I am 92 years old and cannot comprehend, and am appalled at the total arrogance and lack of respect shown by Hunter Wells in his page 2 Jim Bunny column in a recent edition of The Weekend Sun (‘Striking a blow for what's right' January 27 edition), when he suggests that on the passing of a retirement village resident further progress can be made by society.
Who does he apportion credit to for the roads he drives on, the provision of electricity, hospitals, the railroads and all the amenities that provide a comfortable style of living for people of his generation?
These people made many sacrifices in their lifetimes to ensure that those who came after them had a better life than they had experienced, which consisted of living through depression, epidemics and war.
I hope and pray all young people do not hold the same opinion of the older generation and at least have some respect for what they achieved with far fewer of the amenities to work with than are available today which have been provided by their efforts and innovation.
Patricia Wilson, Judea.
**The bunny replies: Patricia – thank you for your comments. Firstly, I am not some Johnny-come-lately as implied by your 'total arrogance and lack of respect” comment. At age 72, I have had more than half a century in the media. Perhaps that counts for something. And by printing your comments in full, I believe I am according them the respect they, and you, deserve.
However I don't apportion anyone any credit for our roads Patricia – it's a widely held view they are crap, they are in a woeful state up and down the land. The electricity industry needs a total overhaul so power is affordable for every household. The railways are screaming for major investment.
When was the last time we saw a passenger train out of Tauranga? The hospitals are under-funded and waiting lists too long, and the price of houses today puts them out of reach for most young New Zealanders.
So just who do you think I should be grateful to?
My father who flew Lancaster bombers in WW2 so I could have a reasonable chance at life. And he taught me that racism was perhaps the most insidious of issues impacting New Zealand.
My rest-home comment simply suggested racism is something people don't shake off, they carry it to their grave.