Letters, Feb 3
3/02/2010 9:26:00 a.m.
Name suppression
Wellyword on 27th January seemed to suggest that everyone knows the identity of the celebrity accused of molesting a child recently. I don’t, I haven’t sought it out and encouraged name-suppression-breaching, and I don’t want to know. It is not relevant unless he/she is found guilty – the law says they are innocent unless proven guilty. Sadly, history shows time and again: that being accused of something does not mean you did it, and; that even being found not guilty of something does not remove people’s mental association of your name with that act. Therefore accused in these cases have name suppression. It is not up to individuals to decide which laws do/don’t apply to them when they feel like it. It is up to individuals to question the law and vote for government changes or organise petitions if they don’t like it – if enough people agree then it might change. But breaking a law because “you don’t think it is a good one” demonstrates incredible arrogance, self-centredness and makes me wonder what crimes they are prepared to suffer from a perpetrator who “didn’t feel that XXX law should apply”.
John Edwards, Northland
Lite Rail
Many outrageous statements have made their appearance in papers over the years, but none more so than those of Philip G. Hayward. Surely the government will be happy to learn from him that building and maintaining new roads funded solely by petrol tax is a profitable enterprise. Is Mr Hayward remotely aware of the full cost of roading? Has he considered the planning, land appropriation, construction, ongoing maintenance, cost of accidents and even the policing of the roads? [But although] all the petrol excise tax is now directed to the National Land Transport Fund, there can be no doubt that motorists still do not pay the full cost of the service they enjoy – they are subsidised as surely as public transport users are. He is arrogant to scoff at the success of many rail-based public transport systems overseas. Does he think those cities are so stupid as to install expensive toys? Wellington’s main transport corridor has a peak passenger count significantly higher than many of those cities. We can learn another lesson from previously car-mad USA, where they are now ripping up many freeways as a direct result of the success of newly installed rail-based public transport. This should serve as a looking glass into the future showing where our present unsustainable car-based policies could lead us and help us avoid this real waste of taxpayers’ money. Regardless of the global warming argument, it makes good sense to build an efficient light rail-based public transport system. It attracts commuters out of their cars (proven overseas). It makes the city environment more pleasant, and it is essential for those who do not drive.
Demetrius Christoforou, Mount Victoria
(abridged)
Rates refusal
Perhaps my stance to only pay rates in future for the services I receive from the Wellington City Council, will remind them of the insulting condescension I received in presenting my six submissions to the 2009/19 LTCCP hearings. As a consequence I made the deserved promise publicly in August to have our governors answer to the Court of Public Opinion i.e. the media. My rates “demand” received on Friday was for $1,261.48, which I shall also ignore until some modicum of integrity is displayed by our elected representatives. They are the ones who made their solemn (?) declaration at their first meeting of this triennium to do their best for Wellington. I made that declaration in the mid-60s and have lived by that declaration ever since. The only difference is mine was not made on the Holy Bible. That is how my measure of personal integrity guides my life.
It is also interesting to have Richard MacLean say that he is not allowed to comment on the affairs of an individual ratepayer. Does he conveniently forgets to admit that it is this particular ratepayer that he responded to, by editing the letter from John Morrison, which denigrated the efforts of three experienced members of the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents Association (registered in 1952). His reference to “..when people are passionate about council decisions they should get involved” must allude to those other than members of the Federation who are totally committed to the welfare of all Wellingtonians
Bernie Harris, Brooklyn
(abridged)
Film Reviews
We write in regards to your cinema round up of recent summer movie releases and in particular the comments on Fantastic Mr Fox. Like many reviews of this fabulous adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, there appears to be such surprise that a work for young people can be so deep, witty and engaging. Like all audiences, young people like to be challenged, inspired, as well as entertained. The fact that this review featured the comment “A witty script for the adults, cute furry animals for the kids…” is symptomatic of many cinema and theatre critics in this country consistently under estimating what this remarkable audience can engage with.
Stephen Blackburn, General Manager Capital E National Theatre for Children
Nic Marshall Artistic Director Square Eyes
Dan responds:
Capital E and Square Eyes have consistently proved over recent years that young audiences have a greater capacity for engagement with art than some might assume, but that capacity is not unlimited. I was talking to a Capital E playwright last week who told me of testing his work to an audience of school kids. “Did you understand all of it?”, he asked. “No”, they replied. “Did you enjoy it anyway?” he asked. “Yes”, they said. Kids exist in a world in which most of what goes on around them is incomprehensible – and they are used to it and it doesn’t bother them. My point about Fantastic Mr Fox is that (like all great family entertainment) there’s a lot of stuff going on that kids won’t get – the subtleties of the Fox marriage for example – and Stephen and Nic are right: there’s a lot that they will. On the other hand, the film version of Where the Wild Things Are (despite being based on a beloved kid’s book) left most under-10s I know un-engaged and restless and that’s ok too as I don’t believe the film was ever meant for them.
