Posts by Patricia

  • Speaker: Remembering the Chartists,

    I'm struck by the fact that Mr English receives more by way of a housing allowance than either of the two much-vilified DPB mums receive in benefits to support their families

    Exactly and it is fine for Bennett to bitch-slap them in public and throw them to the wolves, but if we ask questions of politicians about their allowances, the reaction seems to be WTF?

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Remembering the Chartists,

    Blimey am I the only dimwit who had to look up the b-word.

    What really gets up my nose about all this, really gets up my nose is the whole English "move along folks, nothing to see here" response. Damn it, Mr English, you are an elected representative and if I want to linger and smell the hypocrisy oozing from your veins, I will!

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Remembering the Chartists,

    Running a country is very, very complicated. It needs smart people. Just like I want the surgeon about to operate on me to be an elite expert, I want the person looking after my interests to be intelligent, educated and open minded.

    Surely to get those people we would need to employ them rather than have an election?

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Seen Anything Good? Tales from the film…,

    Saw Big Man River, for the first 60mins I thought Martin Strel - endurance swimmer - was gloriously, exuberantly, unashamedly mad, then for the last 20mins I thought OMG he IS mad, it is a train wreck and I cant pull my eyes away. Great doco, disturbing, enlightening, slightly manipulative, strangely disconnected narration by his son but well worth the time.

    Kisses, Irish fairy tale, some contrivance - rolling behind car and the Bob Dylan lookalike (Stephen Rea uncredited) but saved by the utter charm, whimsy and worldly innocence of the delightful leads. Small critique I needed subtitles, esp for Dylan the young lad, I really had trouble picking up his dialogue.

    Louise Michel - dedicated to French anarchist - a romp, a gag a minute, some that work, some that don't. Lampoons environmentalists, 9/11 conspiracy theorists, illegal migrants and the prime target capitalism. Cheered me up from the funk that BRM had caused me.

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: When it's Not Okay,

    I don't get why it is so difficult to understand that it's more complicated than "He hits me so I'm leaving"

    Exactly back at ya!

    In a nutshell if we are not saying that the abused are staying simply for the beatings/abuse then we have to accept that the reason that victims, are not then leaving in their droves, is that this is not an easy decision for them to make and takes time and community support to make it happen.

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: When it's Not Okay,

    <quote>To me, their self-esteem and dignity should drive them out of the relationship, but sadly, even some don't know any better than to stay./quote>

    The abuser has threatened the very self esteem of the victim through the continual emotional/verbal/physical abuse. They simply immobilise their victim intellectually and emotionally and with that paralysis of self, the victim finds themselves unable to make decisions and certainly not the one to leave.

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: When it's Not Okay,

    I agree with you Bart, just asking the question is not really enough. As CD as said even her abuser had some limited recognition that his behaviour was not ok, and still he did it again. I think the answer is as individual and complicated as humans are and is different for each relationship that we have.

    I am not sure how we go about stopping it, but I do know that the courage of woman, like Dunne-Powell in speaking, can only help. If that interview starts one abused person on the path to thinking this has to stop, then that can only be good.

    I hope one day CD you get to live in a world where you feel free to openly admit to your experience and have that met not with judgements but with empathy and understanding. I hope that is soon.

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Field Theory: 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14,

    Federer, eek, does nothing for me, he is sooo oh I don't know blah. Of course I recognise that he is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, sublime talent, but he just does nothing for me. So, Monday morning found me in the unusual position of supporting Roddick, who at least stirs emotion in me. Rage!

    I loved Andre, adored Bjorn. Found Sampras to be a bit vanilla. Currently I am supporting Djokovic, he lifts me up and invariably drops me on my head, but that does not deter me in my admiration.

    I blame my support of the Warriors for it all. If you can support the Warriors through all the ups and the many, many downs then you can take whatever disappointment other sportsmen throw at you on the chin. And come back for more.

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Island Life: I am curious. Yellow?,

    On this topic on RNZ this morning, John Banks sounded umm unconvincing, I thought. I am wondering why you need a Party Central for the RWC anyway? Wouldn't it be more fun to have the crowds spread out over the inner city? I fear that decisions will be made in haste and white elephants will be the result.

    But, hell it is not my city, not my rates!

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: A Very Simple Stroke,

    Thanks.

    I always like to know everything about my new friends, and nothing about my old ones. OW

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

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