Posts by Rich of Observationz
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
I've heard Yanis's idea before, that in a society in rural-urban transition (like modern China) having brown skin is a mark of being part of the "primitive" rural masses rather than a "sophisticated" urbanite. It would be interesting to see if this was the case in 18th Century Europe, for instance.
I do think that some of the ideas in the icons are more propaganda from governments "our people value the community over individuals and don't want human rights" than actual reality. See Chris Patten's (aka Fat Pang) writing for much on this.
-
New Zealand film stock has less blue spectrum, more yellow
I once convinced somebody (in the heyday of dialup) that their modem wouldn't work on Finland, on account of the phone system was optimised for Finno-ugric languages and passed a different set of speech tones.
This was bullshit, BTW, but it worked ;-)
-
@Phil
I can see tribe, hippies and all.
Maybe a mung beam got stuck in the connection?
-
The problem is that Auckland gets most of the long-haul flights, and hence, most of the immigrants
I think many of us are capable of managing the 5 minute walk to Domestic and getting a connecting flight. In my case my then girlfriend picked me up and drove me to Papamoa.
It's not like one has to crawl up the beach and build a shack on the spot!
-
And my long-term bug-bear, the New Zealand Immigration Service .... I'm surprised that anyone wants to come here at all considering the stories I've heard from virtually every immigrant I know.
Really. I thought they were one of the better ones? My process of coming here was slow but reasonably efficient and most of my migrant friends had a similar experience. I've not dealt with Aussie or Canada but doubt they're much better. The UK and US are terrible - if you are in the US on a work permit, then applying for a green card can cause them to refuse your next work permit renewal because you are trying to migrate permanenently.
Personally, I do think that rather than trying to second guess the labour market, having a job offer at above-average wages (or for a job like nursing that *should* pay such wages) ought to be treated as prima-facie evidence that one is a skilled worker. That would be a much simpler system. That, and a years work permit for anyone with funds to keep themselves and the fare home.
-
There's a school of thought that the American style of integration has been a success compared to those of France or Britain. People retain a distinct ethnic identity -- often down through generations -- but also salute the flag.
I would disagree there. Firstly, people should be free to choose which aspects of their new country they want to partake of. For me saluting a flag is saying that your country is basically perfect and it isn't my place to try and change it. One is entitled to think that, but equally entitled to believe that there is a lot wrong and try to change things (by non-violent means, of course).
Secondly, I think the migration experience has actually been better for those who've gone to Britain. People keep the things they want to keep (like rugby and pissing it up at the Church on a Sunday morning) whilst at the same time benefiting from the many great things the UK has to offer (cheap drugs, I suppose).
-
Cyprus has an entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, with their hit song:
λɑ λɑ λɑBut then, so has Morocco, with the song:
مدينة لوس انجلوس مدينة لوس انجلوس مدينة لوس انجلوس -
How? We have a right to freedom of movement in this country ...the government can't tell you where to live and stop you from moving elsewhere.
What I think happens at the moment is that there is a regional shortage list and if you have a job offer as a flange turner in Taranaki, that gets you more points than the same job in Auckland. Nothing stops you leaving immediately your residence is approved and becoming a real estate agent in Auckland, but the assumption is that there is some degree of stickiness.
-
I almost think the racism of the UK Labour Party is worse than that of declared fascists like Kyle Chapman. Because it's wrapped up in alleged sympathy for "underprivileged white people".
My mum is from the East End of London, which is one of those underprivileged "white" communities they talk about. That community is *not* disadvantaged in respect to those whose ancestors migrated more recently (almost all East Londoners are descended from migrants, I certainly am). Those who made an effort in life, like Mum, have done perfectly well. There is a group left behind who didn't make that effort and, feeling themselves hard done by, resort to racism.
Unfortunately rather than trying to help everyone according to need, UK Labour has identified with these people to the point of adopting their attitudes. Bad.
-
What would be really nice would be if National and Labour could agree a "pairing" arrangement to shut NZF out of politics.
E.g, if 7 NZF MPs vote with Labour, 7 Labour MPs will vote with National and vice versa.