Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz

Let's hear it for the police. They've been in the frontline of the news this week, for all the right reasons.

We can't say enough good stuff about our local police. It's often a thankless task, dealing with dickheads and no hopers… and that's just the politicians. The criminals aren't much better. There's always a bunch of critics waiting in the wings, sometimes with the sensationalist media to egg them on, just waiting for a cheap shot. Not here at Sun Media. We are fanatical supporters of the local constabulary and salute the excellent job they do, day in and day out, dealing with the scum of society, the lawless and the misguided… and the just plain stupid. Let's face it, a lot of you are just plain stupid. RR readers excluded, of course, because you are all exemplary citizens and right with me on this.
Great news from the local police and the crime stats, showing an overall drop throughout the Bay. Tauranga was more or less steady, just a 0.3 per cent increase, which some news sources chose to hype up as a 'rise” (as if 0.3 is significant?) Hey, not in my book, with a rapidly growing population at the end of an economic downturn.
Good news locally is that murders have dropped from six a year, to one. This is a vast improvement, especially in election year when you'd expect strangulations might have shown an upturn.
Fortunately, the only choking making the news recently appeared to be in San Francisco. The national crime stats have been declining for several years now and it's a real positive sign our police force is making major inroads into crime.
We've unfortunately had to call upon their services a few times recently, and can only rave about the prompt, professional response and follow up to some dodgy situations. I'll be up the road to personally thank them, as soon as I get this ankle bracelet off.

Coastguard benefits
The local police have been at the centre of other good news this week, with the annual Tauranga CIB charity auction, raising an astounding $280,000 this year, thanks to the dedication of Blackie and some generous donations from a heap of local businesses and individuals.
Special mention must go to Farmer Motor Group, every year giving away a new car which is an enormous commitment to the cause.
Congratulations to stalwart organiser Peter Blackwell and team for their tireless efforts in again organising a sensational fundraiser for our local community. We had a great time at the auction, along with our Coastguard friends, one of the major beneficiaries of this year's event. And I can't think of a more deserving recipient. These guys and gals on the radio and on the rescue boats, help keep us safe on the water, and deserve all the help they can get.
Our region's heart and soul is based on the harbour and the coastline; it's the reason so many of us love this place. The people who dedicate so much to keeping us safe on the water need all the support we can muster.
Our thanks to Blackie and the police for teaming up to keep the Coastguard, FYD and many other deserving causes afloat; and roll on next year's 20th anniversary auction, which will top a combined total of $2million raised for the benefit of our community.

The trouble with Coutts
The trouble with Russell Coutts is not that he's a successful professional sailor. Or that he's hornswaggled the cup from Team NZ too many times. Or that he's essentially working as a hired gun for the highest bidder.
The trouble with Russell Coutts is he got there on the back of Kiwis. Preyed on our loyalty and good nature. Stabbed us in the back.
Yes, it was a long time ago and it's all just history. However, so is Russell Coutts.
The trouble with Coutts, in the minds of the majority of New Zealanders, is he and Butterworth milked us for all we were worth. Took advantage of the goodwill the late Sir Peter Blake pained over decades to build – and spat in the Kiwi eye.
That doesn't mean we hate him. Good on him, he made his choices. NZ as a united front also can make decisions. And Coutts will be back part of TNZ when hell freezes over. I'll be the first clamouring to back anyone except the team he's on. Right now, the Italians are looking good as a second choice, should Russell muscle in.
It is all history and we've moved on. We've also learned from history, as astute people do. Although, his knighthood, along with that of Sir Douglas The Rogue, should be surrendered on the grounds of 'dis-service to New Zealanders”.
Mr Coutts and a couple of his disloyal mates had the entire country scrambling in the early days to raise money and fervour for what we thought was a tight, dedicated bunch of die-hard sailors ready to 'stand by us” through hell and high water.
They grovelled and played on emotions and sold red socks to our grandmothers.
Turns out, some of them weren't all that committed to our team and country. That's fine. We now know where we stand – and where you stand. On the outside, Mr Coutts.
The use of aeronautic, electronic stability controls for foiling yachts is the equivalent of allowing performance enhancing drugs for athletes. It should not be allowed in sailing. His glib dismissal that the scrutineers 'didn't find any” on the boat doesn't wash with me. He is still to deny the technology was used; and just because the measurers couldn't see it, doesn't mean it wasn't there!
As far as the majority of NZers are concerned, you'll be back on the NZ team when hell freezes over.
The real sailing heroes this week: World champions Molly Meech and Peter Burling!

Parting shot:
Full marks to the skinny 18 year old model who tweeted this (soon to be classic) line at topless Ukrainian feminist protesters, who burst onto the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week: 'That bitch ruined my walk and had her saggy tits in my face”. You tell 'em, girl.