Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Angry and thrilled about Arie

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  • recordari, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I’ve heard hints that there might be an official (and uninformed) assumption that Arie needs ‘treatment’ ie a chemical straitjacket in a forensic unit. No – he needs a discharge, an ordinary life and a job.

    [Shudder]

    If this is true, then there’s a much bigger fight to be had.

    So far I've been following this quietly, while appreciating your thoughts, and the comments of others here.

    If this becomes a reality, this could get loud. Where are we again?

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    People who have written to the Minister of Police about this case are receiving replies along these lines:

    Dear Mr XXXX

    The Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Police, has asked me to acknowledge and thank you for your correspondence 11 July 2011 concerning a prosecution against Cornelius Arie Smith-Voorkamp.

    The Minister has asked Officials for advice on this matter. You will receive a response as soon as possible.

    Yours sincerely
    Inspector Scott Spackman
    Police Private Secretary

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to BenWilson,

    I tried carrying a bag (one of those Kathmandu many-pocketed affairs) but I kept on adding more and more stuff (totally necessary stuff of course) until I was leaving it behind because it was too heavy...so then the recourse to putting things in my 2 front trou pockets but the heavier stuff on waistband clips-

    oh, and a tiny tape measure? Of course! (Lefthand pocket in small bag attached to house-keys.)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • izogi, in reply to Islander,

    Personally I've always found a small backpack the ideal way to go, but I also tend to walk everywhere as much as possible so that probably affects my preference.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Yours sincerely
    Inspector Scott Spackman
    Police Private Secretary

    Oh, that inspires confidence. Not.

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

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to recordari,

    If this becomes a reality, this could get loud. Where are we again?

    I was kind of thinking the Cuckoo's Nest. Or even Arkham Asylum.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Islander,

    a tiny tape measure? Of course

    Just curious, What do you measure?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Greer McDonald now says on Twitter that Collins’ office told her it is *not* “seeking further advice”.

    They're completely denying the content of the emails people are receiving, and saying the minister does not get involved in individual cases.

    WTF?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Craig Young,

    And one of the biggest shocks to the LGBT community was Arie's sexual orientation. Chris Banks aka Bipolar Bear has a piece on his response to the Sunday item on his blog...

    Not that it'd matter to me if Arie was straight instead. I still believe we should request a Human Rights Commission inquiry into violence against people with (all manner of) disabilities, akin to that which recently occurred in the United Kingdom. And hate crimes are hate crimes, no matter who commits them, or against whom.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 573 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Sacha,

    Dead birds on the beach. (The tape alongside the bird in a photograph aids in IDing it. Ditto with insects or molluscs or fungi.) Checking up on objects I need to buy, and already have home dimensions for. Or vehicle dimensions – last time I used it was to check hub -nut seperations on a spare wheel. As it is a metre-long and has both imperial & metric scales, it comes in handy for translating measurements also- helping convince my mother that 43cm was actually rather larger than her foot size…

    Talking about this sort of stuff makes me stop shuddering internally re Hillary Stace’s post…

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • BenWilson, in reply to Islander,

    but I kept on adding more and more stuff (totally necessary stuff of course)

    Of course! There's only one thing I've never used in my bag - the foldup raincoat. It's never that rainy...yet.

    My tape measure is most often used to keep my son amused. It clicks on the way out, is covered in numbers, and goes zip back in when you push the button. Beats the crap out of a toy car.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • izogi, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Greer McDonald now says on Twitter that Collins’ office told her it is *not* “seeking further advice”.

    I briefly checked out the Policing Act 2008 (no formal legal expertise and I'd welcome pointers to other relevant legislation) in which Clause 16(1) states that "The Commissioner is responsible to the Minister for (b) the general conduct of the Police;", which is exactly what I'd expect.

    I realise the Minister can't (and shouldn't) be telling the Police what to do for very good reasons (it's all through the Policing Act). Presumably Collins asked the Commissioner if they beat anyone, the Commissioner said No, and she's absolved herself of responsibility unless somebody exposes a clear and obvious lie that wasn't her own. Matter duly swept under the rug or made someone else's problem.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to BenWilson,

    The item that finally convinced me to rethink the bag was the wonderful German tinned umbrella – neat engineering but never used...

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • merc,

    This further confirms that the NZ Police must be exposed to external investigation in cases where serious abuse of their powers have surfaced.
    I would cite the contact, after the fact, of the building owners, and the launching of an investigation into the TV report.
    Also the Minister must have within their warrant the ability to intercede in situations where it is apparent that Police conduct is demonstrably counter to the judicial system. Police ability to prosecute here in NZ needs to be scrutinised.
    This is Erebus scale stuff. I want the BORA entrenched, that is another issue, yet connected I feel.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Islander,

    You inspired me to download a ruler app for my Android. I already had a spirit level.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    Heh!
    I can see the day coming when we just have one omnitool and it'll fit in the handle of a small knife...OK, 2 tools, one of the oldest & one futuristic but close-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Islander,

    Yeah, but I think a software MIG welder is some distance away..

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    If I may, I also suggest AndroSensor, which shows you the readings from all your phone's sensors. Not necessarily all practical, but it's free and I can think of uses for a decibel meter and raw GPS coordinates. Was a bit disappointed to find out that my Galaxy 2 doesn't have a temperature sensor, though!

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    A decent jack might be a way off too-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Most handy, thank you. The Nexus One doesn't measure temperature (except inside the battery pack) either. Or neutrino flux.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • poffa, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I thought it was another bit from Catch 22, do we call, ' help police' or help. police as the blows rain. Or the soldier in Dresden shot for picking up a teapot in Slaughter House 5.

    auckland • Since Jun 2007 • 31 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    You lot measuring things, stuffing things, wanting neutrino detectors obviously need a Turboencabulator

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Ross Mason,

    That was very funny! Turbic ginglilons yet-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Steve Parks, in reply to bmk,

    Another possible solution would be a ‘Go to first unread post’ that many other forums use.

    bmk,

    Agreed, would love that feature. Also, wrt the date/time thing, why not just have both on screen? There’s plenty of room beside the “a day ago” bit to add “at 8.54 pm 11 July” or whatever.

    ...digression ends.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Fern,

    The "Sunday" programme said their approach to the Matsis couple was the first they had heard of the so-called looting. But how can items be said to be looted or stolen if the police haven't established who owns them?

    Since Jul 2011 • 1 posts Report

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