Posts by Petra

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  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    This isn't particularly aimed at you, Petra

    I didn't take it personally, so don't worry about that at all. :)

    I'm really enjoying the way y'all are making me think. It's making my head hurt a little, I cannot deny, but I'm loving every minute of it!

    So thanks!

    And I shall respond shortly - teenager bashing me over the head with car keys right now. I'm sensing she needs a chauffeur. So I'll step away till after dinner, and chew the cud.

    This is awesome. I think I'm growing. :)

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    It seems there are some people disappointed that the Government has not congratulated the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - basically kowtowing to China. I don't see how our kowtowing to India by officially apologising for something over which the Government has (and should have) no control is all that different.

    I would like to think that the apology to India, and in particular those directly targeted for his bullying mockery, was because it was the right thing to do - though should have been done by Paul Henry himself.

    John Key was weak here.

    John Key was also weak wrt China.

    John Key is weak.

    p.s. I note that John Key has now congratulated the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Takes a while for clearance to come through, and the bureaucracy involved in "Leadership" is a nightmare! First you have to submit forms and documents declaring intent to speak, and what you might say or might not say, to assorted CEOs in both NZ and China. Then you have wait for the reports to come back with public mood findings, based on various internet "comments" sections and talk back radio shows...

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    Well, I believe that freedom of speech is a good thing that should be protected at a constitutional level by the state.

    hmmm... still not convinced. i believe you mean "i think that freedom...".
    or "i reason that freedom...".

    Oh, I dunno. I think we can be a bit sensitive about people using the word "believe".

    It is quite possible for an atheist to declare that they "believe" that human rights are not relative; they are absolute, for example. They use the word "believe" quite appropriately, imo, because for them it is an inalienable "truth" and is an integral part of the speaker's core values.

    "I think" and "I reason" however, is likely to be more mutable.

    At least, that what's what I believe anyway. :-p

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    ...sponsors already set the boundaries of speech in a sponsored broadcast.

    Then that needs to be made very clear - not just in some small print, or rapidly read "afterthought" in a small voice at the end of the broadcast.

    And we need a public register of lobbyists in the political realm, too.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    So yes if Paul Henry is deeply offensive then it is appropriate to communicate that to both his employers TVNZ and to the advertisers who provide the money to employ him.

    No, this disturbs me. I think it is treading on very dangerous ground.

    It would create a tyranny of either the "sqeakiest wheels" or the deepest purse. Or worse, both.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    Graeme Edgeler

    ...punishing Heritage Hotels for something Paul Henry said over which they had no control (and shouldn't have control) isn't fundamentally different from arranging a boycott on Canwest/TV3/C4 for airing an episode of South Park about the abuse by Catholic clergy, or someone else for airing pro-homosexual something propaganda something like Queer Nation or The L Word.

    Damn. I thought I knew what I thought on advertiser boycott tactics, but I see your point.

    I'd like boycotts to force dialogue and mediation until understanding and fairness are achieved, in public and open fora - such as town halls and public television.

    But what I'd like isn't what actually happens *in real life*, is it? I'm dreaming.

    Damn. It's been a bugger of a week for waking up to the real world.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Hard News: Morning in Auckland,

    The Nobel Peace prize was just awarded to the Chinese writer and human rights activist Liu Xiaobo

    John Key was just as weak and weaselly over the Nobel Peace Prize.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1010/S00059/pms-presser-no-praise-for-jailed-nobel-winner.htm

    John Key says he has no words of congratulation for a Chinese political prisoner who has won the year’s Nobel Peace Prize, but denies any pressure from the Chinese government.

    No spine, and no morals. Just a puppet on a string.

    Like Sue Kedgley - a politician that I hate to see leave as I always admired her integrity - I want to see NZ have a lobbyist's register, stating who the lobbyists are, who and what they are lobbying for, and to whom.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • OnPoint: On Freedom of Speech,

    I may not agree with what Paul Henry said, but I will defend to the death my right to say that he's a cunt for saying it.

    Thanks for the laugh - I needed that!

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Hard News: Morning in Auckland,

    Thanks for the link, 3410. Bookmarked. :)

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Hard News: Morning in Auckland,

    ...I'm sure, like most media bores, he thinks he's only saying what the country is thinking. So if that's the case, New Zealand, I'm sure your spring scenery is most jocund, but I've decided to stay at home.

    Ouch, alright.

    But weirdly placed...which is probably a good thing.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

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