The issue of disclosing the name or names behind political donations is back in the spotlight. National appear to be doing an about-turn in regards to the topic of disclosing the names of those who donate, which is bound to incite a great debate over whether National are fulfilling the general "cut the PC crap"-type promises. Your Views asked: Should the source of political donations be more transparent?
Blerkie Dronks (Remuera)
What difference does it make, anyway? Each party is as bad as the other; all as crooked as a barrel of snakes.
Many comments allude to the classic stereotype of politicians as inherently evil and corrupt, but Blerkie Dronks dismisses the question entirely, effectively saying that political processes don't warrant critical thought as all politicians are liars.
Richard (Timaru)
Sounds like a well needed tidy up of the cock-up labour did, and fixing laws that have been badly written for a long time.
Lyall (Sandringham)
Richard (Timaru) please read the article. National are supporting the "Cock-up" that Labour did because Labour are saying they did not go far enough.
This is about National attempting to minimise disclosure and supporting the existing bill is better, to them, than extending the disclosure rules.
I can only assume that National has more to hide.
It's so interesting when the users critique each other's interpretation of events. Telling Richard to "read the article" is sure to make him pretty mad, especially as he seems pretty convinced of Labour's "cock-up" and National's job as Mister Fix-it. I'll keep an eye out for Richard's reply!
Jay (Swanson)
I am gobsmacked that a party (the National Party!) that campaigned with the utmost bitter intensity against a law which this newspaper branded anti-democratic (which it was never intended to be, but a charge which suited the Nats political aspirations and gave their friends in the Herald carte blanche to run with it) has been barely tweaked and the current mob in power now seem to think that Labour kinda got it right!
But what is equally amazing is the matter of fact way that the Herald reports this without any of the emotive hyberbolic language that it used in its descriptions of Labour's original bill. I guess with an international community looking on, and with a realisation that many countries have these kinds of laws, that they are not, after all, anti-democaratic, that it might be a tad "obvious" if the current government turned the table. Really "gets my goat."
As with many other mainstream news outlets, the NZ Herald has many faults (see Editing the Herald for a daily update of such weaknesses!). However, you've got to pat them on the back for allowing Your Views users to criticise their coverage, obviously the moderator didn't take great exception to Jay's comments. Mind you, the rules for Your Views do state that posts are subject to editing for 'length and clarity' so who knows the true extent of Jay's criticism, except perhaps Jay himself?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
I want to ride my bicycle vs. I love my car
The battle of cyclists versus car drivers is currently raging on Your Views, after an incident involving a car and four bicycles on Auckland's Tamaki Drive prompted them to ask the question: What can be done to make cycling in NZ safer?
Michaelauknz (Mt Eden)
Look New Zealanders are always being hijacked by minority self interest groups and these guys are no exception -
Now they want to have cars even doing 40km 24/7 (some cyclist travel faster than that) and have the road widened so they can continue riding 4 abreast laughing and joking and acting in an often abusive dominating way towards motorists.
I have very good video footage of these guys riding 4 and 2 up in the middle of the actual road in busy times.
Put them back on the footpath, their time is over and from the attacks given here toward motorist by themselves no change will be coming from there attitudes, they got away for far to long being threatening and dysfunctional-
More accidents will happen.No lesson has been learnt here.
Sadly the only thing missing now is the place, date and time.of the next one.
NZ is currently 27th going to 35th in the OECD ranking of the top 25 developed countries and is suffering from the impact of the smart ones who have left.this proves my point.
I can just see Michaelauknz engaging in a vigilante-style surveillance operation, complete with binoculars and camouflage gear.
Halkelorno (Northpark)
What can be done? very little, considering its Auckland. Why ? Just think about a little.
20 or so years ago, Auckland was a relatively safe place to drive,however what successive governments have done is allowed almost unfetted immigration from a huge variety of Pacific Island countries, Asian and African and Indian countries where the majority of the people did not own or drive a car or have any road user experience. The then come to New Zealand and the previous stricter road rules and license tests were conveniently lowered to fit PC rules, no English tests needed and feel free to use an interpreter. What would you expect to happen on the roads. More drivers, totally unskilled, no road sense plus no real knowledge of how to drive a car. Remember when you had to Drive a Manual Car in order to gain your license ? Not any more, this would be too hard and very UN- PC. Now we have the visible evidence and unenviable Road Toll results.
Now we have all the nodding heads, the plaintive outcry's "Something should be done", all in vain because the real answer is too Un PC and we as a people have long lost the guts and fortitude to do anything to rectify the problem.
We will tinker!
There is always someone who names immigration as the key determinant in any problem you throw at them. You might not have seen a link between cyclists, road safety and immigration but ah-ha! Halkelorno has made it as clear as day.
Pepe Perez (Birkenhead)
Nothing will be resolved with the rather emotional motorist vs cyclist debate that is being played out in this forum.
There is a simple answer. Motorists must obey stop signals - which is so rare these days that I wonder why we have the regulation at all. (Which is another debate) Cyclists must stop for red traffic signals - which is so rare . etc etc. Then the existing westbound Special Vehicle Lane (Bus Lane);that is about to turn into a T2 Transit Lane, is extended back into Mission Bay and be made 6am to 10am Monday to Sunday. Should there be a similar Special Vehicle Lane eastbound for the morning and evening peaks for the same reasons. Not my call, but worth thinking about.
In the end, cyclists and motorists need to and can live together without conflict - but each has to show respect to the other; not easy to find in the society we live in today. Finally, we all need to respect and obey the laws governing operation of a vehicle on our nations roads to ensure we keep this sort of accident to a minimum.
Pepe Perez doesn't see the "emotional" discussion in this thread as resulting in any concrete resolution, and instead proposes everyone sticks to the road rules. Commonsense prevails? Cyclists and motorists travelling together in harmony. What a beautiful way to end the post.
Michaelauknz (Mt Eden)
Look New Zealanders are always being hijacked by minority self interest groups and these guys are no exception -
Now they want to have cars even doing 40km 24/7 (some cyclist travel faster than that) and have the road widened so they can continue riding 4 abreast laughing and joking and acting in an often abusive dominating way towards motorists.
I have very good video footage of these guys riding 4 and 2 up in the middle of the actual road in busy times.
Put them back on the footpath, their time is over and from the attacks given here toward motorist by themselves no change will be coming from there attitudes, they got away for far to long being threatening and dysfunctional-
More accidents will happen.No lesson has been learnt here.
Sadly the only thing missing now is the place, date and time.of the next one.
NZ is currently 27th going to 35th in the OECD ranking of the top 25 developed countries and is suffering from the impact of the smart ones who have left.this proves my point.
I can just see Michaelauknz engaging in a vigilante-style surveillance operation, complete with binoculars and camouflage gear.
Halkelorno (Northpark)
What can be done? very little, considering its Auckland. Why ? Just think about a little.
20 or so years ago, Auckland was a relatively safe place to drive,however what successive governments have done is allowed almost unfetted immigration from a huge variety of Pacific Island countries, Asian and African and Indian countries where the majority of the people did not own or drive a car or have any road user experience. The then come to New Zealand and the previous stricter road rules and license tests were conveniently lowered to fit PC rules, no English tests needed and feel free to use an interpreter. What would you expect to happen on the roads. More drivers, totally unskilled, no road sense plus no real knowledge of how to drive a car. Remember when you had to Drive a Manual Car in order to gain your license ? Not any more, this would be too hard and very UN- PC. Now we have the visible evidence and unenviable Road Toll results.
Now we have all the nodding heads, the plaintive outcry's "Something should be done", all in vain because the real answer is too Un PC and we as a people have long lost the guts and fortitude to do anything to rectify the problem.
We will tinker!
There is always someone who names immigration as the key determinant in any problem you throw at them. You might not have seen a link between cyclists, road safety and immigration but ah-ha! Halkelorno has made it as clear as day.
Pepe Perez (Birkenhead)
Nothing will be resolved with the rather emotional motorist vs cyclist debate that is being played out in this forum.
There is a simple answer. Motorists must obey stop signals - which is so rare these days that I wonder why we have the regulation at all. (Which is another debate) Cyclists must stop for red traffic signals - which is so rare . etc etc. Then the existing westbound Special Vehicle Lane (Bus Lane);that is about to turn into a T2 Transit Lane, is extended back into Mission Bay and be made 6am to 10am Monday to Sunday. Should there be a similar Special Vehicle Lane eastbound for the morning and evening peaks for the same reasons. Not my call, but worth thinking about.
In the end, cyclists and motorists need to and can live together without conflict - but each has to show respect to the other; not easy to find in the society we live in today. Finally, we all need to respect and obey the laws governing operation of a vehicle on our nations roads to ensure we keep this sort of accident to a minimum.
Pepe Perez doesn't see the "emotional" discussion in this thread as resulting in any concrete resolution, and instead proposes everyone sticks to the road rules. Commonsense prevails? Cyclists and motorists travelling together in harmony. What a beautiful way to end the post.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Did DonKey do well or did he make an ass of himself?
John Key has sure had a swell time in New York. He met Obama! He even went on the David Letterman Show! Reading out the "Top Ten Reasons to Visit New Zealand" as part of the Late Show's "Top Ten" feature, the script given to Key to read contained New Zealand stereotypes and slang, some of which American audiences could understand and some deliberately indecipherable by them; referring to the "whanau", the "bach" and "jandals".
