Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: It would be polite to ask

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  • Russell Brown,

    Are you hinting at a liberal definition of "grew up" there Russell?

    No comment.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    1. Ranginui Walker = mana. Every time I meet that man I'm just so impressed by his grace.

    I first encountered him as a very earnest first year Pols student at Auckland. He did a guest lecture on the Treaty in a 101 class. It was a seminal learning experience for me (as many first year classes are for most first year students).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    That's the first time I've seen "grew up" as a euphemism for "got so abso-fricken-lutely wasted that i forgot where i was from" in the internets

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    And I'd just like to say the Che imagery is really weirding me out...

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Isn’t the real issue here the fact that there are sweets shaped like ... people??

    Nope, the real issue is that there are some people who 1) need to get a life of their own, and not run around getting offended on behalf of people who might not appreciate the presumption, and 2) need to meditate on the etymology of the word trivia.

    1. Ranginui Walker = mana. Every time I meet that man I'm just so impressed by his grace.

    Then again, you've got to be a drunken sociopath with Tourettes not to look like a class act next to Willie Jackson.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    In other news, Conor Roberts has just sent out an email saying he's decided not to put his name forward for the Mt Albert nomination.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Nope, the real issue is that there are some people who 1) need to get a life of their own, and not run around getting offended on behalf of people who might not appreciate the presumption

    Given that the young lady who began the whole debate *is* Inuit, I think she has the right to be offended on *her own* behalf. Not everyone is going to agree with her, but it doesn't mean she can't complain. Or that we can't debate the complaint.

    I did, however, enjoy 3 News last night trotting out a half-Inuit Kiwi to endorse the continued production of Eskimo lollies and pies. It was the perfect example of the "But my friend is and they aren't offended!" defence, as done by a media network.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Tom Beard,

    Sometimes it's best to just let the people speak. And then skewer them mercilessly and hilariously.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Not everyone is going to agree with her, but it doesn't mean she can't complain.

    Never said she couldn't, Lucy. I just have to wonder if there are indigenous peoples who've got much bigger shit to deal with than confectionery at the last toilet stop before the South Pole.

    I did, however, enjoy 3 News last night trotting out a half-Inuit Kiwi to endorse the continued production of Eskimo lollies and pies. It was the perfect example of the "But my friend is and they aren't offended!" defence, as done by a media network.

    Whereas, I'd prefer being introduced to the fucktard who actually thought the story had any news value, so they could be beaten to death with a seal club. Hey, anyone got any thoughts about whither the treaty settlement process? I wouldn't blame you if you didn't, because that didn't appear to be worth the effort of intelligent coverage.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Steve Parks,

    That Editing the Herald piece was pretty funny, Tom. My favourites:

    ------

    " Sasha Siale (Queensland): Oh dear,here goes another issue risen which will not stop the crime in the worlds! Eskimoes are one of my favourite childhood lollies must I say.
    I feel insulted just for being told to name it something else. Not very good!

    Sasha's criteria for whether or not an issue is worth discussing: Will it stop the crime in the worlds? If not, she'll be offended that you wasted her valuable crime-solving time by bringing it up.


    Block of Cheese (Auckland): Hmmmmm this is an interesting one. It doesn't really bother me because I don't eat them. [...]

    Thank you for your valuable contribution, 'Block of Cheese'. I don't know you, so it doesn't bother me if a husky Uzbek attaches electrodes to your testicles and administers a hearty shock.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I know people aren't meant to edit their own Wikipedia entries, even to correct misconceptions about being Timarawegian.

    But if Russell were to write his biog on here and license it under Creative Commons, somebody could cut and paste it onto Wikipedia with a reference back, and it would be all sweet.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Stewart,

    Timaruvian shurely?

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    As long as he's not a secret Uzbek. That Editing Harold story fair tickled me funny bone to the extent that I was seeking for a word beyond rofflenui. Divine.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Steve Parks,

    You'll never find such a word. Not in all the worlds.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    That Editing the Herald piece was pretty funny, Tom. My favourites:

    I must add:
    Bruce f (Te Kuiti): I find the terms English toffee, Scottish shortbread, Welsh rarebit, Irish cream, Kiwifruit, Australian Coon cheese, etc., all very offensive! Come off it you P.C. clowns. Wait until my mate Eskimo Joe hears about this.
    He's right. I lived in Glasgow for quite a while, and if you call a Scottish guy in the street Scottish, he will stab you in the mouth.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    Whether or not you're fighting crime.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Never say nevernui. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    But if Russell were to write his biog on here and license it under Creative Commons, somebody could cut and paste it onto Wikipedia with a reference back, and it would be all sweet.

    I'm heading over to Haywood's this weekend. I'm sure between us we can 'do something about' Russell's Wikipedia page.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I'm picking he'll turn out to come from somewhere even more exotic when you're done.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • dyan campbell,

    Can someone explain to me how the use of Eskimo in this context is offensive?

