Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Dropping the Bomber

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  • DCBCauchi, in reply to Rich Lock,

    But if you genuinely can’t see that releasing a bunch of people with a proved propensity for violence as a first resport out into the population as a whole might be problematic, then we really have nothing further to talk about.

    Of course it's problematic! But it's a problem that can be solved. By empowering people with knowledge and techniques within a supportive environment. Not locking them away in a brutal environment.

    And I believe I have specifically mentioned the role of individual responsibility in re: the consequences of the choices you make.

    Let me tell you a story.

    Once upon a time, back in the day, I would go to parties where these large gang members would show up. Not underground rock and roll parties but middle class university student parties. The gang members happened to live next door. I vividly remember walking down the hallway, dodging hulking leather-clad forms leaning against the wall, stepping over used heroin needles, 18 years old and off my chops on a bottle of bourbon and far too much weed. But I never felt scared.

    They were really good guys. Treat them like human beings and they'd treat you like one. All anyone wants to do is live their life. What's so hard to understand about that?

    A world where everyone has a place to stand.

    Since Feb 2011 • 320 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Olympus Mons – now there’s a mountain.

    and in second place rising from the bottom of the
    crater Rheasilvia on the asteroid Vesta

    Given that this is PAS, I'm surprised there's no mention of Mons Veneris .

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • DCBCauchi, in reply to Sacha,

    Great derail.

    Pardon?

    Since Feb 2011 • 320 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to 3410,

    1. We don't prefer National, because
    2. We don't take sides.
    3. And anyway, we prefer Labour.

    In the 3 news item, I understood, their explanation to be that ratings agencies rate governments, not parties.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    *POOR IMPULSE CONTROL*

    Just a Band?
    Is a DJ a Band?

    Thou shalt not attend an open mic and leave before it's done just because you've finished your shitty little poem or song you self-righteous prick.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • hamishm,

    Having just now read Bomber's transcript, I have to say that this episode is bollocks. He should not have been banned.
    Bradbury's opinions are just his opinions and if this had been delivered by Michael Laws about Helen Clarke, would be just another unremarkable day at the office.

    Since Nov 2006 • 357 posts Report

  • andin, in reply to DCBCauchi,

    how journos might prise answers to their questions

    Well at this "great British school" the headmaster (to segregate the sex's) goes around with a crowbar and prises them apart @2.00 for the impatient
    Now go try that on a politician!

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • BenWilson, in reply to HORansome,

    That Popper has really been rubbing off on you, although I detect a strong whiff of Lakatos. I'm keen to hear your take on Feyerabend most of all, though.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Sue,

    So apparently now he wasn't banned?
    I'm confused?

    didn't someone here mention an email sent across all of radionz? or did i get that wrong, becuase now instead of well maybe this is a bit uncool, it's so very wrong.

    And yes the panel is often filled with all kinds of meh, but occasionaly when they have enlightened and people like David slack and Bernard hickey who do some research and make reasons arguments it's good radio.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to DCBCauchi,

    They were really good guys. Treat them like human beings and they'd treat you like one. All anyone wants to do is live their life. What's so hard to understand about that?

    You may want to ask the women who've been put on the block and gang-raped in gang houses.

    But seriously David, you're way off-topic, even by our standards. I've tried not to argue with you because that generally results in an even bigger derail, but, c'mon.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • HORansome, in reply to BenWilson,

    I have a soft spot for Feyerabend (although I find it interesting that he's taken as having said philosophers can't describe the scientific method when it really does look like Feyerabend gives a quite good account/description) of scientific methodologies (I think that plural is doing a lot of work there).

    And don't talk to me about Popper... I have a chapter chunk devoted to how I think he got conspiracy theories all upside down. That being said, some account of (sophisticated) falsificationism is a useful tool for demarcating between theories you should reasonably accept and theories you should ask for more evidence for (and yes, I have a bit of a chapter about that, too).

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to hamishm,

    Bradbury's opinions are just his opinions and if this had been delivered by Michael Laws about Helen Clarke, would be just another unremarkable day at the office.

    On National Radio? Oh, I'll take that bet.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to HORansome,

    and yes, I have a bit of a chapter about that, too

    pimpin the book spin-off already :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Sue,

    And yes the panel is often filled with all kinds of meh, but occasionaly when they have enlightened and people like David slack and Bernard hickey who do some research and make reasons arguments it's good radio.

    Our very own Scott Y turns up on there occasionally, too.

    He was once on there with Bomber, and apparently felt woefully underprepared in contrast to the pages and pages of carefully prepared response that Bomber had brought with him (a copy of the talking points of the day is e-mailed to all guests shortly before the show to allow them to prepare their off-the-cuff bon mots and comments).

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • HORansome, in reply to Sacha,

    Actually, I'm going to tweet the thesis once it's been accepted, sentence by sentence.

    Well, except that as it's a philosophy thesis, some sentences might take several tweets...

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

  • James W, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And that really is the issue. The Prime Ministers and other senior ministers will not front for serious questioning about what they're doing.

    Normally, the reason politicians would go on a show where they're going to be asked hard questions (apart from serving the electorate, lol) is because they know if they don't, the same media will rake them over the coals. However, the media's still so in love with the Key government that National have no fear of reprisals. They won last election with a policy of no policy; I reckon they can get away with another one.

    Since Jul 2008 • 136 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to James W,

    because they know if they don't, the same media will rake them over the coals

    fuelled by an effective opposition to help make the arguments, yes

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • BenWilson, in reply to HORansome,

    Quite keen to have a read of it. I'd DM you in Twitter, if I had the first clue how to do that in TweetDeck. There's something I really don't get about that program.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Juha Saarinen,

    I want Lemmy to replace Bradbury.

    Since Nov 2006 • 529 posts Report

  • DCBCauchi, in reply to Russell Brown,

    But seriously David, you're way off-topic, even by our standards. I've tried not to argue with you because that generally results in an even bigger derail, but, c'mon.

    Off-topic sure. Derail, really?

    All I'm doing is putting forward my point of view and seeking a response. I don't think that's too much to ask. One among many. I don't ask for any particular kind of response. Ignore me, laugh at me, talk with me, I don't actually care, because it ultimately doesn't actually matter. I know which I prefer, but I don't mind. How you respond is entirely up to you.

    What I think matters is that everyone can freely have their say. Bomber, you, me, an imprisoned gang member, everyone. We're all people.

    Everybody is an artist, and your life is your work of art.

    Since Feb 2011 • 320 posts Report

  • HORansome, in reply to BenWilson,

    When the thesis is passed in it goes up, electronically, at the UoA library. I'll be posting links to the PDF for all and sundry at that time. Everyone will get to read it.

    And, if I have my way, everyone will have to read it.

    Muhahahaha.

    Whoops, seem to have leaked my evil plan too soon.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

  • Lilith __,

    I've always had mixed feelings about Bradbury's approach. I often agree, up to a point, with his views, but he seems to go out of his way to be hyperbolic and antagonistic. If he'd be more moderate and less hectoring he could be a force to be reckoned with.

    If he'd worded his speech on The Panel a little differently and delivered it with more charm, this whole furore need never have happened. And did anyone but Bradbury talk about this fictional "lifetime ban"? Did he honestly believe it? Or was it just an exaggeration for effect?

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to HORansome,

    Whoops, seem to have leaked my evil plan too soon.

    Compulsory philosophy of science FTW! :-)

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • DCBCauchi, in reply to Lilith __,

    Compulsory philosophy of science FTW!

    Now there's a slogan.

    Since Feb 2011 • 320 posts Report

  • HORansome,

    And, once again, I wish there was a like button for PAS.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

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