Opening of World Fire-fighters' Games

Good afternoon, I'm Garry Moore, Mayor of Christchurch, here as part of the cast of greeters to the official opening of the World Fire-fighters Games.
Many of you will have been with us earlier today when we jointly remembered just how solemnly awful and heroic fire-fighting can be with the opening of our Fire-fighter's reserve which includes a remnant of the New York terror attacks of last year.
That is rightfully solemn. A reminder of how ultimately the world divides not between race, culture, or religion but between those who wish to build and preserve, and the vicious few who wish only to destroy.
Fire-fighter's are firmly on the side of those who wish to build and preserve. It is a role that enjoys the highest level of respect.
It is also a skill that enjoys and thrives on challenges and competition. We are delighted to be able to provide the venue for that mix of competition that camaraderie that is the world fire-fighter's games.
Finally, on a day where there has been a huge amount of solemnity and remembrance, I would like to shift gears to a much more deeply shallow note to close on.
All week as the Fire-fighting games have come closer, I have been thinking quietly to myself about one of the great questions of our times. How come you never hear small kids say they want to be politicians when they grow up?