Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: O.G.

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  • davidamstalden,

    Personally, I find old white guys dressed in suits and ties more intimidating than any thug wannabe kid in a hoodie. Maybe it's because I know who has the real power.

    Maybe the kids know that too.

    New Plymouth • Since Mar 2008 • 45 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    WH: move.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • paulalambert,

    Three young blokes of maybe 16-18 inside the local mall on Sunday came around the corner toward my son and me. WH they fit your stereotype perfectly; their hoods were up, they were wearing sunglasses on (granted it was a sunny day outside and that part of the mall has a glass ceiling). But . . . they went around us and were not in the least threatening, only very noticeable, so I doubt they were even shoplifters.

    I have cycled past pairs and more of the same on footpaths all around Aranui and Linwood, a low socio-economic area where I live, and haven't yet felt threatened. It is a mindset, and you seem to be troubled by yours.

    On the other hand in my travels around town in the last few years I have actually felt and been threatened by both older and younger well-heeled drunks on the street, in daylight hours. And for the record I have been burgled several times, but not for the last 12 years since living here.

    This is not to say intimidation never happens as you describe, but it is just not as common as you fear. You need to get a grip.

    chch • Since Dec 2006 • 107 posts Report

  • Yamis,

    [restrains himself from swearing]

    For most people it's a fashion statement. I own and wear several hoodies as do my two younger sisters. Gee, even my wife wears a few and my 20 month old has a couple as well. They are comfy, they look alright and when I'm/we're cold I/we can pull the hood up. I don't wear the hood up when I'm not cold because that would ruin the 20 dollar haircut I get 4 times a year.

    Mikaere C got it right. Worry about the behaviour, not the attire.

    Hell, we may as well ban long sleeves and pants because people could be concealing weapons.

    Also as paula says above a lot of the 'fear' can just be a negative mindset where there be dragons everywhere. But as soon as you tell yourself that dem dragons be gone they sure as hell are hard to find. It's like driving in NZ. People go on and on about how bad it is all the time but I just don't see it. Sure people don't indicate sometimes, and maybe go a bit quick here and there but for the most part there is still a general courtesy on the roads, at least on the ones I drive on. I've been to enough countries to know what real dodgy driving looks like.

    Back on topic...I caught Peachey last night on TV. Dear god that man is a disgrace, he made it sound as though every single hoodie wearer is up to no good. Rangitoto must have breathed a sigh of relief. It's funny how that crowd can spend days saying we should stop telling business what to do and then turn around and tell everybody not part of the club what to do.

    As for banning them in malls I can understand individual shop owners/workers asking anybody wearing one INSIDE their store to pull it down so they can clearly be seen but just roaming about or sitting round in the mall should be no big deal.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    In Christchurch's Square this afternoon had an improv theatre group wearing classic greek theatre masks over the eyes and nose. They randomly skipped over park beanches (including the people sitting on them) or otherwise played with those around them, just wonderful whimsy. I'm not sure such behaviour would be tollerated in a Mall, the Cathedral took it in stride. One of them was in a zimmerframe thingy too.
    Brightened up my afternoon no end.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report

  • Leigh Kennaway,

    Well, I'm sitting here all roasty toasty in my cardie... BUT I bought my first-ever hoodie on Sunday - such is the marketing power of da PA - and it was great for keeping warm as I worked in the garden. Only took forty mumblemuble years to get around to trying this topical garb.

    Western Bays • Since Feb 2007 • 79 posts Report

  • tussock,

    Bloody raggedy hippies with their long hair and their hippy music. No, wait, bloody bomber-jacketed wearing crew-cut rebels with their rock and roll. No, wait, it's the bloody wig-wearing young brats with their waltz. No, wait, it's bloody Ug's son Ug Jr. with his club and that deliberately threatening look he gives you.

    Whatever stupid-ass gene provokes that sensation in people needs to give it a rest already. We're not in small tribes of hunter-gatherers any more, not by a long shot. Stupid evolution and it's inability to conform to this week's model society.

    Since Nov 2006 • 611 posts Report

  • Leigh Kennaway,

    Back on topic...I caught Peachey last night on TV. Dear god that man is a disgrace, he made it sound as though every single hoodie wearer is up to no good. Rangitoto must have breathed a sigh of relief. It's funny how that crowd can spend days saying we should stop telling business what to do and then turn around and tell everybody not part of the club what to do.

