That's no understatement!
I commend Rachel Stewart for her defence of honesty and our right of free speech.
Jan Stevenson
Rotorua
Never ask for whom the bell tolls ...
To quote John Donne; "Any man's death diminishes me for I am involved in mankind."
Like any parent, I was horrified at the murder of James Bulger more than 20 years ago, more so because the perpetrators were so young.
As a child, we all did things we later regretted - cruelty to insects and animals mostly, sometimes being a bully, sometimes hurting others for no reason; we were children, and children have to learn.
We have to remember that these two killers were children, nothing more, nothing less, and, as such, more blame should be on the parents.
Also, in the case of Jon Venables and his later indulgement in porn sites, remember he was for many years locked up with older criminals and faced with indoctrination a normal child would have avoided.
Believe it or not, he deserves a little understanding, just a tiny bit of charity; if all of us bore into adulthood the sins of our childhood, we would all be damned.
To those who would deny him this mercy, I say "Who among you qualifies to throw the first stone?"
Jim Adams
Rotorua
Not National's fault
Social housing is not National Party's fault as Jackie Evans states (Letters, June 24).
If Labour had put a capital gains tax on the amount above Government valuation we wouldn't be in this situation.
Also land agents by law should have to show the selling price of the property on the market which they are not doing.
G.V. Shuter
Rotorua
Positivity is the key
It's always been okay to be Māori (Dr Rawiri Taonui, June 23) just like its okay to be any race.
The key is education, then the world, yes the world, is your oyster for career opportunities.
I wish people would realise this and just get on with it instead of publishing this sort of tit for tat stuff which gets you nowhere, actually it sticks up walls between the races.
We all realise the wrongs that have been done and are trying to put it right but two wrongs don't make a right all it does is keep the cycle of racism going.
A word of friendly advice: Look at the glass half full - positivity is the key to anything.
A "can-do attitude" goes a long way, especially in this PC society we all live in.
Harmony of the races is the key to living a long and happy life in this land of ours, what's that saying: United we stand Divided we Fall, and this country is definitely worth being United for, isn't it?
Gavin Muir
Rotorua
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