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Thursday, August 21, 2008

North Korea could have done it better

Olympic performers struggle for their art

Martial arts student Cheng Jianghua only saw the Army barracks he stayed in and the stadium where he performed at the spectacular Olympics opening ceremony.

But his sacrifices were minor - other performers were injured, fainted from heatstroke or forced to wear adult nappies so the show could go on.

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Cheng and 2200 other carefully chosen pugilist prodigies spent an average of 16 hours a day, every day, rehearsing a synchronised tai chi routine involving high kicks, sweeping lunges and swift punches. They lived for three months in trying conditions at a restricted Army camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

Zhang told the Southern Weekend that only communist North Korea could have done a better job getting thousands of performers to move in perfect unison. "North Korea is No. 1 in the world when it comes to uniformity ... These kind of traditional synchronised movements result in a sense of beauty. We Chinese are able to achieve this as well. Through hard training and strict discipline."

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"In one week, we could only work 4 1/2 days, we had to have coffee breaks twice a day, couldn't go into overtime and just a little discomfort was not allowed because of human rights. You could not criticise them either. They all belong to ... unions. We can work very hard, can withstand lots of bitterness. We can achieve in one week what they can achieve in one month."

In the segment showcasing the Chinese invention of movable type, the nearly 900 performers who crouched under 18kg boxes donned adult nappies to allow them to stay inside for at least six hours.

In one rain-drenched rehearsal, the participants were kept on their feet for 51 hours with little food and rest and no shelter from the night's downpour. Despite the sacrifices, performers were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the historic event and viewed it as an honour.

Chinese director Zhang Yimou telling the press that he was curbed in his quest for an aesthetic opening extravaganza by the need to observe human rights is telling. Responsible for hits such as Hero and House of a Thousand Daggers, Zhang felt restricted by the need to give his performers coffee breaks twice a day during 16-hour gruelling rehearsals.

The notion of suffering for one's art is one that is well established in romanticised notions of the artist, and also in low-paying occupations. Even at Disneyworld, workers are forced to leave their heads of their costumes on in front of customers or face being fired, leaving many to vomit and faint in the sweltering heat.

51 hours is an extraordinary amount of time to be kept on one's feet in a row. It is important to read through the democratic doublespeak that has characterised China's hosting of the Olympics. While Zhang says the performers belong to unions, I doubt any union would endorse forced standing to the level that the US uses to torture insurgents at Guantanamo.

The Herald's Olympic Armchair blogger asks where the Chinese spectators are after observing many sports where the background is punctuated by rows and rows of empty seats. The answer is simple: while we experience the Olympics as a celebration of the global village through our media, for the Chinese it is yet another example of the perils of living under an oppressive regime.

67 Comments:

At 21/8/08 9:23 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

.....I doubt any union would endorse forced standing to the level that the US uses to torture insurgents at Guantanamo.

You guys just can't resist it can you?

 
At 21/8/08 9:24 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...


The Herald's Olympic Armchair blogger asks where the Chinese spectators are after observing many sports where the background is punctuated by rows and rows of empty seats. The answer is simple: while we experience the Olympics as a celebration of the global village through our media, for the Chinese it is yet another example of the perils of living under an oppressive regime.


No, there are empty seats as the IOC assigned them to various bigwigs and corporate sponsors, who aren't showing up.

Get your facts straight.

 
At 21/8/08 9:32 am, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

Cheers for the above. But I do think he has a point in terms of audiences. There seems to be quite a tendency to ignore human rights abuses in favour of economic arguments that make us feel soft and fluffy about our participation, which I think is what you are doing here.

As for you guys can't resist it, it is a fact and I am just drawing a parallel.

 
At 21/8/08 12:43 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I haven't watched it. The Olympic Games- from its origins in the cradle of democracy to the heart of totalitarianism today. A journey that could only be made in a world dominated by the political ideas of the "progressives".

"Even at Disneyworld, workers are forced to leave their heads of their costumes on in front of customers or face being fired, leaving many to vomit and faint in the sweltering heat"

Oh Christ- you people just can't help yourselves can you? Disneyworld employers and the Tiananmen Square murderers- morally equivalent. Vomit.

