Busytown: The shakes
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Another blog to watch, created fresh out of the rubble: Rebuilding Christchurch, by musician/academic Ed Muzik/James Dann (h/t Cheryl B).
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Can we re-establish the comparison after somebody has actually flown commercial airliners into our buildings, killing three thousand? Until then we just don't know what angst we might be capable of, teen or otherwise.
Would it be equal to the "nation mourns" bullshit that will flow when the All Blacks get knocked out of the Rugby World Cup next year? Sorry, it has to be said.
Also worth noting, that 372 foreign nationals (including two New Zealanders ) were killed in the 9/11 attacks. Shame they had to be collateral damage in giving American exceptionalism a bloody nose...
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Would it be equal to the "nation mourns" bullshit that will flow when the All Blacks get knocked out of the Rugby World Cup next year?
I very much doubt it will be equal. I'm sure some media will ham up the feelings of bitterness in NZ but we'll get over it pretty quick, and whoever does win will be congratulated rather than bombed back into the stone age.
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Shame they had to be collateral damage
Muslim Americans still seem to be having a hard time of that one.
Would it be equal to the "nation mourns" bullshit that will flow when the All Blacks get knocked out of the Rugby World Cup next year?
Though I am not looking forward to the wailing, you've made my point all too well - it would be like us claiming that the *whole world* mourns our loss.
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whoever does win will be congratulated rather than bombed back into the stone age.
Except England right?
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May I just say that the jingoistic bullshit didn't actually occur immediately after the September 11 attacks and was, in fact, drummed up largely by Fox and the Bush administration some weeks or even months later? I remember those first few weeks while living in the US, and they were not at all as Sacha is characterising them. In a different political climate, with different leadership, it might even have been an ongoing learning opportunity. It's a terrible shame and tragedy that it wasn't.
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Danielle, I'm only characterising what I've seen online last week.
None of us are stupid enough to think that's what all American people think or that they did so at the time. I share the sadness that it wasn't an opportunity for that great nation to become better rather than bitter.
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May I just say that the jingoistic bullshit didn't actually occur immediately after the September 11 attacks and was, in fact, drummed up largely by Fox and the Bush administration some weeks or even months later?
Really? Given current events, I'm not the only one who'd like to see the Bush who swiftly and firmly reminded people that that the 9/11 attacks were not perpetuated by "Islam". Where's he at?
In a different political climate, with different leadership, it might even have been an ongoing learning opportunity. It's a terrible shame and tragedy that it wasn't.
It's even more tragic that when Obama is bringing the sanity over the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque', it's Ted Olson (whose wife was on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon) , Michael Bloomberg and the Republican governor of New Jersey standing by him when much of the alleged leadership of the Democratic Party duck and cover. It's really been an instructive -- if depressing -- insight into the state of the American political spine.
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I'm not the only one who'd like to see the Bush
What a fortuitous line break! ;) But, yeah, that was the weird thing. For the first few weeks it was all 'hey, he's not doing what I expect at all' and then the whole thing gradually became *exactly* what I expected. Blurgh.
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Three hours ago, I was just about to hit “publish” on a frivolous blog post when
It has been fantastic reading about the quake, how everyone is getting on, and I hope we will keep seeing regular updates - it has been really helpful to me to add to what my Chch based family and friends can tell me. But am I alone in also wanting to see the above frivolous post?
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Given current events, I'm not the only one who'd like to see the Bush who swiftly and firmly reminded people that that the 9/11 attacks were not perpetuated by "Islam". Where's he at?
I think that line became inconvenient for future plans, so was dropped in favour of putting "terrorist", "911", "Weapons of Mass Destruction", and "Iraq" in the same sentence without concretely linking them all together.
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Really? Given current events, I'm not the only one who'd like to see the Bush who swiftly and firmly reminded people that that the 9/11 attacks were not perpetuated by "Islam". Where's he at?
He is probably holding hands whilst ballroom dancing with the Saudis ;)
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But am I alone in also wanting to see the above frivolous post?
I bumped it down the queue a bit, but be assured it's on the way :-) Along with a couple of book-related posts...
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Along with a couple of book-related posts...
Yay!
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Yay too! (with added happy dance).
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Just back from a little over a week working down in my old home town. Definitely not the way I had ever wanted to return.
Anyways ....
Fair to say Kainga, Brooklands, Bexley, Avonside, and the eastern side of Kaiapoi were the worst off by a fair margin. I've never seen anything quite like it, and I hope I never have to again.
It was interesting to note how sensitised the locals were to the aftershocks. Completely understandable though. But those of us who were the Johnny come latelies (as it were) tended to miss them. I know I sure as hell did. In fact there was one when I was working out of the Civil Defence centre that I missed entirely. Everyone around me froze and I simply couldn't figure it out.
I guess if you go through a 7.1 you're definitely going to feel everything that follows.
I vaguely noticed the vulture comments made by Dunne (and later Anderton I think). I can't says as I paid them too much attention though as there were more important things to worry about.
All I can say is we all tried to do the best we could to report as equitably as we could. There's a balance you have to strike - getting needed information out, but at the same time showing the human face of what was going on
Not that it was that easy for some of us. Our ZB building was red stickered on the Monday after the quake and I know the guys at the Press had to vacate. In our case there was a period when our newsroom was down to one laptop computer and an aircard. Fortunately our techs managed to do an absolutely stellar job and got alternate studios and facilities up and running within a matter of hours. They were frickin fantastic!Interesting moments:
The City Councillor that complained at there not being predictions for aftershocks.
