Posts by Sacha

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  • Legal Beagle: The Inexorable Advance,

    why should I be forced to be a member of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association?

    Because I benefit from the actions of the VUWSA including advocacy on behalf of all students as part of the university's governance and service provision arrangements.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: The Inexorable Advance,

    This isn't the "last frontier". For that, try the experience of disabled people.

    Thank you, Russell.

    This wasn't the last in a long line of human rights battles. The last was some time ago.

    Graeme, I understand the matter of principle that you have outlined clearly as always, but the equivalence doesn't stand. Quit while you're ahead on this one, trust me.

    I don't even work from a human rights perspective. However, unless rights are asserted and enforced - and Russell has given just one example where they demonstrably are not - then you're way off the mark in asserting that other such battles are over, legally or otherwise.

    Here's another one. Blind people still do not have a right to vote independently in elections, nor is anyone forcing the government to do much about it - how about taking that on as a matter of principle?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: The Inexorable Advance,

    what if Student Associations were more like school Boards of Trustees... ? ie. if they were considered a fundamental and essential part of the organisation, rather than some kind of lobby group.

    Perhaps they're more like Parent-Teacher Associations - part of the defined governance arrangements, not very powerful but better than dispersed individual voices. Unless you're a wealthy, connected, powerful individual in which case they probably add no benefit. Oh, look who tends to oppose them being compulsory.

    Isn't there an element of protection against freeloading in compulsory membership, just like some elements of employment law? It's hard to separate out the benefits of advocacy or to prevent everyone being bound by decisions with wide scope.

    I have some sympathy for a focus on governance activities, but I understand the reason for involvement in providing student services stems from a historical lack of interest or application from the universities in doing so. Has that changed?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Smack to the Future,

    Are laws often changed because of what people believe to be true?

    I'm sure you could find a million drivers who would agree that speed has no influence on road safety and should not be prosecuted.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Beautiful Images,

    It's just so Bunnythorpe.

    Snap.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Beautiful Images,

    I was mighty impressed by the first episode of Outrageous Fortune when they repeated it.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Smack to the Future,

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Smack to the Future,

    So long as people know that smacking is not the only option, and can be a bad option, then they get help.

    If only that were universally true.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Smack to the Future,

    there hasn't really been much discussion of whether smacking is actually an effective form of child discipline.

    Also unsurprised. Asking that question does not favour those pushing the referendum. And they simply did a better job of deluging media and other influencers of public opinion than their opponents did, in any case. Better resourced, too.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Hard News: Smack to the Future,

    I'm surprised how disobedient these referendum organizers grow up to become. Did they not learn to obey authority?

    Damn good point.

    There's a subtext of biblical vs earthly authority thrown in for good measure, no surprise given the religious bent of most of the key activists. I guess they might argue an unchallengeable direct line from parents to their version of god. Possibly an old testament one.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

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