The events over the last weekend with the brutal, horrific bashing of our good friend Brent Powell are a timely reminder that all in life can be fleeting. No one deserves what happened to Brent, least of all Brent. He is one of the most gentle and compassionate, peacefull men I have had the honour to serve over a bar in our time managing hospitality businesses in Nelson, and quickly became a friendly face to hang out with on the other side of the bar.

Best wishes mate on a comprehensive recovery from this cowardly attack. To those out there that did it, or did nothing about it, the intrinsic potential of your action or inaction will haunt you for the rest of your existance.

Be safe out there everyone. Look after each other. Is this not the "civilised world"? It would be nice to think that all of our social and technological evolution has brought us to a place that we all want to live in, care for, and participate in growing together as a society.

This is Nelson folks! This kind of thing ought not be happening in our streets.

Here is a link to a couple of article's in the Nelson Mail - copy and paste them people.

< http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/4194655/Man-savagely-beaten-in-city >

and a follow up article about the fact that neighbours heard it, but no one helped:

< http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/4198435/Facial-reconstruction-for-bashed-victim >

UPDATE: 07.10.10 - The attack on Brent has been getting a lot of local media attention and opened up a can of worms in regard to the general safety we all face in this once sleepy little town.

< http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/4207321/Always-call-us-say-police >