Random Play by Graham Reid

Yes... that consistency thing is hard, and tends to take a distant second to trade interests. I was a bit disappointed to see that trade concerns were the mainstay of the government's objections to the Mohammed Cartoons publications here.

Then again, that's probably more honest than anything else so...

Think the performers will get entry visas and permits next time?

Just to clarify.

The DPS weren't called in. They were already there as is standard practice during such ocasions. The ousting was actually done by the police, albeit likely at the behest of the DPS, and as a result of Chinese pressure.

All in all a pretty reprehensible turn of events.

Mayor Wood might also consider he's seeking re-election in a city with a not-inconsiderable immigrant population. Somehow, I'm not really comfortable with a Mayor whose appointment diary is revised at the behest of any foreign embassy.

Ironically enough, the last time I was in a room with Mr. Wood was when we attended the same screening of The Wind that Shakes the Barley - Ken Loach's Palm D'Or winning valentine to the IRA. I don't recall the Irish Republic or the United Kingdom discouraging people from attending what, from one point of view, is a lengthy apologia for a terrorist organisation.

Fully agree. Mainland China has nothing to say about anything that relates to domestic affairs in NZ, so much as a travelling performing show can be deemed to be the latter.

Is it just me or has someone just munted your original blog entry? I suspect the Chinese govt now have you pegged as Falun Gong Mr Reid ...

click on 'Original Blog Entry' not 'Read More' to see what I mean ...

So far I've compared the two, and I don't seem to see anything much different. Or maybe I need to see the optometrist again.

i agree both Mayor Wood and Mainland China have nothing to say about anything that relates to domestic affairs in NZ

Is it just me or has someone just munted your original blog entry?

It's interesting you mention this. Viewing the Random Play blog entry looks OK for me, but if I go to the Public Address home page, the blog content is squeezed into a narrow column down the right-hand side of the page.

I think it's been like this for the last couple of days.

i agree both Mayor Wood and Mainland China have nothing to say about anything that relates to domestic affairs in NZ

Riddley, perhaps I've completely missed your point but I happen to live in a city where George Wood has rather a lot of influence over quite a lot that relates to my life.

How does one get harangued by Falun Gong, I wonder? Worst I've seen them do is sit outside the Chinese Embassy breathing deeply at it and doing squiggly wiggles with their hands. Honestly, they wouldn't say boo to a schmoo. Neither, probably, would vanilla mayor George Wood.

I can't say I've ever tried to make the FG angry either, although I have to say their blanket statement "Falun Dafa is Good" does kind of bug me sometimes. I feel it needs more, like "...because Clean Living is its Own Reward" or something.

Isn't it a little hypocritical of you all to be defending the Falun Gong?
I thought we were all disciples (pardon the pun!) of Russell Brown and Richard Dawkins, and therefore believe all religion is wrong and should be stopped.

Not that I want to be defending the Chinese government, far from it!

There was a good commentary from Richard Long in today's Dominion criticising the Chinese government for its continued demands on NZ over the years (e.g. Dalai Lama visit of '94)

Particularly hilarious was how they asked the government to buy the Sharella Motor Inn in the early 70s for use as an embassy. NZ's foreign minister at the time had to patiently explain to them that's not how things work here, and they should find another location for the embassy ...

I can't really see anyone expressly defending the FG/FD's doctrine, not unless you think that defending their right to protest is an endorsment of their values.

Besides, where have you ever read anyone here advocate the repression of religious groups? Just because most people on PA don't seem to like the Religious Right, doesn't mean to say we do not acknowledge or support their right to publically state their opinions, no matter how repugnant they are to any one person.

Hooray for living in a Liberal Democracy?

I think the organisers of Divine Performing Arts ought to have been a bit more honest about what they were presenting. When the main organisational push behind your show is the Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty TV and the show itself depicts government-sanctioned murder of Falun Gong members, claiming that the troupe contains Falun Gong dancers but the whole shebang isn't a FG production is disingenuous at least.

That said, whatever the (mis)representation of the show to the public, the Chinese consulate needs to be sent a clear message about how New Zealanders feel when foreign pressure is placed upon elected officials.

Fair enough, Ben, I was being a bit extreme there. Of course religious groups have the right to state their opinions.

"I thought we were all disciples (pardon the pun!) of Russell Brown and Richard Dawkins, and therefore believe all religion is wrong and should be stopped."

Falun Gong is a threat to the Party. That is the only reason they are persecuted. They are loons, but they are harmless loons who are being punished for postulating a higher cause than the Party. If they were Christians I would feel the same.

I believe all religion is irrational, and I would prefer it disappeared, but I am happy to tolerate people who believe stupid things, if only because I suspect I believe stupid things too and would like to enjoy their toleration. The Party cannot tolerate anything that reduces your belief in the Party. To oppose that is no different and in my mind pretty much the same thing as opposing oppressive religion. I am not in favour of Falun Gong for any other reason.

If Marx were alive today he would identify Falun Gong as an opium of the people, since their effect is to provide people with comfort against their suffering, but he would have even harsher words for the oligarchs who make up the Communist Party of China.

I am happy to tolerate people who believe stupid things

Hey hey hey! This is about Falun Gong ... let's not drag in Scient0l0gy or we'll all be sued!