Geoff Stoddart should count his blessings
Hip hip hooray Sholan, you've done us proud
Replacing him was the right decision
It's women bashing
How to cope with rising prices and hardship
Which Makea Nui title?
Boom boom!
Times are changing
It's about the way of life
We haven't stuck to the game plan
Is the problem Sunday access or high fares?
Don't be so rude
Baby fee is wrong
Food for thought about home loans
Reading by candlelight
A constitutional right
Fed up by government practices
Don't take it personally
No excuses, NES!
Makea title not the priority
Find new jokes, or let the music play
Thursday 26: Geoff Stoddart should count his blessings
Dear Editor,
I am not sure who 'Disgusted' is, but he is talking through a big hole in his head when he claims to speak "without exception" on behalf of the business community in support of Mr Stoddart.
I have been in business in the Cook Islands for more than 30 years, and I am very pleased to see a Cook Islander take the position of financial secretary. It will be hard, and I expect he will make mistakes like all of us when we are learning.
But Sholan knows what it is like to live on punu puakatoru and kuru, and that makes a big difference in how he does his job.
I am also happy with the new appointment to the position at head of IRD. He has worked here before and struck me as reasonable, although it is a pity we don't have a Cook Islander taking this position 40 years after self government.
I think Stoddart should have been training a Cook Islander to take his job. I also don't think Kevin Carr should have been training Stoddart as replacement Finsec. I think Kevin should have recruited and trained a Cook Islander well before his departure.
I don't have anything personal against Stoddart, who has done his job as collector in his own style, but I really think he should count his blessings - he came with no connection to the Cook Islands, and was given employment for 10 years by government on a good salary. During that time he has pursued his sporting interests, travelled around the world, and had the privilege of living as a guest in this wonderful country. His partner also has a well paid job working for Telecom, also owned by government, so they have been doing well, which is probably why he says he can retire at an early age. Not a bad life compared with many Cook Islanders who still struggle to feed their families.
I think with his qualifications and experience, it is time Stoddart went out on his own, and earned his own crust, like most of us in this country, rather than complaining that government hasn't given him the job he wanted.
Papa'a businessman (Name and address supplied)
TOP
Thursday 26: Hip hip hooray Sholan, you've
done us proud
Dear Editor,
I read with interest your article relating to the non-appointment of Geoff Stoddart as treasurer at MFEM as well as the comments made by him and various supporters of his.
Just to throw some light on the subject under discussion - Stoddart - let us look at this same subject which took place last year in February when we were all debating in your newspaper whether to have Sholan or Stoddart for financial secretary.
Obviously, some of you have a very short memory as to the reason why Sholan was appointed and not Stoddart.
It is not because of his family affiliations but because of his brilliant educational and practical background - a Masters degree in commerce majoring in accounts from Sydney University; he is now a qualified chartered accountant and he has worked in a top Australian company Ernst & Young CA in Sydney - one of the top four accounting firms globally. Lastly and most importantly, he is a young and educated Cook Islander - a role model for our new generation of young people who are being educated at various institutions around the world.
Mr Stoddart - what background does he have before he came to the Cook Islands? That subject has never been revealed at all - his qualifications, where he worked and for how long.
Stoddart's fan club (including the opposition stalwarts) are singing his praises and predicting doom and gloom for the future of this country. Hold on, Norm, Tom - isn't this the same bloke that was threatening court action every time a local business 'sneezed' and made a mistake in filing their tax return? Isn't this the same man that has a 'Dirty Harry' outlook to life - shoot first, ask questions later? Come on people.
In my opinion, Stoddart is one of the most arrogant persons that has held public office in this country. There is no empathy in his performance of his public role. Everyone needs a guiding hand in getting on to their feet, especially in a new territory called 'business' for local Cook Islanders.
Hip hip hooray, Sholan. You have done the local people of this country proud. Light up the way of the future and show those who doubt your ability that you are a full grown warrior of Tumute-varovaro.
Stoddart, what goes around comes around.
