Posts by Don Christie
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I wonder, can Coddington read!
She says:
Ng alleges my statistics were wrong. He’s the one who’s mistaken. He uses “crime statistics” involving all Asians aged 0 to 99 to show “the number of offences attributed to Asians in 2001 was 3182. In 2005? 3182”, a difference of “precisely zero”.
My North & South article clearly stated: “Statistics New Zealand national apprehension figures from 1996 to 2005, total offences committed by Asiatics (not including Indian) [Statistics’ definition, not mine] aged 17 to 50 rose 53 per cent from 1791 to 2751.”Instead of covering just four years (as opposed to my decade) and all ages, Ng should compare like with like if he wants to successfully discredit my article.
Ng said
Fact 2: Between 1996 and 2005, the proportion of Asians in New Zealand rose from 3.8% of the population to 9.3%. Asian representation in crime statistics rose much more slowly than the Asian population.
Asians went from being under-represented in crime statistics by a factor of 2 to 1 to being under-represented by a factor of 3.7 to 1. Roughly speaking, this means that an Asian New Zealander is about a quarter as likely as the average person to be a criminal.
If that is not "like with like" I really don't know what is. Consider the original article completely discredited, over and over again.
Repeating a lie continuously and publicly does not make it less of a lie.
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Seeing as this has turned into a Bono slagging fest (sorry chaps, my fault) I did enjoy this delicious irony...Bono said the stylist's behaviour was "eccentric".
Because we all know pop stars like Bono are the epitome of sane rationalism. (Love the Jobs Blog, David.)
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Deborah (not the Coddington one this time) said:
I'm quite happy to run with the idea that Maori have a particular type of connection with this land, but actually, so do I. It's just different from the Maori connection, but no less morally valid.
Actually, in light of your previous comments regarding "stolen land" and an unequal distribution of resources I think Pakeha and other non-Maori connections to the land might be less morally valid. They might feel just as strong and be very important but they do not have the the same moral claim.
This is one of the reasons I am rethinking my personal stance on the foreshore legislation.
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And for those that got a little carried away with Bono's carols by cellphone light (cough, Russell, cough), here are U2's true copywrong colours shining through...
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Some people have noted, here and elsewhere, that the early discussion documents that preceded this bill did not raise the DRM issues we see here and hence there were no submissions opposing DRM legislation.
Something very similar happened with the reviewed software patent laws. MEDs initial discussion documents held little to concern those of us interested in that topic. The submissions process was essentially hijacked by IP lawyers and not a single software company or developer submitted. This despite that fact that our industrty was the one most affected by the changes (well, IP lawyers revenues were sharply increased, so maybe we were the second most).
The result was almost a 180 degree change around in the thrust of the legislation.
I am not sure what the process should be if such fundamental changes take place in the legislative process. Those that oppose the new direction look like dopes because they have missed the submissions process, but equally, if there are such fundamental changes from the original recommendations I wonder if an extended submissions process shouldn't be allowed.
I do not have an understanding of the mechanics of how legislation is passed so if anyone would care to educate me I would be grateful.
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all me a crooked kook, but how many people really give a crap what the law is on ripped tunes?
I do. I run a Linux (Ubuntu) distribution on all my computers. It is far more secure and user friendly than any Windows system. I like having a choice of what to put on *my* computers. I don't have a seperate DVD player or a very workable TV. I rent DVDs often. I have never copied a film.
DRM legislation in the USA already makes being able to play DVDs on my PC an extra step as the Ubuntu distributers are not allowed to distribute the necessary decryption software bundled with Linux in the USA.
This law will make playing those DVDs I rent on anything other than a Windows system illegal. It will criminalise my hitherto legitamate goal of wanting to watch what I have paid good money for.
That stinks.
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Ben, agreed, but on the other hand Scots do often have a strongish grasp of their history of displacement which reasonates with Maori and other peoples' displacement.
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The Highland Clearances were almost entirely conducted by the clan chiefs against their clansmen. Just because someone looks like you doesn't mean they're your friend!
Well, yes. Another thing Scots have to be careful about is pointing the finger of blame, the nearest Englishman is usually a bit of a cop-out. By then the traditional Clan structures had been smashed by forces loyal to a foriegn monarchy.
Whatever the reasons, the fact remains the clearances took place and were absolutely devastating to the indigenous population.
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Good God, this must be about the only forum I have heard this kind of discussion take place intelligently and thoughtfully.
Thank you Russell and crew.
My less than intelligent contribution is this indiginous debate is this:
I was broadly supportive of the foreshore legislation as I find many of the claims to "private ownership" of what are clearly public places distasteful. I also believe that much of this private ownership is held by settler farmers who guard their "rights" so jealously.
The reaction by Maori has surprised me and educated me. My views are changing on this issue and I suspect others might be reconsidering as well.
As a person of Scottish heritage I find it very difficult understand how, with the bitter knowledge of the land clearances, fellow "colonists" of Scottish heritage don't have more sympathy for the plight of colonised people anywhere.
Finally, back to good old Deborah...
Statistics NZ projections put the Asian population at 860,000 in 20 years, just 10,000 fewer than Maori. Is this what the tangata whenua envisage?
Actually, from what NZ history I have read many foresighted Maori were envisaging being swamped by peoples and cultures from overseas. Seems to me it probably didn't matter too much whether people came from Europe or other parts of the world.
That's why they signed the Treaty! That's why their leaders worked (and still work) so hard to ensure Maori would be able to cope with the coming influx and hold their own in what they envisaged would be a rapidly changing world.
I stand to be corrected and re-educated on all the above :-)
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I can see the next tui billboard already:
I shouldn't, but I can't help myself...
How about one of those red|blue billboards worded thusly:
Honest | Don