Posts by Paul Williams
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Whenever we drive past the comically hectoring Hurricanes billboard with all he players lined up ("We will be there - will you?") we take turns answering: "Nope".
Now look here Mr Tiso, I'd love to be a regular at the 'Canes games but have to content myself with the occassional game against the Warratahs in Sydney... (which we mostly win)...
I'd not commend going to the Sydney Football Stadium for the Warratahs, aside from being a crap side, their supporters are an odd bunch who hardly watch the game. Compared with the Swans fans... now there's a good mob!
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1. Ranginui Walker = mana. Every time I meet that man I'm just so impressed by his grace.
I first encountered him as a very earnest first year Pols student at Auckland. He did a guest lecture on the Treaty in a 101 class. It was a seminal learning experience for me (as many first year classes are for most first year students).
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Our legal system is half a step advanced from "trial by combat", especially in the civil area, but not much less in the criminal area.
I'm a person who believes in civic duty, but I will move heaven and earth not to be in a jury again. Talk about PTSD...
Juries may well be the weakest point in the system, something I've no direct experience of, and the apalling predictability of district court outcomes is hard to defend, but does this render it dysfunctional? Reform the laws of evidence, augment the jury process, allow judges some inquisitorial powers etc, sure I'm with all that.
I was surprised, at first, by the apparent leniency of Veitich's sentence. Hodge's comment, that the sentence was broadly consistent with others, somewhat reassured me but I now seriously wonder about the sentencing guidelines.
Despite the delays, I don't think the victim was poorly treated by the law through this process. Her assailant, his lawyer and PR team yes, but the law? I'm not so sure...
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And GA doesn't excuse inconsiderate behaviour from either side.
Depends. I understand the points you're making Mark, but I think at a GA event such as the Stones, I don't think it reasonable to expect people to remain seated throughout the evening. Music and dancing are pretty closely correlated (which is not to say all must dance to enjoy).
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That's what put me off becoming a lawyer.
I know the point Islander's making and why many agree, but... despite the sometimes absurd and perverse outcomes, laws, lawyers and court rooms are still capable of delivering justice and probably do so more often than not.
I don't like Vetich's sentence but I like the fact that he's be tried and found guilty of a crime. That's better than letting his estranged partner's family sort him out.
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Pharmachick, great post to introduce yourself to PAS.
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Thank the dear sweet lord: I finally get the Lhaws joke.
I was in that camp for a while also (and I'd made the post to which Gio's genius-reply was in fact made) and then suddenly got it... not sure why though... I too, kept quiet about it but since 'fessing up the thing to do...
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Jolisa, I updated all the software on my mother's ancient computer just so I could make her watch that clip. It took ages. It was worth it in the end, though, because my mum was thrilled. :)
Yeeeshh, a new damn benchmark; my parents will be at me now!
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I dare say none of these people know who you are, or what effect you claim to have had on them.
A trophy case, god god this bloke's deluded. There's clutch of bloggers whose fame is self-referentially amplified but still inaudible to the rest of the world. Wail oil would be a better moniker.
Lhaws is a reprehensible git that not even Whanganui deserved. Levin, that'd make sense. But yeah, I agree, his piece wasn't bad though I'm less forgiving.
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I've just spent an hour reading this entire discussion since Friday and want to offer my sincere respect to all for the insights, wisdom, restraint and outrage - if you can combine all those things into one.
I have a friend right now who's struggling with a lifetime of atypical depression due, I think, to a genetic disorder resulting in an inability to synthesise certain neurotransmitters, She's very intelligent and working her way through it, finding strategies to cope. It won't pass for her any time soon. I admire her, very much.
Kracklite, thanks for this. I too have a friend, an enormously talented friend who has twice successfully moved internationally and is well regarded in her profession and who regularly suffers from depression. She's incredibly brave and I admire her greatly.
Uh, Rich, what? We don't want any of these celebrity media wankers as High Deity of Megatropolis! I'd even take Banks over Holmes, FFS, and that's speaking as the founder of the "Just Say NO! to Banks For Super Mayor" group!
Surely the prospect of Paul Holmes as uber Mayor makes you reconsider your candidacy Russell?