In response to Key's representation of both himself and New Zealand on the world stage, Your Views asked its users: How do you rate John Key's performance? The question leaves itself open to interpretation, although if you examine the question in light of the related story it is clear they are asking about his representation on the world stage.
Kate Bennett (Auckland)
John has been in power long enough to give him a mark. I would give me a failing pass mark for the reasons that he has done little or nothing to improve the economy. He has managed to increase the taxpayers burden and contributions through the ETS scheme and the proposed super city.
I've cut Kate short here, as she does go on to talk more about taxpayer interests, but what strikes me is that she isn't interested in his performance in New York, but his performance as a politician. This comment is evidence that the unfocused nature of the question opens the field up to all kinds of interpretations of how to assess John Key's "performance".
Inevitably, Your Views users compared John Key's public persona with that of the previous Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark:
Bruce (Wellington CBD)
I think John Key is presentable as New Zealand's leader whereas Helen wasn't.
Jae (Manukau City)
Good on you john key.u were gr8. good to see our prime minister has a gr8 sence of humour.if it was helen clark.sheeeeshhh i can imagine the mockery david letterman would of given to her.and should would of read the top ten with her normal 'bland tone' of voice.
Ian (Glen Eden)
Overall I think his performance has been good, but the real "difference" between DonKey and Head Girl Helen showed up when they both commented on Sir Howard Morrison's death yesterday (on the TVNZ news last night). Head Girl Helen's comments were much more personal and relevant and reflected the fact that she had a much greater knowledge of his life's experiences. I think this alone reflected how much more "indepth" Helen Clark's general knowledge and command of NZ (Kiwi) events is.
Ian uses the comical names "DonKey" and "Head Girl Helen" to describe Key and Clark respectively. This is a common feature of online discussion forums, using alternative humourous and/or derogatory names when referrng to public figures. Although these names are often used to criticise the people being referred to (in an attempt to reveal some kind of truth behind their public persona), Ian is clearly using the terms in jest.
In response to Key's representation of both himself and New Zealand on the world stage, Your Views asked its users: How do you rate John Key's performance? The question leaves itself open to interpretation, although if you examine the question in light of the related story it is clear they are asking about his representation on the world stage.
Kate Bennett (Auckland)
John has been in power long enough to give him a mark. I would give me a failing pass mark for the reasons that he has done little or nothing to improve the economy. He has managed to increase the taxpayers burden and contributions through the ETS scheme and the proposed super city.
I've cut Kate short here, as she does go on to talk more about taxpayer interests, but what strikes me is that she isn't interested in his performance in New York, but his performance as a politician. This comment is evidence that the unfocused nature of the question opens the field up to all kinds of interpretations of how to assess John Key's "performance".
Inevitably, Your Views users compared John Key's public persona with that of the previous Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark:
Bruce (Wellington CBD)
I think John Key is presentable as New Zealand's leader whereas Helen wasn't.
Jae (Manukau City)
Good on you john key.u were gr8. good to see our prime minister has a gr8 sence of humour.if it was helen clark.sheeeeshhh i can imagine the mockery david letterman would of given to her.and should would of read the top ten with her normal 'bland tone' of voice.
Ian (Glen Eden)
Overall I think his performance has been good, but the real "difference" between DonKey and Head Girl Helen showed up when they both commented on Sir Howard Morrison's death yesterday (on the TVNZ news last night). Head Girl Helen's comments were much more personal and relevant and reflected the fact that she had a much greater knowledge of his life's experiences. I think this alone reflected how much more "indepth" Helen Clark's general knowledge and command of NZ (Kiwi) events is.
Ian uses the comical names "DonKey" and "Head Girl Helen" to describe Key and Clark respectively. This is a common feature of online discussion forums, using alternative humourous and/or derogatory names when referrng to public figures. Although these names are often used to criticise the people being referred to (in an attempt to reveal some kind of truth behind their public persona), Ian is clearly using the terms in jest.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
You can count on us
The familiar names Foodtown and Woolworths will soon be a thing of the past as Progressive Enterprises, who owns these two supermarket brands, prepares to overhaul their image by choosing to retain only the Countdown brand and giving it a revamp.
This development calls for a Your Views topic! What do you think of the Countdown move? What annoys you about supermarket shopping? Now, at first look these questions are related - yes, they're both about supermarkets. However, the second question is quite unrelated to the news item and rather, specifically gives users the licence to begin moaning and groaning about the most everyday of activities!
In terms of responses, there are those who, ironically, take a "shopping list" approach to express their annoyance at supermarket shopping:
Daytripper (Hamilton)
Lots of things annoy me at the supermarket
1. Narrow isles - so sick of having to wait forever while someone dawdles around the supermarket
2. Constant wine sales - how about a food sale instead
3. Spend $70 at Pak n Save save 6 cents - spend $100's of dollars still only save 6 cents
4. Pak n Save Clarence Street Hamilton store, hot cooked chickens by the front entrance, even in foil bag completely stone cold by the time you get to the checkout.
5. No plastic bags at this checkout sign - Countdown - so what you can just grab a plastic bag at the next checkout on your way out.
Jesse's Poppa (Whangarei)
1: the unruly snotty nosed kids that are not under parental control.
2: the stupid people that use their trolleys to ram your ankles.
3: the ever annoying bloody music palyed in almost all stores.
4: the dozy pathetic drivers than can not park entirely within a parking space.
5: the lazy buggers that leave trolleys all over the car park and in particular and empty parking space.
And some choose to comment directly on the human condition:
Dan Hutchins (Newtown)
Lack of trolley edicate.
Tanz (Napier)
It's annoying when the checkout person is really slow and there is a long line waiting. Grrrrr makes me mad!
Bundi (Te Atatu South)
Arrogant, snotty nosed women who think they can leave their trolleys wherever they want in the aisle and stand at the shelves blocking the only access through. I love my trolley because it becomes as stock car and i just continue past ramming their trolley out of the way to the embarrassment of my wife and kids haha
And then toby enters the fray in an attempt to put things in to perspective:
toby (Hornby)
After reading some of the pathetic moaning on here I have to say:
Be thankful you can walk into a huge building full of food and goods and fill your trolley up with a mountain of them, and then book it up on credit!
Millions of poor/starving people the world over wake up every day and think "how am I going to feed my family today and where will I find enough food?"
So someone left their trolley in your way? Good grief, get a life.
To be fair, toby, moaning is exactly what was asked for by Your Views. Your fellow users were just responding to the question given, a question which specifically asked what "annoyed" people about supermarket shopping, not how they felt about supermarket shopping. We all love the opportunity for a good moan sometimes!
This development calls for a Your Views topic! What do you think of the Countdown move? What annoys you about supermarket shopping? Now, at first look these questions are related - yes, they're both about supermarkets. However, the second question is quite unrelated to the news item and rather, specifically gives users the licence to begin moaning and groaning about the most everyday of activities!
In terms of responses, there are those who, ironically, take a "shopping list" approach to express their annoyance at supermarket shopping:
Daytripper (Hamilton)
Lots of things annoy me at the supermarket
1. Narrow isles - so sick of having to wait forever while someone dawdles around the supermarket
2. Constant wine sales - how about a food sale instead
3. Spend $70 at Pak n Save save 6 cents - spend $100's of dollars still only save 6 cents
4. Pak n Save Clarence Street Hamilton store, hot cooked chickens by the front entrance, even in foil bag completely stone cold by the time you get to the checkout.
5. No plastic bags at this checkout sign - Countdown - so what you can just grab a plastic bag at the next checkout on your way out.
Jesse's Poppa (Whangarei)
1: the unruly snotty nosed kids that are not under parental control.
2: the stupid people that use their trolleys to ram your ankles.
3: the ever annoying bloody music palyed in almost all stores.
4: the dozy pathetic drivers than can not park entirely within a parking space.
5: the lazy buggers that leave trolleys all over the car park and in particular and empty parking space.
And some choose to comment directly on the human condition:
Dan Hutchins (Newtown)
Lack of trolley edicate.
Tanz (Napier)
It's annoying when the checkout person is really slow and there is a long line waiting. Grrrrr makes me mad!
Bundi (Te Atatu South)
Arrogant, snotty nosed women who think they can leave their trolleys wherever they want in the aisle and stand at the shelves blocking the only access through. I love my trolley because it becomes as stock car and i just continue past ramming their trolley out of the way to the embarrassment of my wife and kids haha
And then toby enters the fray in an attempt to put things in to perspective:
toby (Hornby)
After reading some of the pathetic moaning on here I have to say:
Be thankful you can walk into a huge building full of food and goods and fill your trolley up with a mountain of them, and then book it up on credit!
Millions of poor/starving people the world over wake up every day and think "how am I going to feed my family today and where will I find enough food?"
So someone left their trolley in your way? Good grief, get a life.
To be fair, toby, moaning is exactly what was asked for by Your Views. Your fellow users were just responding to the question given, a question which specifically asked what "annoyed" people about supermarket shopping, not how they felt about supermarket shopping. We all love the opportunity for a good moan sometimes!
Let's settle this over a beer
Assisted by figures from Statistics New Zealand, the Herald asserts that kiwi expats are returning home. The housing market looks set to prosper as expats flock home in droves to buy houses and sit down with a glass of L&P and some Marmite on Vogel's.
Your Views asked: As an expat, what are your thoughts on returning home? When you consider this question in light of others posed by Your Views, it's actually rather good. It defines a target audience within the group of Your Views users and contains an open question. Let's see how the users respond...