    The word itself is offensive, and deeply so. That people will accept a word that describes their race does not mean the word is not racist in its origin, if not its intent.

    The self-designation of the Eskimos living in northeastern Siberia is yuhyt or yupikhyt, but yupik is not widely spread.

    The terms Eskimo and Asiatic Eskimo date from the end of the 19th century, and were borrowed from US researchers who had adopted the Algonkin name eskimatsik or askimeg meaning "eating raw meat'". The name spread and came into common use in the early 20th century.

    "Coloured" and "Nigra" were both words that were considered polite through the 19th and 20th centuries, but this does not mean people are happy to accept these terms now.

    Until the 1980s the term "cancer victim" was also happily used - until the term "cancer survivor" or "cancer patient" was adopted as it was finally recognised the previous term has a negative effect on the patient's sense of identity.

    My Dad tells me that "Jelly Babies" used to only be licorice or chocolate, and were called 'Nigger Babies" (ten for one cent!) and he used to buy these when he was a child in the 1920s in Canada. To his recollection the name was changed to "Jelly Babies" around 1935 or so, but as he'd stopped buying penny candy by then, he's not sure. He does remember his parents were very disapproving of the term "nigger" and even at 6 or 7 he was quite conscious the name of the candy was unpleasant.

    My oldest sister (born in 1946) can remember the same feeling about "Little Black Sambo" pancake syrup, which was removed from sale sometime in the 1950s. In my own childhood in the 1960s I remember Fritos Cornchips used to sell their product with a cartoon character called "The Frito Bandito" who was supposed to be Mexican - and that this was taken off the air due to pressure from Hispanic groups who found it offensive.

    Inuit artist accuses CRA of 'racist' remarks
    Carver takes complaint to Canadian Human Rights Commission the Province


    Russell, I haven't seen "Eskimo Pies" sold in Canada, but that doesn't mean they don't exist, but to sell them would be to invite an ongoing battle. As I've said, racism is still alive and well in Canada, just read the linked article.

    The "Edmonton Eskimos" still play football, and they even trot out Inuit dancers before games, but they sure piss off a lot of people.

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 595 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    Jumping in late but with refference to food & politics this thread seem the closest to be thread jumped.

    Just had a squiz through the proposed Booze Act & some of it is really good and some of it is knee jerk stuff.

    Advertising and police actions are tightning up, which seem good. Advertising/Promoting is tied to Health and has some real teeth to stop silly things going on.
    Police can close bars in an area for 48hrs, rather than just that day, get the situation to calm down if a riot was happening. Sounds reasonable.
    A local Alcohol Plan will be in place, which seems great.


    Knee jerk stuff.
    Banning for 5yrs any bar manager who gets done for 3 underages in 2yrs. They even use the "three strikes & you're out" term. Having worked in a few bars you could have that happen in one night. Not ideal but a reality. Sure if it is persistant do the bar, but this is too prescriptive.
    Trying to balance the books they have removed a bar managers judgement, you know the 20 questions like, when were you born...
    It now has to be a specific card, thinking they've got that angle covered they've also made it an offense to falsify your ID.
    So if raided the kids won't run they'll flick their IDs & the bar will have no proof they did their job & the kids will do this to avoid getting done for false IDs. Brilliant everybody loses.

    Also banning Dairies from selling booze. The magic size is 150sqm, below that the dairy won't be able to sell booze, above that they can. Anticompetitive 10km restriction if you're 'close' to a supermarket.
    Working shifts as many do (see above) the night & day allows me to buy a six pack at 2am have a few, but not anymore. FFS does Lianne Dalzeil have shares in New World or something.

    Oh if you have a private party and someone is 17yrs old they have to have a note from Mum to say they can drink or you'll be done & all the booze from the party taken. Even if you think that guys girlfriend is 18 & you've never seen her before. You're in the poo if you organised it.

    This is a bit too heavy, come on NZ we put a 12yr old in jail for a murder because he called the pizza or something. I think we can let precious take the wrap if they lied to Mum & Dad about the party and the booze.

    Well that turned into a little rant (sorry) but it's alot shorter than the Act.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Just thinking - think some more.
    Junior Tuariki was part of a murder. Which is why he went to jail.
    A lot of what you are writing, I agree with. The other stuff really is rant.
    O, 'rap' unless you were making some quirky pizza-allied pun.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Christopher Dempsey,

    Well the Eskimo / Inuit debate reaches Canada (where I was born)...

    The 'your views' is roughly on par with dear Granny's errr 'readers'.

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report

  • Michael Savidge,

    Maybe this is why it's understandable to call Michael Laws a Chunt.

    cough *word of the year* cough

    Somewhere near Wellington… • Since Nov 2006 • 324 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    Islander, I don't think I'll ever accept the fact a 12yr old was convicted of murder as any form of 'justice'.
    And quite right with your critique & I wasn't trying to pun, just trying to spiel ;)

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

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