Posts by Lee Wilkinson

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  • Southerly: Late for What?,

    Big ups David, parenthood is great, then it gets hard when they develop attitudes like we all had. You don't know me but I have been a fan of your writing and musing since the inclusion of you in Russ's list. Like to keep up on the slightly ChCh-ian things even though I'm happily ensconced in the north.

    Anyway, the Homo-sapien thing ? I caused my son untold embarrassment by listing that as his race at primary school, and then when he complained I changed it to human, still no joy, point being, it was my belief and only caused him embarrassment. It was his teachers that hassled him.

    Yes I knew Wayne King, Richard Driver and Robert and Brent Gay over the road.
    So if you give the wee bairn a simple to spell name they will love you for it when they start school.
    All the best.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: No end of mileage,

    Following on from Finn,
    the rural 15 y.o drivers argument gets demolished when the said vehicle is licensed to be used on the road. Post a minimum age on the driving of aforesaid vehicle and have the owner liable thru insurance. there we go, production issues covered.......Food for thought?
    Would have annoyed me as a young-un. I was travelling the length and breadth of this country on my own or in a pack of extreme high velocity (even by todays standards ) motorcycles. Oh that and going to parties with hundreds of people and doing wild youthy things I would be loathe to tell my kids about. Why, people even did burnouts!
    James Dean didn't have the monopoly on rebel without a cause.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: A Little Voyage Around My Grandfather,

    Nice post David,
    there is something in the conspiratorial grandparent stories that always makes me smile, for me it was the "we will just go for a walk" and somehow include an icecream from the dairy.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A Banner Evening,

    Yeah congratulations Russell

    Che has correctly pointed out that the spiky headed multi-substance fueled louts that pogoed like there was no tomorrow have now become the establishment tut tutting at the inexplicable activities of youth ( its always someone else's kids)
    For me, the attraction of the hard news days was in the irreverence to the msm conventions and the unexamined angles and usually accurate alternative information sources.
    There will always be an angle represented by blogs that will be ahead of all msm trends because we don't have to kowtow to the owners wishes. The world is a richer and better informed place because of it.
    Rock on Russ

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Cashel Mall: Beautiful People,

    Hey,those Christchurch city retailers and council lackeys are wannabe Aucklanders. It would be a whole lot better and cheaper to export the retailers pushing for cars to Aucks and retain the ambience of malls and walkspaces.
    Holy cow how many carparks do we need? What we do need is spaces for people to mix and be community. It is sooo easy to get around central chch, even for visitors like me. Dont lose it guys.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Island Life: All stadium, all the time,

    Some good posts and much food for thought. Its funny how an issue like this brings out parochial myopia. Posters to this column seem well aware of the hollowness of the straw man arguments.

    The reality is that the city needs a publicly accessible major event stadium that belongs to the city and nation, not an interest group.

    Most tourists from overseas would be horrified at the thought of having to drive to a venue and yeah I know that the bus companies would be able to drag out a few old leftover Bedford schoolbuses to transport folks but the issue remains, from where?
    I know Sydney's Olympic stadium isnt perfect (its mighty good tho and, you can see the harbour bridge and the tower) but its a whole lot better than the festering cesspit of industrial waste that was there and the ability to just amble off the train straight into the venue just rocks.
    The point that the ports need space is real, but it is mighty easy to jamb a few piles into the mud and expand the port space. We could put a railway line or three in while we are at it. My point is that it is an absolute cakewalk to create cargo handling facilities and these could be simultaneously constructed. I think the arc have their heads stuck in the 80s and something other than Aucklands and the nations best interest at heart. Follow the money here guys!

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Island Life: The One Minute Stadium,

    Its not a tricky call really. Put the tall poppy choppers aside and look.
    There are many more existing infrastructural pros in favour of Carlaw park and the waterfront than Eden park, but the bottom line is that Eden park will only EVER be for a couple of games of rugby. All plans are do-able given the obvious of finance.
    I observe that some Aucklanders are emotionally attached to an old dock used for the existentially important trans-shipment of second hand cars, but the thing a lot of Aucklanders dont do is consider the bigger picture very well. Forget NIMBY, come on, we need a national events centre and if it looks great and works it would be something to enhance all our lives and not just a few rugby fans. The issues being used to portray this in msm are all controversial and many peoples viewpoints are intentially marginalised in the discussion because they are reasonable and not controversial.
    The facts are simple,
    1. the least amount of disruption to anyone would be the waterfront option.
    2. the most internationally sell-able location would be the waterfront. imagine the photographic angles, get your heads around how often the icon of the opera house is used and is instantly internationally identifiable,recognisable and associated with all that is great about our neighbour. ps no Sydneysider cares that it is only rarely used, they are proud of it.
    3. unlike Aucklanders, most people from civilised nations are happy to utilise public transport and walk for a few minutes.
    4. the construction process would be the most do-able at the waterfront.
    5. we have a chance to create something globally unique here and we dont have to replicate any of the old.
    6. Mallard may well be forceful in his argument but he is thinking beyond a game of rugby.( I hate it when I agree with him)
    7. quo bono?
    waterfront? ALL New Zealand for longer than our lifetimes.
    Eden park? Sky
    Okay, to start with I thought the waterfront was stupid, but I have thought about it and I am now passionate about the possibility of creating something great for New Zealand. Lets go for it!

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • What Happens: The Sequel!,

    James,
    I would like you to state categorically and factually what your Republican government has done and is actually doing to improve the lives of your citizens and also in terms of foreign aid to projects on the ground. Please quantify this in results not couched hyperbole about vision. Do not obscure your facts with side charades about the actors and puppets.
    Thanks in advance for clearing up this mystery to the rest of the world
    Lee.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • OnPoint: Bar brawls aren't my thing,

    Rabid xenophobics should be ashamed of themselves.
    Oh, wait a minute, they have no sense of shame or anything other than self, this probably equates their social EQ to that of a 3 year old.
    Perhaps re-education in some nice state sponsored Caribbean resort in eastern Cuba would be helpful to their outlook. I hear Gitmo has some empty motel suites at a great price.
    The thing that gets me is the MSM failure to actually bring the Coddingtons and Hides of this world to account, or is it the golden rule in practice? He who has the gold makes the rules.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • So what happens this time?,

    I know feeding the trolls is naughty, but.
    I dont usually get this frustrated James, but heads up dude!
    There was a mighty disturbing terrorism incident here a few years back, or is it not terrorism when a government sponsors it?
    That little girl running down the road with her back on fire sure looked like a terrorist to me.
    Changed my life and shattered my innocence, thanks napalm.
    Just remember more americans die from drowning in their bathtubs yearly than died on 9/11 and that number equates to roughly a months handgun deaths stateside as well.

    Whangarei Heads • Since Nov 2006 • 45 posts Report Reply

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