2 Shaxs (United States of America)
Reasons to Return -
1: Clean, Green
2: Lack of populace ( 4 mill.c'mon, thats nothing )
3: Surf, Beaches - no pollution.
4: No pollution ( read 3 )
5: No Genetically Modified Crapola in Food.
6: Mum,Daughter.( Normal - I miss family stuff )
7: Uncrowded Surf.
Reasons to say the hell away -
1: Lazy Maoris who want to steal your stuff. Don't call me racist as I am a Maori, but growing up there, I have seen Maoris who think the Dole and the DPB are a birth right, and what is yours is theirs ( after they break a window to get to it )
2: Bemoaning Politicians such as Peter Sharples who think Maor's should have everything handed to them because of injustices.
3: Pakehas who fall under the same heading as 2.
4: Pathetic, trivial sentences for criminals.
Wake up NZ. Rapes should be 25+. Mandatory. Assaults with weapons = Attempted Murder. Murder ( no brainer here ) = LIFE / NO Chance of parole. Thefts,If you didn't learn after the 3rd conviction, 10yrs no parole. Drunk Driving - easy too. 1st - lose car. Gone. Nada.$5000 fine. 2nd - 5yrs Prison.
In Shaxs' view, New Zealand is not just "clean" and "green" but has "no pollution". Does he work for the Tourism Board? No wait, he can't because he highlights his fear of the amount of crime in New Zealand and describes all Maori as lazy, dole-bludging thieves. Guess what Shaxs? That's a racist stereotype, so yes, I'm deeming your comment racist.
Now for an interesting interaction between a "kiwi" and an expat:
Jeepers (Auckland)
What amazes me is that these people take off overseas to make their money but when times get tough they come running home! Do we really need these people back who can't show determination and stickability in hard times.
Monkeyboy (United Kingdom)
I have to laugh at comments by people like Jeepers who go on the attack to people who have moved overseas. I earn five times what I could in NZ so it makes sense to earn overseas and save to come back home. Unfortunately in NZ opportunities are scarce, wages are low, taxes are high, and can someone please tell me why interest rates are so high for mortgages in NZ, almost double the UK rates. Kiwis pay almost 10% of their property mortgage value in interest each year, that is scandalous and the Australian owned banks are laughing all the way to the.
NZ is and will always be my home, it doesn't make me a traitor to my country because I am making the most of opportunities that will allow me contribute to the NZ economy by returning with hard earned overseas cash (like John Key did).
Jeepers I will be returning home in a couple of years, not because times are tough but because I will have enough money to buy a house freehold and semi retire (all before 40). I will be more than happy to buy you a beer, if you can get the time off work.
Jeepers (Auckland)
Monkeyboy (UK), would love a beer and yes I have the time because I am retired and yes I'm only 45. And I did it here in NZ by hard work and seeing the need for a product that no one else did.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in the pub where Jeepers and Monkeyboy sit down for a bevvie!
Your Views asked: As an expat, what are your thoughts on returning home? When you consider this question in light of others posed by Your Views, it's actually rather good. It defines a target audience within the group of Your Views users and contains an open question. Let's see how the users respond...
2 Shaxs (United States of America)
Reasons to Return -
1: Clean, Green
2: Lack of populace ( 4 mill.c'mon, thats nothing )
3: Surf, Beaches - no pollution.
4: No pollution ( read 3 )
5: No Genetically Modified Crapola in Food.
6: Mum,Daughter.( Normal - I miss family stuff )
7: Uncrowded Surf.
Reasons to say the hell away -
1: Lazy Maoris who want to steal your stuff. Don't call me racist as I am a Maori, but growing up there, I have seen Maoris who think the Dole and the DPB are a birth right, and what is yours is theirs ( after they break a window to get to it )
2: Bemoaning Politicians such as Peter Sharples who think Maor's should have everything handed to them because of injustices.
3: Pakehas who fall under the same heading as 2.
4: Pathetic, trivial sentences for criminals.
Wake up NZ. Rapes should be 25+. Mandatory. Assaults with weapons = Attempted Murder. Murder ( no brainer here ) = LIFE / NO Chance of parole. Thefts,If you didn't learn after the 3rd conviction, 10yrs no parole. Drunk Driving - easy too. 1st - lose car. Gone. Nada.$5000 fine. 2nd - 5yrs Prison.
In Shaxs' view, New Zealand is not just "clean" and "green" but has "no pollution". Does he work for the Tourism Board? No wait, he can't because he highlights his fear of the amount of crime in New Zealand and describes all Maori as lazy, dole-bludging thieves. Guess what Shaxs? That's a racist stereotype, so yes, I'm deeming your comment racist.
Now for an interesting interaction between a "kiwi" and an expat:
Jeepers (Auckland)
What amazes me is that these people take off overseas to make their money but when times get tough they come running home! Do we really need these people back who can't show determination and stickability in hard times.
Monkeyboy (United Kingdom)
I have to laugh at comments by people like Jeepers who go on the attack to people who have moved overseas. I earn five times what I could in NZ so it makes sense to earn overseas and save to come back home. Unfortunately in NZ opportunities are scarce, wages are low, taxes are high, and can someone please tell me why interest rates are so high for mortgages in NZ, almost double the UK rates. Kiwis pay almost 10% of their property mortgage value in interest each year, that is scandalous and the Australian owned banks are laughing all the way to the.
NZ is and will always be my home, it doesn't make me a traitor to my country because I am making the most of opportunities that will allow me contribute to the NZ economy by returning with hard earned overseas cash (like John Key did).
Jeepers I will be returning home in a couple of years, not because times are tough but because I will have enough money to buy a house freehold and semi retire (all before 40). I will be more than happy to buy you a beer, if you can get the time off work.
Jeepers (Auckland)
Monkeyboy (UK), would love a beer and yes I have the time because I am retired and yes I'm only 45. And I did it here in NZ by hard work and seeing the need for a product that no one else did.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in the pub where Jeepers and Monkeyboy sit down for a bevvie!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
What's in a name?
The Geographic Board has ruled in favour of putting the "h" back in W(h)anganui. Michael Laws isn't happy - surprise, surprise. Laws stated that the changing of the name was "more than just about the letter h" and described the Geographic Board as an "uncaring and unthinking organisation which is attempting in one foul swoop to expunge Wanganui's history, heritage, mana and culture."
With every new development in the W(h)anganui saga, the Your Views topic Should it be 'Wanganui' or 'Whanganui'?, which was created back in May, has been reinvigorated with interest. The thread of comments features energetic debate, with polarised discussion amongst both fans of the "h" and the anti-"h" brigade (the members of which probably also belong to the anti-PC brigade).
Dan (Wellington City)
If it's a spelling mistake why not correct it? Or is this one of those things that is supposed to be "racially charged" or an example of "political correctness gone mad"?
Dan gets the prestige of having the first post on the ever-growing thread of responses and manages to be both critical and pithy in this comment. Many representatives of the "h"-team posting on the thread seem to employ the correct spelling argument, which no doubt motivated the Geographic Board in their decision to rule in favour of the name change.
Of course anything Michael Laws-related mobilises the ML defence force:
Carpe Diem (Half Moon Bay)
Leave it alone! Tell all the PC boot lickers to to take a hike! Good on you Michael.
But what is most interesting about this thread are the debates surrounding the representation of New Zealand and Maori history. The perpetuation of misinformation is rife, with users pertaining to speak as expert historians in order to reinforce their opinion.
Geebs (Queensland)
It is time NZers took a stand and dealt with real issues. Maori have no rights as they are not indigenous, never were and never will be. It is time for people to realise that Maori are conning everyone and the parliamentarians are allowing for this to occur. Historical facts show the Maori ate the first people and don't forget it. Stop them eating into your rights now.
Misinformed viewpoints are quite concerning. But what is more concerning is when the spread of misinformation is applauded and therefore reinforced by other users:
Maureen (Queensland)
Good on ya geebs of Queensland. Anyway aren't the Maori originally from Taiwan?
But then, like a knight in shining armour, Jay from Swanson arises with a challenge to these assumptions surrounding the interpretation of NZ and Maori history:
Jay (Swanson)
I see we have experts on the Maori and te Reo Maori from Queensland, Canada, you name it. Maureen of Queensland, if by opining that Maori are "not indigenous" to NZ you mean that they were not the first people here, you must have found out something that no-one else has. If you go and check the current research you will find that there is no evidence which even suggests that there were others here before eastern Polynesians. If by saying that Maori were not indigenous you mean that they did not occur naturally here then we have to say that no-one on the planet is indigenous to anywhere except perhaps Ethiopians whose antecedents (and yours) it is thought spontaneously emerged there.
Although Jay doesn't mention any specific writing on the subject, he manages to question the circulation of assumed (and yet false) facts in the debate. Discussion forums are widely perceived as spaces in which people are able to reaffirm and reinforce their beliefs amongst like-minded peers, deterring those holding differing opinions. The interaction of responses between these users shows that this isn't always necessarily the case, and that folks will speak up if they see assumptions and misinformation being circulated without question.
With every new development in the W(h)anganui saga, the Your Views topic Should it be 'Wanganui' or 'Whanganui'?, which was created back in May, has been reinvigorated with interest. The thread of comments features energetic debate, with polarised discussion amongst both fans of the "h" and the anti-"h" brigade (the members of which probably also belong to the anti-PC brigade).
Dan (Wellington City)
If it's a spelling mistake why not correct it? Or is this one of those things that is supposed to be "racially charged" or an example of "political correctness gone mad"?