Tepaeru Ivatara (Name and address supplied)
TOP
Thursday 26: Replacing him was the right decision
Dear Editor,
We cannot continue to publicly debate all government appointments.
We must leave those we elected to get on with their jobs and trust that they will make the right decisions having taken all factors into consideration. Nor should we crucify our young Cook Islanders who are obviously trying their best.
I trust that Sholan (Ivaiti) made the right decision for what is best for his department. If it turns out to be wrong, then too bad, we move on.
But reading Geoff Stoddart's letter reveals that he is obviously bitter; he did not accept Sholan's appointment and thinks that government will sink without him.
Anyone in Sholan's position will remove someone who is likely to undermine him at first chance (if he hasn't already).
Secondly, after 11 years in the job, what has Stoddart done to train up another Cook Islander for the job? So, we see another expat being appointed. Sholan should make a point that the new appointee must train up another local for the position to take over within three to six years maximum.
Let's not kid ourselves, there are a lot of people out there who are happy to see Stoddart go. Not because he is tough. Many of us agree that the tax collector must be tough, and straight. Rather, he seems to have an attitude problem like he knows tax more than anyone else, and no one can solve any problem in his department without him, and, "I'm too busy because I have a triathlon to race." Bull and good riddance. Not impressed (Name and address supplied)
TOP
Thursday 26: It's women bashing
Dear Editor,
I am female and an avid listener of 88FM, or I used to be.
The male DJ thinks it's fun to continually crack sexist jokes about women.
So much for CEDAW; all the legislative changes in the world won't change men's attitudes towards women if people like this are allowed to continue making jokes, live on air, about women's genitals or physical appearance.
The DJ thinks he is being inoffensive, but in actual fact, by making women the butt of jokes in a public arena he is continuing the age-old tradition of women-bashing and sending the message to boys and young men that women are somehow inferior because of their sex.
Women are also scientists, writers, pilots, lawyers, as well as wives, mothers, grandmothers and aunties who deserve a bit of respect. Pass the sugar, sugar (Name and address supplied)
Editor: 88FM commented it was a joke and no offence was intended.
TOP
Friday 27: How to cope with rising prices and hardship
Dear Editor,
Without giving much thought to the budget, we assume that things will carry on as usual and the debates in parliament will go on as usual as it does not affect us. But that is not correct.
We should take more interest in the budget as it does affect all of us in one way or other, and particularly with the expected rising cost of living. What we do not realise is that the budget is an economic tool which governments use to drive the economy and the lives of their citizens.
The effects are threefold. First, whatever government proposes to do in this budget affects the lives of individuals, business operations and government's ability to collect enough money from businesses, individuals and its investments to pay its employees, service its loans and provide social services like health, education and so on to its citizens.
At times of rising prices of goods and services, like New Zealand and many other countries, citizens and businesses expect incentives from government through the budget (fiscal policies) to keep these countries above water.
In the Cook Islands, most of our goods are imported which automatically draws us into what is commonly referred to as imported inflation, meaning same or similar goods imported from overseas will be priced higher than the last time. Increasing prices of goods and services can also be facilitated domestically through government's spending (fiscal policy-the budget). Once government increases its spending, it has to tax someone; the business community, individuals and through its dividends from investments.
The impact on taxation on businesses and individuals immediately impact on the prices of goods and services in the country. This is what is meant by government can facilitate or encourage inflation by increasing its spending and raising taxes. On the other hand, if government forecasts a slowdown in the economy, it will look for ways to stimulate it - keeping it vibrant, and once again, this is done through the budget.
Like New Zealand, it can cut taxes in critical areas such as removing levies on fuel or moving the tax break for individuals from the current $10,000 to $13,500 for example, leaving taxpayers the extra purchasing power to keep their heads above water.
Other taxation incentives can be made through the removal of levies on alternative energy sources such as solar panels or windmills, provide tax holidays for new corporations and so on. Obviously, government will need to cut its expenditure or reorganise its workforce to make it more efficient to provide better and efficient service at reduced cost.
At times of rising prices, these are some areas which need urgent investigation to keep the country afloat.
