I saw on the news last night Jewish leaders saying that these cemetery attacks were damaging NZ in the international media, and I have to say I was sceptical (NZ hardly ever gets mentioned, for any reason… except LOTR). But it’s true. There’s references to the attacks in the New York Times, and the Guardian. They refer to them as the worst example of anti-Semitism in NZ history, and saying that it shows that the government is struggling to contain it.
Which seems very strange to me. I would say there is far more of a problem with hatred against Islam and against Asians, Islanders and Maori, myself. I saw a guy driving a car today that he’d written on: “Islam is filth”. Can you imagine? I’d be so ashamed to drive that vehicle. And I know, freedom of expression, etc etc, but I just don’t think public would tolerate something like “Jews kill children” or something on a car – we’re very sensitive to anti-Semitism because of Hitler, but for some reason it’s acceptable to intimidate other religious groups and races, because, you know, ALL Muslims are now terrorists and deserve everything they get… and the Asians are ALL corrupt, bad drivers who have too much money and won’t “integrate” (i.e. be white)… and don’t get me started on the dole-bludging, lazy Maori…
I still can’t get over that car.
I really recommend “The Vermilion Gate” by Aiping Mu. It’s a really well-written, touching book. It looks really thick but believe me, it’s so good you’ll rip through it.
Heh heh, I saw on the news about the udder-tampering going on in the Brisbane Agricultural Show. Somehow, in between the Olympics doping scandals and the P-supplying Takapuna teacher, injecting plumping chemicals into Bessie’s bosoms in boondocks Brissie seems… well, kinda cute, really.
Ok, now I may be amazingly ignorant, but I only realised the other day that nipples on mammals aren’t in the least like rubber bottle teats, with one hole – they’re more… fungal… milk just kind of oozes out from all around, there’s no clear jet. I actually found it quite stomach-turning. I dunno why, it just kind of seemed so – leaky. Eeeeeeeeeew. Another reason why I cannot have children. I’m sure the fungal-nipple thing is only the start of the unpleasant reproductive discoveries.
I feel very Irish at the moment. Potato, rice, bread. Potato, rice, bread. Potato, canned corn, bread. Sigh. I really don’t understand how the Government expects an anorexic on the sickness benefit to get any better on $30/week for food. It seems ridiculous. I read a Canterbury University study about 2 years ago that said the absolute minimum for a balanced diet for one person in even the cheapest city in NZ was $70. So why doesn’t WINZ take that into account? They just seem to arbitrarily assign money based on some algorithm, regardless of evidence or need. For example, the Dr costs $37. Despite the receipts, they give me $23.50 for a visit. Do they think that the other $13.50 just appears out of nowhere? It has to come from the dole, because you’re not allowed to earn anything, which means that either people don’t eat, or they don’t have power, or they don’t have insurance for the week.
I wish I could get Helen Clark or someone high up in the Welfare system to actually try and live on the dole for a month. No family support, no savings. Just do it, since it’s apparently so easy. I bet after the month, they’ll be stressed, depressed, turning to drugs or alcohol, and have lost some weight. But they might have some credibility when they tell me to “budget more carefully”.
They must put something in the Canterbury water. I find myself becoming (mildly, but it’s a creeping disease) interested in (gasp) rugby. I feel so unclean! I even watched a game the other day. Well, 10 minutes anyway. Which is 10 minutes more than I’ve ever seen before. Perhaps I should plan an intervention for myself before it gets any further out of hand.
I just realised that my blog is a one-sided imagined phone conversation. I ramble on inanely like this in person, as well – it’s just you can skim to the good bits when I write it down :) Plus I have one of those annoying voices that instantly make people want to kill me. It’s much less dangerous in text.
Does anyone else feel offended by the constant swearing in Police ads? You can argue that ‘bloody’ is fair use in ‘bloody idiot’ with a car smash in the background… but it is harder to defend in terms of “you’re a bloody good mate”. Why was there a national outcry over the “bugger” ad while this campaign just goes on and on with the offensive language? I might write a complaint. I don’t think anyone else is allowed to say “bloody” in primetime TV. Kids are watching, for goodness’ sake!
The cemetary thing doesn't seem like a big scale operation so it isn't upsetting me that much, unlike the MADNESS that is happening with the civil union bill and gay-rights associated with it. MADNESS!
Also, can you get supermarket vouchers? By you, I mean can I get them and send them to you? DO they exist?
No food makes me a sad panda! Potato, rice, bread and corn are mainly complex carbohydrates, which is good, but where are you getting the necessary proteins? NECESSARY for amino acids and DNA and cell replication!
Also, bloody is a descriptive word meaning, well, covered in blood. Which isn't dirty re-ally (except how if you are covered in blood you aren't exactly clean). So that will be why they can get away with it. Bugger only has one meaning that I'm aware of. My Granny hated that word.
Posted by: giffy at August 12, 2004 01:15 PMI think its because there are already perceptions and systems (though thats not quite the right word) in place overseas about anti-semitic behaviour. So when they go to write about stuff like that it can go in the anti-semitic box. We need more boxes, I think thats the only way people can talk about stuff.
from Regs (put me in the student-nerdy box)
to Jen ( best-friend-since-forever box )
Yeah, I find bugger incredibly offensive too and am not happy about it entering common usage. But I still think "bloody" is a swear word when used as an intensifier - "bloody good", "bloody hell" - I mean, by extension, could the police do a rape-awareness campaign that went from "If you rape and hit, you're a fucking criminal" to "If you respect women, you're a fucking legend"?
Kids aren't allowed to use "bloody" in that way at school, it is considered swearing, and rightly so. The only acceptable context in prime-time public speech is as an adjective.
*fume* Isn't offensive language like that a misdemenour offense? Can I lock up Saatchi and Saatchi?
Posted by: phreq at August 13, 2004 10:56 AMOh, btw, to answer question - yep they do exist, but u don't need to send me stuff hon. I can manage :) but thank u for the offer, u r a sweetheart.
Posted by: phreq at August 13, 2004 10:57 AMhey, I just got this via Council email:
Makara Jewish service a private occasion
The service at Makara Jewish cemetery on Sunday [15 August] will be a personal one for members of the Jewish community, said Gary Stone, President of the Wellington Hebrew Congregation today.
The main purpose is to provide comfort for those whose relatives' graves were desecrated, to commemorate the dead and to reconsecrate the headstones, he explained.
"We ask the public and the media to respect the privacy of personal emotions at this time, and not to attend.
"The huge sympathetic response to the desecration, from people in Wellington and around New Zealand, has been a great comfort to the Jewish community. We look forward to an occasion in the near future, probably the reconsecration of the rebuilt prayer house, which we can invite the public to share with us."
For more information please contact:
Deborah Hart, Wellington Hebrew Congregation
Phone 021 379 344
Ah well then, my conscience is soothed on my non-participation score ;)
Posted by: phreq at August 17, 2004 10:52 AMThanks
Posted by: Online Home Loans at November 19, 2005 09:19 PMOh, my world. It is ok
Posted by: Stephan at May 28, 2006 03:34 AM