 
At 21/8/08 12:54 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

'progressives' love to play the game of moral equivlancy because it makes them feel superior.

Truth be known they really stand for nothing and it's just dinner party talk and utterly insubstantial.

Phoebe, if you're so concerned about whats happening in China why did you not go over there and protest. As a foreigner the chinese authorities are no going to imprison or torture you so you can get away with it without paying the cost. I guess loudmouths like you, tim and bomber can't even bring themselves to do this.

 
At 21/8/08 1:13 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Truth be known they really stand for nothing and it's just dinner party talk and utterly insubstantial.

Correct. Its easy to write shit on a blog or chat with your PC mates, taking a real stand requires actually thinking about your positions rather than just parroting the fashionable party lines of the day.

I guess loudmouths like you, tim and bomber can't even bring themselves to do this.

To be fair convicted criminals have trouble travelling.

 
At 21/8/08 1:16 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

smoke what I want smoke choke who I want to choke

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Antiques-collectables/Other/auction-171412433.htm

 
At 21/8/08 1:30 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

When Cathy Freemand won in Sydney thousands of seats were empty even though the event was a sell out.

When questions were asked I think the explanation was that huge blocks of seats had been sold to corporates or assigned to sponsers and government hangers-on, I don't mind that to much but if they couldn't be botheres or were to busy to turn up wouldn't you think they would have has a system in place to distrubite the tickets.

As for the hours and stuff, I don't think NZ'ers', who are so bloddy lazy, could ever understand how people are happy to dedicate themselves to something.

Chinese culture is more about others than self - as well as being lazy NZ'ers are totally selfish, and egocentric.

I suspect most Chinese would be far more digusted by the behaviour of NZ people and NZ society than you are by theirs.

 
At 21/8/08 1:39 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I suspect most Chinese would be far more digusted by the behaviour of NZ people and NZ society than you are by theirs."

So what's more disgusting about NZ society than mowing down hundreds of unarmed democracy protesters with machine guns as your Chicom generals were happy to do in Tienanmen Square?? Good example of Chinese culture being about "others" right?? what about Chinese students protesting about the use of the totalitarian murderer Mao's portrait on the cover of a NZ student magazine? More about others that self? More "about" totalitarian communism is all.

 
At 21/8/08 2:37 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its easy to write shit on a blog

Clearly you and your mate would know that Anon

taking a real stand requires actually thinking about your positions rather than just parroting the fashionable party lines of the day

And you have taken how many stands ever exactly? That's right, zero. Try not to get steamed up now or you'll make your couch even more sweaty.

 
At 21/8/08 2:39 pm, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

Okay, so attack the empty seats rather than the blatant human rights abuses.

Foreigners also get imprisoned.

I wonder what happy Tory planet some of you live on today.

 
At 21/8/08 2:44 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Foreigners also get imprisoned. "

No they get deported and arrive home safely.

If this is beyond you then just admit it.

 
At 21/8/08 2:57 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bejing is one of (if not the most) safest cities in the world.

As a visitor, tourist or resident I would rather be in Bejing than Mangere.

 
At 21/8/08 2:59 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I wonder what happy Tory planet some of you live on today."

I'm living on the happy tory planet where national is polling 55%.

How about you sweetie?

 
At 21/8/08 3:09 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...


And you have taken how many stands ever exactly? That's right, zero. Try not to get steamed up now or you'll make your couch even more sweaty.


Oooooo, deary, how did you know my couch was sweaty?

If I gave a more than a cursory hoot about human rights abuses in China, rest assured I'd be first on the plane to Beijing to hold up a placard. A blogwhine is probably the least effective way of doing about something about anything.

 
At 21/8/08 3:21 pm, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

The comment on the sweaty couch wasn't from me, so no need to patronise via gender (probably the same reason this blog is frequented by the same men who complain that they can't find New Zealand women).