What is there for us, the citizens, when government fails to use its economic tool appropriately to support us? Trevor Clarke of CITC and Papa William Heather Snr have already given us some tips, but to recap on these tips perhaps the following might help.
First, reduce household expenditure by abstaining from spending money on luxury goods such as liquor, cigarettes and non-essential goods such as expensive perfumes and so on. On the positive side, go fishing if you can or encourage backyard gardening, and buy locally if prices are competitive. Look for the weekly specials and don't borrow money, unless necessary.
We have done it many times before and we can do it again until government comes to its senses to use its economic tool and the powers vested in it to support its citizens in times of rising prices.
Jonah Tisam
Nikao
TOP
Friday 27: Which Makea Nui title?
Dear Editor,
I would like to ask Ellena Tavioni-Pittman which Upokotokoa line is she referring to?
I hope it is not the same Upokotokoa line which previous claimants claim as the rightful to the Makea title which were all thrown out of the court.
For your information, the only true and original UPOKOTOKOA are: Makea Pori, Makea Tevaerua, Makea Davida and Makea Tinirau.
These can be found in the court documents and also at the Avarua CICC entrance. A memorial stone was erected by the people of Te-Au-O-Tonga in remembrance of them.
Now which line are you claiming from?
Ngoroio Makea Pori
Tupapa
Editor: Tavioni replies the Upokotokoa that she belongs to is the daughter of Makea Apera. "And if the writer doesn't know we are, then he should go to court and spend some time researching there."
Friday 27: Boom boom!
Dear Editor,
Regarding yesterday's letter headed 'It's woman bashing', the writer ('Pass the sugar, sugar') is obviously not as much the 'avid listener' she claimed to be. Every regular 88FM listener knows full well that sexist jokes are not 'continually' streamed live on air.
The joke was a one-off and it was just that - a joke. Every Cook Islander with a sense of humour could have easily seen the lighter side of it, laughed it off and got on with their lives.
But no - a grumpy woman with no sense of humour, who just happened to hear the joke at the wrong time, decided to throw a tantrum over it.
Well, I reckon that people who can't handle a little bit of G-DUB should tune into something a little more their generation. A bit of 6.30kHZ AM "Kia Orana, karangaranga" perhaps.
88FM, you rock! BOOM BOOM!
A REAL avid listener
TOP
Friday 27: Times are changing
Dear Editor,
I wish to comment on the issue about Air Rarotonga flying on Sunday.
If one is so concerned about the Sabbath and keeping it holy, then I pose this question: Which is the true day of worship and rest? I support TN Tofaeono's opinion headed 'Be Enlightened' and believe that he/she has provided the answers. Without a doubt the scriptures support the truth. Saturday is the true day of worship and rest.
I wonder whether a few decades ago a majority of the nation kept Saturday as a day of rest and worship although businesses kept operating. If so, what difference is it now that the majority worship on Sunday and Air Rarotonga wants to continue its operation like any other business? Times are definitely changing.
TRLA
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Friday 27: It's about the way of life
Dear Editor,
It has been encouraging to see people coming together to take a stand for what they believe, to see passion stirred and thoughts from all sides expressed, even making international news.
And it's good to see the little people realising that they have the power to make change and the government is there to work for them, not the other way around.
However, I have to say that I'm a little sad that the issue of Sunday flights seems to be coming down to a religious argument. In fact, we know that the sabbath is Saturday, and still is in Israel and for numerous people around the world.
For me worshipping God is a daily choice, not a weekly one. I purposely made only one reference to this point of debate for that reason. And that reference was to let employers know that for some people being forced to work on Sundays does hurt them because it cuts into the depths of their beliefs.
I have received so many calls and words of agreement from church and non-church people who can see past the 'sacred Sunday' bit to the fact that this comes down to making a choice to preserve a 'way of life' that has served us well for years and is, in fact, an important part of our special character that needs to be protected.
Obviously this is my opinion and if our leadership, after listening to the voice of their people, decides that some old values are not worth preserving, then that is that. But before making that choice, here are some questions which may help in the decision making process.
