Posts by Raymond A Francis

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  • Hard News: Not yet standing upright,

    Well I don't like the old flag, mostly on the grounds bugger all people can distinguish it from the Australian plus having someone else's flag on it is so colonial
    I wonder how much anti change is "because the time is not right" which is really shorthand for, the Left could do it better (maybe)
    There is no way everybody will like the new design but as long as it is distinctive what else matters
    I might note that when I travel I wear a silver fern because it is recognised as being from here, it so does help to be not confused as a Brit while asking for a favour in France

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Access: Persistent Polio,

    Well done Hillary, you have covered this well
    I well remember the day off school work in the late 50s when we were given our injections, with the drops being given a year or so later ( much less traumatic)
    Rotary may have an image of old fuddy duddies but we have poured huge amounts of money into the eradication of polio with a lot of help from the Bill Gates Foundation and various governments
    Africa has been free for one year (three years free are required) and the numbers of infections in the sub continent are at a record low
    We are finally "this close" to eradicating a second disease from the World

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Don't put words in our mouths, Rob,

    Thank you for writing that Keith
    I had read Rob's rebuttal and thought my reading of your first statement must have been off
    Not sure why Labour are refusing to get the message that Chinese names mined from data does not mean Chinese offshore investors are buying the country from under us "hard working Kiwis "

    What isn't being mentioned in the "overseas money coming in scandal " is that present owners are the ones cashing in
    And if Labour were able to bring house prices down, all the present owners are going to be losers, which makes for an awful lot of unhappy voters, way more than renters wanting to be owners I would think
    Sort of like the Power Company sell off, they haven't thought it through

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • OnPoint: My last name sounds Chinese,

    We like to think the Left are all about equality but when push comes to shove don't they run
    And let us not forget the shameful reaction of the Labour Government when Maori asked for the return of rights to the foreshore and beaches

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Hard News: Meet me at Camera 2: White, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    May be but more people ride bikes than sail, certainly in my part of the privileged world

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Hard News: Meet me at Camera 2: White,

    Deborah made the point on her blog that White Male Privilege is like thinking you are great on your bike forgetting about the tail wind going your way, you just don't notice it
    I haven't worded as well as she does but it is a good analogy

    You are not always aware of how easy your life is thanks to race etc

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Up Front: Stand for... Something, in reply to linger,

    I hear what you are saying linger and 90% agree
    But there are times when I am proud to be an NZer
    Maybe because those who came had made an effort, paddling their canoes (or were they blown, lucky they had some women and food sources on board) and all the rest
    And when they got here had to really work to make a mark
    So when we talk about giving women the vote and allowing same sex marriage and all the good stuff I am proud but remembering that there have plenty of mistakes
    Thing is I don't often try to shove it down others throat

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Cracker: IT'S ALIVE,

    Good work
    I reckon this IS the way of the future and I like that people get paid....brilliant

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Envirologue: 1080, "eco-terrorism" and agendas,

    Angela, the fact that other than bats there are no other indigenous mammals makes it a good way of hitting introduced mammals
    It is used in Australia and in the US it may only be used in chemical collars on domestic herbivores, to kill coyotes.

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Capture: Peak Pohutukawa,

    Being a southern man and spending this Christmas in New Plymouth this is the first time I have seen pohutukawa in bloom..wow
    Rata has its moments but I am just blown away by the display around town
    Great pictures

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

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