Omnishambles is a perfect word for the flags debacle.
I've found myself deeply irritated through the non-process of it's farcical gaudiness. The irritation turns to anger at the thought of the $26 million bill for what I hope will play out to be a giant failure. In light of our child poverty tragedy, and Pharmac's denial of life for cancer sufferers, and our appalling violence stats, it speaks volumes that tax payers have been press-ganged into funding this flaggy indulgence at the expense of the much needed social policy change that has to come about before we bother to redefine ourselves emblematically.

The 'Lonely Sperm In The Pacific' design had me in fits and sums up the mediocrity rife throughout the on-going fiasco.

Thanks for your timely appeal for us to behave as peaceful citizens.
The downside of letter writing in the net age, is that it's all to easy to be reactionary and ill-informed, especially in the comments sections of blogs. I relish the life and debate that PA offers and on a rainy Grey Lynn day I can read screeds of threads to test the temperature of the community I'm in. May the stories feed us with tolerance and mercy for the battle against ignorance . Ups!

They should rename the show 'Snout' .

Wonderful words and great work you guys. May peace fill your hearts . God bless you. x

Pre-election, deluded politicians get to rant at us and redefine stupidity in remarkable ways. It's no wonder Jesus wept. It's no surprise that votes are waning when ignorance gets in the way of reality. Frightening that someone will vote for a complete dork.

Thanks for the ups for the Pike River 29. Much appreciated.