Do we really want to become so much a part of the big wide world that we are no longer us? Is having more money, more industry, more things, really progress? Is chasing the dollar and the inevitable sacrifices required really worth it? Are Aitutaki services running to peak efficiency from Monday to Saturday now? Is the infrastructure in place for increased numbers?
And finally, one more question that begs the asking after seeing One News: What is the point of having leaders who are willing to override the wishes of at least two thirds of their people? Is this democracy?
Te mana no te iti tangata!- June Hosking
Editor: Letters of response arguing the scriptures and theology of the Sabbath will not be published.
TOP
Saturday 28: We haven't stuck to the game plan
Dear Editor,
In respect to our leaders, I'm disappointed with the excuses for supporting a stadium loan with the Chinese. They seem based on an intention for continuous borrowing. It seems that our government has no intention of letting our nation stand on its own feet.
I'm very thankful for aid money and soft loans that we have received, but I believe that whoever gives does so in the hopes of building us to where we won't ask again. If they give with the hope that we will continue to beg, then maybe we should not accept it.
What is our plan to reduce reliance on aid? We make a big point of sustainability, but what is our goal? How many years before we can say, "no more aid". We may never get off it, but at least that should be our intention. We are willing to put ourselves into debt for one event, not for issues that really count such as long term self-sufficiency.
Parliament was told that China is the only country willing to provide large amounts of grants or soft loans, but that is because government refuses to sit down and negotiate licenses with those who really would harvest our nodules.
If they did, parliament would not be told that there's "no choice". Parliament would hear instead that the stadium could be fully funded with no debt at all and quickly, too. Sadly, there's no point in following up this possibility because cabinet has made up its mind and that's it!
I should add that I think the stadium is far from being our highest priority. Even if I had free money, I wouldn't spend it on the stadium. What about roads, health, education, alternate energy, import substitution, and economic development? Will we ever give similar attention to these?
In early 2007, we assembled to discuss, praise and approve a National Sustainable Development Plan. I don't recall a $13 million dollar netball stadium listed as a priority.
I strongly believe that we can become sustainable in energy and food production and that we must do so to survive, not die under the yoke of ever more expensive oil and food imports. How? We need a vision that we all share. If we support self-sufficiency as a vision, then we need to action that belief, not just mouth it.
I attended an infrastructure workshop recently. NZ High Commissioner Brian Donnelly addressed us. He referred to the Super 14 final that Canterbury had won. He noted that games are won at the end, not the beginning. Starting from behind, Canterbury pulled ahead. Why? Because they stuck with their game plan! We had a National Sustainable Development Plan, but how quickly we trashed it!
Teava Iro
Titikaveka
TOP
Saturday 28: Is the problem Sunday access or high fares?
Dear Editor,
It always amazes me to see how people can manipulate things in order to achieve their goals.
Let us take the fares charged by Air Rarotonga to and from Aitutaki.
The usual return fare costs between $286 and $350.
But I believe that those on the Aitutaki return trip on Sunday 22 June were charged $129.
This is obviously to justify the flight on a Sunday or otherwise their flight would have been empty.
If Air Rarotonga can fly profitably on a Sunday for $64-50 one way, why does this company charge us more on the other six days of the week?
Are not the high fare charges the reason for tourists' reluctance to fly to Aitutaki?
Or are we to believe the lame and untrue excuse used by Air Rarotonga and some other big businesses, that the lack of Sunday flights is the reason for dropping tourist numbers to Aitutaki?
Let Ewan Smith and his company take the lead in getting more tourists to our beautiful island, and reduce their exorbitant fares.
Turi Mataiapo
(Name and address supplied)
Editor: Ewan Smith replies-
$129 is a one way fare and is available for early sales on off peak flights on all days of the week.
The problem facing all tourism related businesses in Aitutaki is that the lack of Sunday access to the island has caused very low tourism occupancy rates over the weekends. It's not just one day that is affected but three to four days.
