Of the comments about my comment I have no comment other than to say I thought it remarkable that contributors to Public Address would try to get me in trouble with my employer by telling on me – an interesting approach to debate.

Interesting failure to account for the content…

And since I haven't got into trouble yet for voicing my opinions I may be forced to conclude that the publishers of the Herald are more tolerant of debate than some contributors to this discussion.

Interesting failure to account for the content of said opinion and to, you know, debate…

Ah, another quality journalistic outing by Ms Meng-Yee. She does call them "the very model of a modern couple" if you were questioning the applicability of 'family'.

Well, I'd love a peek at the Herald on Sunday style book, and find out when a "girlfriend" becomes a "partner". Perhaps I've…

Funny how these self-made champions of individualism from the right claim that they need extra on top of those generous taxpayer-funded salaries to 'keep their families together'. Very Crosby/Textor.

But don't forget Louise Crome is just a home-wrecking Lolita — which is very something.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3019442/Wife-disputes-hooker-bill

Where is the snake and apple in this?
There is plenty of judgemental moralising.

Sure there are rorts all round, but some of them are more hypocritical and cynical than others

some are just deeply ingrained in the culture,
a colonial hangover from when all that rort irony was transported to the colonies as ballast (although much of it was later…

whats the difference between an unemployed defacto couple with kids misrepresenting their situation to WINZ with regards to living together so they can claim separate benefits cos they cant survive on a married couples one and the bill english thing ?

None at heart. Though as you say, it seems…

I thought Hones walk-about in Oz was a good use of his time and made a few good connections. I disagree with him on a number of issues but I love his honesty, he hides nothing.

Wasn't meant as a bitch,just that he often comments that way. However he is…

Uh, I didn't read that into it at all. Aren't they mainly interested because of his previous incarnation as "perk-buster"?

I thought Mike Hosking challenged Hide rather vigourously last night on TV1.Hide's logic though would have my wife's trip paid for by my school next time I go to an…

whats the difference between an unemployed defacto couple with kids misrepresenting their situation to WINZ with regards to living together so they can claim separate benefits cos they cant survive on a married couples one and the bill english thing ?

he's…

And if I don't communicate exactly what I mean first time, then the odds that the fault…

well, I've been in hours-long discussions with my PhD supervisors over my use of the word 'essential' as an unsuitable synonym for 'necessary' and appreciated the point they had to make, so a few minutes spent over quote marks is nothing to me.

The fact is I have…

fuck bill english! as if cheerleeading for the kiwi worker and general populace on public tv will make us forget what a greedy cunt he is for re working parliamentary entitlements to…

Well by Atropos' shears, it is, as you well know, a common convention to use quote marks in that manner to indicate sarcasm too.

Fair enough — but you've been around PAS for a while. If I wanted to pimp-slap an unqualified (or dubiously relevant) rent-a-quote, wouldn't I use something…

by Cthulhu's many-angled nutsack

Though not that elequently.

If that was not your intention, I apologise, but you do use sarcastic ad hominem phrasing rather a lot as a substitute for actual engagement with…

I happen to know Claire and the use of the quote marks implies an undeserved and cheap sneer.

Oh by Cthulhu's many-angled nutsack, Kracklite — it's an orthographic convention to throw quote marks around... well, a quote.

By the bye, I was sneering at NZPA's Maggie Tait – no quote…

It seemed a dubious trip at the time — the fact that he took along his girlfriend at taxpayers' expense makes it more so.

Aren't they mainly interested because of his previous incarnation as "perk-buster"?

And his disobeyance of the prime minister's directive.

The Herald having ago at Hide for travelling with his girlfriend is too much infomantion. The obvious age difference might be seen that he is using this as an inducement for her to…

Did NZPA's Maggie Tait canvas any other media "experts" besides Claire Robinson

I happen to know Claire and the use of the quote marks implies an undeserved and cheap sneer. Her PhD is in precisely the subject she is addressing, political marketing. She has very long career experience in business…

all at the same time-has the fingerprints of that disgusting set of political machinists all over it-

And didn't Sue Bradford express that so well. A women of integrity. I will miss her.

