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Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Few affinities as Donald and I blow out 79 candles each
Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm 79. Friday is Donald Trump's birthday. He is 79. There the similarities end. Trump is tall, rich and a dangerous lunatic. I am short, poor and simply a harmless eccentric. How we mark our birthdays also emphasises our differences. Trump, on the flimsy grounds that his birthday coincides with the founding date 250 years ago of the United States Army, is planning a birthday military parade at which he will take centre stage despite avoiding military service during the Vietnam War. He initially received four deferments as a student and then underwent a medical which disqualified him on the grounds of "having bone spurs in both heels", widely regarded as a trumped-up diagnosis. In fact, Trump wriggled out of war simply because he couldn't face getting a decent haircut. In my own case, at much the same time, I was balloted for National Service and passed the medical easily. My treasured memory is the medical officer's comment, "This man is small but perfectly formed." Obviously, I was not deformed by bone spurs, whatever they are. While Trump was enjoying his student life I was trapped within the military system learning how to salute and use morse code, both of which I was assured would reduce the Vietcong to gibbering surrender. Even now, I can still throw a decent salute. Trump, on the other hand, is incapable of saluting properly but nevertheless, emboldened by his status as Commander in Chief, attempts feeble salutes whenever he sees someone wearing a peaked cap, including airline pilots and railway porters. Our greatest divergence is probably the way we've decided to mark our birthdays. On Friday Trump will make a sloppy salute as 7500 soldiers form a 90-minute parade through Washington. Trump boasts: "We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it." In Patearoa a military parade was planned for tomorrow but Norm, who uses an old Bren gun carrier for feeding out, tells me he can't get the damn thing started. Norm's Bren carrier would have harmed no-one, but Trump's tanks could cause $16 million worth of damage to the streets of Washington. The overall cost of the parade will be about $45m. Trump has asked for at least seven marching bands, parachute jumpers, an evening concert and a fireworks show. I have asked that my birthday be ignored. Mainly for economic reasons, as the American troops are being given three meals and $50 day while taking part. Feeding and paying cash to Norm is just not the way things are done in Patearoa. All Norm requires is a jug of Speight's at the debrief. Some American soldiers will wear uniforms from the War of 1812 and all Norm could offer was his old man's lemon-squeezer from World War 2, which reminded me that Patearoa's contribution to both world wars was substantial, but it's best marked on Anzac Day rather than on my birthday. Trump is reported as saying: "This country has been in some beautiful wars. We even fought ourselves back in the 1860s, so one of us was bound to win. We came off the bench in World War 1 and World War 2 and won them both. There's hardly a country we haven't fought against. Gee, we've even invaded countries just for the hell of it. Watch out, Greenland and Canada, I know where you are." Worrying, eh? That's enough of Trump. In fact, it's far too much of Trump and his birthday. Back in the world of sanity I'll mark my birthday by shouting for the blokes I usually have a drink with. I've been doing that on my birthday for over 20 years now. The only time it didn't quite work out was the year I was up north on my birthday and told the publican to shout the regulars and I'd pay when I got back. There must have been about 200 regulars in that night. These days, as a pensioner, my shouting is rare and rigidly supervised but it's enough to mark what is simply the passing of another year. So, don't worry about not sending a present. That you've read this column is more gratifying than yet another pair of socks. For me, the birthday will be pleasing just because it's happening. After all these years I hope I've learned to keep a reasonably low profile and be not too annoying to too many people. Lessons Donald Trump would do well to learn. — Jim Sullivan is a Patearoa writer.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Discarded bottles, wobbly patron put liquor licence at risk
Reports of discarded bottles, a wobbly patron and "fresh vomit" have called the sale of alcohol at Outram's rugby club into question. An application by the West Taieri Rugby Football Club for a special liquor licence has been opposed by the medical officer of health delegate and a licensing inspector. They raised concerns about the club's operations and suitability to hold the licence after a site visit last month, a report to Dunedin's district licensing committee said. The club was seeking the licence for its 125th jubilee celebrations, scheduled for between May 9 and 11. It holds a club licence. On April 12, both the inspector and delegate undertook a joint compliance visit to the premises. In her reporting, Dunedin City Council chief licensing inspector Tanya Morrison said she observed a half-filled glass of beer alongside "a big bottle of Speight's" outside, near the club's rubbish area, along with several empty bottles up the driveway. "A group of males was seen walking away from the club, up the road, while drinking from cans. "These observations suggest alcohol was being consumed outside the licensed area, indicating poor control over licensed premises and a potential breach of licence conditions." A "visibly intoxicated" male patron was also seen on site, with "slurred speech, wobbly balance and unfocused eyes". He attempted to leave with an alcoholic drink, but was instructed not to do so, and no visible staff management of the situation was observed, she said. "Fresh vomit was present outside the main entrance of the club," Ms Morrison said. "This raises amenity concerns and suggests a lack of effective intoxication management." She also noted no food was available on their arrival, despite an outdated host responsibility policy and other signs near the bar stating food was available at all times, and a staff member present was unaware of who the duty manager was. Ms Morrison said she believed the committee would benefit from hearing from the applicant directly. Medical officer of health delegate Aaron Whipp said the recent observations raised questions about the applicant's ability to comply with the object and requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Club co-president David McNeill said the opposition was "a wee bit disheartening" and he hoped the club would be able to proceed with its plans. "Otherwise it's going to be 250 people who don't have anywhere to go to on that night or that weekend." The kitchen had closed about 50 minutes before the compliance visit took place, and patrons had until then been eating food around the tables, Mr McNeill said. The club's outside area was also used by smokers, and it had added signs to remind patrons of their designated drinking areas. He acknowledged the concerns raised by the licensing inspector. "We probably thought we had everything in place, but obviously we didn't as far as what we should have." Jubilee technical director Ian Chalmers — who is not a member of the club and was hired for the event — said the concerns raised from the compliance visit had "nothing to do" with the event. The club's bar would be closed while a separate bar at a marquee was open during the event. It had employed a new duty manager, extra staff and organised security to ensure no booze left the tent. Police did not report on the application. A hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow.
