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The Dominion
Post, October 9 2004
Letter to the Editor by Lynley Hood, Dunedin
I wrote A City Possessed; I know a witch hunt when I see one. Current
allegations of abuse at Waiouru have all the ingredients of a classic witch
hunt: vindictive witch hunters; sensationalising media; politicians who
would rather lead a lynch mob than lead a nation.
Journalists should ask some hard
questions. Of Ian Fraser: why complain now? Is he receiving trauma
counselling? Has he suffered a recent personal and/or financial crisis?
Of the prime minister and defence
minister: why have they abdicated their duty of care to the state employees
involved? Why haven't they cautioned the public against rushing to judgment
before the allegations have been properly investigated?
Why haven't they pointed out that the accused staff are entitled to
natural justice? Why are they putting at risk the careers and reputations
of so many able and loyal state employees who may be completely innocent?
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