(o, in 2050)

all at the same time-has the fingerprints of that disgusting set of political machinists all over it-

Doesn't make it any less shit. I just feel like a lot, perhaps most of middle NZ has bought into this crap, and we need someone who will shake them out of it.

Perhaps when the police start taking their DNA for traffic offences. But IIRC they're already doing that,…

But thats all there is to it... a perception that its promotional.

Which is also my point about the TVNZ7 banner ad at the top of the this page. Yes, it moves on, but the first image is a smiling Bill English, with the caption "get it in plain english"…

Did NZPA's Maggie Tait canvas any other media "experts" besides Claire Robinson to either provide 'balance' or at least present her opinion as being representative? Or was this a case of reprinting a press release, or selecting your "expert" to lend authority to an already determined angle?

I don't…

I dont beleive at all that it was a put up job or that political influence was exerted or any of that crap.

I don't think anyone's seriously suggesting that it was. That doesn't mean that it's not innappropiiate and shouldn't be pulled.

Tinkerbell? Darling, if you're going to be a bitch couldn't you come up with…

Its pretty simple really.... while all of us here at PAS are so incredibly intelligent, and never confuse correlation with causation.... advertising is frequently aimed a little lower...

If the statements about the improved economy and quicker…

How long, and under what circumstances, is the sample kept? And who is it available to?

If you want a failure of journalism, that's it right there.

But the next time I act like an utter douche, I'll certainly trot out Vidal's apologia for Bill Clinton:

When he claimed, “I didn’t have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky,” he was totally accurate.

You believe him?…

I’ve certainly never heard that take on the story before.

If you want a failure of journalism, that's it right there.

You couldn't have said that at the start of your post? Man, I just ate!

Great minds think alike — but I thought it just as the edit button vanished back into the ether. :)

Enjoy, but I'd recommend not doing it on a full stomach.

You couldn't have said that at the start of your post? Man, I just ate!

Just a small taste to whet you appetite:

**In September, director Roman…

If it comes to that, what about mandatory fingerprinting of all adults, just in case? Would you have a problem with that? Why? Surely only the guilty have something to fear?

Hang on a minute. I wasn't suggesting that at all.

Also, you get fingerprinted after being arrested, this would…

Scott A:

Why exactly shouldn't Public Address carry advertising for TVNZ7?

Wrong colour tie.

Seems to me with this flag thing that people are just pissed that it's the wrong brand of death.

Labour MP David Cunliffe was to send a letter to TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis today about what he called a taxpayer funded promotion for the Minister of Finance.

"The promotion should either stop or balance should be provided," he said.

[...]…

Why exactly shouldn't Public Address carry advertising for TVNZ7?

DeepRed:

What the Grammar boys did was utterly moronic, but at the same time the media had a bad case of Prolefeed.

One's a knuckle sandwich, and the other's a kick in the balls.

And neither is remotely like…

More engaging, but still bloody annoying. Yes, ping the media for grotesque over-kill but can that be done without sneering at people who I think have perfectly legitimate reasons to be repulsed?

What the Grammar boys did was utterly moronic, but at the same time the media had a bad…

There are other metaphors than sexual ones.

Why is Public Address running an advertisment for Bill English as it's banner ad?

James's Editing the Herald post made Finlay's argument in more engaging fashion.

More engaging, but still bloody annoying. Yes, ping the media for grotesque over-kill but can that be done without sneering at people who I think have perfectly legitimate reasons to be repulsed?

And could James please STFU with…

James's Editing the Herald post made Finlay's argument in more engaging fashion. It also has a headline I wish I'd thought of: Grammar nazis.

James also linked to this blog post, which is such a crime against language as to make me want to personally…

NO! leave it out, He's 'avin' a laff.

It's your turn now, lady. The horrible thing about a Parliamentary democracy is that, sooner or later, those other bastards are going to have the numbers. Damn it.

To be completely fair

NO! leave it out, He's 'avin' a laff.

