There's been a shipload of feedback on last week's rabbittings, mainly on the Greenpeace protest, plus some continuing fallout from the terrorist warning a couple of weeks back.

The ship protest issue continues to eat away at some of you. It is clear that many locals think the stunt went too far. The general view around the waterfront here is that they'd made their point boarding the ship – but to hang on into the night, insist on being cut free by police, fire and contractors, really pushed the point.
It doesn't seem many were impressed with this stubborn attitude.
As a Greenpeace supporter and donor in the past, I see the point of some of my acquaintances who feel their donations may have been mis-spent on elaborate stunts, helicopter hire and court and legal costs.
Really the only people being affected after the East Ambition docked – and after dark – were the tireless emergency service teams who worked through the night to cut the protesters from the ship's rigging.
Who else cared? Certainly not Joe Public, safely tucked up in bed, oblivious to the shenanigans high in the rigging over the Port of Tauranga.
Exactly who was Greenpeace hoping to impress by pig-headedly insisting that the protesters be physically cut, with grinders and heavy machinery, from their protest position? It didn't make a jot of difference to the majority of the New Zealand citizens that the danglers were still up there half the night, defying attempts of the negotiators to talk them down.

Expensive exploits
And what about the cost to our port authority, the port company, harbourmasters and other officials who put in some long hours trying to keep everyone safe? The real target of the protest – the importers and rainforest pillagers – remained equally oblivious and mostly unrepentant.
Greenpeace have done some great work throughout the Pacific over the decades and I, and many others, have supported them. That includes the incredible effort to halt nuclear testing and raise awareness against the ridiculous whaling that continues to this day. We all remember well the efforts of those such as local skipper Graeme Butler and the Gemini Galaxsea sailing off to Muroroa.
I hope episodes like the East Ambition do not erode the movement's local support. There's a fine line between effective protest and anarchy.
When the cost and threat becomes misdirected from the target and instead becomes a cost and irritant to their own supporter base, we have to wonder: are the protesters' actions much different to that of the French agents who perpetrated such offensive acts of murderous piracy on our shores?
In this instance, Greenpeace have sailed dangerously close to the wind.

Take it or leave
Meanwhile, the terrorist piece from three weeks ago continues to generate feedback.
On the www.sunlive.co.nz news site, the comments keep rolling in.
The original piece is archived there.
As a follow up, I've reprinted this piece. It has been kicking around the email circuit for a while now and a number of readers have forwarded it again this week. It's that sort of underground swell that suggests a high level of public support for the sentiment.
We are just too polite to admit it.
It's reportedly from Australian PM Rudd. I'm not certain of the source but it has come from so many of you, that it's timely to air it here:
'Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told to get out of Australia as the government targeted radicals to head off potential terror attack. Rudd angered some Australian Muslims by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: ‘IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.
‘This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
‘We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
‘Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
‘We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
‘This is our country, our land, and our lifestyle. We will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
‘If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Parting thought
Finally, the parting thought:
Maybe Renault would like to sponsor the next Baypark Demo Derby? I hear they put millions into deliberately crashing cars.