Dan gets the prestige of having the first post on the ever-growing thread of responses and manages to be both critical and pithy in this comment. Many representatives of the "h"-team posting on the thread seem to employ the correct spelling argument, which no doubt motivated the Geographic Board in their decision to rule in favour of the name change.
Of course anything Michael Laws-related mobilises the ML defence force:
Carpe Diem (Half Moon Bay)
Leave it alone! Tell all the PC boot lickers to to take a hike! Good on you Michael.
But what is most interesting about this thread are the debates surrounding the representation of New Zealand and Maori history. The perpetuation of misinformation is rife, with users pertaining to speak as expert historians in order to reinforce their opinion.
Geebs (Queensland)
It is time NZers took a stand and dealt with real issues. Maori have no rights as they are not indigenous, never were and never will be. It is time for people to realise that Maori are conning everyone and the parliamentarians are allowing for this to occur. Historical facts show the Maori ate the first people and don't forget it. Stop them eating into your rights now.
Misinformed viewpoints are quite concerning. But what is more concerning is when the spread of misinformation is applauded and therefore reinforced by other users:
Maureen (Queensland)
Good on ya geebs of Queensland. Anyway aren't the Maori originally from Taiwan?
But then, like a knight in shining armour, Jay from Swanson arises with a challenge to these assumptions surrounding the interpretation of NZ and Maori history:
Jay (Swanson)
I see we have experts on the Maori and te Reo Maori from Queensland, Canada, you name it. Maureen of Queensland, if by opining that Maori are "not indigenous" to NZ you mean that they were not the first people here, you must have found out something that no-one else has. If you go and check the current research you will find that there is no evidence which even suggests that there were others here before eastern Polynesians. If by saying that Maori were not indigenous you mean that they did not occur naturally here then we have to say that no-one on the planet is indigenous to anywhere except perhaps Ethiopians whose antecedents (and yours) it is thought spontaneously emerged there.
Although Jay doesn't mention any specific writing on the subject, he manages to question the circulation of assumed (and yet false) facts in the debate. Discussion forums are widely perceived as spaces in which people are able to reaffirm and reinforce their beliefs amongst like-minded peers, deterring those holding differing opinions. The interaction of responses between these users shows that this isn't always necessarily the case, and that folks will speak up if they see assumptions and misinformation being circulated without question.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Your Views: The Most Boring Place in New Zealand
The Springboks are planning to avoid spending any more time than necessary in Hamilton by flying in from the Gold Coast just 48 hours before the game. Coach Peter de Villiers believed that his players would become apathetic if they had to spend too long in the "boring" city, saying "there is nothing in Hamilton." Nothing in Hamilton?! What about the mighty Waikato? They could visit the Hamilton Gardens, the Hamilton Zoo or one or all of the six public libraries within the city! Surely they'd be happy with a riveting read in between training sessions?
In another example of the Your Views editorial team scrounging around for potential questions to raise, they posted the question: Where is the most boring place in New Zealand?
Of course there has been a good helping of comments containing negative stereotypes of particular New Zealand towns and those speaking out in defence of these representations. However, as always there have been some responses which use the question as a vehicle to comment on seemingly unrelated political issues:
Juan O Vastaya (Browns Bay)
The most boring place in New Zealand would be Bill English's home - when the deceitful, self-serving and avaricious Finance Minister is in residence.
Why? Because it would be totally quiet as English busied himself seeing how much more he could rip-off the system for, whilst mutely composing a reminder to the rest of the country that a recession is occurring.
Which one of his two houses is the most boring?
JD (Opawa)
W[h]anganui!
All those colourful characters with gang patches gone from the streets - leaving grey conformity!
And last but not least, my favourite find of the day, commenting nicely on the possible user perceptions of the Your Views forum:
Liz (Auckland Central)
The Herald Views page is the most boring place in NZ.
In another example of the Your Views editorial team scrounging around for potential questions to raise, they posted the question: Where is the most boring place in New Zealand?
Of course there has been a good helping of comments containing negative stereotypes of particular New Zealand towns and those speaking out in defence of these representations. However, as always there have been some responses which use the question as a vehicle to comment on seemingly unrelated political issues:
Juan O Vastaya (Browns Bay)
The most boring place in New Zealand would be Bill English's home - when the deceitful, self-serving and avaricious Finance Minister is in residence.
Why? Because it would be totally quiet as English busied himself seeing how much more he could rip-off the system for, whilst mutely composing a reminder to the rest of the country that a recession is occurring.
Which one of his two houses is the most boring?
JD (Opawa)
W[h]anganui!
All those colourful characters with gang patches gone from the streets - leaving grey conformity!
And last but not least, my favourite find of the day, commenting nicely on the possible user perceptions of the Your Views forum:
Liz (Auckland Central)
The Herald Views page is the most boring place in NZ.
One man's trash is another man's treasure
Auckland artist Dane Mitchell's work "Collateral" won the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Award 2009, an award with $15,000 in prize money. According to the Herald, the competition is known for its "challenging" and "controversial" entries. Stories with any hint of controversy are usually linked quick-smart to a Your Views question and this one was no exception. Nothing like a stimulating debate in which users get to discuss the complex nature of contemporary art. Your Views asked: Is this creation art or trash?
Dark_Nyt (Helensville)
As the saying goes "one mans trash is another mans treasure", which seems to be the case here. Although this trash is just that, trash. True artists take time and commitment to create a piece of beauty, not sucker others into tipping rubbish into a pile and calling it art.
Hold on a second there Dark_Nyt. First you say we can all have an opinion on contemporary art, or indeed anything fitting the trash/treasure turn of phrase I guess. However, then you rule that Mitchell's work is simply "trash" leaving no room for it to be considered a "treasure"!
Alisha091 (Auckland)
TRASH! Who were the judges? The locals on K road?
I love how emphatically Alisha091 jumps at the chance to respond directly to the Your Views question, using capital letters and an exclamation mark to emphasise her choice. If we excuse the "locals of K road" comment, she does point towards the inadequate coverage of the event by the Herald through asking who the judges were.
In this thread of comments, the Forum Editor gets involved in order to give Anne from Glen Eden a bit of a telling off:
Anne (Glen Eden)
DR (Ellerslie) the problem with this ?work? is that I define art as ?human creative skill?.concerned with production of imitative and imaginative designs and expression of ideas?.contrasted with scientific technique or principal?. ?Art? has, in the modern world, become synonymous with social activism, like most other things. This ?work? may be social commentary. It is not ?art?. There may be those who think that?s a valid artistic pursuit. The art world has been clearly consumed by the concept or just by anything that?s weird or eccentric but I still prefer ?art? to be beautiful, to require toil, creativity and skill. It has nothing to do with socialism. It has everything to do with finding enough ugliness in the world and looking to ?art? to lift the human spirit. All that can be derived from this ?work? is, as someone said, that we would all be enlightened by taking a picnic lunch and bottle of wine to the local landfill for a day of reflection to marvel at the apparent creativity of those who generated it and those who dumped it. Whatever someone believes, there?s nothing imaginative or creative in this or in the social facts to enjoy
FORUM EDITOR'S NOTE: Anne, this is how your emails appear to us when they arrive. If you type you message directly into the Herald's message box, rather than cutting and pasting from another program, then the '?' marks will appear as apostrophes - as they should. Also, please check how long you messages are. 90 per cent of them cut off mid-sentence.
As a none-time poster but long-time reader of Your Views, I can say this is the first time I've seen such a thing! Poor Anne is publicly shamed in front of her fellow Your Views users. Surely the forum editor could have sent her an email? The inclusion of this note on Anne's post not only undermines what she has to say, but it makes visible the role of moderation in the forum and therefore serves a reminder that the Your Views editorial team have the ultimate say in how user responses are represented.
Dark_Nyt (Helensville)
As the saying goes "one mans trash is another mans treasure", which seems to be the case here. Although this trash is just that, trash. True artists take time and commitment to create a piece of beauty, not sucker others into tipping rubbish into a pile and calling it art.
Hold on a second there Dark_Nyt. First you say we can all have an opinion on contemporary art, or indeed anything fitting the trash/treasure turn of phrase I guess. However, then you rule that Mitchell's work is simply "trash" leaving no room for it to be considered a "treasure"!
Alisha091 (Auckland)
TRASH! Who were the judges? The locals on K road?
I love how emphatically Alisha091 jumps at the chance to respond directly to the Your Views question, using capital letters and an exclamation mark to emphasise her choice. If we excuse the "locals of K road" comment, she does point towards the inadequate coverage of the event by the Herald through asking who the judges were.
In this thread of comments, the Forum Editor gets involved in order to give Anne from Glen Eden a bit of a telling off:
Anne (Glen Eden)
DR (Ellerslie) the problem with this ?work? is that I define art as ?human creative skill?.concerned with production of imitative and imaginative designs and expression of ideas?.contrasted with scientific technique or principal?. ?Art? has, in the modern world, become synonymous with social activism, like most other things. This ?work? may be social commentary. It is not ?art?. There may be those who think that?s a valid artistic pursuit. The art world has been clearly consumed by the concept or just by anything that?s weird or eccentric but I still prefer ?art? to be beautiful, to require toil, creativity and skill. It has nothing to do with socialism. It has everything to do with finding enough ugliness in the world and looking to ?art? to lift the human spirit. All that can be derived from this ?work? is, as someone said, that we would all be enlightened by taking a picnic lunch and bottle of wine to the local landfill for a day of reflection to marvel at the apparent creativity of those who generated it and those who dumped it. Whatever someone believes, there?s nothing imaginative or creative in this or in the social facts to enjoy
FORUM EDITOR'S NOTE: Anne, this is how your emails appear to us when they arrive. If you type you message directly into the Herald's message box, rather than cutting and pasting from another program, then the '?' marks will appear as apostrophes - as they should. Also, please check how long you messages are. 90 per cent of them cut off mid-sentence.
As a none-time poster but long-time reader of Your Views, I can say this is the first time I've seen such a thing! Poor Anne is publicly shamed in front of her fellow Your Views users. Surely the forum editor could have sent her an email? The inclusion of this note on Anne's post not only undermines what she has to say, but it makes visible the role of moderation in the forum and therefore serves a reminder that the Your Views editorial team have the ultimate say in how user responses are represented.
Engineered to fail
Peter Hughes, a maths lecturer from the University of Auckland, claims that only a third of New Zealand students entering secondary school are numerate. Hughes makes this claim in light of the fact that a numeracy test he has created was seen as rather difficult by an unnamed secondary school's maths department head. The story even includes the test in question, which is assumed 70% of Year 11 students would fail, for readers to have a go at and click a link for the solutions. Now that's what I call interactivity.
In true form to Your Views, the problems and pitfalls of an entire education system come under scrutiny because of one person's specific claim about a specific topic - rates of numeracy in secondary school students. Your Views asks: Does the NZ education system fail to cover the basics? not "What are your impressions of the NZ education system?" or anything of a similarly open nature. Alongside the article and standing on its own, the question is coded with meaning and works to trigger responses that argue the NZ education does "fail to cover the basics".
The question has obviously encouraged those who seek to list one by one the evil temptations and trappings of modern childhood and how children are helpless victims of "brainwashing".
Help Us ASAP! (Auckland Central)
May be or may be not but it has a lot to do with the socialisation of what they learn at school. They may learn maths and writing at school, but in reality they are brainwashed by the media in TV, Video Games, GE foods, chemical drinks, and inappropriate peer pressure
Brainwashing!
Lucy in the Sky (Auckland Central)
Our schools focus on brainwashing the kids about nukes, the environment, global warming, eating right, charity, multiculturalism and political correctness, when all of these are the domain of the parent. They should be teaching school stuff, like reading, writing, maths, history, physics, chemistry, biology & geography. Stuff that matters.
More brainwashing! I'm confused about what "matters" according to Lucy in the Sky - surely things that are in the "domain of the parent" should be the things that "matter" most?
ryan (Bahamas)
Lazyness is also to blame. Too much tv and xbox and sports. I say throw away the TV, get some strict discipline in schools and bugger this pc nonsense that's destroyed NZ. Hell when i was at school there was nothing wrong with a good spanking, and good old fashioned discipline, short hair for boys etc,we are not making good citizens here
I get the feeling Ryan thinks a short haircut and a good spank would sort out a lot of the problems in New Zealand.
After all this talk of brainwashing and spanking, let's leave today's post with a thoughful response from bob of the Bay of Plenty. Three cheers for bob for putting his thinking cap on a little before clicking "send".
bob (Bay Of Plenty)
I'm a little puzzled by this article. Peter Hughes states that just a third of students are entering secondary school numerate and backs this up by using a comment from a secondary school teacher. Where's the research that backs up this highly inflammatory comment?
Further on in the article it states that Ministry of Education figures show our students are above the OECD average. So who is right here, the lecturer whose comments are backed up by a second hand comment from someone else. Or the Government department with research from a world renowned organisation?
Before jumping on this teacher bashing bandwagon I think some more considered research into this issue would be needed.
In true form to Your Views, the problems and pitfalls of an entire education system come under scrutiny because of one person's specific claim about a specific topic - rates of numeracy in secondary school students. Your Views asks: Does the NZ education system fail to cover the basics? not "What are your impressions of the NZ education system?" or anything of a similarly open nature. Alongside the article and standing on its own, the question is coded with meaning and works to trigger responses that argue the NZ education does "fail to cover the basics".
The question has obviously encouraged those who seek to list one by one the evil temptations and trappings of modern childhood and how children are helpless victims of "brainwashing".
Help Us ASAP! (Auckland Central)
May be or may be not but it has a lot to do with the socialisation of what they learn at school. They may learn maths and writing at school, but in reality they are brainwashed by the media in TV, Video Games, GE foods, chemical drinks, and inappropriate peer pressure
Brainwashing!
Lucy in the Sky (Auckland Central)
Our schools focus on brainwashing the kids about nukes, the environment, global warming, eating right, charity, multiculturalism and political correctness, when all of these are the domain of the parent. They should be teaching school stuff, like reading, writing, maths, history, physics, chemistry, biology & geography. Stuff that matters.
More brainwashing! I'm confused about what "matters" according to Lucy in the Sky - surely things that are in the "domain of the parent" should be the things that "matter" most?
ryan (Bahamas)
Lazyness is also to blame. Too much tv and xbox and sports. I say throw away the TV, get some strict discipline in schools and bugger this pc nonsense that's destroyed NZ. Hell when i was at school there was nothing wrong with a good spanking, and good old fashioned discipline, short hair for boys etc,we are not making good citizens here
I get the feeling Ryan thinks a short haircut and a good spank would sort out a lot of the problems in New Zealand.
After all this talk of brainwashing and spanking, let's leave today's post with a thoughful response from bob of the Bay of Plenty. Three cheers for bob for putting his thinking cap on a little before clicking "send".
bob (Bay Of Plenty)
I'm a little puzzled by this article. Peter Hughes states that just a third of students are entering secondary school numerate and backs this up by using a comment from a secondary school teacher. Where's the research that backs up this highly inflammatory comment?
Further on in the article it states that Ministry of Education figures show our students are above the OECD average. So who is right here, the lecturer whose comments are backed up by a second hand comment from someone else. Or the Government department with research from a world renowned organisation?
Before jumping on this teacher bashing bandwagon I think some more considered research into this issue would be needed.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Tree Murderers
The Herald reported on the Government's desire to make it easier for landowners to cut down trees on their own property. A triumph for the libertarians! "I'm sick of being told what I can and can't do on my own property, now I can cut down all the trees I like!" Although it's not quite that simple, so don't run to the shed for your chainsaw just yet. The Government proposes that people still couldn't take an axe to any trees listed as protected trees in their specific council's district plan.
So Your Views pits the Greenies against the Freedom-loving Chainsaw-Happy Folks with the question: Is it a good move to make it easier to chop down and trim trees?
And here was I thinking the world relied on trees to keep us alive? Chainsaw at the ready, the trees are giving us asthma!
Perhaps this user was provoked by the Herald's Interesting choice of headline for the related story: 'Law changes could see open season on trees'. It does invoke shooting spree connotations, with "JK" and his big-shot mates decked out in trenchcoats ready for a tree massacre.
Tim C (North Shore)
Why is it that the 'left wing' in this discussion crudely and nievely conclude this tree debate is all about "greedy developers" (when they make up less than 1% of the population)?. You communists show your true colours. You want sameism & differing views to yours just isn't to be tolerated is it!. Big brother nanny state must intervene to control our every move, tell us what we can and can't do, that we can't cut our own tree on our own residential property or the East German neighbours (you) will dob us in!. Its called the tall poppy syndrome. You just cant stand someone being an achiever in any form of commerce ie; property, uncomfortably (for you) more of an achiever than you could ever be!. You need the state to control everyone so that it makes you feel good. You need to complain about the developers, or big business making far far too much money when most know that kind of debate is childish. Grow up! (some of you will achieve that with maturity & some of you will just never get it!).What sad creatures you are!. You would be more at home in the old Soviet Union wouldn't you, plenty of trees there!, but that was a hopelessly failed experiment wasn't it !.
I don't know where to start! What I can say is that I'm very sure Tim C isn't looking for an open and engaged discussion, with the possibility of having his own opinion challenged. The communist theme is incredibly consistent. The "you" being addressed is obviously any Your Views user of '"left-wing" political leanings but Tim C takes it as far as to call such people nanny-state lovin', East German communists who don't want to cut down trees but are the first to hack down tall poppies.
So Your Views pits the Greenies against the Freedom-loving Chainsaw-Happy Folks with the question: Is it a good move to make it easier to chop down and trim trees?
machan (Onehunga)
Most of these Greenies do not understand the health hazards of two many trees around the houses.It is one of the main cause for cold,damp houses which in turn causes asthma and other upper respiratory infections etc.More over trees around the houses prevent people from getting sun light which is very important for Vit,D metabolism which is important to prevent children from suffering with Rickets and adults from Osteoporosis.And here was I thinking the world relied on trees to keep us alive? Chainsaw at the ready, the trees are giving us asthma!
Lady Barbie Girl (Epsom)
JK's right-wing National government will be remembered, not only in New Zealand but also world-wide, as "The Tree Murderers". Simply because no other government in the Western world allows such cynical killing of trees.Perhaps this user was provoked by the Herald's Interesting choice of headline for the related story: 'Law changes could see open season on trees'. It does invoke shooting spree connotations, with "JK" and his big-shot mates decked out in trenchcoats ready for a tree massacre.