PS. I do more than just whine, if you knew me better then you would know that. Anyway off to LA for a reccie for my doco/ doctorate research on the 78% rise in horror film profits following 9/11. I'll leave you boys to play with yourself, I'm sure you're quite accustomed to it. Might blog if you be nice.

 
At 21/8/08 3:24 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The comment on the sweaty couch wasn't from me, so no need to patronise via gender

It wasn't directed at you, I'm free to refer to either a male or a female as deary, so no need to patronise via potential sexuality.

 
At 21/8/08 3:25 pm, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

PS - I suggest you check out Amnesty International's site if you have any doubts about the human rights record. Human rights is different from crime.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/asia-and-pacific/east-asia/china

 
At 21/8/08 3:26 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anyway off to LA for a reccie for my doco/ doctorate research on the 78% rise in horror film profits following 9/11.

Are you carbon offsetting the travel for this no doubt wonderful piece of academic research?

 
At 21/8/08 3:27 pm, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

Thanks anonymous, feel free to call Bomber or Tim 'deary' in my absence - I am certain they will purr.

 
At 21/8/08 3:28 pm, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

Have been running around like a mad chook and no time (shouldn't be blogging now) but thanks for bringing it up.

 
At 21/8/08 3:33 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

PS - I suggest you check out Amnesty International's site if you have any doubts about the human rights record. Human rights is different from crime.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/asia-and-pacific/east-asia/china


Phoebe, I couldn't give a flying one about Chinas human rights record. The level of my concern is literally thinking "wow, sucks to be Chinese" then like 90%+ of the population going back to my more mundane concerns like putting food on the table, paying the mortgage and ekeing out a slightly less miserable existence.

I'd love to say I cared more, but I don't, sorry.

 
At 21/8/08 4:03 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Anyway off to LA for a reccie for my doco/ doctorate research on the 78% rise in horror film profits following 9/11."

Another fantastic example of the academic gravy train.

It's all shits and giggles when it some other poor cunts money.

I wonder when the working class are going to wake up and discover they've been working their fingers to the bones and having their children go without to subsidise middle class welfare.

 
At 21/8/08 6:30 pm, Blogger Phoebe Fletcher said...

Um. Actually it is my own money, I worked extremely hard to do this and am taking a huge risk. Thanks for judging a book by it's cover.

 
At 21/8/08 7:59 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Anyway off to LA for a reccie for my doco/ doctorate research on the 78% rise in horror film profits following 9/11."

What?
The same country that practices torture and human rights abuses?
The same country named by amnesty international?
Sooo, it's not ok for the global community to have interactions with China, because it is an oppressive regime that practices human rights abuses.
But it is perfectly ok for phoebe to further her career in a country she also considers an oppressive regime, that practices human rights abuses.

Double standards or hypocrisy pheobe?

 
At 21/8/08 11:40 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good point anon 7:59!

Moral consistency always reinforces one's credibility.

 
At 22/8/08 8:07 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm living on the happy tory planet where national is polling 55%.
I live on the one that shows 50% of NZers don't believe National

 
At 22/8/08 8:09 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

how is phoebe on the gravey train if she is paying for it herself? Please explain

 
At 22/8/08 8:15 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What?
The same country that practices torture and human rights abuses?
The same country named by amnesty international?
Sooo, it's not ok for the global community to have interactions with China, because it is an oppressive regime that practices human rights abuses.

Please post where Phoebe says that, post exactly where Phoebe says that the global community shouldn't interact with China, I want the link and the quote please?

But it is perfectly ok for phoebe to further her career in a country she also considers an oppressive regime, that practices human rights abuses.
She shouldn't go to do academic research? How do you come to that conclusion?

Double standards or hypocrisy pheobe?
Please post the link where she said that the global community shouldn't interact with China. I want the exact quote please, otherwise you are just putting words in her mouth and damning her aren't you? That's a petty game Anon, can't you do better than that sweetheart? You see a girl with an opinion and you just have to jump in and be the big man doncha sugar? Where in this post has Pheobe said what you accussed her of saying?

