tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post1969106331922999069..comments2023-11-13T16:30:40.096+13:00Comments on Editing the Herald: Monday, March 9, 2009: Knights, jails, and much, much moreJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12661495023149576052noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-87924755129583510512009-03-10T12:29:00.000+13:002009-03-10T12:29:00.000+13:00scrap the damn fuedal honours system. Lets go all ...scrap the damn fuedal honours system. Lets go all USA on that shit and have a "Hall of Fame" for everything. Then watch the granny-herald have massive debates over whether Winston Peters goes into the Politican's Hall of Fame or the NZ Rogues Hall of Fame (or infame)!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-26335268893866691482009-03-10T12:06:00.000+13:002009-03-10T12:06:00.000+13:00Re the news flash, it is notable (and an often quo...Re the news flash, it is notable (and an often quoted fact I might add) that a good sign of an autocracy is that it has "democratic" in its name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-51431132274194973642009-03-10T11:53:00.000+13:002009-03-10T11:53:00.000+13:00Dan the Navjot Sidhu fan here. I'd no idea he'd be...Dan the Navjot Sidhu fan here. I'd no idea he'd beaten a guy to death, to be honest. Seems it might have curtailed his commentary, but not his politics career - odd, huh?<BR/><BR/>I make one post on the nzherald Your Views that isn't rebutting the crap 99% of others seem to think passes as informed commentary, and it gets picekd on. Typical :pAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-70463367398536969952009-03-10T09:54:00.000+13:002009-03-10T09:54:00.000+13:00I suppose my main problem with the honours system ...I suppose my main problem with the honours system isn't that we are using the wrong titles, or that the whole system is somewhat inscrutable; rather, I don't really see the need for honours at all. They honestly seem like a bit of a feudal throwback, let alone a 'British Empire' one. I don't think I have ever thought of anyone differently because they have received an honour. A possible exception is military honours, where they quite possibly aid the esprit de corps and motivate madmen to take mental by valuable risks.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure you're right about the management/privatisation distinction, but I suppose that one might worry that once private involvement gets its foot in the door it's very hard to get it out again. Long-term contracts and so on make privatising something much easier that re-nationalising it and, without wanting to sound too much like a conspiracy theorist, if a government wanted to privatise prisons it might seem like introducing private managers was a good first step.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12661495023149576052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-47108687199767712832009-03-10T09:07:00.000+13:002009-03-10T09:07:00.000+13:00Whilst I was initially on the side of conservatism...Whilst I was initially on the side of conservatism when it came to Labour's progressive moves - mainly about the privy council (just seemed like we were getting something for free) - I can now see the value in these (largely symbolic) moves. The main problem with the new honours system though was that the 'man on the street' had no idea how it worked. In keeping with this blogs theme, I would lay the blame for that at the feet of the mainstream media... And NZ's egalitarianism is relevant - in my short time in the UK, their obsession with status and title has stuck out. <BR/><BR/>Regarding private prisons, perhaps you are right to be wary, but there is some reality in the management vs privatisation distinction. Unlike in say Texas, in NZ the government is still going to retain a lot of control of the prisons, and remain in ownership of the facilities. It is a bit strange though that the herald, with its penchant for sensationalism, chose not to play the privatisation card.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-46860073146074535972009-03-10T01:29:00.000+13:002009-03-10T01:29:00.000+13:00I hope Sidhu's defence lawyer cranked out one of h...I hope Sidhu's defence lawyer cranked out one of his winning quotes in the courtroom: "he is as innocent as a freshly laid egg!"<BR/><BR/>Clearly that's why it took 19 years to actually convict him. :pHarrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07676491481404525397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-11325616941321964382009-03-09T18:18:00.000+13:002009-03-09T18:18:00.000+13:00Be sure not to miss the Campbell Live poll tonight...Be sure not to miss the Campbell Live poll tonight, where for a measly 99 cents you can "help decide" whether Colin Meads should accept the title. Oooohh the suspense! I can't wait. 7pm TV3.gazzajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16269126625443588798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-83925071177520817302009-03-09T17:45:00.000+13:002009-03-09T17:45:00.000+13:00Jesse's only got one thing on his mind[...]Now, it...<A HREF="http://dropkicks.co.nz/cricket/jesses_only_got_one_thing_his_mind" REL="nofollow"><B>Jesse's only got one thing on his mind</B></A><BR/>[...]Now, it isn't often that James from Editing the Herald ventures into the sports section[...]Naly Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10276350383161748738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-54590409436732986422009-03-09T17:33:00.000+13:002009-03-09T17:33:00.000+13:00I support the return of the 'old' honours system. ...I support the return of the 'old' honours system. you provide the argument that these people don't ask to be knighted - which is the reason that they are. This is just a way of thanking them for going into the international ring and putting New Zealand on the map.<BR/><BR/>Now, I don't really think there are many more New Zealanders who can do that, it's not likely that we'll have another Rutherford or Hillary, but it's nice to have that option on call in case it does happen.<BR/><BR/>The next story will be about whether the titles should be changed or not - just you watch. That's like the NZ flag debate. If it does get changed, there'll always be unhappy people. <BR/>Personally, I'd only support a change to 'Good cunt' and 'Hard chick'.Naly Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10276350383161748738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139464357237074361.post-41595320986869564802009-03-09T17:11:00.000+13:002009-03-09T17:11:00.000+13:00The new honours system is surely just a belated bi...The new honours system is surely just a belated bite at Helen Clark by National. Once she gets her big UN job and quits she will quickly be knighted (and compelled to accept to keep up appearances), becoming a Dame, which is pretty much the antithesis of her egalitarian/feminist ideals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com