Posts by Stephen Judd

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  • Hard News: So far from trivial,

    Michael: given the small size of NZ, and the fact that PA is more or less NZ-centric, maybe most of the people who want to join in already have? So there were lots of new posters a year ago; not so many now. It's not necessarily a sign of doom.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Don't cry for me, Argentina,

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    But eating is important. So is other people paying you while you learn stuff.

    I'll be watching out for your byline.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: Radio Times,

    I should be enjoying a balmy Vancouver evening, not hunching over my sister's PC. However:

    Kathryn Ryan a) has a brain and b) demonstrates its effective use by researching the people she is speaking to and the things she is talking about and then c) asking intelligent questions of them using both the brain and the facts. In these respects she beats the pants off her predecessor who could never manage more than a patsy and often didn't understand the answers. Ryan may not have a perfect radio bedside manner but I like her.

    By contrast, the reason Jim Mora needs to be removed as soon as possible is that his unctuous tones are the vehicle for a thorough-going, smug ignorance that has me reaching for the off button with all possible speed.

    Like Craig, I loathe Mary Wilson's predeliction for the statement masquerading as a question. I look forward to the interviewee with the brains and stamina to answer just "yes", "no", or "what?" until she gives up. I will cheer for that person, even if he is Winston Peters.

    As for Ralston: suppose he is correct? To whom else are the cardigan wearers supposed to listen? Public broadcasting serves everyone, including them.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Southerly: A Trip to Canberra with Alan Bollard,

    I loved this.

    About the "spastic" thing: I defend to the hilt the use of offensive, hurtful phrases in establishing character. You are supposed to form an impression of the fictional narrator from their use of that simile.

    If you were writing gritty fiction set in 1960's Mississippi, would it be wrong to use the word "nigger" in dialogue, to establish that a character is a racist? I don't think so.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: So far from trivial,

    "morality, integrity, decency and respect for others"

    But, but, but... isn't that what sport is about? Good clean healthy instillation of moral virtue into the corpore sano on the playing fields of Eton?

    THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD INSULTS SPORT.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: So far from trivial,

    Paul Litterick at the Fundy Post asks an excellent question: where is the press release from the Sensible Sentencing Trust?

    You'd think that a violent offender evading jail altogether would have Garth McVicar outraged...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: So far from trivial,

    aren't those the people whose contributions would be the most useful?

    Often yes. Maybe sometimes no - I say that because personal experiences are, well, personal, and not necessarily good bases for generalising. And as an example, the Sensible Sentencing Trust can marshall a lot of personal stories from people who convey well what it's like to be a victim of violent crime, and those people have something to say that's worth listening to on how to support victims of violence, and yet I believe their recommendations on preventing violence range from worthless to counter-productive.

    I do think that some people's flippancy in this thread is totally wrong, eg Danyl's comment further up the page.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: So far from trivial,

    is it bad that I actually didn't know off the top of my head who Tony Veitch is

    If so, then I'm bad too. Can't say I'm too impressed with the way the name penetrated my consciousness though.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: So far from trivial,

    Danielle: my guess is that steven is taking what we thought was a discussion about the general as commentary on a very specific, personal and horrible experience of his own. But he'll have to speak for himself.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Mood,

    I hear that later, Craig is going to release damaging rumours about Don. And I condemn Craig for that. If it's true, of course.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

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