Assault on salt and humour

So, now we are told how bad salt is for us (“Over salt”, January 18). As a child I loved toast covered with dripping smothered in salt. Through my life I have always well salted my vegetables and salads. So, it seems I will not get to a ripe old age. Ah well – I’ve reached 88.

Jack Jackson
(Pukekohe)

After reading the cover story on salt and Tūī Allen’s letter (January 18), I wonder if anyone is carrying out a study of the correlation between the rise of veganism and a declining sense of humour.

Such a study might also extend to other groups who have an overinflated sense of their right to be offended.

Robin Peirce
(Marton)

AUSTRALIA BURNING

The January 18 Editorial reminded me that I recently bought the complete set of satirical interviews on DVD between Bryan Dawe and the wonderful John Clarke speaking as various Australian politicians. Climate change, and Australia’s lack of action, is a regular topic, even though the interviews were done over several decades.

Australian politicians’ approach to climate change over the past 20-plus years reminds me of the four-stage response to an emergency from another TV favourite, , explained by characters Sirs Bernard Woolley, Humphrey Appleby and Richard Wharton. “In stage one, we say nothing is going to happen. Stage two, we say something may be about to do. Finally comes stage four: We say maybe there was something we could have done, but it’s too late now.”