Posts by Craig Ranapia
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Interesting Craig, so what is your involvement with mainstream politics?
Well, I've been a member and supporter of the National Party for the best part of twenty years, and was a regional officeholder in the Young Nats during the 90's. I'd say - and think this is true of any political party or movement - that the overwhelming majority of members/activists are entirely decent and rational people. Doesn't mean you can't argue at the top of your lungs, but there are lines you just don't cross. But there's always going to be a few who really need to lie down in a dark room, with a wet cloth over their eyes and chill. (And to be perfectly honest, I'd have to admit there have been times when I've been there myself.)
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Check out the first comment. I'm really struck by the arrogance of some of the people in the "activist" movement
Try being involved in 'mainstream' politics. I don't think 'arrogance' even covers it, it's like you've wandered into some cult where the only thing worse than an infidel is a backsliding heretic.
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I think the police are gagging to present evidence. I would think it was relatively unusual for them to have 18 months' surveillance to draw on. There'll be emails, texts, videos and photographs. Whether that means convictions, or even charges, under the SoTA remains to be seen.
Fair point, I just hope the prosecutors aren't the kind of people who think have a psychedelic Che Guevara poster on the walls of your student flat thirty years ago is tantamount to a life membership in the Communist Party of Aotearoa. I'm open to be proven wrong here, but I'm wondering if there aren't a handful of nuts who should be done (and done hard) on firearms charges, and a hell of a lot of creepy but fundamentally harmless radical chic posturing around the edges.
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At the moment, the police are saying 'Trust us', but given their past record, I think they are on notice, and they need to prove that they are worth of trust. They had better be right.
QFT - and I know the usual suspects will start bleating about how it's anti-cop, pro-'terrorist' etc. to say any such thing, but screw it. I think we've seen ample evidence that there's some very, very strange people out there; and it sure looks like Tame Iti has little regard for firearms law, and is one hell of a drama queen. But once you put the T-word out there (and don't ask me to believe that the Police haven't been strategically leaking like mad), you've gt to not only make a case that will stand up, but be seen to do so.
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They might both be right.
Or they may both be wrong, and have given certain folks a little more weight than they really deserve. Remains to be seen I guess... unless it's all suppressed.
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But the question is, is the crime of illegal position of a fire arm the same as the illegal possession of a fire-arm for the purpose of influencing the democratic process?
Neil: I've gotten a bit of stick for saying this, but I think a great deal of the rhetoric flying around the MSM and blogisphere from all sides during the last election campaign was, to be charitable,less than savory and at its worse was either actionable or outright deceptive. I don't see how it was any more, or less, offensive because it was clearly intended to "influence the democratic process".
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There are secrets, but they're not necessarily about illegal stuff, they're about keeping the police from knowing what you're doing.
QFT, Kyle. I don't think the Young Nats have ever been closer to 'paramilitary-style training' than the occasional paintball game, but we sure didn't run around posting minutes of campaign strategy meetings or policy debates on the internet. Labour Yoof were equally unobliging, damn them. :)
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I'm sure that most soccer mums would style themselves as "yummy mummies"...
Eww... I know a severely sleep deprived new Mum who will seriously fuck up anyone who says 'yummy mummy' in hear hearing. As she so eloquently puts it, it's rather easy to look fabulous when you can offload the screaming poo-maker on a nanny while you sleep, eat, go to the gym, get your stretch marks surgically removed and generally be a sanctimonious bitch in the only kind of magazine you can focus on .
Don't screw around with a very tired and stressed out mother, kids. And if you ask them a question, be prepared for a extremely frank answer.
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Oh God, sorry. I was under the mistaken impression that the Herald had done the sensible thing and not run a Your Views on this. Arrrgggh ...
You sweet, silly optimistic boy - go stand in the corner and sing (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding ten times.
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Goodness.
With a side of Oy and Vey. Time to step away from the computer and go for a nice, long mentally detoxifying walk.
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