Where's my bodyguard and good for one but not the other.

Forums › Off topic › Where's my bodyguard and good for one but not the other.

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#1498838 24-Feb-2016 21:48

freitasm:

lady (?)

To be fair, the OP referred to the slinger of synthetic poo at the member for Ilam as a "gentleman", presumably there was no intent to imply that either deserved a civil term of respect for the actions.

JayADee

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#1498920 25-Feb-2016 06:49

networkn:

GeoffisPure:

Think it's up to the minister concerned if he wishes to press charges. I guess he was hoping for the embarassesment to go away.

It would be hilarious if throwing amusing things at politicians became a kiwi tradition / form of protest.

Would it?

No, it would not. Throwing an object of any type at a person is not acceptable.

Handsomedan

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#1498944 25-Feb-2016 08:38

Whilst I don't think the Americans have quite got the protection thing down in the right way, I do have to say that if either of these incidents had happened in the USA, the assailants would either now be dead or grievously wounded.

Our security details have a surprisingly light touch and our Ministers are very accessible. That's a good thing, in my opinion.

The assailants in both instances should have been charged - the woman throwing the rubber appendage was more likely to do harm than the man with the muck. And that poor guy was still grieving for his dead son...I understand he would be rightfully upset.

BUT - there's no excuse for assault, whether with a "toy" or a bucket of muck or your person.

Charge them both, let them off with a stern warning and advice that this will not be tolerated in future and leniency is a one-off.

Our security guys really need to remain as they are - prepared for the worst, but willing to allow people to get close - otherwise we turn into Russia or worse still - the USA.

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dickytim

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#1498953 25-Feb-2016 08:59

networkn:

The guy threw muck over a minister for reasons to me seem like he believes Brownlee CAUSED the earthquake that killed his son.

It's tragic his son died, I can't imagine the agony of the poor guy, but despite his considerable girth, even at terminal velocity Brownlee impacting the earth wouldn't register with Geonet.

I also had this discussion with my partner yesterday, I am glad that he will be charged as it is not acceptable for this kind of behaviour and his excuse doesn't hold water. What does he want the government to do about his son? What did the government do to cause the issue?

Had I been coated in what was initially thought to be excrement that guy certainly would not have walked away from the scene that's for sure.

I do feel for Brownlee, and was interested in his interview on the radio this week, he really is on a hiding for nothing with this portfolio.

gzt

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#1499115 25-Feb-2016 13:09

NZHerald lists the ingredients:

NZ Herald: "They're not taking care of all the [quake] families - like us, and everybody else," he said. "There needs to be more support, more communication, and just compassion really."

He criticised Brownlee for not acknowledging the families at the memorial service. "He could've over and said something but he didn't, he walked right past."

Howland prepared the mixture of flour, egg, vinegar, salt, pepper, cocoa at home before driving to Christchurch on Saturday. He thought about throwing it over Prime Minister John Key instead of Brownlee. "If Brownlee wasn't there, I would've got Key," he said.

networkn

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#1499165 25-Feb-2016 14:07

it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

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gzt

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#1499211 25-Feb-2016 14:53

networkn:
gzt: it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

Well, those were not my points you are making, but actually it does matter as far as the law is concerned. If it was for example poos and wees, that is a far more serious assault.

As I understand it there were some silent protesters outside the venue. They were not covered by the media as far as I am aware.

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#1499217 25-Feb-2016 15:21

I am not a fan of this government and I did find the dildo incident, especially its aftermath, highly amusing, but for me what really matters is that I am fortunate enough to live in a country where members of government do go out into the public and can be approached by ordinary people. I think this is important and I place a lot of value on it. I also think Steven Joyce demonstrated a lot of grace and good humour over the incident. More power to him.

For the record, I don't think people should throw things or dump stuff over anyone. It is very poor manners and can become a reason for our leaders not to make themselves accessible. But I am still glad to live in a place where something like this does not provoke an overreaction if it does occur.