Typically, hotels in Aitutaki experience a 65% occupancy mid week which reduces to 25% during the weekends. In Rarotonga the occupancy rates are much more consistent.
The Saturday night Boeing 767 and the Sunday Boeing 777 flights from Auckland to Rarotonga leave NZ at the prime time for those departing for a winter break. If the residents of Rarotonga were not prepared to tolerate Sunday international flights, the economy of the Cook Islands would be brought to its knees and that would affect everyone, including your reader.
TOP
Saturday 28: Don't be so rude
Dear Editor,
'Boom boom' is an appropriate title for a letter from G-DUB or someone in support of him(self). He makes a lot of noise and not much else.
He claims he doesn't 'continually' stream rude jokes live on air, yet yesterday, Mr Editor, he kept mispronouncing 'ika mata', which everyone knows when mispronounced is a reference to a woman's vagina. Not only do his 'stink jokes' (what he calls them now) suck, the worst thing is they aren't even funny.
I am an avid listener alright but it's the music I want to hear, not the DJ droning on. DJs should learn to shut up and let the music play. Don't make the mistake of thinking people tune in to hear your voice: the star of the show is the music, not you.
To top it all off, Mr Editor, he is ageist to boot!
There is nothing wrong with Karangaranga or 6.30kHZ. Why knock a station that has been around a long time (and probably will be around a lot longer than his will be).
Just remember G-DUB, one day you'll be old too and let's hope for your sake the younger generation won't be so rude to old people like you.
Pass the tea, bag
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Saturday 28: Baby fee is wrong
Dear Editor,
I also want to raise my concern at the consultation fees they are charging at the hospital. I know it's not their fault and they are only doing their job, following their policy.
My wife is having a baby and we were told to pay $1000 which means if we don't have the money we can't have the baby at our hospital. I am a Cook Islander and my unborn baby is a Cook Islander and I still have to pay. Well, I've got no choice as there's no other hospital around, only in the outer islands.
Living here in the Cook Islands, we went straight to immigration to see what are the requirements in order for my lady to live here with me. It wasn't that hard. The first two years they only charged $20 for 12 months and after we got married they charged me $10 instead of paying the full $500 for a year, because there is a special policy or a fee regulation set for us Cook Islanders married to foreigners or partners of Cook Islanders.
Why can't health do the same thing? Work with your minister to put something in place for us Cook Islanders.
You've got some very, very bright young guns working within your ministry, make use of them. Immigration have done it, why can't the Ministry of Health? Both ministries are working for the same government, so surely you can do something. I think it's about time to review your act or policy.
Native Cook Islander
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Monday 30: Food for thought about home loans
Dear Editor,
I have been reading with interest ANZ's new 25-year mortgage ads. For people who truly cannot afford their own homes at existing 15-year mortgage repayment schedules, it is indeed a good programme.
However, it also provides a temptation for those who can afford the higher repayments to decide to extend their mortgages another 10 years for a relatively small difference in monthly payments. It is a temptation they should strongly resist!
To fully understand what that extension is costing, one needs to do some basic arithmetic.
A 15-year mortgage (with 12 monthly payments in a year) requires a total of 180 monthly payments over the life of a mortgage (15x12=180). Similarly, a 25-year mortgage requires 300 payments. According to the repayment schedule advertised in your paper, for every $100,000 borrowed from the bank on a 15-year mortgage, you will eventually pay the bank back a total of $207,360. That is your original $100,000 plus $107,360 in total interest over the life of the loan. This number, alone, shocks most borrowers if they bother to work it out!
However, for a 25-year mortgage on the same $100,000, you will pay the bank a total of $299,400: the original $100,000 borrowed, plus another $199,400 in interest over the life of the loan, almost double the interest you would pay for a 15-year loan and about triple the amount originally borrowed.
Potential borrowers need to ask themselves if they can possibly manage the repayments for the shorter mortgage. If so, they should go with it, as they will save $92,040 (per $100,000 borrowed) by paying it off ten years sooner - just by paying $154 a month more.
