Posts by Michael Savidge
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A pity that our society is so intent on violence being an answer to problems, frustrations etc. So ?
It is? I would have thought that our "society" (y'know, communities, politicians, police, courts, schools etc) are doing lots to try and reduce violent reactions to stressful situations.
Now our obsession with rugby undermines all that but still....
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Yeah Ian, it was just an innocent mistake. An innocent mistake he felt worth $100k to cover up.
Umm......make that $170k according to....
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10520973
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I'm conflicted about this. I agree that his behaviour was appalling, and it should be condemned. But if we say that it's unforgivable, then we give people no chance of rehabilitation, no chance of trying to make amends, examine their behaviour, resolve to learn to do better.
Point noted and in fact I feel the same way. What I meant - and should have made clearer - is that I could not stomach his return to TVNZ given the current circumstances. In that sphere there is no forgiveness and return to work possible because, even if it were five years from now, it still explicitly forgives him. The only caveat would be if Veitch were to fully confess and own his actions, serve a sentence, undergo counselling and restorative justice meetings and appear in whatever equivilant of the "It's not ok" adverts that were running at the time.
It'd be nice if TVNZ were also to pull the pin on the asinine "blokey" shit that gives guys like Veitch a career in broadcasting in the first place.
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Dear TVNZ,
In regard to the future of your "talent", Mr Veitch. My continued viewing of your network is hanging by a thread. Please consider the following:
1. By not immediately issuing a statement condemning his actions you will be seen to be prevaricating and possibly condoning his behaviour due to his "exhaustion" and other "mitigating" circumstances. I understand legal issues in relation to employment contracts are in play but that does not hinder your ability to say what is necessary in regard to condemning the act itself.
2. Who within the organisation knew? How's that sitting with the lawyers - and your consciences? Any likelihood of an explanation anytime soon? Will heads roll?
3. The "let's keep this to ourselves contract" was likely made from income-related savings, i.e. taxpayer dollars. I assume he is still on full salary pending further investigations...I'm not liking that much either.
4. There can never be a second chance for behaviour like this. Veitch made a choice to repeatedly kick a fellow human being and then tried to avoid a police investigation. If he is reinstated you explicitly forgive an unforgivable act.
5. I could go on.
6. Best you do the right thing asap.
I for one can live without your programming to take a stand on this. I imagine there are plenty more who feel the same way.
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Here's my two cents for Labour strategists during the lead-in.
A three pronged approach:
1. Acknowledge the momentum of "change for the sake of change" and find some pretty good international examples of where that turned ugly for the voting populace involved. Any good ones off the top of your head's readers? And then ask voters to judge both parties on their historical intentions - and outcomes (including questions on Key's political leadership capabilities).
2. Talk up the accomplishments with passion and just a hint of exasperation (i.e., our intention is not to nanny but simply to protect the rights of all NZ'ers. We want the same things you do: safe communities, opportunities for all and encouragement and assistance where it's needed).
3. Promise voters more information, consultation and voice on issues with moral/societal implications.
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Its not about guilt - see what I mean about reactionary responses?
Russell asked for tips on improving the lives of everyone. It was a tip, not an order. Jeez, you meat eaters are angry
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Vegetarianism/Veganism - It's a tough road to hoe in this country - not the choice but the reactionary responses - but consider these words from some pretty wise souls:
"For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love."
Pythagoras, mathematician"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men."
Leonardo da Vinci, artist and scientist"To a man whose mind is free there is something even more intolerable in the sufferings of animals than in the sufferings of man. For with the latter it is at least admitted that suffering is evil and that the man who causes it is a criminal. But thousands of animals are uselessly butchered every day without a shadow of remorse. If any man were to refer to it, he would be thought ridiculous. And that is the unpardonable crime."
Romain Rolland, author, Nobel Prize 1915"If a group of beings from another planet were to land on Earth -- beings who considered themselves as superior to you as you feel yourself to be to other animals -- would you concede them the rights over you that you assume over other animals?"
George Bernard Shaw, playwright, Nobel Prize 1925"What is it that should trace the insuperable line? ...The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?"
Jeremy Bentham, philosopher"In their behavior toward creatures, all men are Nazis. Human beings see oppression vividly when they're the victims. Otherwise they victimize blindly and without a thought."
Isaac Bashevis Singer, author, Nobel Prize 1978"Our task must be to free ourselves . . . by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."
"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel Prize 1921"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being."
Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President"You have just dined, and however scrupulously the slaughterhouse is concealed in the graceful distance of miles, there is complicity."
Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist"As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields."
"What I think about vivisection is that if people admit that they have the right to take or endanger the life of living beings for the benefit of many, there will be no limit to their cruelty."
Leo Tolstoy author"I cannot fish without falling a little in self-respect...always when I have done I feel it would have been better if I had not fished."
Henry David Thoreau, author"While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?"
"Atrocities are not less atrocities when they occur in laboratories and are called medical research."
George Bernard Shaw"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
"To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being."
Mahatma Gandhi, statesman and philosopher"I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't...The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further."
Mark Twain, author"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages."
Thomas Edison, inventorFor some very well considered discussions on the topic, I highly recommend listening to a few of these podcasts
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So while I don't object to your point, it's not entirely simple...
It seems pretty simple to me Paul. Cows obtain the calcium that is in their milk from the same source as we should - leafy greens.
And kids get their lifelong food habits from their parents - start them young on a fresh, healthy and ethical diet and they'll thank you one day.
We need a food revolution! Oh yeah, that's why we're here ;)
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Just a thought - which after a quick scroll through the comments appears to have gone unsaid - on dairy.
Go without.
It's expensive, unhealthy, unnecessary to survival and requires the mass exploitation and slaughter of sentient beings.
Or hey, just keep on milking it for all it's worth :)
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or will we realise the only way out is a world government and a reach for the stars...
We'll need a truth machine for that to work...