 
At 22/8/08 8:25 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have read the blog and all the posts and haven't seen her make this claim you are making, she is critical of the Chinese but suddenly that's double standards is it? Petty, sad and kinda desperate somehow boys, it's like watching a playground and the boys pulling the girls pigtails. Good post Phoebe.

 
At 22/8/08 8:35 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hilarious, there is some implied moral inconsistency.

Preachy human rights and global warming blogger catches big plane to human rights abusing country for 'research' trip.

You couldn't make this stuff up!

 
At 22/8/08 8:52 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hilarious, there is some implied moral inconsistency.

Preachy human rights and global warming blogger catches big plane to human rights abusing country for 'research' trip.

You couldn't make this stuff up!

Ahh, it's the 'you couldn't make this stuff up' guy, I've seen some of your posts, could you just point out where Phoebe said that? Where has Phoebe posted on Global warming? I've seen Bomber posting on global warming, but not Phoebe, where is the post. You boys talk big but when you are asked to post the links to back up your claims you go very silent.

 
At 22/8/08 9:01 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"There seems to be quite a tendency to ignore human rights abuses in favour of economic arguments that make us feel soft and fluffy about our participation, which I think is what you are doing here."

Phoebe is saying that by focusing on the economic benefits of interacting with China, we are ignoring the human rights abuses, whilst leaving us with a feelgood factor.

But phoebe is flying to the US (how many carbon credits is that), to interact academically with the USA, whilst ignoring their human rights abuses, leaving her with a feelgood factor (furthering her career.)

Now if interacting with China whilst ignoring the human rights abuses (that is the point of her post) is bad, then her actions are identical, and therefore reek of double standards and hypocrisy.

Oh, and boys, don't stand up and fight pheobe's arguments, that makes you the patronising prick that thinks women need men to fight their battles.

 
At 22/8/08 9:30 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I'm living on the happy tory planet where national is polling 55%.
I live on the one that shows 50% of NZers don't believe National"

Is labour still st 30%?

Must suck to be a labour supporter cos if 50% don't 'trust' national they must fucking hate labour.

Still doesn't make your position look any better so maybe its time to STFU.

 
At 22/8/08 10:13 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"There seems to be quite a tendency to ignore human rights abuses in favour of economic arguments that make us feel soft and fluffy about our participation, which I think is what you are doing here."

Phoebe is saying that by focusing on the economic benefits of interacting with China, we are ignoring the human rights abuses, whilst leaving us with a feelgood factor.

But phoebe is flying to the US (how many carbon credits is that), to interact academically with the USA, whilst ignoring their human rights abuses, leaving her with a feelgood factor (furthering her career.)

Now if interacting with China whilst ignoring the human rights abuses (that is the point of her post) is bad, then her actions are identical, and therefore reek of double standards and hypocrisy.

Oh, and boys, don't stand up and fight pheobe's arguments, that makes you the patronising prick that thinks women need men to fight their battles.

Who are you calling boys girlfriend? So where exactly did Phoebe say, and I quote you, that the global community shouldn't interact with China

All I've seen is you put words in her mouth and then try to claim gender specific issues about a boy poster standing up for a girl poster. Is that all you have, you are warping what she is saying and putting words in her mouth to lead a charge of hypocracy.

 
At 22/8/08 10:18 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is labour still st 30%?
37%

Must suck to be a labour supporter cos if 50% don't 'trust' national they must fucking hate labour.
Didn't you just claim that Labour were 7% lower than they are actually polling and now you are lecturing?

Still doesn't make your position look any better so maybe its time to STFU.
This is from the person claiming Labour are on 30% when they last polled at 37% and you are telling me to shut the fuck up? You can't make this stuff up!

 
At 22/8/08 12:14 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dine out on that 37% LOL, really revel in the glory of your whopping 37%, we are all lol'ing at you so proud of your 37%.

It really makes no difference when Labour is under 40% and National is over 50%

 
At 22/8/08 12:23 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why delete posts detailing Phoebes public speaking appearances? It's public knowledge, gained from a press release!

It also shows that as she is speaking tonight, she cannot be on the way to LA (until tomorrow at least).