This nearly $100,000 would be a nice addition to your pension investments. In either case, you will fully own your home at the end of the mortgage, but you will own it a lot sooner with the 15 year mortgage!
Food for thought.
By way of background, I was a banker in the United States for 20 years before joining USP in Suva as a lecturer in 1989. I used to teach an undergraduate managerial finance course at USP and this was one of the lessons I impressed on my students. Many have since thanked me for saving them so much money, as it altered the way they viewed borrowing.
I am in Raro for just a few months, teaching in the locally run USP Executive-Level MBA Programme with 34 Cook Islands students, most of whom will have completed their MBAs by the end of this year. I feel confident they will have worked out these simple numbers already if they are contemplating taking out a mortgage!
Carol Frodey
Senior Lecturer in Business, Graduate School of Business, USP, Fiji
The University of the South Pacific
TOP
Monday 30: Reading by candlelight
Dear Editor,
June 28 (Bloomberg) - OPEC President Chakib Khelil predicted that the price of oil will climb to $170 a barrel before the end of the year, citing the dollar's decline and political conflicts.
Let's see if we can understand the thinking here: Oil started the year at $100 a barrel, then passed $140 recently and now OPEC predicts $170 within six months.
At the same time, Te Aponga is planning a new power plant to be fueled by, guess what, oil. Can't they see a certain trend? Do we have to spell it out for them? Okay, we will.
When oil hits $250 a barrel about the time that new plant opens, all your former customers will be reading by candlelight.
Watch Dog
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Monday 30: A constitutional right
Dear Editor,
When the government of the Cook Islands officially informed the Church of Scientology it was not allowed to be established in the Cook Islands, did government consider Part IV A of the Constitution of the Cook Islands?
I quote: 64. Fundamental human rights and freedoms - (1) It is hereby recognised and declared that in the Cook Islands there exist and shall continue to exist, without discrimination by reason of race, national origin, colour, religion, opinion, belief, or sex, the following fundamental human rights and freedoms, etc.
Or does the constitution apply only to Cook Islanders. It would be informative to hear from crown law on that question.
Foreigners need not apply
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Monday 30: Fed up by government practices
Dear Editor,
As a private sector worker, it makes me sick watching this government carry out corrupt and unethical practices, using public funds for their personal benefit and egos.
Look for example at the way deputy prime pinister Sir Terepai Maoate had one of his family connections appointed as our financial secretary. It may have been endorsed by cabinet, but it ignored the recommendations of the review and selection panel. The DPM selects his boys over the recently sacked taxman, who was number one on the list, but he doesn't stop there.
Ignoring HOMs pay rates and PSC advice, he decides to pay his boy way over the limit on a salary not worthy of first-time recruits. Not only is this wrong, but it's totally unfair to all HOMs.
Recent decisions from poor advice provided to the DPM clearly show the inexperience and childish nature of his finance boy - actions that will lead to the downfall of this government.
Both Wilkie and Norman pointed out in parliament the DPM's dictatorial budget - slashing outer island budgets without any consultation. There's been too much talk and no action - gutless men do nothing, real men stand up and so something. Whose army is the DPM looking after, Wilkie? I'm sure outer island voters out-number the DPM's Ngatangiia voters. It appears that those in power are too scared to challenge the expiring DPM? So it's another day with this embracing corrupt government. Time for a change...before it's too late.
Fed Up
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Tuesday 1: Don't take it personally
Dear Editor,
First of all, I'd like to apologize to G-Dub of 88FM for writing a letter ('Boom boom!') that forced another to assume he wrote it.
Secondly, I'd just like to point out that this same person, who seems to have the habit of assuming too much, has repeated the same mistake of taking things the wrong way. My mentioning of the 'Kia Orana, Karangaranga' in my letter was not intended to 'knock it down' - it was merely a friendly suggestion to anyone who disagrees with G-Dub's conduct on radio.
At least on this programme, you'll get to air you opinions live on air, and I'm sure 'Pass the tea, bag' has a lot of those to make.
