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Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz |
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You have to wonder about humanity sometimes. It's been one of those weeks of behaviour extremes from heartbreak to heartwarming experiences.
Heartbreaking for our friends and neighbours on the outskirts of Whitianga who lost their homes and possessions in a wild bushfire. Heartwarming to see the outpouring of support and kindness from those around them, the sort of response that defines a community. There's so much room in the world for good actions, you'd wonder why some find it necessary to behave like proper little shites. Such as the person who stoned to death the chick in a nesting box on the Turret Rd causeway bridge. The box had been carefully constructed and placed by exemplary citizen Dave, who had seen the plight of nesting birds being blown off the old bridge piles, in the relentless sou-westers. So he made a shelter box, lifted it into place with a pole, and along with many citizens, enjoyed watching nature do its thing. The only trouble was, no one took into account human nature, doing its thing, in its worst form.
Thieving lowlifes 
Lowlifes pinch the van and gear from Waipuna Hospice, one of the most despicable acts possible. Fortunately good samaritans, Farmer Auto Village stepped in to loan the hospice some wheels in the meantime. Oh, the yin and yang. Then comes the story from a Coastguard crew, on their way to assist a troubled boatie in the waters of Mercury Bay. On the way they spot a bloke in a blow-up toy, no lifejacket, being swept out on the tide. He accepts a ride to safety, and then to show his gratitude, steals a cellphone from one of the crew on the rescue boat. A darker shade of humanity here; ripping off volunteers who are out to save you!
Privacy or profit?
The marriage of Kiwi icons should have been a heartwarming moment, as Mr and Mrs McCaw's romance was successfully converted... had it not been for the furore over the wedding coverage. A ban on photography, citing grounds of ‘privacy' appears more a tactic to maximise sales value of the event. Couldn't it have been the perfect opportunity to raise some funds for something worthwhile? Child cancer? Spinal injury rehab? Dementia from concussion? The Keith Quinn Retirement Fund? I guess the future income of an outstanding sporting couple should be considered worthwhile.
Milking the media
'Leave them alone,” was the call from so many on social media, many trying to suggest no-one was really that interested in the event; that evil journalists just keep hounding famous people for the sake of it. But that ideal was blown away by the massive click rate, making mockery of claims that the general populace isn't interested in this sort of news and it's just a huge media beat-up involving the gossip and personal life of the famous; meanwhile the public is stampeding to read more. It's a fine line that ‘celebrities' tread when they milk the media when it suits, for fame and fortune, but suddenly demand ‘privacy' when it doesn't suit them. Maybe that's fair, when the privacy is for the sake of privacy. But when it's for the sake of flogging off exclusive photos to a women's gossip mag, the public smells hypocrisy. There's something whiffy here, for sure.
Young saviour
Heartwarming was the actions of an eight year old at the scene of a river rescue, valiantly offering to help administer CPR to the victim. He'd learnt resuscitation at school. Good on ya, mate. And finally kudos to the good people searching for Harry, the elusive fluff ball who has been living rough since a fireworks freak-out in Bethlehem. He's been sighted a few times but evades those who want to help him. Keep up the good work, we hope Harry can one day be re-united and re-socialised.
Lighten up, Rogers
Anyway that's enough deep and meaningful. On with the lighter side of life in the Bay… what you really want to read, especially for those of you with short attention spans, shallow thinking and an unhealthy interest in oddities… Just when you thought the world couldn't get any sillier, there's Te Puke. Well, we can't blame the whole of Te Puke, but a bloke from there who has created a pastime called Stupid Robot Fighting. And yes, it is as silly as it sounds. Read all about it, page 6.
Goofy parkers 
Some of you are driving on the wrong side of the road. Stop it. Some of you are parking on the wrong side too, and according to the fuzz, you must be driving on the wrong side to get there. That story's on page 3. It's Lemming weekend in Tauranga, (p11) when normally sane and happy people throw themselves off perfectly good bridges. The reason: two big swim races. It's a quaint tradition, kept alive by people who haven't discovered boats yet. Give them plenty of support. We need to look after our crazy people. Take care out there.