Posts by Paul Williams

Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First

  • Polity: Unity, success: Chicken, egg?,

    I can't help but think the moment Labour starts talking about Labour it could be talking about something else.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: Not Uniform, in reply to NBH,

    And as someone who went to a no-uniform school (Wellington High, mid-90s), I can tell you that’s the exact opposite of my experience. Granted, it may have had something to do with High’s very Liberal culture, but there was absolutely no hassling on the basis of clothes, and certainly none on the basis of expense.

    I won't argue that the reverse is not possible. I guess my experience, in South Auckland in the '70s and '80s, partly defines my perspective.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: Not Uniform,

    This is not so much “but a ‘boy’ might wear a skirt!” as “We may teach your nine year old to smash the patriarchy, okay?”

    Roflnui.

    There’s only one place where I have a serious problem with this whole thing: it’s not compulsory. The schools who will do this will be the schools who would do it anyway.

    Why is it not compulsory? Not compulsory to provide a safe space for kids regardless of sexual identity or not compulsory to reflect the recommendations in the sexuality curriculum?

    Don’t see why kids need uniforms. Most European countries, they don’t. We didn’t in my sixth form, and the world didn’t fall in because a few kids went to school fully goffed, punked or metalled up.

    It’s all about indoctrinating kids into subordination for the sake of it.

    I thought that for years, particularly when I was at school. I don't now. I think a uniform is one of the easiest and least disruptive ways to avoid kids feeling shitty 'cause they can't all have the flashest clothes all the time. I entirely agree with Emma's comment that practical, gender-neutral uniforms, priced to be accessible to all families ought to be every school's practice.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Capture: Aurora Australis,

    With apologies for the 'dear interwebs' request, I'm in Auckland for a few days and am trying to find time away from other responsibilities to check out graffiti/urban art. Are there particular streets, 'burbs in/around the Capture community recommends? I'm assuming Grey Lynn, Dominion Road etc?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Access: Here's to them,

    Lovely words Russell.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: How about that cricket, eh?,

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: How about that cricket, eh?, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    What is definitely true is that Australia had better players who played better on the night.

    Better players? Some, but not all surely.

    Better on the night? Definitely. Starc's bowling was superb. Four ducks in our lineup. I'm very disappointed in the result but bloody impressed by the Blackcaps tournament.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Legal Beagle: The Northland by-election;…, in reply to BenWilson,

    Good piece by Matthew Hooton on that very point.

    He's been pretty consistently taking this line re Key and his truthiness.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: How about that cricket, eh?,

    FWIW, this is quite a good-natured piece on tomorrow's final from an Australian perspective.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: How about that cricket, eh?,

    I do understand the modest expectations of kiwi fans, however I am certain there'll be no such modesty in the team. This team are playing the best cricket for at least a decade, they've got three superb bowlers who'd make it into any team, and a top 5 - 6 who've consistently fired in this tournament. They have plenty of momentum and good reason to think they can be the Aussies again.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 228 Older→ First