Posts by Steve Barnes

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  • Polity: Refugees and aid - we’re laggards, in reply to Daman Saini,

    I'l be very interested in what others have to say about a potential terrorist threat?

    What potential "Terrorist" threat? The one possibly engendered by our pathetic Prime Minister by sending a token force to Iraq, with 160 nannies?, the one that may result from the perceived hatred of all things Muslim in our "Smaller" country?. Or do you know something you are not telling us?.

    I believe that Yes, New Zealand is a smaller country and shouldn’t be forced or have to take in more people than already allocated.

    Our country is similar in size to the UK, with a population of around 80 million they manage to take far more Refugees.
    Perhaps the small thing here is more to do with small mindedness and small thinking.
    It's not like we don't have room.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Polity: Meet the middle,

    Nice to see Lazyben is so popular amongst National supporters. ;-)
    As for the "don't knows".
    These are the people that are generally targeted by the right, the "Undecided Voter", someone who, obviously, reads little that he doesn't agree with, believes in his own opinion wholeheartedly and that belief is that the left are loony because it sounds right.

    Interesting work Ben. That National and Labour seem to be on the same plain. I was thinking that if that plain was a brane the 3D modeling could be quite enlightening.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Polity: Meet the middle,

    Perhaps there is no Centre...
    I was wondering how much language has to do with the framing of the concept of Left v Right.
    For instance. You can say, "right = right and if you are not right then you are left with the left.". This gives the impression that left is second best at best.
    Alternatively, if you accept that doing the right thing for people and planet, without a self serving agenda, if you have empathy for others, if you believe in justice and fair pay, that you accept that there are people out there who are prepared to devote their lives to hold society to those values and that you have the right to vote those people into power, then, surely, that is the ideal.
    You can move away from that ideal in several ways, Tyranny, Fascism, the Law of the Jungle, whatever.
    The ideal is the centre, all the others are distractions for the benefit of the few.
    So, it is only right that the centre is Left.
    ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Polity: Meet the middle,

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hard News: To have a home,

    I have just been told that refugees are only allowed to go to 4 centres in NZ, presumably Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
    The person I heard this from lives in Whangarei. "The wife and I tried to volunteer a spare bedroom to house a refuge or refuge couple but were told that refugees could only be resettled in four New Zealand towns."
    How true this is I don't know but it wouldnt surprise me, especially after reading this...
    REFUGEE SETTLEMENT
    New Zealand Resettlement Strategy
    .
    And this...
    Refugee resettlement factsheet

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hard News: To have a home,

    They begged for the Syrians, he did nothing, he was not a Syrian.
    The Aliens came and said "Take me to your leader", I did nothing, I was too embarrassed.
    To paraphrase Martin Niemöller.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hard News: To have a home, in reply to Rosemary McDonald,

    children in state care, those with mental health issues, our disabled citizens.

    I fear that there are plenty of people in this country that consider them to be nothing but a burden too, one of them is our own Prime Minister.
    Shame.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hard News: To have a home, in reply to Danielle,

    Steve, do you ever give it a rest?

    Nope, I am not the lay down and die kinda guy.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hard News: To have a home,

    Breaking News...
    Nz to take 100 extra refugees from Syria...
    Update...
    That was a year ago and was included in the 750 intake...
    Update...
    Prime Minister John Key has rejected claims this morning the government is opening the gates to an Syrian refugees.
    Update...
    Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has revealed she asked Prime Minister John Key to follow the example she set with the Tampa refugees when trying to address the Syria problem.
    Update...
    Its Labours fault.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Hard News: Friday Music: Songs of Ennui,

    Attachment

    I see they have been at work in Christchurch...

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

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