    National Party policy dilemna # 437; what to do about businesses run by guys in hoodies?? [Legit business that is, not, like, drug-dealing or selling stolen goods or stuff] Suggestions on the back of an envelope please to;
    A Peachy,
    Parliament Buildings,
    Wellington.

    Western Bays • Since Feb 2007 • 79 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I caught Peachey last night on TV. Dear god that man is a disgrace, he made it sound as though every single hoodie wearer is up to no good. Rangitoto must have breathed a sigh of relief.

    Peachey took over as principal at Rangi in my last year or two there. I don't really remember anything about him, but he certainly didn't give any impressions to me or my parents of being a terrible principal.

    I'd tend to think he could do less damage as a right-wing principal of a high school that's not exactly in a poor area, than as an Associate Minister of Education or something, which is presumably what he'll be in 6 months.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    Hoodies? Hate 'em.

    They always result in a bad hair day.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • WH,

    WH: move.

    If you can't understand people's experiences of and fears about criminal offending, they are unlikely to sympathise with your concerns for young people. Not all families can afford to move away from social problems. Maybe its different for middle aged, professional types living in wealthy suburbs. I couldn't say.

    Since Nov 2006 • 797 posts Report

  • Amy Gale,

    Well, I just finished swatching for this - does that count?

    tha Ith • Since May 2007 • 471 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    They always result in a bad hair day.

    So true, Deborah. Them and beanies.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Well, I just finished swatching for this - does that count?

    That could count as a hoodie and a beanie.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    On (academic) hoodies to be scared of, Dr Lockwood Smith is taking advice from Dr Greg Clydesdale.

    http://lockwoodsmith.co.nz/index.php?/categories/2-Speech/P2.html

    Deconstruct this:

    http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=ztERnvGmVAo

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    A bit late to the discussion I am.
    Ron Mark, I like him, he's a real stirrer. How about Winston Peters for Prime Minister and Ron as his henchman/tresurer, in Hoodies?
    Now that would be a larf. I am just so sick of National and they have yet to even tell us what they plan to do.

    Hoodies in da House, Yasssss

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    On (academic) hoodies to be scared of, Dr Lockwood Smith is taking advice from Dr Greg Clydesdale.

    Wow. Given the rate at which everyone else is getting the hell clear of Clydesdale, that is unfortunate.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Lockwood Smith seems to be suggesting we shift our focus on skilled immigration to migrant labour status. He says.

    Common sense suggests the seasonal work permit – that has for years provided much of the seasonal labour required for our vital horticulture industries

    Significant concern is growing right now around New Zealand's fruit-growing regions

    Having said this, earlier in his speech;

    if the applicant has a partner and two children, for example, only one of the four immigrants arriving may be bringing in needed skills,

    From that I gather Nationals policy on immigration will, "You can come here and work cheap for our mates but leave the wife and kids at home"
    Not a good look in my books.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    BTW
    I thought the term "Hoodie" was a corruption of "Neighbourhood"
    as in "in the hood" in which case is National saying "we are going to ban people from your neighbourhood fro going to shopping malls"?
    Maybe not but then they won't tell us what they do stand for, will they?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Bob Munro,

    I thought the term "Hoodie" was a corruption of "Neighbourhood"

    There's a great bit of background and context in this Valerie Lawson article.

    Along with trainers, hoodies should be buried in time capsules to show future generations the ultimate utility wear of the early 21st century.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Thanx Bob, you could have just said I was wrong but then this isn't Kiwiblog. :-)
    "In the hood, there is comfort for all."

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Bob Munro,

    Oh, Steve I wasn't trying to imply you were wrong at all. I was just using your line to lead off to the article which I found interesting. Your explanantion was fine by me. Sorry if it appeared thet way.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    No offence taken Bob. Like I said, this isn'tKiwiblog, we don't do offence here :-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Bob Munro,

    Thanks Steve. Further on this. I do find a text only method of communication quite difficult to get the right tone into a conservation. Sometimes there's a quite unexpected reaction to a comment where I realise that the lack of verbal and bodily cues that happen in face to face encounters has somehow distorted the intent.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Hence emoticons :D :-}

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

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