Labour voted for it too, and in this case the Maori Party stood up for something principled. So the representatives of around 88% of NZ voted for this.

To be completely fair (and for Sofie's information), the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill did go before a select committee rather…

we no longer have.

Never had. A test case I suppose would be the right to be anonomous.They have my fingerprints and who knows what else . I am just fortunate enough to like me myself and I and have no problem defending my right to be me. Doesn't mean…

Labour voted for it too

Spineless pricks.

I just feel like a lot, perhaps most of middle NZ has bought into this crap, and we need someone who will shake them out of it.

Unfortunately, this can only happen in an informed society, which we no longer have. (And don't…

but isn't compulsory DNA gathering and storing for suspects the same as fingerprinting?

Also, you get fingerprinted after being arrested, this would be before.

I don't have a problem with DNA in principle, but it should be taken under an order from an external agency such as a judge, or…

'ang on! Can we take the "we" and shove it right back where it originated this time please? The MUFNACT Party have consistently shoved under urgency with the usual cringe argh vomit of "that's what we campaigned on" and "we won" crapaholic justification.

Labour voted for it too, and in…

.Okay, I've just had a look at the legislation.

There are problems, but it isn't as bad as it could be.

See right there .You will believe, it will be ok, don't panic. I mean it's not about me right? Yeah right.
You know what, coming through Oz from Dubai,…

I've not seen the whole ad, but does anyone who has think that it advocates support for a candidate or for a political party?

Okay, now I've watched the promo in question, I'd say: yes.

I think Duncan Garner got it about right this time, [[http://www.3news.co.nz/Bill-English-and-the-telly/tabid/367/articleID/127236/cat/84/Default.aspx|when he gave his assessment…

We've just given that power to the police to access that information from absolutely anyone they want.

'ang on! Can we take the "we" and shove it right back where it originated this time please? The MUFNACT Party have consistently shoved under urgency with the usual cringe argh vomit of…

There are problems, but it isn't as bad as it could be. There appears to be no information sharing capability, and the officer performing the DNA extraction has to hand the person a form with a number of pieces of information…

Seriously, I find this extension of Police & other departments' powers very worrying.

What, effectively, can I do about it?

the stick i rememba moist in NZ was that of the man from said
"dna squad" who obliged me to run his around my gums for about 10 minutes before i was allowed to take delivery of my replacement passport and leave yr country..

whole biz proceeded from incident of…

This isn't a well thought-out question, and I will probably regret it, but isn't compulsory DNA gathering and storing for suspects the same as fingerprinting? Is it the sense that the DNA is more personal, and the gathering more intrusive? Just saying...

DNA contains a huge amount of information about…

the stick i rememba moist in NZ was that of the man from said
"dna squad" who obliged me to run his around my gums for about…

And in reference to my comments up thread…

Christ on a stick.

Nearly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw5eTaGSKPc

Doing-things-to-criminals (or suspected/alledged) doesn't seem to get too much challenged, but in this case it may have been enhanced by liberal use of parliamentary urgency. After it passing being generally considered too late for the debate.

I am willing to bet any reasonable sum of money that at least one…

But you see Phil Goff is tough on criminals, so he was hardly going to object even apart from the political difficulties.

He's too busy waiting for John Key's gloss to come off – it's a full time job that.

The Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill allows police to collect DNA from people they 'intend to charge', and to match it against samples from unsolved crimes.

But you see Phil Goff is tough on criminals, so he was hardly going to object even…

You'd be forgiven for not noticing, because 'Ad-gate' was apparently a more important political story than Parliament giving Police powers to forcibly take DNA from alleged criminals without consent or judicial approval.

Abso-fucken-lutely. How about for one second we all take off our Duncan Garner Halloween masks and realise that…

Well you could apply that to a fair few people in parliament who opened their mouths and still got elected.

A list as long as my arm.

Like Craig, I wonder how seeing Bill English speak would encourage people to support National.

Well you could apply that to a fair few people in parliament who opened their mouths and still got elected.

