Why Commentators need to research their columns

[James Deuce]

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2009/11/jim-walsh-tracy-watkins-owes-me-coffee.html

[Ronin]

Sending that to her Editor?

[James Deuce]

Nah, she can read it online mate. It should pop up on Google and I'm pretty sure that even Fairfax does rudimentary online research.

[Dadpole]

I'm pretty sure that even Fairfax does rudimentary online research.

Is that another Tui ad?

[Mully]

"Because if any group is representative of those the Labour government most alienated during its reign it was the bikers; not just because they were predominantly male, but because they are also conservative and blue collar"

Umm, what?

Can she buy me a coffee too, Jim??

[Mom]

This woman is not the only one to make broad sweeping assumptions about the demographic make up of the motorcycle community. How strange that you and I have noticed the same sort of thing J2, I even make mention of it my speech tomorrow :D

[Pixie]

I'm surprised when I encounter a journalist who can spell and use grammar correctly.

[k2w3]

I am so not blue collar. Not that there's anything wrong with being so, it's just I ain't it. I'm traditional National voter thru and thru, and I hope the people they employ to read these threads to gauge the state of the nation understand in very clear terms - This National voter is well turned-off by the current proposals. Ignore me and others at your peril - you will be a one-term Govt.

[Gubb]

Well, she's got me down to a tee.

:beer:

[Beemer]

I read that too, and thought "I'm not male or blue collar" and most of our friends who ride bikes are white collar workers.

Maybe once they took away her severe bun hair style and removed those huge Deidre Barlow glasses, Tracey's ability to be objective fell by the wayside too!

I also got sick of hearing about the 'leather-clad bikers' - most were wearing Cordura and we're motorcyclists, not bikers! It's the old story of non-motorcyclists thinking we're all male, wear leather and ride Harleys.

I'm not really into supporting any political party but National were - until now - slightly more in tune with my lifestyle than Labour. But if this is indicative of their policies, then they won't be getting my vote again!

[Ronin]

I'm surprised when I encounter a journalist who can spell and use grammar correctly.

Not as surprised as said journalist is when they encounter a Biker who can do the same.

[Mom]

I dont fit in a box. Never have done, never will do.

Male? nope

Blue Collar? Only if I have a blue shirt on

Conservative? Eh?

Offensive stuff really.

[GOONR]

I dont fit in a box. Never have done, never will do.

Male? nope

Blue Collar? Only if I have a blue shirt on

Conservative? Eh?

Offensive stuff really.

I can fit in a box. DAMHIK

[Ixion]

I can fit in a rolled up carpet. DAMHIK.

[smoky]

"Because if any group is representative of those the Labour government most alienated during its reign it was the bikers; not just because they were predominantly male, but because they are also conservative and blue collar"


I almost agree with her - there may be a real strong show of bike girls on KB and in the bike scene that a lot of us hang around in, and on the protest rides - but by far you'd have to admit it's a male dominated past time

'Blue Collar' use to mean working class who typically perform manual labor and earns an hourly wage - that would cover the majority of IT workers as well as Electricians, Mechanics and other 'blue collar' workers.
There may be a few well educated in the ranks of KB scribblers, but given the years of labour bashing, anti left wing sentiment, anti liberal, gay bashing, racists crap that seems to pass as the majorities opinions and sense of humor on KB - I think she's got the landscape measured well enough - me included

[James Deuce]

MS Watkins may well think she has a point, but the implication is that blue collar workers can't be taken seriously because they're thick and uneducated. I actually know that she has the landscape wrong, because she's attempted to use a stereotype to reinforce a point and it doesn't work.

Biker stereotype: Modern day Viking with no respect for anything or anyone.

Blue Collar stereotype: Left school at earliest opportunity to dig ditches and drink beer.

Modern day motorcyclist: Large financial investment in hobby/transport, social, looks to "improve their riding" whatever they may think that improvement entails, and from my experience, tends to be broadly read and capable of stringing a cogent sentence together. Job, perceived social standing, actual financial worth are meaningless to a motorcyclists when they are dealing with another motorcyclist. IMO it is one of the few remaining examples of social equality left in NZ now that sports have been moved into the professional domain.

[bikemike]

[I]

'Blue Collar' use to mean working class who typically perform manual labor and earns an hourly wage - that would cover the majority of IT workers as well as

:lol:

You could debate Blue Collar all you like, but there's no way the majority of IT workers would consider their work to be manual!

while arse.On
{

think;
type;
if coffee.needed
arse.Off;

}

[GOONR]

:lol:

You could debate Blue Collar all you like, but there's no way the majority of IT workers would consider their work to be manual!

while arse.On
{

think;
type;
if coffee.needed
arse.Off;

}

I'd agree with that, I've worked in IT for over twenty years and the closest I have come to doing any manual work was unpacking a new laptop!

[k2w3]

What is it about IT and motorcycling? Sick of being labelled nerds at school, we get the last laugh by now being able to afford some cool wheels and ditching that dork image all at the same time. That's my theory, anyway.

k2w3. ERP boy.

[smoky]

:lol:

You could debate Blue Collar all you like, but there's no way the majority of IT workers would consider their work to be manual!

I said typically perform manual labour, not all.
I know you IT lot like to think you're akin to professionals like doctors and lawyers, but in reality most of you are as poorly paid as truck drivers, call center workers and receptionists.
The distinction between those of you who are well paid and your average IT blue collar worker is when you earn a salary as apposed to earning an hourly wage.

Not having a go at real IT workers, but now days every second buffoon who's done a quick poly course on computers, or learnt how to load software on a laptop, calls them selves an IT professional.

[k2w3]

"Have you tried turning it off and on again?"

[k2w3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p85xwZ_OLX0

[k2w3]

$10 says it's smoky on the end of this line...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt9j80Jkc_A&feature=related

[Ms Piggy]

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2009/11/jim-walsh-tracy-watkins-owes-me-coffee.html

I hope you've sent that stupid twat a copy of your article Jim.

[MSTRS]

I dont fit in a box. Never have done, never will do.



You're thinking of a carton. Boxes are big enough. DAMHIK.