The Japanese tourists I ran into on Sunday who simply thought the city was going through a building boom (very shocked when I told them about the quake)
Completely missing the big 5.4 aftershock on the Wed's morning - on the road following the PM. The moment we pull over all our cellphones light up at the same time (not sure if it was concern for our safety or simply to see if something had fallen on the PM)
Covering the quake with a smartcar as transport. They have far more offroad capability than you might think and you can park them almost anywhere (though not so great for image when surrounded by 4WDs as far as they eye can see).
But kudos has to go all those people whom put up with me as I went about my job when they were in a difficult situation. That goes for members of the public and officials/emergency services. Thanks for your tolerance, help, and understanding. I know you had more important things to deal with than my questions.
And now that I'm back in Wgtn I know how royally fucked we may be when the big one hits here. At least in a flat city there's not that far for things to fall. Here, well it may be a case of going from harbour view to waterside location in 45 seconds or less.(with apologies to Kelburn, Khandallah, and Roseneath residents)
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Upthread I mentioned the damaged Repertory theatre. Since then, I heard someone on TV suggest that it might be saved.
Fascinated to read article in the Dompost today (and maybe also in the Press?) which starts with the theatre and draws heavily on my research on the School of Radiant Living. Was an honours research paper I adapted for the Ministry of Culture and Heritage's nzhistory website over a decade ago. All material is now in the Beaglehole Room at the Victoria University Library. Good to see stuff you worked on ages ago can remain useful.
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Felix - who was that councillor?
The choice is such that you just can't guess, I have my favourites.
Please do tell.And the Civil Defense centre?
Was that the Art Gallery with the falling plaster or one of the relief centres? -
De Press today has historic property owners, with plaques on their wall complaining about not being able to just demolish our history. They picked it up the property at a reduced rate because of its status and now want to realise a central city land value. Grumble grumble.
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Dear SOAC Members and Supporters
17 September 2010
Your Executive Committee are very concerned at the announcement of Ian Athfield to head a group of architects, etc to prepare some plans for Christchurch's future, within 2 months. Our concerns fall into three parts.
First, the process of his appointment was simply a Bob Parker decision, with no City Council meeting/discussion/consultation at all, yet there was absolutely no hurry for any such decision to be made. SOAC believe such fundamentally important appointments, if they are to be made, are made openly and transparently, with all Councillors at the very least having a "say". And we would also argue community consultation is also very important. The Institute of Architects should know this and should themselves have insisted on a Council and community debate, not a rushed decision behind closed doors.
Second, SOAC believes that the concept of an expert group from the relevant disciplines needed to plan the development of a damaged city has wide international support and is often used. However, SOAC believes what is also essential is that that group and its total composition has itself wide support from the community it is about to serve. Mr Athfield's suddenly announced appointment does not have wide community support, in our view, and in fact is attracting some serious objection.
Third, Ian Athfield has a record in Christchurch on heritage issues that makes him, in your SOAC Executive's view, unacceptable. He was the architect for the appalling 2006 suggestions of alterations to our Museum [including a Maori Whare on the top and major modern alterations to the front]. These proposals were thrown out by the Environment Court, thank heavens, after a small group of individuals committed to heritage values challenged the Museum Board and the City Council. [Sound familiar??] Then, last year, Mr Athfield's firm provided a senior member for the CCC design panel which enthusiastically supported the Music School proposal. [Ian is of course, and coincidentally, a close friend Sir Miles Warren!!]
Although it has been stated that issues surrounding the future of heritage buildings would not be part of the team's brief, sensitivity to heritage is vital when considering redevelopment in our city.
Watch this space!!
Kind regards,
Ann Hercus,
SOAC Chair, on behalf of your SOAC Executive
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@ Just Thinking
re the councillor - I think I'll leave that to people to work out. I wasn't really supposed to hear it. However Chch people who know their councillors well should be able to make an educated guess.
The CD centre I was referring to was the city art gallery. To be honest it did hold up remarkably well - though the great big bronze hanging thingy in the lobby did put the shits right up people when it started to sway a bit during aftershocks. Can't say I noticed any falling plaster when I was there either. I do know that was definitely an issue at the cathedral though.
(and I never even thought about what a quake might do to all the glass there until well after I left)
Finally, I can't say as I'm surprised about all the hoopla over the heritage building issue either. One of Christchuerch's greatest strengths is the number of historic buildings it has managed to retain over the years. However one of the city's greatest weaknesses has always been the bitter debate that inevitably blows up everytime heritage issues come up.
The great pity here is I can't see how there will be enough money to save and restore all the damaged buildings. I believe the Government will stump up to 10 million dollars to match what is raised locally. However 20 million won't be enough. Fixing the old St John Church at Horarata alone has an estimated cost of $5 million.
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Starts with B & is always voted in with the greatest number of votes in the area?
Actually is very responsive to the local community needs, which is why she gets voted in again and again.
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The great pity here is I can't see how there will be enough money to save and restore all the damaged buildings. I believe the Government will stump up to 10 million dollars to match what is raised locally. However 20 million won't be enough. Fixing the old St John Church at Horarata alone has an estimated cost of $5 million.
Presumably a significant amount of repair will be covered by earthquake commission and insurance. I would have thought additional money would be required to do anything additional to buildings, ie. earthquake strengthening.
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For those interested, the UC library is not quite as bad as may appear in the pictures. I am reliably told the pictures of collapsed shelves are of the only collapsed shelves in the library. Of course, a great number of books are on the floor but the majority of the shelving is still standing.
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Rumour Central to Rumour Control over,
Is it true the Athfield designed UC Commerce buildings fire escape failed (east side) in the Earth Quake?
The Mayoress actually kept the Structual Engineers from meeting the Mayor for days?
Bob Parker owns the PR firm that arranged for Athfield to come south?
These are from a reliable source but pretty incredible, I would love these confirmed.
Rumour Central waiting out.
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