Thanks. Sincerely.

Not a good election advert, but I can see how people made the link. Just tenuous that it will help National's brand, or advertise the TV show.

Like Craig, I wonder how seeing Bill English speak would encourage people to support National.

Your mileage may vary, but that's [the passing of the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill] the real media scandal today IMO. (And FWIW, I'm seriously tempted to cast my next party vote for the Greens or Maori Party.)

I agree, and I'm also considering voting for the Greens next…

How exactly? Serious question.

up until about 18 seconds its 'we have been underperforming [the previous lot], we can do better, we can beat those aussies'. And then the 'together us kiwis can do it'.

Plus the party leader standing there talking to you with the music in the background.…

The hoary old chestnut of where to draw the line between free speech and hate speech.

I'm not sure David's case comes down to the line between "free speech and hate speech", but interesting article nonetheless, DeepRed. Ursula Cheer was, of course, right.

Slowly, slowly catchy monkey. :)

Who told you I bite, jerk off in public and throw my own bodily waste at children? Lies, all lies!

(And FWIW, I'm seriously tempted to cast my next party vote for the Greens or Maori Party.)

Slowly, slowly catchy monkey. :)

Does anybody else think it's unfortunate that an ad branded 'Plain English' contains the phrase "us Kiwis can do do it"?

Yes? But then again, literacy is pure gravy.

Let the Tories be Tories, you know, what harm could they possibly do?

Damn... you mean I have to start letting the Labour caucus into my VRWC cocktail parties. Oh, well — Igor, more chipolatas in the cauldron, or I won't beat you anymore!

In this case, I doubt it.

…

How exactly? Serious question.

In this case, I doubt it.

BTW, anyone else think a massive expansion of Police powers passed under urgency was the slightly more important political story today?

No, we like bullshit process stories, that's what being the party in opposition is all about. Let the Tories be Tories, you know, what harm could they possibly do?

It looks like a party political broadcast

How exactly? Serious question.

BTW, anyone else think a massive expansion of Police powers passed under urgency was the slightly more important political story today?

People who haven't seen it and – Lord save us – want to, the video is on Scoop for the moment.

What it is is a really bad advert. It looks like a party political broadcast, which is the last thing you want if you want people to watch the…

People who haven't seen it and – Lord save us – want to, the video is on Scoop for the moment.

Probably just myself.

Interesting – I had no memory of the last few seconds. I don't know if my brain had clouded over or it actually wan't there. Last few seconds probably…

OT: Just a reminder that Sue Bradford will be delivering a valedictory in Parliament at 5:40 this afternoon.

Might also be worth reminding people that Bradford, her fellow Greens and the Maori Party were only people who voted against this abortion of a bill becoming law today.

A reminder why…

That is all.

(Keith might have some insight into why I have…

And sorry, but mind-control lasers are just cooler. Though how a laser is supposed to control the mind (other than by, say, threatening to boil it in your skull) is an interesting question.

Like this.

Damn. I wrote a whole post and you nailed it in half a sentence.

I've had lots of practice yelling it at the computer.

while that's true as far as it goes, it's also true that people who lower their voices and speak in the honeyed tones of civility are more likely to be listened to by people whose esteem is worth spit

Well, pretty much. I don't actually disagree that the whole thing…

equating freedom of expression to some kind of freedom from consequences.

Damn. I wrote a whole post and you nailed it in half a sentence.

I wouldn't know. Personally, I've yet to be wrong on the internet ...

Hey, I've never been wrong, just a bit of a phallic object. :)

Yes, I've debated Edwards once. I don't think that man is made for the Internet.

Ah yes.. wasn't that an experience and a half?

From experience, being figuratively slapped upside the head when you've been an utter penis in a semi-public place is a *cough* useful learning experience, if approached in the right spirit when your virtual ears stop ringing. :)

I wouldn't know. Personally, I've yet to be wrong on the internet ...…

I see you're raisin the stakes there.

Rofflenui!

A thousand comments! (more like three or four thousand but whatever.) Now, where's my PAS platinum card?

