My apologies for thé tweet I sent about NZME jobs. It was a response to years of mockery & abuse from some NZME staff but certainly not all. I’m 75 years old Thursday & it hurts like fuck to have privileged media people tell me I deserve to die for the sake of the economy. 1/2

To die alone, unsupported. It’s easy to say this and not think of the effect this would have on those who love me, my spouse, my teenage son. Older people with co-morbidities are not just a demographic to be written off, we’re human beings with families just like journalists. 2/3

My spouse has lost her job. It’s the same thing but it doesn’t hit the headlines unless buried in a statistic because she’s not ‘famous’. We’re frightened too. Would be nice to see an opinion piece in support of not sacrificing old people. *more*

I don’t glory in anyone losing their job but there are some voices I wouldn’t miss, voices that relentlessly attack transpeople, voices that, recently, have chosen to promote the idea that older people are expendable. Why did I lash out? Those are the reasons.

I’m arrogant enough to think I’m worthy of living out my life despite the risks. I’m happy to face the risks but it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to do that without being told I’m expendable. I’ve contributed all my life. I continue to do so.

Yet, according to a number of commentators, I’m not only ready for the scrap heap, I should be sacrificed and right now. I apologise unreservedly for my outburst. I’d like to hope those who were critical of me fir it might, in a moment of reflection, say it understand’.