Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Show some decency

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  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    Shyster – homophonia?

    It’s caused enough trouble already this election.

    Chris, you are thinking of that Venetian Merchant chappie
    the Bard devised…

    A shyster is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, politics or business.

    The etymology of the word is not generally agreed upon. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says it is based on the German Scheißer (literally “shitter” but also used to refer to deceivers), but the Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “of obscure origin”, possibly deriving from a historical sense of “shy” meaning disreputable. Various false etymologies have suggested an anti-Semitic origin, but there is no proof for that.

    It’s a bloody minefield English,
    with its mongrel sources…

    <whoops sorted already - as you were - talk amongst yourselves>

    :- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    the Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “of obscure origin”, possibly deriving from a historical sense of “shy” meaning disreputable.

    It's entirely likely that Shakespeare named his character "Shy-lock" and not "Abraham" or Isaac for precisely that reason. A Wikipedia says:

    "Shylock" is not a Jewish name, nor is it known before Shakespeare's play, however scholars believe it probably derives from Shelah (Hebrew: 'Shelach'), the father of Eber and progenitor of Hebrew peoples.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Jack Harrison, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Thank you brother, the English language is a sea of old beautiful European terms. England has been invaded a lot. Ian should write the new dictionary.

    I just saw the way Hanover marketed themselves and even at the time felt sick. To see savings wiped out twice in my lifetime by high flying shells of companies is something to be concerned about. Savings are the backbone of the individuals quality of life in a capitalist market.

    wellington • Since Aug 2014 • 296 posts Report Reply

  • SteveH, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    "(literally “shitter” but also used to refer to deceivers)"

    I think you're saying that if we use "shitter" to describe these people we'll avoid any accidental offense? That's what I'm going to infer until otherwise refuted anyway.

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to Jack Harrison,

    I just saw the way Hanover marketed themselves and even at the time felt sick. To see savings wiped out twice in my lifetime by high flying shells of companies is something to be concerned about. Savings are the backbone of the individuals quality of life in a capitalist market.

    Tangentially related at best: There are bloody good reasons why China's real estate market makes Auckland look affordable by comparison, and why so many wealthy Chinese are so keen to buy up property in NZ, the USA and elsewhere. The banks and what happens to the savings you have in them are some of the bigger reasons for that. Savings may be the backbone, but you want that backbone to be reasonably solid.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • Julie Fairey,

    Someone I know a little bit, who I know is right of centre and is also reasonably politically savvy, started the conversation with me today about how awful "it" all is. I assumed she meant Dirty Politics, and made a sort of an "oh yes, it's not good is it" type response, didn't really want to talk about it tbh. She then said "that's what happens when Dotcom is involved." I just don't even. (And I don't hold a candle for KDC, but there is NO WAY you can rationally pin this stuff on him).

    I don't understand why people don't care. I don't understand why this isn't immediate toxic poison for Key, given that he only grudgingly distanced himself from this way of operating for the first time last night.

    But then I don't understand why people support Key in the first place. I guess this is how Tories felt from 1999 - 2007.

    Puketapapa Mt Roskill, AK… • Since Dec 2007 • 234 posts Report Reply

  • Jack Harrison, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    Of course. I agree. No argument there.

    I was just thinking on Russell’s post and how painful it must have been.

    wellington • Since Aug 2014 • 296 posts Report Reply

  • Murray Hewitt, in reply to Graham Dunster,

    Sorry if someone else has already suggested this, but surely you need look no further than the Greens for social and environmental responsibility. And a dash of integrity.

    Wainui • Since Jan 2008 • 21 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    There is a court case going on in the States at the moment where the editor of a sailing site (Sailing Anarchy) is being sued by a yachtowner for calling him a shyster. The owner specializes in student loans at exorbitant rates and has huge debts. Brad Butterwor.th sails for him

    Piha • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Jack Harrison,

    Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs,
    dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with
    the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
    to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means,
    warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer
    as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
    If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us,
    do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
    If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.
    If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility?
    Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his
    sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge.
    The villainy you teach me, I will execute,
    and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
    (Act III, scene I)

    wellington • Since Aug 2014 • 296 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to BenWilson,

    ETA: Damn, this post crossed the page boundary. It’s in reference to the last one on the previous page.