 
At 22/8/08 12:48 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I gave a more than a cursory hoot about human rights abuses in China

Tell us couch potato, have you ever given more than a cursory hoot about anything at all? Ever?

Yeah right. Didn't think so.

 
At 22/8/08 1:03 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dine out on that 37% LOL, really revel in the glory of your whopping 37%, we are all lol'ing at you so proud of your 37%.

It really makes no difference when Labour is under 40% and National is over 50%

Hold on, you attacked me claiming Labour were on 30% when they are on 37% and then you claim Still doesn't make your position look any better so maybe its time to STFU. when you were wrong about the 30%. Not so much dine out as pulling you up on making stupid comments.

 
At 22/8/08 1:22 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tell us couch potato, have you ever given more than a cursory hoot about anything at all? Ever?

Yeah right. Didn't think so.


Yes deary, lots of things. Mostly mundane things like paying the bills at the end of the month though.

A large part of the problem is generally high levels of shittiness in the world today. As Phoebe said look at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/asia-and-pacific/east-asia/china

Then look at the entries for the Netherland and Sweden, two countries generally thought to be enlightened and liberal. Long entries for those too! Pick any country, find a human rights abuse.

Then think about Climate Change, the plight of those in Darfur, the abuses the Karan people in Burma are subjected to, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, plane crashes, whales in Sydney harbour, rainforests being chopped down, child poverty here in NZ. I could go on and on and on.

It's essentially compassion fatigue, which is a known phenomenom in the charity sector (why they never run their TV ad campaigns at the same time).

Yeah it sucks for all of those people, for people in China, for people in Darfur, whatever. We can beat ourselves up about it, we can write long blog posts about it, we can go stand outside the Chinese embassy or not watch the Olympics. But when all is said and done the people living in these circumstances have the greatest chance of changing them.

For all the liberal hand wringing rhetoric, bumper stickers and "solidarity" most people who purport to champion these causes don't give much more than a cursory hoot about them either. At least I'm honest.

 
At 22/8/08 1:48 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

well said.

 
At 22/8/08 2:32 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes deary, lots of things. Mostly mundane things like paying the bills at the end of the month though.

A large part of the problem is generally high levels of shittiness in the world today. As Phoebe said look at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/asia-and-pacific/east-asia/china

Then look at the entries for the Netherland and Sweden, two countries generally thought to be enlightened and liberal. Long entries for those too! Pick any country, find a human rights abuse.

Then think about Climate Change, the plight of those in Darfur, the abuses the Karan people in Burma are subjected to, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, plane crashes, whales in Sydney harbour, rainforests being chopped down, child poverty here in NZ. I could go on and on and on.

It's essentially compassion fatigue, which is a known phenomenom in the charity sector (why they never run their TV ad campaigns at the same time).

Yeah it sucks for all of those people, for people in China, for people in Darfur, whatever. We can beat ourselves up about it, we can write long blog posts about it, we can go stand outside the Chinese embassy or not watch the Olympics. But when all is said and done the people living in these circumstances have the greatest chance of changing them.

For all the liberal hand wringing rhetoric, bumper stickers and "solidarity" most people who purport to champion these causes don't give much more than a cursory hoot about them either. At least I'm honest.


So you stopped caring and have become jaded and bitter that's great for you, hope that works out, now fuck off because others are busy trying.

As for Mr 'well said' - you can go with him, it's one thing to roll around in bitterness and have a jaded opinion where you just shrug and say so be it, its another to clap along to such an empty view.

 
At 22/8/08 3:04 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...


So you stopped caring and have become jaded and bitter that's great for you, hope that works out, now fuck off because others are busy trying.


Hello Mr(s) Anon. Pray tell us jaded imbeciles what regime shattering action against global injustice you've taken today?

Watched little of Live Aid or Concert for Climate Change on DVD? Sent a strongly worded email to the Chinese ambassador? Marched down Queen St with a banner? Bought the latest Coldplay album? Abused another anonymous nobody on blog site? Tut-tutted about the injustice of it at a dinner party? Not watched the Olympics on TV? Bought some free trade magic coffee beans*

On a human to human level I feel bad for these people, I really do but I fail to see what any of the above would do to change their lot.

