Heroes and others.

As we watch the landslip at Mt. Maunganui unfolding before our very eyes, unfortunately the outcomes appear to be worsening toward tragedy with every passing hour.

Already we are hearing of brave heroes that acted immediately when the initial damage occurred occurred in the early daylight hours.  A lady who herself reportedly was warning others may now be a victim.  Also a couple of passing builders on their way to work who grabbed their tools and started opening the landslide shattered toilet block roof with cordless drills.

Then we have the fire and police services.  Arrived on site "some decent time later", according to a passing jogger.  One of the builders (sans footwear) was back at his van for tinsnips to cut the roof mesh.  Risk-averse Mr. Plod / Fire Brigade intervened.  No safety shoes, you're not going back on-site to help.  FFS, they had the tools there and from the sound of it already had lifted some roofing iron!

Then the Minister of Mr. Plod has turned up  .  The Minister needs elocution lessons.  He gave a speech from the throne full of "umms" and "aaahs" on what we already know, trying to spin "it's still a rescue mission".  Other wankers like the Commissioner of Mr. Plod and the Mayor are in the frame for a must have "seen to be doing something" certificate as they continue turning up on-site.  Even the Prime Manager of New Zealand is due to show his managerial skills later today.

And today, just over 35 hours in, we have the local racists who now have the ultimate excuse to permanently shut The Mount.  No doubt somewhere there will be loud calls "it's in the treaty!".  They've been on the "shut The Mount" hobby-horse for years "for our people".  Now watch the wailing will rise to fever-pitch as their potential prime source of grift has been supposedly damaged by the colonials.  

As I said in the title, thank God there are always selfless heroes who are willing to confront danger head on.  

And then there are others.