Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Still not all that Super?

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  • giovanni tiso,

    Should we adopt and lift fascist out of its European meaning for use here in Aotearoa, or should we make the effort to find another word?

    Fascist doesn't apply just to Italy or even just to Europe. I just mentioned Pinochet. There is a small 'f' fascism, the watered-down colloquial meaning that it's taken particularly in the United States to mean authoritarian tendencies of all kinds, but even there it seems to me it just identifies the speaker as somebody who likes to use big words instead of confronting people and ideas. I think we ought to strive for precision, words being quite important things.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg,

    Should we adopt and lift fascist out of its European meaning for use here in Aotearoa, or should we make the effort to find another word?

    Any other words you feel like adopting and lifting out of their European meanings? How about blue? Or green? Or democracy? Feel free to make up your own meanings to suit.

    Fascism has a meaning outside Europe if you want to look at it geographically.

    ETA: @Gio Snap! What he said - again.

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Actually, I think I might have a useful mental exercise to offer. If you're about to say that Rodney Hide is a Fascist, make yourself say that Helen Clark or Phil Goff are socialists first. And if you find that you just can't do it, it's probably better just to leave it there.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    That's not to say that Rodney had actually done that salute; but a photo of him stretching out his hand to make a point had been slightly skewed so that the hand went up, instead of out. The intention of the image maker was pretty clear and no-one without a shred of history could not mistake the image.

    It's a real, unmanipulated photo - and yes, it was used by the Standard and others to make associations with the ends-justify-the means dodginess that people are finding so hard to name. The shaved head must be tempting.

    I reckon focus on describing the behaviour and what it implies in concrete terms so more people can see it for what it its. Abstracted labels do not seem helpful here. If any child behaved this outrageously they would be told off forcefully and directly - try using some of that choice language instead.

    he was the prime engineer of the abrogation of democratic process in Canterbury

    No

    Smith and Carter's ECAN'T debacle

    Yes

    any programme of reform within that portfolio area must have the full backing of the whole Government

    Exactly

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    "One, two, three and a bit! Lockwood Smith is full of..."

    That was you? You sure left us hanging. Oh, now I get it...
    Is it time for a video, so we can all le'go and move on.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Fascism does not by definition have to be totalitarian or racist. As much Democracy does not have to be peaceful and not racist.
    It's an economic/political system of Government for the Corporation, rather than the People.

    I'ld love to hear a thoughtful analysis of what the system of governance is, if not fascist.

    I'm sure the pre-WWII US/UK/NZ etc Fascists would recognise this form of governance and applaud it as positive fascist governce.

    That said, have you seen the Search and Surveillance Bill?

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I'd love to hear a thoughtful analysis of what the system of governance is, if not fascist.

    I'm sure that might be interesting for you, but what difference would it make? How will you apply and share that understanding?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    enrolling Rangitoto College students for rallies down Queen Street in jack boots.

    Danielle, finally our time in the sun!

    At last! I've been waiting for nearly two decades for my miserable four years at that school to pay off. If only I hadn't sold my steel-toed boots in the mid-90s.

    Great meaning large or immense! We mean it in the pejorative sense!

    Rich, I declare you to be hilarious.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Rich, I declare you cant scan your own shout-

    all you have to do is add *is*

    "Great is meaning/large or immense!We mean it in/the perjorative sense!

    And cool! I'd chant that!

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

  • Islander,

    Just thinking - wasnt there an ANZ version of that song?

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

  • Islander,

    Dnaielle? Want some steel-toed boots? Have a pair, going for free...
    (41/size Euro9)

    -hey! your bub could grow into 'em!

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

  • Martin Lindberg,

    Fascism does not by definition have to be totalitarian or racist. As much Democracy does not have to be peaceful and not racist.
    It's an economic/political system of Government for the Corporation, rather than the People.
    I'ld love to hear a thoughtful analysis of what the system of governance is, if not fascist.

    This is getting boring now. Keep calling it fascist all you want. As far as I'm concerned it only makes you look like you don't know what you're talking about.

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    should we make the effort to find another word?

    Yes, we should. What am I supposed to call actual fascists if you keep calling every authoritarian right-winger a fascist?

    I'd prefer you didn't play Humpty Dumpty and found some other more accurate term, or invented one.

    Actually, what's wrong with corporatist? Eg, a defining characteristic of fascism is nationalism, which actually isn't present in the people you want to apply it to -- if anything, they're globalists of the sort actual fascists would despise.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Oh, I know eggheadonism. In a pejorative sense of course.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • ScottY,

    I can think of plenty of rude and unpleasant things to call Rodney Hide, but "fascist" wouldn't be one of them.

    I hate the word "fascist" (small "f", that is) because it means different things to different people. It's just a term of abuse that gets bandied about, and provides no insight whatsoever.

    Hide's economic liberalism is about as far away from fascism (whatever the hell that word actually means) as you can get.

    And has Godwin's Law been repealed?

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And if you find that you just can't do it, it's probably better just to leave it there.

    Hey, my meatdrive goes all blue screen of death trying to figure out how Barack Obama is single-handedly turning the US into an infanticidal Marxist-Leninist Caliphate. Square that circle if you dare, folks...

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

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Hidebound egghead leatherboy...
    I think he is more Face-ist - a real major-domeo
    or even Fascia-ist - like a wooden plank
    definitely Fatuous

    - Local government should be confined to the core activities that produce general public benefits, such as regulation, flood control and roads.

    ...and art

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Square that circle if you dare, folks

    I'd need a strong cup of tea

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Joshua Arbury,

    I'd prefer you didn't play Humpty Dumpty and found some other more accurate term, or invented one.

    Steven Joyce is Humpty Dumpty ;)

    I've had a more detailed look through the bill and it would seem as though Auckland Transport and the other CCOs will have to conduct their business in public, and we will be able to go along to their meetings.

    Phew. http://transportblog.co.nz/2010/05/25/will-the-ccos-be-able-to-operate-in-secret-or-not/

    Auckland • Since May 2009 • 237 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Islander, there definately is. I remember hearing it but can't recall the words. Will check with a few old hippies and see if they have it.

    Thanks Stephen. Not being a Pol Sci guy I've deffered to Wiki.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporatism

    But even Fascist Corporatism allows (in theory) for various levels of representation.

    But you're right of course, as this conversation has proved. Fascism is problematic when trying to define what is going on.

    I think Neofeudalism describes the current local government in Ecan & Auckland, with a large dose of Crony Capitalism on the National Front (ahem). Willing to be corrected

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    The word Fascism doesn't entirely fit, because it implies the use of lethal force as part of its raison d'ĂȘtre.

    What we have is more akin to gerrymandering and plutocracy, so neo-feudalism is more accurate, but not quite forceful enough of a word.

    So then... voilĂ !

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illiberal_democracy

    Think Singapore but without the saving graces.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    I like it.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Kiwi Version
    This Land is your Land, This Land is my Land,
    From Cape Reinga to Stewart Island.
    From the Kauri Forests to our Southern oceans,
    This Land belongs to you and me.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Ae, o yes!
    Last time I sang that was
    -0 too long ago-
    but I'm sure we can invent new/continuing verses- thanks Just thinking-

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

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