Posts by Don Christie

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  • Hard News: #GE2015: Proper Mad, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    If it was, probably way beyond the comprehension of most Sun readers.

    But the ploy of constantly showing public figures in "ugly" photos is deliberate. I even read about the tactic in Dirty Politics.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Anzac Day II,

    I was brought on on a narrative of WW1 as a war of sickening slaughter, terribly lead and fought for no good reason. The almost inevitable result of jingoism out of control.

    *Personally* I don't think this defines NZ. My own views about that include:

    The indigenous Māori population - very influential despite the abuses.
    Treaty of Waitangi
    Votes for Women
    40 hour working week
    The horror of WW1
    The All Blacks
    UK joining the European Union
    Being a Pacific Island
    The Weather/wind
    Rogernomics
    Immigrants from across the globe
    Historic links to the UK

    I hope the above is not contentious or offensive. I just think it more to define a nation than participation in war.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Haphazardly to war, in reply to Rich Lock,

    I read that Atlantic article before seeing the New Yorker response. I thought the former was awful for many of the reasons the New Yorker pointed out.

    I didn't read the latter in the same light. It talked about self fulfilling prophesies, poor reasoning and a narrative that puts "the West" at war with Islam...not shutting up in case you upset people.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Women, science and superheroes,

    Thanks for this initiative. Very inspiring. As per above, I hope forgiveness for the following...

    If you have daughters (and sons) interested in open source technologies please do consider telling them about the "Catalyst Open Source Academy". It's been going for over 5 years and we are seeing over 50% participation from young women. http://catalyst.net.nz/show-and-tell/blog/five-years-catalyst-open-source-academy

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Losing cultural treasures under…,

    Thank you for this.

    To put it another way...

    No man is an island,
    Entire of itself,
    Every man is a piece of the continent,
    A part of the main.
    If a clod be washed away by the sea,
    Europe is the less.
    As well as if a promontory were.
    As well as if a manor of thy friend's
    Or of thine own were:
    Any man's death diminishes me,
    Because I am involved in mankind,
    And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
    It tolls for thee.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Word of the Year 2014: #dirtypolitics,

    James Keating, also won a hamper by having his name drawn from the list of Word of the Year voters.

    Recount...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: We're in this together,

    Thanks Russell. Have a great summer.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Access: Phillip Hughes: a personal reflection, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Thanks Russell. I did see that video at the time. My concern was not so much with the immediate reaction but a total silence from the more general NZ cricket community about another near death incident.

    I did read that Reason article. It was pretty shit. Not because of the underlying points but because of the way he constantly wants to lay the sporting woes of the world at NZ's feet and twists facts to suit that narrative.

    I do love cricket, I was brought up on the Windies smashing England and loved them for it. But it was Lloyd and Richards that I particularly admired (although Joel "Big Bird" Garner was pretty amazing).

    That said, I still hate bouncers.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Access: Phillip Hughes: a personal reflection,

    That’s core to cricket and shouldn’t be reduced say by banning the bouncer

    Why not? It's a cowardly act whose intent is to maim or worse. Maybe we should re-introduce spear tackles to rugby.

    Note that the Blackcaps nearly killed a Pakistani cricketer a couple of weeks ago, any reaction in NZ?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: An Open Letter To David Cunliffe,

    I'd love to see you write an open letter to Clayton Cosgrove.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

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