Kerre Woodham: Got to give the law a chance

It's all very talkback lite isn't it? Ban gang insignia in Wanganui and gang violence will disappear.

The Gang Insignia Bill has passed its second reading in Parliament and could well become law. Wanganui has been plagued with gang violence over the past couple of years and Michael Laws, the mayor-cum-talkback host, wants to be seen as the saviour of Gotham City. Keep the 'h' out of Wanganui and ban gang patches and in one fell swoop, we'll all be one people. Another popular talkback refrain.

I know it's probably bad law and that it will be difficult to enforce. But anything that makes life more difficult for scummy gang members is fine by me. I'd be all good with gang members beating the crap out of each other for daring to wear their colours if a) innocent red/yellow T-shirt wearers weren't caught up in the violence and b) the attacks didn't soak up so much police/hospital/ACC/rehab time.

Metiria Turei was wittering on about the proposed law being a violation of the rights of New Zealand citizens. Give me a break. Having the genetic good fortune to be born in this country does not make you a citizen in my mind. Contributing, offering your talents and your strengths, paying taxes, giving something back - that makes you a citizen.

These gang members are leeches. Look at the fragrant Victoria Stevens - the mother who barked at her Mongrel Mob son in court as a gesture of support as he faced a murder charge. What a huckery old moll she is. I should thank her, though. The image of her being led away by cops with her guts hanging out over her plus-sized jeans has prompted me to set the alarm 15 minutes early and do three sets of 50 abdominal crunches before breakfast.

Her son is a gang associate up on a murder charge and she's a long-term invalid beneficiary. Apparently she has weak bones, arthritis and emotional problems. How in God's name do these people add to the sum total of human intelligence and goodness? They don't and while the law may be fatally flawed and ultimately useless, can't we at least try to make life difficult for the gangs?

*www.kerrewoodham.com