Your letters: Not good enough, council

The council should have covered these plywood panels to provide a more appropriate backdrop for Wednesday's Anzac Dawn service, says Gary Robins, who took this photo.

Insult to fallen

I attended the Anzac dawn service and was very, very disappointed to see that the backdrop for the service was plywood construction panels beneath the white covering over the upper scaffolding material.

I understand that the repairs need to be carried out, but surely the backdrop scaffolding lower section (plywood panels) could have been covered for the morning's eervice.

Surely the council could have draped some black cloth to hide all that plywood. They could have even attached a number of those large poppies you see on commercial vehicles to make the backdrop appropriate for the occasion.

Come on, Whanganui council, this is not good enough. It's an insult to the fallen, and it certainly doesn't portray a good image of our city to any visitors who attended.

GARY ROBINS
Otamatea

Negative column by MP

What a disappointment Harete Hipango's column is in yesterday's Chronicle (April 25).
It is a negative diatribe about the present coalition government written in negative, spiteful language.

It is common knowledge that MPs and governments that have nothing useful to say attack their opposition. An honest appraisal of National's last nine years would be more fitting.

It is hoped her next column will be positive and relevant to her forward-looking electorate.

WENDY WARD
Aramoho

Greens and fluoride

I strongly support Merv Smith (April 20), who says a basic human right is undermined if we don't have a choice in water fluoridation.

I feel it is my obligation to all Green Party supporters to speak up about the fact that the Green Party, which is always so interested in "grassroots" participation, is supporting the bill to give DHBs the last say in whether a local water supply will be fluoridated.

I am writing this with a very heavy heart, because I have been a Green Party member for the past 18 years and always thought highly of them, because they seemed to act with integrity and openness.

If you, like me, are a Green Party supporter, please inform yourself about the dangers of this particular kind of fluoride to the health of people, animals and land (water irrigation) and try and contact the Green Party to voice your opposition. If they notice they are swimming against the current, they might change their stance.

ANNE MOHRDIECK
Whanganui

Who is intolerant?

Steve Baron's bias is showing clearly as he isolates homosexuality from all the other sins mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Isn't he outraged that promiscuous heterosexuals, thieves, drunks, greedy people, con artists and idolaters are all bound for destruction unless they repent?

The Bible is clear: Everyone (no exceptions) is a sinner deserving separation from God and all that is good. But God loves us and has made a way for us to enjoy everything good.

If we are willing to humble ourselves, admit we don't meet his standards and need his forgiveness, he welcomes us, ALL of us, whatever our past.(1 Cor 6:11). That is good news, not "hate speech".

How can Steve hear Folau say "we all sin" and think he's saying "I'm better than you"? That is prejudice and unwillingness to listen to what is actually being said.

MANDY DONNE-LEE
Aramoho

A 'beat up'

D Partner (letters, April 24) wonders why local Christians are not flooding the paper with supporting letters.

Apart from affording him the opportunity for a public stoush, what good would it do?
The Bible has been around a very long time. It is very readily available in book or "e" version. Much better for folk to read and think about it at their leisure.

Christian teaching on heaven and hell is hardly new. This current controversy appears to be an opportunistic "beat up", possibly in preparation for introducing hate speech legislation.

Wonder if it will "miraculously" (pun intended) be drawn from the supposedly secret ballot for private members' bills once public sentiment has been whipped to its peak?

JOHN HAAKMA
Wanganui

Trump rocks

Oh, my God! His tie is too long, and he has white rings around his eyes.

Yeah, and he associates with porn stars. Impeach him! Impeach him!

Meanwhile, POTUS runs the fake news gauntlet, laughing all the way. Made in the USA by the USA for the USA, the most presidential President ever — and just what America, and indeed perhaps our world, needs.

Go Donald!

POTONGA NEILSON
Castlecliff

Send your letters to: The Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Wanganui 4500; or email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz