tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post1113817022680451075..comments2023-11-13T16:30:40.096+13:00Comments on Editing the Herald: Monday, March 16, 2009: Republican traitorsJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12661495023149576052noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-20673942697531475162009-03-24T17:12:00.000+13:002009-03-24T17:12:00.000+13:00Hi James,I'm not sure why you think I wasn't criti...Hi James,<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure why you think I wasn't critical enough of Garth George's blatant misrepresentation of the Republican Movement. Titular honours aren't uncommon in republics overseas. As such, there's no reason for republicans to be opposed to titles - unlike the Sovereign, no-one is born a Knight or Dame. We did call for the government to introduce Maori titles alongside the English titles. That would go further towards a New Zealand style honours system than the previous system.<BR/><BR/>It's the Republican Movement policy to focus on principles and not personalities. That's why we don't attack members of the Royal family or Royalty generally. They're irrelevant to New Zealand, and we treat them as such. Attacking them only gives those mildly for or against a reason to support the monarchy. In the long term it will only hurth the prospects of bringing about a republic.<BR/><BR/>As for the head of state question, this is a common one. The main reason, as gazzaj points out, is that the G-G has certain constitutional roles outside of Parliament. Abolishing the head of state would require either also abolishing the Parliamentary system and creating a US style President, or giving the Supreme Court more power to regulate Parliament. The best course would be to have a President akin to Malta, Iceland or Ireland - ceremonial, but able to act if need be - something we don't have currently with the Governor-General.Lewis Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14732618881212335191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-12220192055814707952009-03-23T07:40:00.000+13:002009-03-23T07:40:00.000+13:00This blog seems more about having a go at the peop...This blog seems more about having a go at the people who write in to the Herald, than the Herald itself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-53671136540249140842009-03-16T17:18:00.000+13:002009-03-16T17:18:00.000+13:00According to the GG's website we need a head of st...According to the GG's website we need a head of state to "maintain the legitimacy and continuity of government by ensuring there is always a government in office with a democratic mandate to govern... but [without playing] an active role in military matters."<BR/><BR/>So if there's some kind of coup we need a head of state to stop it single-handedly, maybe we should interview James Bond or John McClane for the role.<BR/><BR/>Also, "The Governor-General represents all New Zealanders at important public ceremonies" which is just as well, otherwise we'd all have to turn up ourselves, and to be honest the idea of attending 200 powhiri each year doesn't really appeal.<BR/><BR/>"The Governor-General, and his wife, are the patrons of many charitable, service, sporting, cultural and community organisations... During most years, the Governor-General will attend more than 400 functions at Government House or throughout the country." Poor bastard. <BR/><BR/>So that's why we need a head of state - some poor chump who has to put up with endless ceremonies and functions with a constant smile on their face, and who's first in line to take a bullet for democracy.gazzajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16269126625443588798noreply@blogger.com