This Government needs to ponder the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, expressed through the voice of Sherlock Holmes: “It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”
The three coalition parties are obsessed with their particular ideology rather than what is best for the country.
Mark Beale, Wattle Downs.
Netanyahu and US hypocrisy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington on Sunday for meetings with US President Donald Trump.
As an indicted war criminal, the US should follow the ruling of the International Criminal Court, arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to the Hague.
Except the US isn’t a signatory to the Rome Statute and will thumb its nose, as it’s done under Trump, at the World Health Organisation and Paris Accord.
The US has committed so many military acts the ICC deem war crimes that America cannot recognise its jurisdiction.
We can only hope the law-abiding and civilised world does respect global institutions that benefit both big and small nations that depend on them.
Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri.
No winners in war
Images on television of hundreds of uniformly dressed and armed Hamas fighters during hostage and prisoner exchanges in Israel/Gaza clearly show which side has won the war, and it is not Israel.
I am left wondering why Netanyahu could have thought any differently. The repeated bombing of Gaza and the deaths of 40,000-plus people, the majority of them women and children, must have ensured a bountiful and steady supply of new recruits for Hamas.
David Hood, Hamilton.
Eat humble pie
I wonder if your correspondent, who rubbished “David Seymour’s triumph – school lunches” (NZ Herald, February 3), has actually tried one. I suggest not.
Plenty of children are happy with the lunches provided for them, but they don’t make the news.
The children, parents, and some principals who constantly whine about them could use a dose of reality.
How about fitting into the school day a few videos of children who are forced to scavenge rubbish dumps to find food? There are plenty of videos on the internet to choose from.
Perhaps the disgruntled children may show some gratitude for what is being provided and eat lunch, and the adults will eat humble pie.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
Respect for Treaty celebrations
For the second time, your editorial has been critical of the Prime Minister for not attending Waitangi day celebrations. I find that incredulous.
My history books tell me the Treaty was made between Māori and the English Crown. Today, New Zealand’s head of state, the sovereign, is King Charles III. The Governor-General is the King’s representative in New Zealand, and it is he or she who should officially represent New Zealand at Waitangi, not a politician.
Red herrings like the Treaty Principles Bill are not for this stage. Māori have a place to air their grievances. It’s called Parliament, where the Prime Minister has already stated his position and where Māori have many representatives to push their cause.
It’s time to remove political theatre from these celebrations and give the Treaty the constitutional respect it deserves. Instead of serving as a platform for activists to hurl abuse and scorn at elected officials – an act that now seems to pass as entertainment – these occasions should be treated with the dignity they warrant. Given your editorials, it’s clear the media encourages this behaviour.
Bill Gibson, Kawerau.