At least ecowarrior types, like those at Happy Valley, or the Whahopai spy base protestors actually get off their arses and occupy land, storm fences and make a nuisance of themselves.

*actually buying free trade products is one of the more useful actions one could take on a day to day basis I suppose, assuming what is sold as free trade is actually free trade. Do the Chinese make free trade products?

 
At 22/8/08 3:07 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So you stopped caring and have become jaded and bitter that's great for you, hope that works out, now fuck off because others are busy trying.

As for Mr 'well said' - you can go with him, it's one thing to roll around in bitterness and have a jaded opinion where you just shrug and say so be it, its another to clap along to such an empty view


Oh get over yourself you pompous, sanctimonious non-entity.

because others are busy trying.
Sure kid, please tell us all what you have done, let's hear all about your great acheivements righting the world's wrongs.

Look, it is pretty obvious that you have just recently discovered the internet and have turned up at Tu Meke the last 2 or 3 days, trying to impress everyone with your youthful idealism, but you are really just a chirping little bird, yabbering away like an annoying little sibling trying to join in the big kids games.

Go away, grow up a bit and come back here when you actually have something of substance to contribute rather than parroting Bomber and yourself over and over and over...

 
At 22/8/08 3:23 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh get over yourself you pompous, sanctimonious non-entity.
But hes right isn't he? If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem aren't you? It's not up to the kid to point out what he's doing, you're the one who has come out all jaded and bitter and old, why don't you tell us what you're doing to make things better, oh wait, that's right, you've given up, so like the kid said, get out if the fucking way, the rest of us are trying to make a difference.

 
At 22/8/08 3:29 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

*actually buying free trade products is one of the more useful actions one could take on a day to day basis I suppose, assuming what is sold as free trade is actually free trade. Do the Chinese make free trade products?
Anyone notice that half way through this rage of why doing anything is worthless, Anon starts to double back and admit there are things that can change and can be done?

You can't make this stuff up.

 
At 22/8/08 3:31 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

the rest of us are trying to make a difference.

By doing what LOL? Tell us what you are doing to make a difference.

 
At 22/8/08 3:33 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You can't make this stuff up.

Seriously, don't you get sick of repeating yourself and using the same lame one-liners over and over?

 
At 22/8/08 3:33 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

f you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem aren't you?

Nice glib little slogan that. Sanctimonious and elitist all in one. WHAT SOLUTION?

the rest of us are trying to make a difference.

How so? You've all completely neglected to tell us poor jaded idiots exactly what you're doing to make a difference. Please explain what you are doing, exactly how its making a difference and why we should do it too.

I have a sneaking suspicion what ever you do just makes you feel better about yourself, rather than making any positive changes in China or anywhere else.

 
At 22/8/08 3:38 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...


Anyone notice that half way through this rage of why doing anything is worthless


Wrong, I never said doing ANYTHING was worthless, only most of the stuff western 'progessives' do about any given situation is pointless.

I also said I didn't particularly care, different thing completely.

Geez, get your quotes rights.

 
At 22/8/08 3:59 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem aren't you?"

Shhheiit, politics 101 has a lot to answer for.

Wait, don't tell me, your older brother grew up listening to bomber on channel zzzzzzzzzzzz and he told you about this great defender of free speech (don't mention Dale Evans) and stopper of human rights abuses and now you are old enough to piss standing up and help him FIGHT INJUSTICE!!

Don't worry kiddo, we were all young and idealistic once.

 
At 22/8/08 4:28 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

(don't mention Dale Evans)

Who is dale evens?

 
At 22/8/08 4:35 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"At least ecowarrior types, like those at Happy Valley, or the Whahopai spy base protestors actually get off their arses and occupy land, storm fences and make a nuisance of themselves."

There is reason why but it's not grounded in altruism but because they are psychologically flawed human beings.

