Spare a thought where US plane is deployed
Your report of the deployment of two USAF ‘Raptor' F-22 fighters to the Wānaka Warbirds airshow omitted to mention the current location of some of these aircraft in the Middle East to — in the words of US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth — ‘enhance the US defensive posture in the region'.
I suppose it is therefore entirely possible, given the US president's present views on Iran, that such F22 aircraft will soon be engaged in killing yet more citizens of a foreign country in the interests of America's ‘defensive posture'.
I sincerely hope that those attending the Warbirds expecting to be thrilled by the displays will at least give a moment's reflection to the not quite so thrilling experiences of the victims of contemporary global American foreign policy — a policy, I might remind readers, of New Zealand's ‘strategic partner'.
Call to amend bylaw
I fully agree with Quentin Smith, deputy mayor QLDC & Wānaka councillor.
The current situation with the freedom camping debacle in Wānaka is appalling.
Unfortunately, through misguided legislation councils are required to provide for some freedom (freeloader) camping. Those areas should be limited to semi-industrial or on the outskirts of town (i.e. red bridge) which won't impinge on community life.
However, I am at a loss why a bylaw was adopted which provides overnight freeloader camping in an outstanding area on the waterfront at Penrith. In a position overlooked by properties worth millions of dollars, who pay huge rates for that privilege, only endure that riffraff every night.
Equally, why are citizens in a quiet residential suburb around Allenby Park also disadvantaged by having to put up with the same outcome as above. This is not acceptable.
Surely our elected representatives are there to support communities and if at all possible, outcomes which maintain privacy and quiet enjoyment for everyone. They need to remember why they were elected, not to support bureaucrats and some obscure national legislation but to represent their community.
Irrespective what the councillors have been advised or we have seen through the media, the legislation does not require freedom camping in residential or pristine waterfront areas.
Please QLDC councillors in these situations an in-depth analysis is required by you not blind acceptance. Amend the bylaw to reflect what your community requires not what the bureaucrats have proposed.
Imagine if it were that simple
In response to Murray Tingey (ODT, 9.1.2025) — if only world leaders respected international law and signed treaties.
The United Nations Charter was signed in 1945 so the opening promise referencing "succeeding generations", does legally refer to most of today’s living — the so-called baby boomers, Generation X, and all the other living generations since 1945.
Most of the old soldiers are long dead.
Imagine if it was as simple as adding two words to an old historical document for world peace.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
