kindness to strangers, so Kiwis - keep up the good work. From my taxi driver to the airport yesterday in Napier, to the lady in the cafe at Napier Airport. I was impressed with the general friendliness I received. Thank you.
Rodger Hedley, Sydney
Out of touch
I have been a supporter of Garth and his wife and their helpers since the early days. To his critics I would say, you have to meet these nice genuine people who are not vindictive by nature, but deeply concerned and passionate about what they do.
Bill English's remarks have sparked a flurry of comments about his efforts and I have to wonder if these people have had any close up experience with the terrible crimes that he deals with all the time. Some prisoners may be interested in rehabilitation, but many aren't, and people should remember that.
E Averill, Hastings
Funds needed
For immigrants to bring their parents here and not be a burden on the taxpayer they need to be very rich.
Most aged parents of immigrants will need a Government pension and use taxpayer funded healthcare.
NZ can not afford to look after extra old people as our own aged population is increasing.
T Smith, Taradale
Opportunity missed
Napier City Council has missed out on a great opportunity by declining Inner City Marketing' request for $263,000 to pay for the proposed outside image projector(s) the way it did.
A quicker mind (and wit) would have said "Sure thing" and promptly projected the image of $263,000 cheque upon the cathedral wall!
Just where did NICM get that value from, by the way? I'm sure they could have bought several regular data projectors from the likes of Duckworths, rather than sourcing them from overseas, and have them mounted in covered areas around the CBD for a fraction of that price.
Andrew Frame, Napier
Election shambles
MMP up for reviews.
Will we really get what we want? Last time we just got a repaint- not a new car. First past the post still rules, under the pseudonym of mixed member proportional. Who determined the number of representatives? FDP die-hards; so they could remain in Parliament - without a mandate from the people. And they call it democracy! I call it elitism. Rule by a select few (list MP's?)
So will we get another repaint, or will we be allowed a new car?
Russell Synnott, Napier