Telling blatant lies is not restricted to the EB, I have no time for their religion, in fact I have no time for any religion but I will defend their right to worship what ever the hell they like and for them to try an influence any political party as that is their right.

This corrupt government (supported by the Greens to their eternal shame) have told more lies than the EB would in 100 years.

‘Are you suggesting it is ok to persecute the Bretheren?’

It’s not okay to persecute individuals for being members of the exclusive brethren, just like it’s not okay for members of the exclusive brethren to persecute people for leaving the sect.

It is, however, perfectly reasonable to criticise the particular Exclusive Brethren members who were involved in producing and distributing the pamphlets. The pamphlet about the Green Party included thirteen statements about Green Party policy, twelve of which were incorrect. If it were one out of thirteen incorrect I could believe it was an honest mistake, but twelve out of thirteen is clear evidence of an intent to decieve (or, in biblical terms, ‘bear false witness against thy neighbour’).

If an advertisement for a product or service were so blatantly libellious, the advertisinc standards authority would come down very strongly on whoever put it out.

On the other hand it will be pleasant to see a National party leader who doesn’t think that we can turn back the clock to some mythical 1950s/1960s colorblind New Zealand.

Both - It’s a serious wind-up. What I’m asking is, if you think we need one law for all, why should it not be law as defined by Maori?

Personally, I’m not so keen on a single NZ state - I’m in favour of considerable local autonomy so that communities can make their own decisions about how they want to run themselves, and can tell other people to mind their own business. For example, If the Brethren want to run their communities according to their own traditions, let them. All I ask is that they don’t intefere in my community and let anybody who wants to leave the brethren lifestyle do so..

“We already have laws that are perfectly suited to everybody in NZ”

Really? Suited to everybody? Who decided that? The Seabed and Foreshore Act didn’t seem to suit a lot of Maori.

“Assuming that you were being serious I need to ask you why you find it acceptable to force the traditions of another race on people like me when you find it so abhorrent when it is forced on maori.”

I agree with you there, I don’t seriously want to force a tradition on anybody. Do you then agree that Maori shouldn’t have the traditions of another race forced on them?

“But in answer to your question….its called democracy.”

Don’t recall Maori ever voting for a government based on Pakeha tradition. It was forced on them by such measures as the invasion of the Waikato, the attacks on Parihaka and Maungapohatu, the wars in Taranaki, et al. Continued attempts to form their own structures for governance through the King movement, Kotahitanga movement etc. were ignored or undermined.

By the way, I tend to agree with you about the Maori seats. In my personal opinion, Maori would be better off without them - I suspect they help keep Maori concerns marginalised, but given my disinterest in electoral politics I don’t care much.

Have you considered a 12-volt system for your new house? I’m no expert on such things, but somebody was telling me recently about a house fitted out this way and it seems quite efficent, especially if you want to get off the grid entirely. There’s lots of appliances designed for caravans etc. that run on it. I lived in very comfy DOC hut for a summer that had everything on gas or 12 volt and it worked fine.

Pffttt.

Perhaps they should just give Europe back to the Romans and the oppressed will rise from their stupor…

The difference is that my family didn’t blame anyone for their dire and unfair circumstances. Nor were they waiting round for the injustices of the past, for there were many, to magically right themselves.

They moved on. Within one generation, they went from poor peasants not speaking the language to millionaires. No one gave them a damn thing.

The strong survive and prosper. The weak complain.

Have you ever seriously considered that your views are racist?, you seem to be implying that maori are not able to rise above the problems they have as they are not able to deal with some mythical attachment to the land, the sooner we stop making excuses the better.

As usual you introduce evidence to support your claim that has nothing to do with NZ, the problems that the Abo’s and the innuit have has nothing to do with the issues here in NZ.

Both sides would never agree with it (apartheid) Smokey, the maori members of my family are dead against it for a start off, or are you suggesting that their opinions are not relevant?

And don’t worry about your ramblings Smokey, the kids are at school so i have plenty of time to educate you and show you the error of your ways.
I must admit that once they come home I am fairly busy, it is not easy when you have to balance all the PC bullshit they learn at school with a dose of reality or fact.

C’mon now…just because something purports to explain, that in no way automatically implies that it excuses…I think it’s called cultural imperialism bruv…they’ve had to fight their way out of it while your lot got comfy…appalling behaviour it may be, buts the roots go way back bruv..way back.

And its not particularly unusual, just ask the abo’s and the innuit and the mayans and the cherokee et al. The trick now is to fess up and spread the wealth and education around a bit more eh?

Its not apartheid if both sides agree to it is it? That could happen…one day…its happened elsewhere…

Cos it’s not the 80’s anymore bruv…the cat’s out of the bag and everyone is chasing pussy…

These ramblings are all designed to keep you busy so you have less time to indoctrinate the children…

I’m appalling I know…time for more beer.