It's because they have failed to make it in the real world and find themselves without families, careers or any other kind of moderating stablity. All they get off on is destroying things and violent confrontation.

They just wrap-up their taste for violence in a socially acceptable cause to disguise themselves for the nutbar they really are.

I have more respect for people who do their bit for society, who go to work everyday and make it run than a bunch of haters.

If they really wanted to make a difference then they should go to Somalia or some other shithole but they won't because WINZ would cut off their dole.

 
At 24/8/08 8:39 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"My arse. You never gave a shit and you never did shit. All that prattling on about how bloggers are ineffectual is your own pathetic apathy that you're trying to project onto others, don't you get it? Your excuse is that everyone else is as morally void and feeble as yourself? Get off the glue."

Bloggers are ineffectual.
Bloggers don't create wealth or employment.
Bloggers don't set social policy, or change it.
Bloggers don't change social inequality.
Bloggers don't solve wars.

Bloggers write. Nine times out of ten, badly.

Some people read blogs, most people don't.
And if you look at the blog rating that Tim does, you will realise that the only people who care about bloggers, is other bloggers.

Now why don't you tell us exactly what you do to make a difference anon, or else you are just a big-talking nobody spouting shit on yet another blog.

 
At 24/8/08 6:04 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"WELL SAID! These sad clowns trying to argue you can't make change and wallowing in their bitterness is so pathetic. Why do guys get so bitter and angry as they hit that middle spread?"

Actually, child, it is less about "middle spread" than the reality that one doesn't solve shit by typing rebuttals to nobodies on a blog site.

Still haven't told us what you do to effect change?

 
At 24/8/08 8:33 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually, child, it is less about "middle spread" than the reality that one doesn't solve shit by typing rebuttals to nobodies on a blog site.
Actually Child? Thta's so a bitter middle aged spread, sad how people change and get all jaded in their old age and believe the status quo is the only thing going.

 
At 25/8/08 8:38 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Actually Child? Thta's so a bitter middle aged spread, sad how people change and get all jaded in their old age and believe the status quo is the only thing going."

Well, I call children, or people who act like them, child.
Tell you what child, point out where I said I believe the status quo is the only thing going.

Show us the quote, child.
While you are at it, just put up a few examples to demonstrate just exactly what you are doing to effect social change.

Otherwise we are left with the impression of a child spouting shit on a blogsite.

 
At 25/8/08 8:44 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eeeek, don't old people who have given up with all that bitterness just come off as patronizing as well? Old, bitter and patronizing, that's an ugly cocktail, mate you have said exactly that, you've given up and are attacking everyone who is trying to do something in the world, tell us exactly what is it you do to make the world better then?

 
At 25/8/08 11:22 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL's silence on his exploits is rather telling isn't it.

A legend in his own lunchtime.

 
At 25/8/08 11:59 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL's silence on his exploits is rather telling isn't it.

A legend in his own lunchtime.


Yeah LOL, you should tell the bitter old man who doesn't believe we can change anything and that even trying to do so is pointless all the things you do so he can rip them to pieces. Wow mate, you are so bitter.

 
At 25/8/08 12:14 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah LOL, you should tell the bitter old man who doesn't believe we can change blah blah blah....

So what chnages have made child?
What are you currently doing to make a change child?

No actual answer to that question?
Thought not.

 
At 25/8/08 12:24 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So what chnages have made child?
What are you currently doing to make a change child?

No actual answer to that question?
Thought not.


Isn't the 'child' stuff creep now? Like he wants personal details of what we 'do', sounds like your trying to groom somone?

 
At 25/8/08 12:26 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

yeah the child thing is creepy

 
At 25/8/08 12:33 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So what chnages have made child?

Let's hear what YOU have done "child". Oh that's right, you already said: NOTHING. So you really think anyone here has to answer to you? Keep demanding, we'll keep laughing!!

 
At 25/8/08 1:18 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

NOTHING

I thought so.

 
At 25/8/08 2:46 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lol, the world is your sandpit, isn't it "child"? To shit in wherever you like.
The child thing is just so creepy,

 

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