Posts by Paul Williams
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Answer: "In some other galaxy, far far away..."
There's Lego Star Wars now, that does help a little. Plastic Gods seems less plausible.
Listening to our younger boy talking himself through the existence or otherwise of God was a delight. I gave my opinion when it was requested but basically left him to it. He never seemed to credit an interventionist God, but was a deist for a while. He's now indignantly atheist.
That's my approach, however my opinion, FWIW, is far from clear... interventionist God, no, diety of some sort, maybe...
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Up Front: It's Not Sex, and It's Not Education, in reply to Islander,
I'm sure you'd be remarkable subversive influence!
Sex education isn't a particular worry for me at the moment, but I've had issues with religion with my eldest daughter (who doesn't live with me) in relation to Mormonism. I want to be respectful of people's religious beliefs but I think it's a crock (but have held my tongue). And now my 6 year old is asking me questions... do I believe in God (answer, I'm not sure), what happens to us after death (answer, ditto), is Star Wars real (answer, I really don't want to burst that bubble).
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Up Front: It's Not Sex, and It's Not Education, in reply to Bart Janssen,
Because I'm feeling particularly obtuse
I'd like to put in a shout out to non-parents like me who also take on the responsibility of brainwash... er instilling random values into my friends kids.As a parent, I rely on it. Same sex relationships have been easy to explain in our household because of friends and family. My six year old has a great many aunties and entirely understands that many are in loving relationships just as her parents are.
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Up Front: It's Not Sex, and It's Not Education, in reply to BenWilson,
Tough one, eh? Maybe their mum could do it?
Is that a cop out? It's kinda what I'm hoping for but what to do when a question is posed and she's not around... "wait to ask mum" seems like it could convey unintended messages. But, as a man am I the best person anyway; I have real insight into what it feels like to be a young man... in this sense, perhaps a critical role fathers play for daughters is showing them what to expect of men (if that's hetro-biased, showing what to expect of a partner)?
ETA
Come to think of it, that pretty much worked for my siblings as well, although the large role Footrot Flats seems to have played in my brother's gradual understanding of How Sex Worked probably wasn't optimal.
Tell me this is about Wal's relationship with Cheeky Hobson?
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I agree with Rich's explanation but my conviction around written constitutions is less certain. I think our problem is still the size of the Executive relative to the Parliament. if we changed electoral systems and or reduced the size of the Parliament, this would be made worse.
Rich, I'm unclear, do written constitutions typically prohibit retrospective legislation explicitly or rather does the prohibition result from other rights being stronger?
ETA: Kris, great story, thanks. My hero of that cup was Kirwan, he was an old boy of our school and visited often. Actually, he remains a real role model, a man of genuine substance and character.
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Hard News: Chill out: it's a party, in reply to Kumara Republic,
In the absence of any underarm bowls or bankrupt airlines, the hate seems a bit precious.
I think there's good reason why the Sydney Cricket Ground now only serves mid-strength beer; in the cheaper seats, too many dickheads drink too much all day with predictable results.
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I'll confess to wondering how I'll approach certain topics with my daughters, but whatever I say it'll be premised on respect, consent being necessary preludes to fun (with fun as a perfectly legitimate objective absent any other). My brother and I went to a Catholic school, he's older than me and tells the story of one of the Brothers simpling writing the letters W A N and K on the board before declaring all the kids terrible sinners. Things had improved when I went through but it was still strictly hetro and vanilla.
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Hard News: Chill out: it's a party, in reply to Sacha,
My Reo isn't that flash, perhaps there was a exclusion tucked in there that I missed or do you mean Manly and Bondi (hope it doesn't apply to Matapouri)?
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Oh sure, your argument makes complete sense if you start from the premise that sex might be good... oh wait... I see what you did...
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I frankly find the Aussie media playing Miss Manners more than a little hard to take.
Indeed, and in comments, this point has been frequently made.
I always found Ozzie sledging to be the good natured variety.
It can be yes, but I've sadly experienced real hostility too. Booze is often the factor that converts funny to foul. Usually though the rivalry enhances the experience of attending an event. I've thoroughly enjoyed catching the train home to the inner West from Homebush after we've beaten them...
One only has to read kiwibog to see where the nastiness could manifest onto a stadium seat or pub.
Yeah, and there's plenty of equivalence this side of the Tasman.
I interpreted the opening ceremoney as a national Powhiri, that being the case, we owe all Manuhiri our hospitality and protection.