Dan Slevin, Capital Times film reviewer
Wellyword on 27th January seemed to suggest that everyone knows the identity of the celebrity accused of molesting a child recently. I don’t, I haven’t sought it out and encouraged name-suppression-breaching, and I don’t want to know. It is not relevant unless he/she is found guilty – the law says they are innocent unless proven guilty. Sadly, history shows time and again: that being accused of something does not mean you did it, and; that even being found not guilty of something does not remove people’s mental association of your name with that act. Therefore accused in these cases have name suppression. It is not up to individuals to decide which laws do/don’t apply to them when they feel like it. It is up to individuals to question the law and vote for government changes or organise petitions if they don’t like it – if enough people agree then it might change. But breaking a law because “you don’t think it is a good one” demonstrates incredible arrogance, self-centredness and makes me wonder what crimes they are prepared to suffer from a perpetrator who “didn’t feel that XXX law should apply”.
John Edwards, Northland
Lite Rail
Many outrageous statements have made their appearance in papers over the years, but none more so than those of Philip G. Hayward. Surely the government will be happy to learn from him that building and maintaining new roads funded solely by petrol tax is a profitable enterprise. Is Mr Hayward remotely aware of the full cost of roading? Has he considered the planning, land appropriation, construction, ongoing maintenance, cost of accidents and even the policing of the roads? [But although] all the petrol excise tax is now directed to the National Land Transport Fund, there can be no doubt that motorists still do not pay the full cost of the service they enjoy – they are subsidised as surely as public transport users are. He is arrogant to scoff at the success of many rail-based public transport systems overseas. Does he think those cities are so stupid as to install expensive toys? Wellington’s main transport corridor has a peak passenger count significantly higher than many of those cities. We can learn another lesson from previously car-mad USA, where they are now ripping up many freeways as a direct result of the success of newly installed rail-based public transport. This should serve as a looking glass into the future showing where our present unsustainable car-based policies could lead us and help us avoid this real waste of taxpayers’ money. Regardless of the global warming argument, it makes good sense to build an efficient light rail-based public transport system. It attracts commuters out of their cars (proven overseas). It makes the city environment more pleasant, and it is essential for those who do not drive.
Demetrius Christoforou, Mount Victoria
(abridged)
Rates refusal
Perhaps my stance to only pay rates in future for the services I receive from the Wellington City Council, will remind them of the insulting condescension I received in presenting my six submissions to the 2009/19 LTCCP hearings. As a consequence I made the deserved promise publicly in August to have our governors answer to the Court of Public Opinion i.e. the media. My rates “demand” received on Friday was for $1,261.48, which I shall also ignore until some modicum of integrity is displayed by our elected representatives. They are the ones who made their solemn (?) declaration at their first meeting of this triennium to do their best for Wellington. I made that declaration in the mid-60s and have lived by that declaration ever since. The only difference is mine was not made on the Holy Bible. That is how my measure of personal integrity guides my life.
It is also interesting to have Richard MacLean say that he is not allowed to comment on the affairs of an individual ratepayer. Does he conveniently forgets to admit that it is this particular ratepayer that he responded to, by editing the letter from John Morrison, which denigrated the efforts of three experienced members of the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents Association (registered in 1952). His reference to “..when people are passionate about council decisions they should get involved” must allude to those other than members of the Federation who are totally committed to the welfare of all Wellingtonians
Bernie Harris, Brooklyn
(abridged)
Film Reviews
We write in regards to your cinema round up of recent summer movie releases and in particular the comments on Fantastic Mr Fox. Like many reviews of this fabulous adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, there appears to be such surprise that a work for young people can be so deep, witty and engaging. Like all audiences, young people like to be challenged, inspired, as well as entertained. The fact that this review featured the comment “A witty script for the adults, cute furry animals for the kids…” is symptomatic of many cinema and theatre critics in this country consistently under estimating what this remarkable audience can engage with.
Stephen Blackburn, General Manager Capital E National Theatre for Children
Nic Marshall Artistic Director Square Eyes
Dan responds:
Capital E and Square Eyes have consistently proved over recent years that young audiences have a greater capacity for engagement with art than some might assume, but that capacity is not unlimited. I was talking to a Capital E playwright last week who told me of testing his work to an audience of school kids. “Did you understand all of it?”, he asked. “No”, they replied. “Did you enjoy it anyway?” he asked. “Yes”, they said. Kids exist in a world in which most of what goes on around them is incomprehensible – and they are used to it and it doesn’t bother them. My point about Fantastic Mr Fox is that (like all great family entertainment) there’s a lot of stuff going on that kids won’t get – the subtleties of the Fox marriage for example – and Stephen and Nic are right: there’s a lot that they will. On the other hand, the film version of Where the Wild Things Are (despite being based on a beloved kid’s book) left most under-10s I know un-engaged and restless and that’s ok too as I don’t believe the film was ever meant for them.
Dan Slevin, Capital Times film reviewer