If you're going to use a pun it's much better if it's a current pun.

I see you're raisin the stakes there.

If you're going to use a pun it's much better if it's a current pun.

Mmmm. Lightly toasted, with a dollop of butter. Delicious!

[From the Herald:] A TVNZ spokeswoman, Andi Brotherston... said the creative unit at TVNZ chose Mr English partly because of the pun on his name in the series’ title “Plain English”.

Ah, the pun. The first refuge of the junior advertising copywriter.

If you're going to use a pun it's…

It's a discussion forum, for goodness sake.

From experience, being figuratively slapped upside the head when you've been an utter penis in a semi-public place is a *cough* useful learning experience, if approached in the right spirit when your virtual ears stop ringing. :)

But doesn’t the holier-than-thou self-righteous Calder excoriation that’s followed rather prove his (and Finlay’s) point?

Really? I don't think anyone's being holier-than-thou. It's called criticism. Adults do that to each other, and generally avoid being unduly precious when it happens to them.

Everyone falling over themselves to be…

Yes he can — but if those views include paranoid Jew-baiting can I point, laugh, and ask whether he'd care to explain how the RSA and the management of the Auckland War Memorial Museum are part of the Jewish Guilt Machine?

It's the blood of the Lost Tribes fizzing righteously…

Oh Idiot, I'm afraid that we of the global Jewish lobby have been poisoning your bagels with addictive mind control drugs for some time now.

I thought that was mayonaise?

And sorry, but mind-control lasers are just cooler. Though how a laser is supposed to control the mind (other than…

Oh Idiot, I'm afraid that we of the global Jewish lobby have been poisoning your bagels with addictive mind control drugs for some time now.

These bagels with the drugs in them: any good for parties?

Oh Idiot, I'm afraid that we of the global Jewish lobby have been poisoning your bagels with addictive mind control drugs for some time now.

Cream cheese also makes me fat but it's soooo goood. Damn you, evil Elders of Zion for warping my mind and chunking up my muffin…

Where to start?

First, is there a Jewish lobby? To my reasonably certain knowledge we are riven with internicine strife, and nobody gets to speak for every one.

And, frankly, there aren't a hell of a lot of you.

It's no secret (and shouldn't be) that Kadimah delivers quite a…

Yes he can — but if those views include paranoid Jew-baiting can I point, laugh, and ask whether he'd care to explain how the RSA and the management of the Auckland War Memorial Museum are part of the Jewish Guilt Machine?

Mind-control lasers. Definitely mind-control lasers. Nothing else could explain…

Nevertheless, is it racist or anti-Semitic to claim the Jewish lobby exudes more influence, globally, than, their Palestinian equivalent (whilst acknowledging The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a crock)?

Not at all. Nothing beats the Christian male caucasian lobby though – those guys are worth ten times the…

As for Eric Keley's supposed "lack of awareness of the historical context" on Morning Report today, he unsurprisingly wasn't having a bar of insinuations that TVNZ7's news and current affairs operation was not only grossly partisan — but as Graeme has rather nicely pointed out, broke the law.

I did…

Lucy: Sometime you've got to use ugly language to describe ugly people acting like opportunistic jerks.

Aw, crap — got to fisk my own butt there, because while that's true as far as it goes, it's also true that people who lower their voices and speak in the honeyed tones…

Lucy: Sometime you've got to use ugly language to describe ugly people acting like opportunistic jerks

So long as you can say you'd use the same language if the shoe was on the other foot and it it was English hounding Cullen — which I think would have been the…

is it racist or anti-Semitic to claim the Jewish lobby exudes more influence, globally, than, their Palestinian equivalent (whilst acknowledging The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a crock)?

Where to start?

First, is there a Jewish lobby? To my reasonably certain knowledge we are riven with internecine strife,…

[From the Herald:] A TVNZ spokeswoman, Andi Brotherston... said the creative unit at TVNZ chose Mr English partly because of the pun on his name in the series’ title “Plain English”.