Tim C (North Shore)
Why is it that the 'left wing' in this discussion crudely and nievely conclude this tree debate is all about "greedy developers" (when they make up less than 1% of the population)?. You communists show your true colours. You want sameism & differing views to yours just isn't to be tolerated is it!. Big brother nanny state must intervene to control our every move, tell us what we can and can't do, that we can't cut our own tree on our own residential property or the East German neighbours (you) will dob us in!. Its called the tall poppy syndrome. You just cant stand someone being an achiever in any form of commerce ie; property, uncomfortably (for you) more of an achiever than you could ever be!. You need the state to control everyone so that it makes you feel good. You need to complain about the developers, or big business making far far too much money when most know that kind of debate is childish. Grow up! (some of you will achieve that with maturity & some of you will just never get it!).What sad creatures you are!. You would be more at home in the old Soviet Union wouldn't you, plenty of trees there!, but that was a hopelessly failed experiment wasn't it !.
I don't know where to start! What I can say is that I'm very sure Tim C isn't looking for an open and engaged discussion, with the possibility of having his own opinion challenged. The communist theme is incredibly consistent. The "you" being addressed is obviously any Your Views user of '"left-wing" political leanings but Tim C takes it as far as to call such people nanny-state lovin', East German communists who don't want to cut down trees but are the first to hack down tall poppies.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Some tough bikkies with that cup of tea?
It's no wonder that after losing out big time at the Qantas Film and Television Awards, TV3 don't feel like sharing. Usually TVNZ and TV3 alternate years of filming and screening of the awards ceremony and this year was TVNZ's turn, but they pulled out and TV3 took up the opportunity to cover the event. It's also no surprise that TV3 didn't screen the entire event but simply a "highlights" version, in which they conveniently edited out many of TVNZ's winners. TVNZ missed out, but they won big, and therefore want the footage so they can have a wee gloat.
TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston said that TV3 giving them access to the footage would be "a gracious thing to do." TV3 spokesman Roger Beaumont replied by saying: "They need to go sit down and have a cup of tea, to be quite frank."
How did the Your Views users feel? Should TV3 hand over Qantas Awards footage to TVNZ? Or should we all sit down with a nice cuppa and let bygones be bygones?
Karen (Sunnynook)
The media in this country are of such a pitifully low standard they should be embarrassed to have awards at all. No wonder their advertising revenue has plummeted. Their big corporate spenders are all out of here and who watches them these days anyway?
Perhaps if they didn't spend so much on obscenely inflated salaries, corporate cabs, $1k lunches, $60 bottles of wine, expensive wardrobes etc they could have covered it themselves or offered TV3 a reasonable fee for a copy. Profligate wallies.
Again, a intricately-detailed description of someone's impression of a group of people. The accumulation of these "bad" habits are no doubt employed to support the idea that commercial media are blinded by their own decadence, painted as bacchanalian figures who are so consumed by the need for self-satisfaction that they ignore reason.
Opinion8d (Te Atatu South)
Why should they? TV3 filmed the awards, they get to keep the footage. Simple. Besides, April (Auckland) is right; they all produce a load of rubbish - I stopped watching mainstream television about ten years ago, and I'm pretty certain that I'm not alone out there.
And yet you still read the Herald...
Neal (Dargaville)
Tough bikkies TVNZ
Nice one Neal, simply put! On that note, I might go put the jug on...
TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston said that TV3 giving them access to the footage would be "a gracious thing to do." TV3 spokesman Roger Beaumont replied by saying: "They need to go sit down and have a cup of tea, to be quite frank."
How did the Your Views users feel? Should TV3 hand over Qantas Awards footage to TVNZ? Or should we all sit down with a nice cuppa and let bygones be bygones?
Karen (Sunnynook)
The media in this country are of such a pitifully low standard they should be embarrassed to have awards at all. No wonder their advertising revenue has plummeted. Their big corporate spenders are all out of here and who watches them these days anyway?
Perhaps if they didn't spend so much on obscenely inflated salaries, corporate cabs, $1k lunches, $60 bottles of wine, expensive wardrobes etc they could have covered it themselves or offered TV3 a reasonable fee for a copy. Profligate wallies.
Again, a intricately-detailed description of someone's impression of a group of people. The accumulation of these "bad" habits are no doubt employed to support the idea that commercial media are blinded by their own decadence, painted as bacchanalian figures who are so consumed by the need for self-satisfaction that they ignore reason.
Opinion8d (Te Atatu South)
Why should they? TV3 filmed the awards, they get to keep the footage. Simple. Besides, April (Auckland) is right; they all produce a load of rubbish - I stopped watching mainstream television about ten years ago, and I'm pretty certain that I'm not alone out there.
And yet you still read the Herald...
Neal (Dargaville)
Tough bikkies TVNZ
Nice one Neal, simply put! On that note, I might go put the jug on...
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Return of the Nazis
A group of researchers has proposed a number of changes in the fight against nicotine in New Zealand. These include the creation of a Smokefree Commission that would require retailers to have licenses for the sale of cigarettes and to stop the glossy branding of tobacco and cigarette packets, with health warnings the only stand-out feature on plain packaging. The proposed changes apparently have the support of public health physicians, policy officials across a range of government ministries and journalists alike.
But what do the users of Your Views think about it? Should cigarette packs feature only health warnings on a plain package?
steve (Tuakau)
Another proof that political-correctness is a dictatorship that has stricken freedom off the dictionary. Next will be alcool, and then they will just have to apply the same rule for not thinking the waythey do. Welcome to the NZ stalag
Raymond (Hamilton)
But what do the users of Your Views think about it? Should cigarette packs feature only health warnings on a plain package?
Raymond (Hamilton)
I think the bright sparks that thought this up should go back to their day jobs as Nazi SS officers. Seriously. And no, I don't smoke, and I'm damned if I'll let anyone have the right to prevent me from choosing to.steve (Tuakau)
Another proof that political-correctness is a dictatorship that has stricken freedom off the dictionary. Next will be alcool, and then they will just have to apply the same rule for not thinking the waythey do. Welcome to the NZ stalag
Raymond (Hamilton)
Wow, the cigarette Nazis are out in force. Why don't you all organise a march up Queen St, or go to a gym and take it out on a punching bag? Smoking a cigarette is Not against the law. So stop behaving like it is. And cigarette smoking will NEVER be outlawed, because the government makes too much tax out of it. And no, I don't smoke, but thank you for asking.
References to the researchers as Nazi secret service officers to New Zealand as a prisoner of war camp! Classic examples of Godwin's Law occurring in the Your Views forum. As the Wikipedia entry states, Godwin's Law, otherwise known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies, "applies especially to inappropriate, inordinate, or hyperbolic comparisons of other situations (or one's opponent) with Hitler or Nazis or their actions." These responses are worrying not only because the likening of a unrelated situation to Nazism or the Holocaust trivialises the seriousness of these historical examples, but because they are employed by users in an attempt to make their point more convincing rather than providing a detailed argument. However, the inclusion of such comparisons in one's argument also works to generate reaction from other users, as a kind of hot-button language that will inevitably split discussion between those who approve of the use of such analogies and those who don't.
References to the researchers as Nazi secret service officers to New Zealand as a prisoner of war camp! Classic examples of Godwin's Law occurring in the Your Views forum. As the Wikipedia entry states, Godwin's Law, otherwise known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies, "applies especially to inappropriate, inordinate, or hyperbolic comparisons of other situations (or one's opponent) with Hitler or Nazis or their actions." These responses are worrying not only because the likening of a unrelated situation to Nazism or the Holocaust trivialises the seriousness of these historical examples, but because they are employed by users in an attempt to make their point more convincing rather than providing a detailed argument. However, the inclusion of such comparisons in one's argument also works to generate reaction from other users, as a kind of hot-button language that will inevitably split discussion between those who approve of the use of such analogies and those who don't.
Jessica P (Kohimarama)
Let's stop pretending this is a victimless habit and that an objector must be a "nazi". There's no plus side to smoking.
Freedom (Eden Terrace)
The parallels between the Nazis' progressively escalating persecution of Jews and the Authorities progressively escalating persecution of smokers is scary.
Let's stop pretending this is a victimless habit and that an objector must be a "nazi". There's no plus side to smoking.
Freedom (Eden Terrace)
The parallels between the Nazis' progressively escalating persecution of Jews and the Authorities progressively escalating persecution of smokers is scary.
Grown men can't pick on children without being questioned. It's all PC gone mad.
Michael Laws is providing excellent fodder for the NZ Herald and indeed all New Zealand news outlets at the moment. The banning of gang patches, the battle to save Wanganui from the dreaded 'h' and now this: parents angry about Laws writing a heated letter to school kids in response to their request to put the 'h' back in W(h)anganui, uh-oh. He argued:
"When your class starts addressing the real issues affecting Maoridom - particularly the appalling rate of child abuse and child murder within Maori society, then I will take the rest of your views seriously."
Ruffled feathers, anyone? I wonder if Michael Laws takes Your Views seriously? If he does, he might feel safe in the comfort of his many fans. Should Michael Laws have to apologise over his letter to Otaki School?
LukaDuka (Newton)
"When your class starts addressing the real issues affecting Maoridom - particularly the appalling rate of child abuse and child murder within Maori society, then I will take the rest of your views seriously."
Ruffled feathers, anyone? I wonder if Michael Laws takes Your Views seriously? If he does, he might feel safe in the comfort of his many fans. Should Michael Laws have to apologise over his letter to Otaki School?
LukaDuka (Newton)
I am all for ML. This country has gone to the "PC correct" dogs. He hit the nail on the head.