Thirdly, G-Dub's mispronunciation of the words 'ika mata' is, again, not intentional. Any real 'avid listener' would easily know when he tries to speak Cook Islands Maori that he is not, in fact, a fluent speaker. So instead of jumping to conclusions about female genitals, we should be educating him on how the word is actually pronounced.
Lastly, 'Pass the tea, bag' seems to be the type of person who takes things too personally. 88FM is obviously not the station for you - so instead of continuously tuning into it just so that you could pick out more things to complain about, I again recommend 6.30kHz AM.
Proud G-Dub supporter
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Tuesday 1: No excuses, NES!
Dear Editor
To publish the EIA to the National Environment Service website would take less than five minutes, less time than it would take me to go to the 'tied-down copy'.
Was an email address of NES published with the advertisement for the EIA? I did see a phone number which was engaged whenever I tried!
Of course you will not get written submissions to a report which we do not have in front of us, while we deliberate!
Please get the EIA on the website today!
For the benefit of others, here are the website and email address: http://www.environment.org.ck/ and resources@environment.org.ck
Please, no excuses. Someone once said, "A man that is good for excuses, is seldom good for anything else." Hopefully, NES does not fall into this category.
Mata Short
Aroko
TOP
Tuesday 1: Makea title not the priority
Dear Editor,
Overhauling the ui ariki's roles in modern day Cook Islands should be the priority, not the Makea Nui title.
It is obvious from the recent events that there are serious underlying issues previous governments failed to recognise or address with regards to the roles of the ui ariki and their obligations for the wellbeing of their people.
Is it time to copy the winning ways of our cousins in Aotearoa as they once again resolved another grievance with their government?
Action Man
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
Wednesday 2: Find new jokes, or let the music play
Dear Editor,
Now who is making (wrong) assumptions? When GDub Supporter says you should listen to Karangaranga, rather than 88FM, because it's more your type of programme, isn't GDub Supporter assuming that:
1. Opinionated people don't like listening to good music;
2. Opinionated people are old people only, or,
3. Opinionated, old people like to/should air their views on Karangaranga;
4. This letter writer should air her opinions on Karangaranga because she is old;
5. The majority of participants on Karangaranga are women so all women therefore listen to/talk on Karangaranga, or,
6. Karangaranga is the only place that old people should air their views.
Mr Editor, the way he keeps on about Karangaranga, one could almost say he intensely dislikes old women (or Karangaranga). He doesn't say I can air my views in the Herald, or on the Christian FM station, or on Matariki. It's Karangaranga or nothing else, because he assumes wrongly, Mr Editor, that old women have worthless opinions which only deserve to be aired on that 'inferior' Karangaranga programme listened to by old folk.
The implications of this are: old folk, women in particular, are inferior, while he, a young man, therefore superior human being, has higher intellectual abilities for listening to 'superior' DJ talk on 88FM.
What a sexist, ageist, negative view of women this guy has. He needs to spend a year helping out at a retirement home for elderly nuns. If I listen to another radio station, Mr Editor, will it make the problem of the DJ with the sexist agenda at 88FM go away? I don't think so.
Where's the Broadcasting/Media Standards Council when you need them? I will continually complain about those things I hear about women, which are offensive, Mr Editor. Right now I choose to do it in your newspaper, so thank you for allowing me that privilege.
When someone repeats over and over 'ika mata', with the wrong accent on the letter 'i', after an advertisement a second earlier pronounced it correctly, I think it can be safely assumed that the DJ knew what he was doing. It's not my job to teach the DJ how to speak Maori. One assumes he already has that skill when working in the broadcasting, otherwise he shouldn't be allowing himself to get into situations that cause him to make embarrassing mistakes. Maori usage is already in decline without 88FM making a mockery of the Maori language on air.
Lastly, it is possible to make clever, clean jokes without dragging down one half of the human race all the time. My friendly suggestion to GDub Supporter is to help the DJ find some new jokes on the internet. Better still, forget it, and let the music play.
Proud supporter of fair treatment of women in the media
(Name and address supplied)
TOP
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