Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz

It's a strange thing about writing a newspaper column that the feedback can be so polarised.

We know a lot of people read this and like it. They tell us. We know that some read it and don't like it. They have to read it to find the stuff they don't like…and tell us.
Either way, everyone finds what they are looking for, so despite the odd grumpy complainer, we know that deep down you're pleased to have found something to be displeased over.

Last week was a classic example, while one steamed up reader was venting that RR never has any facts*, just name-calling, then ironically, proceeded to call RR names. Then, to the complete opposite end of the scale, when readers delivered us oranges to fight the dreaded lurgy, biscuits for publishing their views, and an invitation to the annual dinner of the Western BOP Fish and Game Club.

There, a crowd of un-PC folk gave me a rousing welcome as I was invited to speak about Sun Media and our connection to the hunting/fishing fraternity. They were not particularly impressed with my hunting record, although I ran out of time to tell them about the day I scared a rabbit to death by throwing a piece of four-by-two; and the time I stalked and caught a tagger. I'm not sure who looked more surprised, the tagger or the taxidermist I tried to take him to.

Anyway it is blatantly apparent that this column is either hated or loved, fortunately the latter is the more common feedback. That certainly seemed the case for the keen hunter-gatherers. At least the audience didn't throw things, unlike my brief foray as a rock musician a few decades ago. And despite the mis-truths put about by people such as Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones, it was not soft, sexy suggestive stuff such as lingerie – but hurtful things such as shoes and various pieces of furniture.

Throwing stuff

From that day on I realised that everyone** has their point of view and should be encouraged to express it, even if almost the entire nation disagrees. However, writing a letter to the paper is probably a better form of expression than tearing pieces of historic décor from the interior of the town hall.

Thanks to the hunter-gathers for the invitation and the great dinner and company.

They're an interesting bunch and I hope to see more of them at some of the events during the year. As long as they continue to not throw things at me.

One day I'll impart to you the secrets of saving ammo by harnessing the aerodynamic attributes of a well-delivered piece of framing timber.

Irish Roverberations

Astute readers will have noticed our bungle last week, when we mistakenly listed the Irish Rovers as among those big acts bypassing Tauranga.

Of course they are not, having a sell-out show in Baycourt this weekend. Thanks to the readers who alerted us so promptly.

I am not sure what the penalty is, for upsetting the Irish Rovers. Maybe we get a visit from the IRA or a dozen jackbooted leprechauns doing a jig on the editor's forehead.

Or our ration of Guinness suspended for the week.

Whatever, will we take our punishment and offer our sincere apologies to the Rovers and their fans and the nice folk at Baycourt. Of course they wouldn't skip Tauranga and we wish them all the best for their show here.

Driving shocker

In other news this week, police are hot on the trail of some ramraiders who drove a Suzuki Escudo through the wall of a local service station. I'm glad the police are chasing these perpetrators and hope they catch them.

Anyone with enough gall to drive a Suzuki Escudo, especially a red one, needs to feel the full weight of the law bearing down on them.

*Except for John Minto and maybe Sue Bradford. I think they've used up all their vouchers for ‘Free Complaining' a long time ago.

**Correction: Dotcom is not fat. He is obese. An adult who is 290 pounds and is six feet and seven inches tall has a body mass index of 32.7. Warning! An adult with a body mass index over 30 is considered to be obese.

Sorry I apologise I was wrong. Dotcom it would seem is obese.