    That ,I haven't seen b4 but wondered if it did.
    I got no understanding how anyone couldn't believe that all of these revelations are true. But it's so and I shake my head. What's more as discussed on the weekend we have mates who are banging their heads when they hear ,what they thought were intelligent friends still voting NP because of the propaganda they are fed.
    I was chatting to a homeless man living in his car today. Newspapers on his dash. He is appalled at National. he is going to find out if he can vote. He was so saddened at the Ashburton guy having to live in a tent. I guess he could understand frustration as he kept saying it was so hard to deal with winz. He complained that so many homeless are sleeping on the street outside the city mission because there are few beds and too many of them. argh! The man made a lot of sense. Much more than others I know.
    I live in hope that good will prevail. It is in our world now to get this info of corruption out to as big an audience as possible. I only hope it's not too late this Election

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    Or they just don’t believe it. If you trust Key, and he keeps saying ‘yes we talk to bloggers’ as if that’s all it amounts to, and ‘left-wing smear campaign’ – maybe that’s all it takes. Seems to be the end of the story for many.The other refrain is ‘I’m tired of it’. That’s harder for me to fathom, because it’s a half- acknowledgement there’s ‘something to see here’. But let’s not talk about it because it’s- nasty? boring? difficult? clashes with my other beliefs? I find myself looking sideways at these people.

    And this.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Sjorn, in reply to Julie Fairey,

    Yep. Agree completely with this post. It is so maddening how it seems a significant number of our country men and women seem to have completely ignored the fact that our country is run by gangster politicians or perhaps they just don't care. What does this imply about who we are as a people? - what kind of people are we when it appears that apparently this kind of reprehensible and possibly (probably??)- criminal behaviour is condoned? I am having to walk away now from most conversations around the work room cos it just makes me too mad. I know I shouldn't but I also find myself losing respect for anyone defending these morally bankrupt a$$%%&...... I guess this post is proof of why I should avoid discussing this election with anyone.

    New Zealand • Since Sep 2013 • 39 posts Report Reply

  • Jack Harrison,

    New Zealand has an enormous conservative population. Labour is too far for many folk. At her height Helen Clark got 41% of the vote.

    It’s hard to shift voters right voters left.

    wellington • Since Aug 2014 • 296 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to nzlemming,

    “Shylock” is not a Jewish name

    Does that mean it's been misusurered?
    or just inappropriated?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Jack Harrison,

    Labour is stacking up...

    At her height Helen Clark got 41% of the vote.

    David Cunliffe looks taller to me, so...
    that could push them into government!

    I enjoyed Campbell Live's "Pie Graph' Dinner Party format round robin this evening, very civilised and affable.
    Couldn't easily find the online continuation, though.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Jack Harrison, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    "Decency" is the word of the day. A fine word, and of course the title of this post.

    wellington • Since Aug 2014 • 296 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to A C Young,

    This is part of the reason I have not been particularly keen to get into the housing market for the last 3 years.

    The housing market for me, if I can be of any help, is this. We got a house so landlords couldn't say I can't have my dog. Shes supposed to have cancer now. She's old. The house let her stay with us for 11 years. The housing market for me was ,if we ,with our skills could renovate , we could become freehold . That is what happened and it's taken 11 years. We could stay on and rent out this house but that puts me in a position to make money from others for no other reason than to take someone's money. I cant do that. :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • S-L,

    It's plain wrong for them to keep themselves in a little safety bubble. They are somewhat just caring for themselves. I cannot wait to have someone else who cares about the community and contributes in a personal stance. The best leader is one who is willing to get out of their bubble and find out the faults of NZ and actually fix it. Along with adding in mainstream media to the agenda and how they bring out moral panic.

    We are definitely in for another ride with whoever wins this election.

    New Zealand • Since Sep 2014 • 3 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I must add. Stella the dog has a lump. It's a big lump. It's a 6 week old lump. At this point she shows no pain, ignores it. carries on as usual. She doesn't acknowledge it. I'm stock piling codeine as a palliative care but shes not interested . So be it. My dog is nearly 16. I love her but I wont try to change her. I've tried codiene .It's a great drug. If she shows pain, she's getting codeine but as at now, there are no cancer symptoms other than a lump with indication of mast cells over an injury.
    I know it's irrelevant to yous but not to me.
    As you were.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    I get that Key and his cronies don’t really represent most National party members let alone their voters but that doesn’t excuse giving them power.

    Thank you Bart. THIS!!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Best wishes, Sofie.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • stephen clover, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Shes supposed to have cancer now.

    Oh Sophie, so sorry to hear this. :(

    wgtn • Since Sep 2007 • 355 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    Can we avoid that word, please?

    Chris I'm thinking there is a lot of pissed off people at the mo and if a word is derogatory to some ,it's another meaning to others. I really don't see words as always being anti Semitic. It's really hard to please everyone all of the time so I'll probably be told off for being wrong, but words have lots of meaning and sometimes with this word, are they not just "rip off artists" as such.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • John Armstrong, in reply to stephen clover,

    I go anger => sadness => anger => sadness over and over several times a day.

    Me too, but am I alone in also experiencing the occasional bout of excitement and hope? I think that this whole process will ultimately be cleansing (to some degree). As the old saying goes, these revelations are much better out than in.

    Hamilton • Since Nov 2007 • 136 posts Report Reply

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