‘Plain English’.…

I was hoping we could separate disscussion over the validity of this from tasteless irrelevancies, but whatever. Tone successfully lowered.

Lucy: Sometime you've got to use ugly language to describe ugly people acting like opportunistic jerks. Personally, I'm a little more interested in what the Finance spokesman of our main…

I know the Calder a little and was surprised at his comments (assuming they were indeed his).

If the Herald office is like some offices I've known, leaving an unlocked, unattended computer logged into any forum can be an embarrassment waiting to happen, depending on your coworkers...

"mainstream" channels have quietly (and sometimes publicly) been labeled "marshmallows" when they have tried to introduce mainstream concepts like balance, fairness and accuracy into MTS' news and current affairs programmes.

You mean the concepts that make the mainstream channels the beacons of journalism and cultural commentary that we have come…

I'd like 'good at their jobs' to be the prime requirement for employment.

But surely, having some idea of the country you are coming to beyond a generic love 100% pure LOTR is part of being "good at your job"?

But I accept that the state broadcaster is such in…

Everyone here lauds the way MTV reflects Maori culture, without making the obvious connection that they do so with a staff recruited almost entirely from the community they serve, and that that is seen as important part of the job description within that organisation.

Just quietly, some of the senior…

Oh, I'm sorry Lucy. I guess I've missed what the Labour Party's finance spokesman has had to say on matters economic today. Far too busy pissing his pants over a party political broadcast that only exists in his imagination.

I was hoping we could separate disscussion over the validity of…

Labour should go back to digging around his house, that had traction at least

...mental image of Cunliffe and Mallard trudging up Messines Road of a dark evening, shovels at parade rest...

whether David Cunliffe

You'd never know it from the banner ads plus TV commercials (135!!!) but Cunliffe and a third MP are apparently to debate English on the first program.

BSA? The pathetically weak ASA? Come on.

Far more effective scrutiny has been achieved in 24 hours through the media…

I believe that when recruiting for roles such as his, within a state institution with a cultural focus, a criteria should be an understanding of the local culture, and it social and political history.

For starters, we don't have that charter thing no more. You're making a role for TVNZ…

Craig seems to pretty much fill the bill with his usual intemperate finger pointing accusations of racism.

Tom: Thanks for the usual troll-ish attempt at derailing the discussion by accusing others of your own sins, but I'm not going to take the bait. Eric Kearley's nationality is so far from…

Time to get back to reality........Its a good one too. Maybe time for all ethnic bashers to take a good hard look at themselves and figure out is it really worth it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M

I'll be intrigued to see whether David Cunliffe — and his party — have any actual economic policy or ideas beyond "Bill English sucks donkey dick." Stranger things have happened...

As much as your party has ideas beyond satanic worship of the Free Market, how does that work for you?

Frankly, I was not impressed. I shall not be watching.

I'll be intrigued to see whether David Cunliffe — and his party — have any actual economic policy or ideas beyond "Bill English sucks donkey dick." Stranger things have happened...

Wow, didn't that escalate quickly towards Total Thermonuclear Devastation.

Wow, I must realise that in addition to reading the bits of the newspaper that interest me,…

And I'm not presently concerned with theorising about how it happened

Um, Lyndon, when allegations are being thrown around that the Finance Minister (who happens to be a shareholding minister in TVNZ) is guilty of political interference in the editorial operations of a state owned broadcaster, I think such "theorising"…

And I'm not presently concerned with theorising about how it happened, I just don't think running promos which are, as far as the viewer can tell, for Bill English is on.

I was going to comment, but Craig seems to have this one in hand.

Well, there's certainly more than enough to ping TVNZ's moribund news and current affairs operation for, without demanding an audit of staff's birth certificates.

As for Eric Keley's supposed "lack of awareness of the historical context"…

This is certainly one of those times when your moderator comes in to remind people that it's healthy to attack an argument with which you strongly disagree, not so to personally attack the person making it.

Argh, yes. I had gone through a convoluted reasoning in my head (could y'all…

Anyhoo – next time there's ever a show about kids TV in NZ – get some of the people at the coalface in.