Luigi (Auckland)
At least we can count on Laws saying it like it is, rather than spouting some PC based claptrap we have had to endure over the past 9 years. The kids were prompted by their teacher - no doubt. They were arrogant in "their" letters - no doubt again.
andy pandy (Blenheim)
Luigi (Auckland)
At least we can count on Laws saying it like it is, rather than spouting some PC based claptrap we have had to endure over the past 9 years. The kids were prompted by their teacher - no doubt. They were arrogant in "their" letters - no doubt again.
andy pandy (Blenheim)
Go Michael! The more you stick it up the PC brigade the better. Of course these kids were put up to it by their teacher (and other adults?) No self respecting kid would voluntarily enter into such a debate of their own accord. The whole things a media beat up and makes me ashamed to call myself a kiwi.
Notice the reoccurrence of anti-PC sentiment. Such language goes down well with a large number of Your Views users, who seem to drop negative references towards political processes and "political correctness" in order to strengthen their argument that New Zealand has "gone soft". It is easy to see how this kind of language prevents users from engaging with oppositional arguments in a constructive way, instead it constructs a separation between two sides who see eachother respectively as "PC cardigan-wearing nanny-state-loving hippies" and "ignorant narrow-minded racist bigots". I quite like James W's contribution to the discussion in this thread, an attempt to deconstruct the constant negative references to "PC":
James W (Auckland Central)
Whenever people say "It's PC gone mad!" what they mean is "I can't say or do offensive things anymore, waaaaah!". How about just being a decent, respectful citizen?
Nicely put James W. To use LukaDuka's phrase, you "hit the nail on the head".
Notice the reoccurrence of anti-PC sentiment. Such language goes down well with a large number of Your Views users, who seem to drop negative references towards political processes and "political correctness" in order to strengthen their argument that New Zealand has "gone soft". It is easy to see how this kind of language prevents users from engaging with oppositional arguments in a constructive way, instead it constructs a separation between two sides who see eachother respectively as "PC cardigan-wearing nanny-state-loving hippies" and "ignorant narrow-minded racist bigots". I quite like James W's contribution to the discussion in this thread, an attempt to deconstruct the constant negative references to "PC":
James W (Auckland Central)
Whenever people say "It's PC gone mad!" what they mean is "I can't say or do offensive things anymore, waaaaah!". How about just being a decent, respectful citizen?
Nicely put James W. To use LukaDuka's phrase, you "hit the nail on the head".
The People in Power: Cardigan-wearing Bureaucrats and Right-wing Nutters
The Herald reported on the endorsement of a proposal by the transport committee for the Auckland City Council which seeks to extend the hours of pay-and-display parking in the CBD until 10pm at night, rather than the 6pm cut-off as it now stands.
It seems today the NZ Herald online were a bit short of Your Views questions, so they posited the question "Will the new parking charges kill the CBD at night?" to their readers. The question is obviously Auckland-centric, assuming that the term CBD can only apply to Auckland by not putting the city's name somewhere in the picture.
Mark S (Remuera)
It seems today the NZ Herald online were a bit short of Your Views questions, so they posited the question "Will the new parking charges kill the CBD at night?" to their readers. The question is obviously Auckland-centric, assuming that the term CBD can only apply to Auckland by not putting the city's name somewhere in the picture.
Mark S (Remuera)
Heck, if The Edge hadn't dropped a bundle, staging that expensive flop 'My Fair Lady' - and the other duds - then the Council's "greed glands" wouldn't be pumping so vigorously, trying to recoup the losses by targeting city-bound motorists. It's not so much being short-sighted as being totally blind. But you'd expect nothing less from a bunch of self-important cardigan-wearing bureaucrats who take their Gladwrapped lunches to work, along with quartered-and-peeled apples in plastic containers.
Woah! That is one of the most intricately detailed stereotypes I have ever read on Your Views. It's fascinating that someone could be criticised right down to the way they prepare their packed lunch. I get the feeling that Mark S may be a disgruntled ex-council worker who got the inside scoop on the fashion tastes and food habits of his fellow employees.
On the other end of debate, although still dissatisfied with the potential change to parking charges and highlighting their "greed glands", is Ian from Glen Eden:
Ian (Glen Eden)
All this talk of going to the dogs!
This is exactly what happens when you've got right-wingers running things - it's all about money, money, money. Absolutely NO good will or encourangement of people coming into the CBD for enjoyment and pleasure and a free carpark. Instead it's all about how much money the Council can fleece out of you.It's only going to get much, much worse if people like John Banks control the new Super Council.My God we are surrounded by right-wing nutters in positions of power now (since the last general election). Greed is the catch-cry now and we are going to the dogs already!
Woah! That is one of the most intricately detailed stereotypes I have ever read on Your Views. It's fascinating that someone could be criticised right down to the way they prepare their packed lunch. I get the feeling that Mark S may be a disgruntled ex-council worker who got the inside scoop on the fashion tastes and food habits of his fellow employees.
On the other end of debate, although still dissatisfied with the potential change to parking charges and highlighting their "greed glands", is Ian from Glen Eden:
Ian (Glen Eden)
All this talk of going to the dogs!
This is exactly what happens when you've got right-wingers running things - it's all about money, money, money. Absolutely NO good will or encourangement of people coming into the CBD for enjoyment and pleasure and a free carpark. Instead it's all about how much money the Council can fleece out of you.It's only going to get much, much worse if people like John Banks control the new Super Council.My God we are surrounded by right-wing nutters in positions of power now (since the last general election). Greed is the catch-cry now and we are going to the dogs already!
With this somewhat apocalyptic tone, Ian seems pretty convinced that Auckland is already "going to the dogs" and parking charges in the Auckland CBD at night are just the start of the bad things to come if "right-wing nutters" are in control.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Triumph of Commonsense
Police Minister Judith Collins launches a counter-attack on the Opposition who are drumming up "alarmist" claims about possible police station closures. Apparently back in 2000, the Labour government were criticised for not providing the bare necessities of facilities and equipment at police stations, including things like raincoats. NO RAINCOATS? Seriously? But how would they stay dry?
Anyway, the police 'Fit for the Future' project, which is to be presented to the Government, recommends that as a response to the need to cut-costs in the police force, patrol cars could be turned into "mobile stations" whereby on-the-spot punishments could be given out for minor crimes, giving police officers the ability to act as both prosecutor and judge.
All this talk of police raincoats and cost-cutting measures inspired Your Views to pose the question "Should police be able to process crimes at their patrol car or back at the station?", clearly designed to appeal to those who value "commonsense" arguments.
Margot Campbell (Napier)
Madness. The government should be slashing benefits and state houses. Ratbags suckling at the public teat should be the number one target. What sane person with disagree with this?
Thanks Margot, for providing We Encourage Wide Debate with an incredible label for the tag cloud! "Ratbags suckling at the public teat" - brilliant. Although her response does leave you wondering what question she was responding to. It could very well suit most Your Views questions, which often pit an "sane" idea against an "insane" one.
rodney mccardle (North Shore)
Yeap, Close down police stations and let us have guns instead.
I'm trying to convince myself that Rodney's comment is intended as a brief but hilarious comment, aka JD from Opawa with his "How else are we gonna get girls drunk and score?"-type response to the banning of the Rangitoto College ball. The thought of this comment as deadly serious makes me feel, well, seriously dead.
Hugh Jarse (Rotorua)
No, we dont have enough. If we look at the values that have changed over the last 20 years, unless we get back to those vales of love, respect , pride in oneself , ones people and this beautiful counntry of ours, then we do not have enough Police Stations.
For crissakes we are now putting in laws which stop gang members wearing their patches in Wanganui, we need to make this s standard law across the country. The values of our young have changed, violently.
Another instance of myth-making and nostalgia for the New Zealand of yesteryear. Back when there were police stations on every corner. Ahh, it was paradise wasn't it?
Anyway, the police 'Fit for the Future' project, which is to be presented to the Government, recommends that as a response to the need to cut-costs in the police force, patrol cars could be turned into "mobile stations" whereby on-the-spot punishments could be given out for minor crimes, giving police officers the ability to act as both prosecutor and judge.
All this talk of police raincoats and cost-cutting measures inspired Your Views to pose the question "Should police be able to process crimes at their patrol car or back at the station?", clearly designed to appeal to those who value "commonsense" arguments.
Margot Campbell (Napier)
Madness. The government should be slashing benefits and state houses. Ratbags suckling at the public teat should be the number one target. What sane person with disagree with this?
Thanks Margot, for providing We Encourage Wide Debate with an incredible label for the tag cloud! "Ratbags suckling at the public teat" - brilliant. Although her response does leave you wondering what question she was responding to. It could very well suit most Your Views questions, which often pit an "sane" idea against an "insane" one.
rodney mccardle (North Shore)
Yeap, Close down police stations and let us have guns instead.
I'm trying to convince myself that Rodney's comment is intended as a brief but hilarious comment, aka JD from Opawa with his "How else are we gonna get girls drunk and score?"-type response to the banning of the Rangitoto College ball. The thought of this comment as deadly serious makes me feel, well, seriously dead.
Hugh Jarse (Rotorua)
No, we dont have enough. If we look at the values that have changed over the last 20 years, unless we get back to those vales of love, respect , pride in oneself , ones people and this beautiful counntry of ours, then we do not have enough Police Stations.
For crissakes we are now putting in laws which stop gang members wearing their patches in Wanganui, we need to make this s standard law across the country. The values of our young have changed, violently.
