Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Rain on his parade

298 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 12 Newer→ Last

  • Matthew Poole,

    It's not boobs on bikes, it's women.

    I dunno, Russell. If one uses "boob" as slang for one of lesser mental agility I think that, in the current temperatures, boobs is entirely accurate :P

    I see that the police are trying to supress the Undy 500 rally - despite the fact that, if the driver remains sober and the road rules are complied with, students are perfectly entitled to drive from Christchurch to Dunedin and have a party.

    Given the history that the Undy 500 has, I'm not surprised. This year's run is unsanctioned by U.Canty, funnily enough. When an event has historically resulted in parts of a city existing almost in a state of riot, I cannot blame the Police for wanting to nip things in the bud. I'm sure the Fire Service will be quite happy about it, too, given that fire fighters' roles are quite dangerous enough without having to dodge missiles thrown by drunk little scroats.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    I dunno, Russell. If one uses "boob" as slang for one of lesser mental agility I think that, in the current temperatures, boobs is entirely accurate :P

    Or perhaps "boobs watching boobs on bikes".

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report

  • Kracklite,

    Pish posh. I bet any of us with experience in either could do both at the same time!

    There is that joke that goes: "Beige - I think I'll paint the ceiling beige..."

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report

  • Mikaere Curtis,

    If this is a first-time event for most of the participants, would that make it n00bs on bikes ?

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    I see that the police are trying to supress the Undy 500 rally - despite the fact that, if the driver remains sober and the road rules are complied with, students are perfectly entitled to drive from Christchurch to Dunedin and have a party.

    Moreover, an unofficial rally is going to have way less constraints on it than an official one. And an unofficial rally is sure as hell going to occur. (Don't even get me started on the Dunedin mayor sidelining the fact that residents of his own city were, in fact, the ones responsible for most of the problems.)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Grant McDougall,

    I am very rarely inclined to agree with "Banksy" but the injunction seeking and general opposition is merely giving it the oxygen of publicity.

    I suspect very few people were unaware of the impending parade until the news of the injunction broke. (Though Aucklanders may well have been bombarded with promo billboards, posters, etc, I don't know).

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report

  • Susan Snowdon,

    I suspect very few people were unaware of the impending parade until the news of the injunction broke. (Though Aucklanders may well have been bombarded with promo billboards, posters, etc, I don't know).

    And we'd be even less aware of it (and women and children and families and men damaged and offended etc etc) if the TV news didn't shove it in our faces at peak time. That's 'news'?

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report

  • dave crampton,

    Gosh the council really stuffed up, as I predicted they would. How on earth do you change the law with a court injunction (after passing a bylaw that has no teeth then demand the police enforce it - enforce what? ) -- which is effectively what they were trying to do. Instead they have given publicity to the very thing they wanted stopped.

    welli • Since Jan 2007 • 144 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    Gosh the council really stuffed up

    You have to question who is possibly giving them legal advice? At which point you also have to question whether they knew full well the whole thing would fall over and it was just a campaigning ploy to the conservative masses?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    You have to question who is possibly giving them legal advice

    conspiracy-che says banks has shares in crow's business.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Grant McDougall,

    And we'd be even less aware of it (and women and children and families and men damaged and offended etc etc) if the TV news didn't shove it in our faces at peak time. That's 'news'?

    I "hear" what you're saying about it being of dubious news value, but I suspect that it's being justified by the facts that a) it's vaguely controversial b) involves local body politics in NZ's biggest city and therefore the biggest chunk of the audience and c) vague talk of "civil rights".

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report

  • dave crampton,

    At which point you also have to question whether they knew full well the whole thing would fall over and it was just a campaigning ploy to the conservative masses?

    Exactly. They knew full well when they walked into that court room this week that it would fail.So did Bob McCoskrie. I spelled it out pretty damn clearly in an email to the Mayors office and to McCoskrie in response to a reply to an earlier email from both.

    The second email was not acknowledged by the Council. Both were sent before the court hearing.

    welli • Since Jan 2007 • 144 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I "hear" what you're saying about it being of dubious news value, but I suspect that it's being justified by the facts that a) it's vaguely controversial b) involves local body politics in NZ's biggest city and therefore the biggest chunk of the audience and c) vague talk of "civil rights".

    And also, there's the boobies. I wonder whether 3 News' website will offer the "click here for even more Boobs on Bikes video" button again this year ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I spelled it out pretty damn clearly in an email to the Mayors office and to McCoskrie in response to a reply to an earlier email from both.