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#1499269 25-Feb-2016 17:23

This explains how the DPS works. NZ is one of a few countries where its people have good access to its political leaders and this is admired by huge amount of people from other countries where there isnt simply any access.

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#1499348 25-Feb-2016 19:09

networkn:

it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

Elected leaders for 1.1million people of NZ.

3 millions+ do not vote for them.

gzt

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#1499378 25-Feb-2016 19:37

nakedmolerat:
networkn:
gzt: it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

Elected leaders for 1.1million people of NZ.

3 millions+ do not vote for them.

@networkn that's not a great way to call attention, it is too similar to the quote format unfortunately and a bit misleading.

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#1499384 25-Feb-2016 19:51

Mspec: Why would they not prosecute her yet prosecute him where they have both pretty much done the same thing by assaulting a minister seems pretty one sided to me.

Imo police would have consulted Joyce and he would have said nah not worth it not interested.

Brownlee on the other hand it is a different situation and a different response.

networkn

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#1499461 25-Feb-2016 22:47

nakedmolerat:
networkn:

it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

Elected leaders for 1.1million people of NZ.

3 millions+ do not vote for them.

Well those 3 million have decided they are happy for the 1.1 to speak on their behalf

frankv

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#1499504 26-Feb-2016 06:44

networkn:
nakedmolerat:
networkn: it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

Elected leaders for 1.1million people of NZ.

3 millions+ do not vote for them.

Well those 3 million have decided they are happy for the 1.1 to speak on their behalf

Or maybe those 3 million perceive that they have been effectively disenfranchised. Maybe they have been disenfranchised by a system which only allows you to choose between 2 unacceptable alternatives. Maybe they have voiced their frustrations, but been ignored by a minister who (correctly) perceives that their aren't enough votes in it for him to care.

Personally, I think that the whole Christchurch earthquake response has been mismanaged from virtually day one, from the Govt bailing out the insurance companies to taking 5 years (and counting) to settle claims.

Fred99

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#1499568 26-Feb-2016 09:16

frankv:

networkn:
nakedmolerat:
networkn:

it matters not 1 iota what was in the actual mix. It's assault, it's stupid and it deserves punishment. These are our ELECTED LEADERS, and treating them like this because you disagree with the results they have acheived is wildly unacceptable.

The way to voice your concern is with your votes, or in constructive non-violent methods of communication.

Elected leaders for 1.1million people of NZ.

3 millions+ do not vote for them.

Well those 3 million have decided they are happy for the 1.1 to speak on their behalf

Or maybe those 3 million perceive that they have been effectively disenfranchised. Maybe they have been disenfranchised by a system which only allows you to choose between 2 unacceptable alternatives. Maybe they have voiced their frustrations, but been ignored by a minister who (correctly) perceives that their aren't enough votes in it for him to care.

Personally, I think that the whole Christchurch earthquake response has been mismanaged from virtually day one, from the Govt bailing out the insurance companies to taking 5 years (and counting) to settle claims.

The "3 million" include children - not yet of voting age. Voter turnout in general elections isn't great (~76% in the last general election) but at least it's better than in the USA, where despite all the apparent emotion and massive hype, fewer than 60% of eligible voters bother to cast a vote in presidential elections.

In NZ almost 86% of eligible voters over the age of 65 cast a vote, only 62% of 25-29 year olds cast a vote. What the hell is going on?

Brownlee is a dirty word in this household. There's nothing like the experience of being at the receiving end of malicious incompetence by an organisation, then seeing the Minister responsible repeatedly stating that he's "generally satisfied", and from his position of power, damning criticism by calling people names ("carpers and moaners" etc). I would never condone throwing "stuff" at him or any form of physical attack, but if I found him drowning I'd be inclined to want to let nature take it's course. (truly - probably not, I'd do what good people do, but I've liked the thought).

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