Another instance of myth-making and nostalgia for the New Zealand of yesteryear. Back when there were police stations on every corner. Ahh, it was paradise wasn't it?
Enriching Discussion
Finally the budding scientists amongst the Your Views community are given a chance to provide their expert knowledge on a very controversial topic: "Does drinking vitamin and mineral-enriched milk improve your health?" Now there's an important question. I'm glad the NZ Herald put the question to the public on that one.
Tanz (Napier)
Tanz (Napier)
There is more absorbable calcium in green leafy veges than milk, plus other good minerals and fibre which all work synergistically in the body for good health. But there are also too many parents afraid their kids will starve if they don't eat what's put in front of them. Harden up NZ!
I'm always amazed at how there will always be some users of Your Views who manage to include some kind of critique of the state of the New Zealand nation in relatively banal topics like this one. In this comment Tanz links nutrition to namby pamby parenting habits and then tells us all to "Harden up"!
Nathan (St Lukes)
I am not sure if it improves your heath but definitly I am told protects your health. I know someone who was in NZ few years back. Holds Phd and few international awards in diets and nutrition. She is currently based in USA.Her advice to my young daugters were to drink XTRA milk with added calcium. I trust her judgement that the milk replnishes atleast some of the Ca lost by women which is beneficial. I trust her judgement than any consumer group based in Aussie.I'm always amazed at how there will always be some users of Your Views who manage to include some kind of critique of the state of the New Zealand nation in relatively banal topics like this one. In this comment Tanz links nutrition to namby pamby parenting habits and then tells us all to "Harden up"!
Nathan (St Lukes)
A classic example of the "a friend of a friend is an expert" response to the topic!
After(ball) Thoughts
Teenage dreams shattered in a shock move by Rangitoto College's principal, David Hodge. HE. BANNED. THE. BALL. OMG. The pupils at New Zealand's second biggest high school are sure to be devastated, desires to be King or Queen of the Ball snatched from them. All because of a few irresponsible parents who helped organise a 'boozy' after-ball party.
So the Herald decided to put the issue to the people, positing the question "Should high school after-ball parties be banned?":
TTF (Auckland)
A big yes, they ought to be banned for all schools. We never had any of that when we were at school over 30 years ago, and nothing happended except remaining healthy.
There was also no crime back then.
Father Of Two (Otara, Manukau City)
Yeah sure, let a whole bunch of school kids get on the piss, get out of control and start a riot in which they will probably kill each other over a girl wearing a mini skirt or because they sat on someone's chair. How stupid can this country get, it's seems to get more stupid as the days pass. Why not just give them a 40 ounce of Jim Beam Black label, 2 tinnies and a knife and see what happens. There should be charges against parents that let their under age kids drink alcohol
In a stunning display of sarcasm, Father of Two reveals his disapproval of the parents in question in the Rangitoto College after-ball case. His prescription for riotous teenage behaviour sounds like a great idea for a reality television show brief.
JD (Opawa)
How else we gonna get girls drunk and score?
Ahh JD, thank you for providing the token brief post inserted for hilarity. What Your Views comments thread would be complete without an attempt at pure comedy!
So the Herald decided to put the issue to the people, positing the question "Should high school after-ball parties be banned?":
TTF (Auckland)
A big yes, they ought to be banned for all schools. We never had any of that when we were at school over 30 years ago, and nothing happended except remaining healthy.
There was also no crime back then.
Father Of Two (Otara, Manukau City)
Yeah sure, let a whole bunch of school kids get on the piss, get out of control and start a riot in which they will probably kill each other over a girl wearing a mini skirt or because they sat on someone's chair. How stupid can this country get, it's seems to get more stupid as the days pass. Why not just give them a 40 ounce of Jim Beam Black label, 2 tinnies and a knife and see what happens. There should be charges against parents that let their under age kids drink alcohol
In a stunning display of sarcasm, Father of Two reveals his disapproval of the parents in question in the Rangitoto College after-ball case. His prescription for riotous teenage behaviour sounds like a great idea for a reality television show brief.
JD (Opawa)
How else we gonna get girls drunk and score?
Ahh JD, thank you for providing the token brief post inserted for hilarity. What Your Views comments thread would be complete without an attempt at pure comedy!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Patch It Up
The City of Wanganui has banned the wearing of gang-affiliated patches which has encouraged the re-opening of the Your Views thread from May when the by-law was first spoken about. Your Views pose the question "Will banning patches reduce gang crime?", a complex question, perhaps best explored through the work of crime and deviance in Sociology. But no! We live in a democracy and therefore all have the right to provide our expert opinion on any topic we should wish to wax lyrical on.
Bridget (Auckland)
Get rid of them. They are intimidating to every day people who have more of a right to walk around without being scared than a person does to wear a stupid patch. A real man doesn't need one.
Good point Bridget - most people would agree that gang patches are a tad intimidating. But referencing what it is to be a "real man"? Uneasy alert! Do you mean "real men" like Buck Shelford who kept on playing during a rugby game even though he had his scrotum ripped and four teeth knocked out? The perpetuation of the "real man" concept has much to answer for in New Zealand, including the culture of heavy drinking and high male suicide rates.
Forrest Green (Pipiwai)
Ban gangs send them all to Afgan in a cargo plane or shipping container. Even if they do get arrested they wont pay the fine and they just go back to their housing corp houses and continue to suck the life blood from tax payers. Waste of police resourses, court time and more tax payers money. Money that could go bacl to the workers the ones that actually keep this country going.
First, where's Afgan? Second, can you imagine how much of the "tax payers money" would be needed to fund this scheme?
THE ROCK (Avondale, Auckland)
Banning patches isnt gonna reduce Crime! it will may reduce intimadation THATS it! what about if they start walking around half naked with their Tattoos that have their signs? Then what? Tax payer have to pay for the removal of these patches that are tattooed too? Get real mr councilman you havent covered your bases! And this is a beggining of a War that I'm afraid The NZ police are not equpt to win. Think about it NZ. Do we really need Tax payers money singling out a minority? I Say no ! im not a gang member either but i see no win to this by law only more crime and more disregard to police
Yeah! Get real Mr Councilman!
It's interesting that quite a few people on this thread who argue that banning the display of gang patches will not reduce crime state that they're not gang members.
Bridget (Auckland)
Get rid of them. They are intimidating to every day people who have more of a right to walk around without being scared than a person does to wear a stupid patch. A real man doesn't need one.
Good point Bridget - most people would agree that gang patches are a tad intimidating. But referencing what it is to be a "real man"? Uneasy alert! Do you mean "real men" like Buck Shelford who kept on playing during a rugby game even though he had his scrotum ripped and four teeth knocked out? The perpetuation of the "real man" concept has much to answer for in New Zealand, including the culture of heavy drinking and high male suicide rates.
Forrest Green (Pipiwai)
Ban gangs send them all to Afgan in a cargo plane or shipping container. Even if they do get arrested they wont pay the fine and they just go back to their housing corp houses and continue to suck the life blood from tax payers. Waste of police resourses, court time and more tax payers money. Money that could go bacl to the workers the ones that actually keep this country going.
First, where's Afgan? Second, can you imagine how much of the "tax payers money" would be needed to fund this scheme?
THE ROCK (Avondale, Auckland)
Banning patches isnt gonna reduce Crime! it will may reduce intimadation THATS it! what about if they start walking around half naked with their Tattoos that have their signs? Then what? Tax payer have to pay for the removal of these patches that are tattooed too? Get real mr councilman you havent covered your bases! And this is a beggining of a War that I'm afraid The NZ police are not equpt to win. Think about it NZ. Do we really need Tax payers money singling out a minority? I Say no ! im not a gang member either but i see no win to this by law only more crime and more disregard to police
Yeah! Get real Mr Councilman!
It's interesting that quite a few people on this thread who argue that banning the display of gang patches will not reduce crime state that they're not gang members.
The grass is greener...
The NZ Herald reported on Radio New Zealand staff facing a pay freeze as part of a round of impending cost cutting measures. The article quotes the chairwoman of Radio New Zealand, Christine Grice, who asserted: "Despite its current financial pressures, Radio New Zealand will strive to maintain the highest international standards of public service broadcasting."
Apparently Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman declined to comment. But these people jumped at the opportunity to throw in their two cents when asked to respond to the question "How important is it to keep funding public broadcasting?" by Your Views:
Odette (Kohimarama)
Maybe they feel their isn't much point?! Propaganda is pumped out through largely left wing editorialised jouralism anyway. If it was the calibre of the BBC i might be more impressed. You know, excellent researching and proper investigative journalism. But the standards in New Zealand are so low you need to dig for them!
Get out your spades, folks, we've got some digging to do. It is inevitable that someone would introduce the BBC into their argument as an example of "proper" and "excellent" journalism in an attempt to draw a binary between this and "low-calibre" New Zealand journalism. The widely-held perception of the BBC as consistent producers of high quality journalism is part of a wider schema of perception which sees anything 'British' as superior. Hence the continually-invoked yet highly problematic difference between the 'crass', 'trash' of American television programmes versus the 'sophistication' of British television programmes, in every sense the thinking man's television.
Curmudgeon (Hastings)
State funded media free from political influence is the only way to keep balanced reporting. Any media which is controlled by government or business is going to be suspected of bias.
Aren't we living in a 'post-bias' society? Come on, everything contains bias! You are a Herald reader for goodness sake! The home of Garth George! If it's "balanced reporting" you're after, you might be forever searching...
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