Hard News: What to Do?
315 Responses
First ←Older Page 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 13 Newer→ Last
-
I'm somewhat surprised by the lack of play given to Key's statement - which was relatively unambiguous for Key, and basically said he (and thus the government) is going to ignore the vote.
Although in explaining his own intention not to vote, he made a contradictory comment to the effect that it was time for politicians to listen to the people.
Imagine some alternative universe in which HC was still PM, and made the first comment:
"Arrogant Clark set to defy will of voters!"
"Democracy under attack yet again!!"
And that would just be the Herald. Imagine Kiwibog.
-
Who wants to sign my petition "Should purple monkey dishwasher sleep furiously?"
-
Rich, you have a lot of faith in politicians. Knock 10% off John Key's poll ratings and suddenly the issue might look a lot more attractive.
Might also begin looking a damn sight more attractive to Phil Goff if his polling stays in the crapper. It's also not totally beyond the realms of possibility that Viggo Mortensen will shag my brains out if I ask him nicely.
In short, please vote Yes. Anything else leaves the door open, and there are plenty willing to give it a push.
Oh RLY? Sorry to tell you this, but you can ignore this CIR and the bill can always be repealed the moment more than half the House gives their assent. Still not seeing that a non-binding referenda and a question apparently cooked up by a million drunk monkeys with a million Blackberrys makes a lot of difference either way.
-
Who wants to sign my petition "Should purple monkey dishwasher sleep furiously?"
Ecstatic pi trout.
-
<quote>In short, please vote Yes. Anything else leaves the door open, and there are plenty willing to give it a push.<?quote>
I have to agree. Whilst the question is patently ludicrous, the need to register fundamental opposition to "smacking" children out weighs my distate with the process.
-
I wonder what other fair and balanced referendum questions are even now being drawn up...
'Should refusing to pay tax, since really it's just legalised theft and will only be wasted on bludgers and government paper-pushers, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?'
-
I'll be making the case in my PAR piece this week for spoiling the ballot.
Which is when? The last couple of weeks the time slot has been occupied by an oxygen gobbling sports broadcaster...
-
I have to agree. Whilst the question is patently ludicrous, the need to register fundamental opposition to "smacking" children out weighs my distate with the process.
Great, so with the very best of intentions you're legitimating a process that is fundamentally ridiculous?
-
Should income tax be reduced by 10% and public spending increased as part of a prudent and responsible economic policy?
or just
Are you a moron?
-
Given the rhetoric, anything less than 75% No will be a Fail (n) for the perpetrators. And the stated views of Key and Goff and security of the current law for another few years mean that sending a message on stupidity of the wording doesn't seem so necessary. So a Yes vote does seem the way to go.
Personally, I found the 'parental correction' quirk and the absence of 'child' in the wording to be helpful. My elderly mother can be rather irritating and makes a lot of errors especially when her hearing aids aren't on, but if I were to correct her with a smack ?Agreed that is and should be a criminal offence, even if one unlikely to be prosecuted. So Yes. Easy
-
I keep reading it as parenteral correction.
I prefer to think of it as being "a light smack for Panteral correction". I.e. for the purposes of correcting Pantera.
-
Oh RLY? Sorry to tell you this, but you can ignore this CIR and the bill can always be repealed the moment more than half the House gives their assent.
Given that the only MPs you can absolutely rely on to vote against changing the legislation are the Greens, does it not make sense to at least think about how other MPs are going to evaluate the outcome of the referendum ?
If it appears that the electorate at large are supportive of a law change, then that's the direction in which the political winds will blow.
If you want to make a statement against changing the law, the ONLY option is a YES vote. If you want to make a statement against this referendum or other referendums in general by spoiling the ballot, be my guest, but spare any pretence that such action is in any way defending the current law that protects children from violence.
-
Perhaps we could charge everyone $50 when they turn up to vote at the ballot box as well. $10,000 if you want to run as a candidate, $1 million more if you want to run as a party.
We could balance the books on this whole democracy thing!This is definitely a good idea provided we make it clear that votes for candidates are non-binding and that a vote means that you are saying yes to the proposition that you may or may not support their proposed intention of entering Parliament.
-
Great, so with the very best of intentions you're legitimating a process that is fundamentally ridiculous?
Yup, seems like the best option to me. It feels like a case where silence (including spoiled ballots) will be interpreted as apathay.
-
Should income tax be reduced by 10% and public spending increased as part of a prudent and responsible economic policy?
That sounds awfully similar to United Future's economic policies!
-
I prefer to think of it as being "a light smack for Panteral correction". I.e. for the purposes of correcting Pantera.
I think that takes more than a light smack. Perhaps 'for the purposes of correcting the amount of ash on the end of my panatela'.
-
Yup, seems like the best option to me. It feels like a case where silence (including spoiled ballots) will be interpreted as apathay.
F@ck. I really wanted to spoil that ballot.
-
Should income tax be reduced by 10% and public spending increased as part of a prudent and responsible economic policy?
Correction: it was "spending maintained" in the referendum on the Labour Government last year.
-
At least the question has no double negatives, could you imagine;
"Should a smack as part of good parental correction not not be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
-
Yup, seems like the best option to me. It feels like a case where silence (including spoiled ballots) will be interpreted as apathay.
That's one thing I was wondering about. As I said on his blog, Dennis Welch's advice of not voting at all will contribute to a low turn out, which will, as you say, be seen more as an indication of apathy than of protest or dissatisfaction with the question or with CIRs. But wouldn't a lot of invalid votes - I'm thinking an unusually high number here - be a sign of protest of some sort?
My problem is that I have a problem with the question itself, but furthermore I don't even support CIRs in general. If invalid viotes are counted, that might be the best way to register my dissatisfaction.
-
for the purposes of correcting the amount of ash on the end of my panatela
That brings back memories of spectacularly ugly wallpaper for some reason. And wine in boxes.
-
I think that takes more than a light smack.
A smack probably has no part in good Panteral correction then...
-
But wouldn't a lot of invalid votes - I'm thinking an unusually high number here - be a sign of protest of some sort?
My fear with this concept is that even if the number was high enough to register it might be seen as an act against CIR per se not a comment with regard to the issue posed.
I am against violence to children, supporting that principle is more important to me than expressing my distaste for the way the question is phrased. Regretably that can of worms must be left for another time.
-
I believe smack might have a part in Panteral correction.
-
F@ck. I really wanted to spoil that ballot.
Couldn't we do both ie vote "Yes" and add a note along the lines. "This the only possible answer to an insanely stupid and devious question".
If any of my students proposed a question like this one in their research assignments, they would get a D + an instruction to go away and think about it
re the 'furious sleep' reference. I am trying to track down a documentary of this name, about a mid-Wales farming community. It has been much praised in Sight&Sound.
Post your response…
This topic is closed.