    I wonder what their legal advice was.

    Interestingly, if in the UK councillors go against advice and pursue a course that's <i>ultra vires</i>, they can be personally surcharged for the cost. I don't think that happens here?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    You have to question who is possibly giving them legal advice?

    To be fair, Gareth, I think you couldn't throw a brick without hitting a local government employee who will bitch for gold (off the record, naturally) about carefully considered advice being ignored by elected councillors who are barely competent to organise a gang bang at a sex addicts convention. Annoying as it is, it shouldn't surprise anyone that politicians often put... well, politics over good judgement.

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

  • Peter Darlington,

    ...who are barely competent to organise a gang bang at a sex addicts convention.

    Heh, your prose style is just made for this thread Craig.

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    I just have to wade in on Critical Tits vs. Boobs on Bikes - I've been to Burning Man 6 or 7 times now and never been to Critical Tits (though my wife and 12yr old daughter have been in it) - largely because, like Boobs on Bikes for a guy to actually go a watch/leer at it is, well, rather crass.

    The difference of course is that CT is a celebration for those who are in it while BoB is an advertising stunt.

    One of these years I'm going to tow a set of bleachers full of grumpy old men around the desert - Critical Pricks will perform loud obnoxious art criticism decalring everything derivative and shallow

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Morgan Nichol,

    I can think of few things more indicative of a contempt for life [than] that.

    Bullshit.

    Auckland CBD • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    __I can think of few things more indicative of a contempt for life [than] that.__

    Bullshit.

    Er, how? Having a real human baby born into a porn film seems vile and contemptuous to me. It's not like the baby has a choice. Two key words are missing there: "consenting" and "adult".

    If and when you have seen your own children born, you might get that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Hamboy,

    Loving the press releases on Scoop.

    “The decision yesterday regarding the Boobs on Bikes parade effectively means that a topless parade could become part of the Santa parade and the police would not take any action. That is completely unacceptable and shows a major flaw in our current law.”

    Something for the fathers.

    Boobs on Bikes is merely Steve Crow forcing his morals on the rest of Auckland city, and we know that he has no right to tell us how we should think and feel about the pornography industry...

    But you do.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 162 posts Report

  • andrew llewellyn,

    means that a topless parade could become part of the Santa parade

    A few years ago in Welly the Santa parade prominently featured a naked painted lady. She had quite an entourage of schoolboys in her wake.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report

  • Hamboy,

    Having a real human baby born into a porn film seems vile and contemptuous to me.

    Not one to judge other's sexual kinks, but birth in porn. Grosse.
    I have actually seen the video in question. The scene is a cheap bad computer animation now instead.
    There is a french art movie, think it's called Romance or something.
    It had hardcore scenes and a birth scene.
    Sex I call handle, but when I saw the birth I just about hurled. lol

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 162 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    for a guy to actually go a watch/leer at it is, well, rather crass.

    Same. When I went to BM last year I lent my (wonderfully customised) bike out to a friend for CT. I wasn't going to go, but some (male and female) friends encouraged me. Then the bike I borrowed got a flat tyre. Then the duststorm hit.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Alan Perrott,

    Thought an eyewitness acct might be useful - I went up to where the protest assembled outside the comedy club. Maybe 100 people. Dunno what they were thinking but the sight of people lined up as far as they could see was bloody intimidating. They marched to a chorus of 'show us yer tits' the occasional round of boos, and a couple of lobbed drink containers. Heard one crazed woman in a tree seemingly supporting rape as freedom of expression, but also heard some geezers debating the nature of porn which was interesting. Got a very strong impression that most of the crowd were curious sightseers. And not as many as past years - well it is just down the road. Crow's input continues to be tawdry beyond belief. I struggle to see any appeal outside of the freak show factor, but then I've never understood those who enjoy getting their jollies in large groups. Still, kinda facinating to behold.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 438 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    Annoying as it is, it shouldn't surprise anyone that politicians often put... well, politics over good judgement.

    Indeed, hence the subsequent sentence...

    To be fair, Gareth, I think you couldn't throw a brick without hitting a local government employee who will bitch for gold (off the record, naturally) about carefully considered advice being ignored by elected councillors who are barely competent to organise a gang bang at a sex addicts convention

    I would really quite enjoy that conversation... =)

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 12 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

This topic is closed.