Posts by Craig Ranapia

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  • Hard News: We'll find out where all the…,

    Steven:

    Quite possibly, but don't you know a driver's licence and owning a car is an inalienable human right? Sorry for getting crankypants so early on another beautiful day, but I wonder what the hell you have to do to lose your licence & get your ride impounded. Apparently, a string of driving offences involving alcohol or drugs doesn't quite tip the scales until you kill someone. :(

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

  • Hard News: Compromise,

    did craig and deb sort this one out already?.

    Well, I thought so but obviously not to Malcolm's satisfaction - which is neither here nor there. And that's where I'd like the matter to rest, **please**.

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

  • Hard News: Compromise,

    Could someone give the magic word that transforms stock-tip spammers into frogs or anything else in the same evolutionary niche that makes a satisfying noise when stood on?

    Never thought it would happen, but I'm feeling nostalgic for Nigerian lottery scams, Viagra knock-offs from Canada and old school NSFW forwards.

    Theatre? It's the bleeding Coliseum with a fresh shipment of Christians...

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

  • Hard News: Compromise,

    Deborah:

    I don't really want to re-start a thread where my own contribution quite honestly didn't live up to my own standards, but I take allegations of malicious 'belittlement', harassment and intimidation of women in any forum incredibly seriously.

    I also react very strongly - and not always temperately - to attacks I think are based on an unreasonable misreading of what I've written. I have no problem with being disagreed with - who knows, I may even be wrong. :) I don't always express myself as clearly as possible.

    But I've too often seen opinions attached to my name that aren't only inaccurate, but profoundly offensive. (According to one nutcase on Kiwiblog, I apparently support " the sexual exploitation of children". Who would have thought - and no, I'm not providing a link to that particular sewer. Contact me privately if you really want to know.)

    I thought it was perfectly clear from the context that I don't believe the Prime Minister -- or any other woman in public life -- should be subject to the same conventions of address in 2007 as they would have been in 1907 or 1857. Apparently that didn't come across - but the world has changed a lot and much of it for the better.

    Now, Deborah, I'm not going to insult your intelligence or mine with one of those not-very-apologetic 'so sorry you've got the problem' no n-apologies. I stand my the substance of my original comment -- that there are really much more important issues in the media than playing honorific cop on anyone, and 'Bishop' Brian Tamiki's an arse no matter what title he plonks in front of his name.

    However, I would appreciate it if you'd accept that the above comment is a sincere and honest statement of my opinion, and consider the matter closed.

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

  • Hard News: Some actual politics,

    Deborah:

    I don't really want to re-start a thread where my own contribution quite honestly didn't live up to my own standards, but I take allegations of malicious 'belittlement', harassment and intimidation of women in any forum incredibly seriously.

    I also react very strongly - and not always temperately - to attacks I think are based on an unreasonable misreading of what I've written. I have no problem with being disagreed with - who knows, I may even be wrong. :) I don't always express myself as clearly as possible.

    But I've too often seen opinions attached to my name that aren't only inaccurate, but profoundly offensive. (According to one nutcase on Kiwiblog, I apparently support " the sexual exploitation of children". Who would have thought - and no, I'm not providing a link to that particular sewer. Contact me privately if you really want to know.)

    I thought it was perfectly clear from the context that I don't believe the Prime Minister -- or any other woman in public life -- should be subject to the same conventions of address in 2007 as they would have been in 1907 or 1857. Apparently that didn't come across - but the world has changed a lot and much of it for the better.

    Now, Deborah, I'm not going to insult your intelligence or mine with one of those not-very-apologetic 'so sorry you've got the problem' no n-apologies. I stand my the substance of my original comment -- that there are really much more important issues in the media than playing honorific cop on anyone, and 'Bishop' Brian Tamiki's an arse no matter what title he plonks in front of his name.

    However, I would appreciate it if you'd accept that the above comment is a sincere and honest statement of my opinion, and consider the matter closed.

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

  • Hard News: Out of the Groove,

    As for Helen Clark, well she probablly spoke too long and this would've added insult to Finn's injury

    Um, yes. I know getting a politician to forgo an opportunity to ego-wank before a congenial audience is a big ask, but really...

    If Chirs Finlayson ends up becoming the next Arts Minister, here's his form speech: "Good evening. Love you all, love your work, have a drink on me. Good night." :) And if all else fails, let's hope there's some contrary cuss up the back of the hall to say the Emperor not only has no clothes, but he's fat and has a microscopically tiny Weiner.

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

  • Hard News: Out of the Groove,

    And having finally taken a peek at the Herald, I must give Mr Finn big ups for occasioning this proofthat chivalry isn't head, it just moves a little slower these days:

    __Music veterans Sir Howard Morrison and Ray Columbus yesterday leaped to the defence of the Prime Minister, blasting Neil Finn for saying Helen Clark took undue credit for the success of the local music industry.

    An emotional Sir Howard contacted the Herald yesterday, saying: "I'm so bloody mad."

    And Columbus weighed in, saying: "In my book she can take as much credit as she likes."

    Sir Howard said Helen Clark had consistently supported the New Zealand music industry, which is more than could be said for Finn.

    "What's really got up my nose is, here's a guy that had his last farewell in front of a free audience in Sydney. He's never done one of those in New Zealand.

    "He doesn't volunteer when asked to do things. To my knowledge, he's been asked and just flatly refused."__

    Coming from someone I've seen with my own eyes pulling a prima donna act that would make Dames Kiri and Malvina blush it's a little bloody rich. And if he wants to come over all Colonol Blimpish, he needs to be reminded how many Maori showbands ended up working the circuit in Oz because there just wan't any interest at home.

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

  • Hard News: Out of the Groove,

    because it's not about trying to make a living

    I take your point as far as it goes - nobody becomes a professional musician (or anything else in the arts) for the job security. It just becomes depressing to read another obit of a musician or writer who dies in poverty after a long life of being screwed like a two-bob hooker. Sometimes, I think it's much easier to fall for the romantic stereotype of the tortured, starving artiste when you've got a full belly, a roof over your head and the certainty of a pay cheque at the end of the month.

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

  • Hard News: Compromise,

    Malcolm:

    Methinks someone who calls a thirty-five year old man "boy" doth not have standing to get Miss Manners on anyone's arse.

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

  • Hard News: Out of the Groove,

    Yeah, I'm inclined to cut Neil Finn some slack too. After listening to the doco series about Split Enz, I came away with two questions:

    1) Why does anyone even try to make a living as a musician (or an artist, painter, writer etc. for that matter)? Masocihism, obsession, sheer bloody-mindedness or all of the above?

    2) And why didn't anyone in Split Enz - who I think it's fair comment to say are all very strong personaities - kill one or more of their bandmates?

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

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