I take your point but feel reassured that I have worked at 'the coal face' in a research sense, in that I have done considerable research (with…

His lack of awareness of the historical context of the advertisment is an indictment of our continual use of foreigners to oversee programming on our state run TV channels

I was going to comment, but Craig seems to have this one in hand.

pantywaist? who on earth uses 'pantywaist' in normal conversation

From now on, me whenever remotely feasible. Almost as good as 'lickspittle'.

As you can see, this has struck a nerve with me!
Anyhoo – next time there's ever a show about kids TV in NZ – get some of the people at the coalface in.

Thanks Katie — your comments there are useful to me as I'm writing questions. But we…

So, if it were an official party political broadcast: what would be different?

Why don't you put that question to the Electoral Commission? David Cunliffe apparently doesn't want to, and I've got to admit he's been pretty adroit in not making an upfront allegation that TVNZ7 not only displayed partisan…

So, if it were an official party political broadcast: what would be different?

But as a critic I'm sure he can deal with it.

Opinions yes. Race-based crap, no. Did you really need to ask?

Righto. I think I bow out of PAS at this point.

Can't he express an opinion that differs from yours without being subjected to personal attacks like the above?

Yes he can — but if those views include paranoid Jew-baiting can I point, laugh, and ask whether he'd care to explain how the RSA and the management of the Auckland War…

an opinion that differs

Opinions yes. Race-based crap, no. Did you really need to ask?

Gotta remeber this journalists career has followed the path where he now write resturant reviews, not indepth investigations. Why I've never heard about his novel about a 50yr old man travelling with his 80yr old mother before means he is an obvious victim of a conspiracy.

All this hounding of…

Paul Holmes anyone???

John Cleese is far too tall...

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/20080329

I can't work out if his racist rant is an honestly held position or a cynical conversational hand grenade dropped on the thread as he left it.
Trying to put logic to it is probably the wrong thing to do anyway.

Gotta…

Reminds me of.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sstrj15XpWQ

Paul Holmes anyone???

Interesting; thanks.

However, Kim Hill has lived here since she was fifteen, was educated here and therefore I find your criticism of her rather unfair.

But she's a foreigner, Tom and while we're on the subject we should stop sending journalists overseas to ruin perfectly good media outlets like the BBC, Al-Jazeera…

I am glad you agree with me about Mr. Kearley.

However, Kim Hill has lived here since she was fifteen, was educated here and therefore I find your…

His lack of awareness of the historical context of the advertisment is…

(I am kidding, but an ignorant steer of a man would deserve a beastly disease...)(However, the cattle dont.)

Peter A – what my mother found with Tai Chi was a realisation of body boundaries & tipping points. Especislly after one of…

If the Grammar boys had been taking the piss out of Maori (remember the engineers' haka party?)

Thirty years on, yes — the anniversary was still news this year. I'm not sure that serves your argument well.

Mind you, it's a very poor argument to begin with.

Wearing my scientist's hat I understand that, while the fall prevention program had some effectiveness tai chi is better and the stats are firm on that one. I can see the mechanism too. Walking is a very linear activity and if your exercise consists of walking carefully…

Hey, I don't want people to feel persecuted at work for things they say on their own time, even if they are hateful and stupid.

Agreed.

I don't want people to feel persecuted at work for things they say on their own time

Same. It's not like an elected public position. Doesn't mean Peter can't be accountable right here for what he has said.

Suck my 'roids

New levels of eewww. That's rare talent.

The unsayable thing is that the endless power of the Jewish community, whose spokespeople walk caroeted corridors of the corporate world not the mean streets) to maintain the outrage rings bells on newsdesks.

Oh read your own fucking newspaper, you stupid stupid little man. The "outrage bells" seemed to have…

The unsayable thing is that the endless power of the Jewish community, whose spokespeople walk caroeted corridors of the corporate world not the mean streets) to maintain the outrage rings bells on newsdesks.

You seem to have managed to say it quite easily, but in fact I think it's not…