The latest bleating for an apology has surfaced, this time in connection to a rugby game played 54 years ago.

Not content with governments apologising for various actions of previous generations, now some people, clearly with too much time on their hands, are calling for someone to apologise to the Maori rugby team for supposedly being told to throw a match against the Springboks. Where will this nonsense stop?
Governments are made up merely of human representatives of present day voters. They have no obligation or control or responsibility over decisions made by those in office before them – people they never knew or necessarily agreed with. Nor did the people of the era necessarily agree with the actions of those politicians or leaders of the time.
It is a complete waste of time to harp on about issues that are as dead and gone as the people who perpetrated them.
Move on, Keith Quinn!
Learn from mistakes of our forebears; but let's keep our leaders focused on improving the way ahead, not living in the past and agonising over things that could have been done better.

Let them entertain you
Meanwhile, from the Bizarre News Department comes confirmation that veteran country singer Suzanne Prentice is launching her Invercargill mayoral battle against Tim Shadbolt.
As if the whole story of Shadbolt's political career isn't strange enough.
Isn't it disconcerting that a city could consider electing someone to run it, based foremost on their fame as an entertainer rather than any proven track record of sound management?
Recent cases in point: Ronald Reagan, former actor, becomes USA president; Arnie Schwarzenegger as ‘The Governator' in California; and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, finds the ‘power and the passion' now as an Australian MP. Maybe they are also good public servants. But this trend could have worrying consequences.
Scary what simple name recognition can achieve.
Often the result of 'personalities” being elected under such circumstances results in the council staff running riot – the tail wagging the dog because those elected primarily on their name recognition don't have the skill to keep them in line. We've seen it here in Tauranga.
So what next? Sam Hunt versus (or is that verses?) Kerry Prendergast in Wellington.
At least half of Fonganui is probably hoping their mayoralty will become Lawless, this could be achieved if Lucy stood against Michael.
Suzanne, whose theme song for the campaign surely will be 'Let Me Be The One,” has put out some classic songs over the years. Not that it necessarily means she can lead a city as a consequence, but I'm sure some of her numbers could be dedicated to some of our most illustrious politicians.
'I'm Little But I'm Loud” probably does apply to Michael Laws, although it could be the theme song for former broadcaster Craig Little, who ran for the Manukau mayoralty in the last elections.
Bob Simcock in Hamilton could be crooning 'I'm Not Lisa (Lewis).” But if the high profile escort/streaker did front up, she'd probably relate to 'You Can't Be a Beacon (If Your Lights Don't Shine)” as we know she certainly doesn't hesitate to flash her headlights on full beam; and find any number of voters ready to 'Lay the Blanket on the Ground.”
And speaking of the Blanket, there are some about to have the rug pulled from under their political futures.
Up in Auckland, Mayor John will be nervously tapping his toes to the version 'Down by the Banks, of the ACC.”
Over on the North Shore, Mayor Andrew Williams will appreciate Suzanne's rendition of that old Peter, Paul and Mary take on 'Lemon Tree, Very Pretty.”
Any number of politicians can relate to 'Funny Face.”
There are several potential candidates for 'Coward of the County.” (Although I don't actually know if Ms Prentice ever sang it, but let's not spoil a good story with the facts.)
On a national political level, Suzanne probably had Winston in mind when she sang: 'I Don't Believe My Electorate Can Stand Another You.”
Locally, we're working on something a little sultry for Moultrie and a song for Stewart, if she knew it.
Surely Greg Brownless's appreciation of fine paintings could be recognised with: 'How Great thou Art.”
We'd like to hear Suzanne's version of 'Take Me Home, Hylton Rhodes.”
So if any of you have an idea for an entertainer to test the fickle waters of the electoral pool against our Mayor Crosby (What happened to Stills and Nash?) in the Tauranga mayoralty – just give me a yodel.

Rangi's donkey
Finally, on the subject of country classics, my old band mate Wally sent in this gem:
Young Rangi bought a donkey from a farmer for $100.
The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day.
The next day he drove up and said, ‘Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey died.'
Rangi replied, ‘then just give me my money back.'
The farmer said, ‘Can't do that. I've already spent it.'
Rangi said, ‘Okay, then, just bring me the dead donkey.'
The farmer asked, ‘What are you going to do with him?'
Rangi said, ‘I'm going to raffle him off.'
The farmer said, ‘You can't raffle a dead donkey!'
Rangi said, ‘Sure I can. Watch me... I just won't tell anybody he's dead.'
A month later, the farmer asked Rangi, ‘What happened with that dead donkey?'
Rangi said, ‘I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.'
The farmer said, ‘Didn't anyone complain?'
Rangi said, ‘Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back.'
Rangi now works for Telecom selling the new XT Mobile plans.