Busytown by Jolisa Gracewood

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Busytown: Front, man

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  • Jolisa,

    So proud that I wrote that whole thing without using the words "won't someone think of the children."

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And as I type, I hope someone somewhere is, as @johubris suggested on twitter, making T-shirts that say, "This Is What a New Zealander Looks Like."

    I rather liked the counter-suggestion: This isn't what a racist looks like.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    This isn't what a racist looks like.

    Or, "This IS..." but then you'd have to actually wear a picture of the disgraced person in question, ugh, scratch that.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    I'd be more likely to wear a 'what a New Zealander looks like' tshirt if it had arrows point in several directions on it.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Nice one, actually it is better than that, it is excellent

    Except I notce we XL miss out again

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    I am ashamed to say that I hadn't thought of the fact that it's the school holidays, and of course, children were more than likely watching the aforementioned discussion. I would love to host Paul Henry in this kindergarten speaking to 90 Pasifika/Maori/Urdu 3-5 year olds who, as it happens, display many great leadership qualities. Not least of which is that they know BS when they hear it. And also they are alarmingly honest because that is the way their families, and we, have encouraged them to be. They own up to their mistakes - when I look them in the eyes and tell them not to lie to me, and then I thank them for their honesty - and I would suggest that Mr Henry could learn a few lessons from them. Who do we see about actioning your excellent plan, Jolisa?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    Original post edited to accommodate extra-lovely New Zealanders like Raymond :-) We're nothing if not inclusive around here.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Thomas Johnson,

    My son (10yo) has suddenly started tuning in to Radio Live. Not so bad, except that in the school holidays he gets to listen to M.Laws while lego building.

    This makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps I need to convince him to change to a classic rock station?

    Wellington • Since Oct 2007 • 98 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    Or, start his own pirate radio station? Arrrrrr.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    overtones of Fonzie-on-water-skis

    You're good with the linky things. How can I have never seen that episode?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    Bloody good point, Jackie, about the school holidays (I lose track over here). Let's start with your classroom. Those kids sound awesome.

    And this is the other thing I don't get: Paul Henry is a father of 3. We all make dodgy jokes, whether ironically or sincerely, but pas devant les enfants, n'est-ce pas? And les enfants are often as not devant la télé .

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Kate Hunt,

    Jolisa, what a PERFECT solution! TVNZ could extend his unpaid leave until he's managed to visit every preschool and primary school in the country... and in the meantime they could find someone to front Breakfast with at least a semblance of good manners...

    ... which brings me to something that I find a puzzle: support for PH's comments on the grounds of 'free speech'. Surely 'free speech' gives us the right to present all sides of an argument - palatable or otherwise? I hate to see that right reduced to the right to be rude and insulting -- which is what this seems to be, to me. I fail to see why TVNZ is in any way 'pushing (any) boundaries' by encouraging obnoxious behaviour.

    Wellington • Since Feb 2010 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    How can I have never seen that episode?

    Personally, I was always haunted by the "disappearance" of brother Chuck.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Love the road trip idea.

    Here's my tuppence. The government is about to appoint the next Governor-General. At a stroke of a pen, the PM could earn a place in history, piss off the bigots, make the rest of us all feel warm and fuzzy about our country (and incidentally, John, win the election).

    The next Governor General: Anand Satyanand.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    TVNZ could extend his unpaid leave until he's managed to visit every preschool and primary school in the country... and in the meantime they could find someone to front Breakfast with at least a semblance of good manners...

    Precisely. I haven't done the maths, but he should be about ready to return to his job in approximately 2025 or so. If he still wants it then.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Patrick Xavier,

    Given the "let's rise above it" responses expected of non-children, I thought this was telling.

    Since Nov 2006 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    I'm not sure what the children have done to deserve the visits however. Won't someone think of them?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Just one thing.

    Schoolchildren are probably more likely to be watching TV at 0740 during term than in the holidays.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Clayton,

    I am surprised in all of this Knievelry (to borrow Jolisa's excellent analogy) how many of the commenting public, in support of what they take to be the spirit of Henry's words, have complained at the way in which simply seeing East- and South-Asian-looking people on the street erodes their sense of national identity. Perhaps for those who do not share the proposed t-shirt sentiment, some solid black sunglasses with decals of Paul Henry on the outside would do?

    Christchurch • Since Feb 2007 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    some solid black sunglasses with decals of Paul Henry on the outside would do?

    Peril sensitive sunglasses. Yes!

    I'm not sure what the children have done to deserve the visits however. Won't someone think of them?

    Curses. You have identified the fatal flaw in my otherwise cunning plan. I was hoping nobody else would spot that.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Personally, I was always haunted by the "disappearance" of brother Chuck.

    Seriously, 3410! Where did that guy GO? And to never speak of him again... they were quite heartless, those Cunninghams.

    What I love are the people saying 'but he wasn't being racist, it was just some off-the-cuff remarks'. Yeah. Remarks which were, uh, totally fucking racist. What, do you have to be actually burning a cross on a guy's lawn before someone calls something racist in this country? MEH.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    Plus, off-the-cuff is one thing. Repeating it three times because you're not sure your audience has heard it... that's certainly close to nailing a couple of sticks together and reaching for the can of petrol.

    The other thing that's bugging me (apart from Chuck Cunningham - man, you people are close readers!) is:

    What was with PH's gratuitous kicking of Jeanette Fitzsimons? And WHAT was with John Key chortling heartily as he agreed she was not in the running and never, as far as he was concerned, would be??!

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Sarah Wedde,

    It's most peculiar how quiet the free speechers are when that free speech is coming from the mouth of Hone Harawira. Or Tame Iti. Or anyone not the white kind of outspoken.

    Lower Hutt • Since Nov 2006 • 66 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    What, do you have to be actually burning a cross on a guy's lawn before someone calls something racist in this country?

    Still wouldn't make a difference. It's about reacting to the reaction, not the original racism. It goes from "Racist" to "Maybe he went too far" to "Don't condone" to "We're all getting too PC" in a matter of hours.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    On the “PC” thing.

    Why is it 99% of the time “PC gone mad”?? It does my head in.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

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