Some of my ancestors were border raiders who burned down homes, killed all the men, and drove off with the women and cattle. Others were sea pirates who raided and pillaged seaside habitations. Still others were victims of such atrocities.
But I do not dwell on this history as there is no profit in that pursuit. The only thing to remember is not to let it happen again.
There are, however, some things from the past that we should remember; namely literature, poetry, music, and art. Our country is deficient in these and so we use memories from many other countries and sometimes from thousands of years in the past.
Those correspondents who are presently wallowing in the misdeeds of the past, should climb out of the muck, wash themselves off and look around them to see what good they can do for their fellow citizens and neighbours.
They should be hopeful happy helpers rather than doomsday divisive destructors.

John Mills, Mt. Maunganui.