Michael Laws accused of bullying children

[Pixie]

I'm going to start spelling it Phanganui.

Then I'm going to spell it: Fungarnooey

[Skyryder]

You make a point, but we have to all remember that New Zealand was created as a colony, and, since our ancestors couldn't beat the Maori in war (a little like Vietnam), they entered into an agreement (Treaty thingy) that was supposed to "trick" "the savages" (no offence intended to Maori people with that) and simply take over the country with bullshit.

However, the Maori people weren't "as dumb as the English thought", what the hell respect did Maori people have for a couple of squiggles on paper? The whole concept of swapping (someone else's) land for paper was a concept though up by the white man.

It's common knowledge that many of the "signees'" of the treaty had NO RIGHT to sign away the land, they didn't care for any "treaty", and essentially their view (and I am told it is still the same today) was hey, sure give us you gun's, beads,Tobacco and blankets, we will sign on the paper.

What did it mean in reality?

Nothing.

Maori see themselves as "guardians" of the land of New Zealand, not "owners".

However......

In MODERN New Zealand, it's different.

Money is king of everything. Sad, but true.

So, in the great New Zealand land grab that is, from what I see/read, too many Maori (hey, no way am I saying ALL) simply manipulate and abuse the treaty to line their pockets.

This is basic human nature.

(I hope no-one is offended by this comparison, because it's not meant to offend)

Look at (was) the I.R.A, there was a time that every member was a loyal (separatist) Irishman (or Woman), but, as the years drew on, it simply became an organised crime unit, hiding under the name of a "political organisation" smuggling guns and drugs.

What started out as a genuine cause was slowly manipulated into a self serving slush fund.

Now, I am not saying that Maoridom have anything in common with the I.R.A, but the same thing appears to be happening with treaty claims etc.

We have poverty striken, uneducated,drug addicted young Maori, DESPERATELY needing help, and a government informing us all that "there simply isn't the budget to upgrade our services".

Hang on.

We have a VERY large amount of money EACH YEAR going into Maoridom, (to attone for previous injustices)

I see CEO's (OF LOCAL EWI) driving flash cars, wearing $500 undies (etc) and Tribes sending out stock reports to the members of the tribe.

Great!

How about spending some of that money on your tribe?

I know of not one Maori person who can tell me a story of how their tribe paid for their kids school books, or school fee's, or what ever. (I am sure this does happen, but I have personally never heard of it)

My belief is that is what the money is for!

But no, it gets "invested" by certain "elders" and (lucky for them) they then become "CEO'S" of a wealthy company.

So, we have tribes with literally MILLIONS in CLEARED FUNDS, while they seem to be happy to sit by and let their own people destroy their lives.

So really, the ones who actually need the money (by money, I should say resources, because that, in reality is what money is nowadays.... resources) don't seem to get a thing.

That is ridiculous!

BUT, what makes the news?

Clearly manipulated kids writing a letter (I am sure I could write better than that when I was 11) to a Mayor of a town they don't live in, about trivial shit. (really)

Michael Laws, while some would argue that his wording was ill chosen, is simply saying what many of us feel.

There is plenty of money in Maoridom to create programmes that will benefit the people who actually need it, and the best way to educate these kids is get them to write letters to the CEO's of United Fisheries, asking them to fund the name change.

I don't think anyone would complain if Maoridom footed the bill for the name change.

Kids writing to a Politician telling him they are "angry" with him for the spelling of a town they don't live in......WTF?

The truth is, we never really will know what the "day to day" life of Michael Laws is. We can only go on what is reported in the news, but I am certain that he is dismayed at the level of problems he is having with local "at risk" Maori.

The gang patch thing, to me, seems an action designed to weaken local gangs strength (and therefore attractiveness) to young "at risk Maori".

So, by attempting to address the gang "issue", the way I see it is that Michael Laws is trying to find a new way to help his constituants, rather than following the same methods others use (which clearly don't work, the gangs are bigger and stronger than ever)

So, if you have this in mind (pretending you are Michael Laws) and this rubbish turned up on your desk, you (possibly) would have a similar reaction.

I believe that Michael Laws doesn't need the job, he did 2 terms in Parliament, works on radio, is (clearly) independently wealthy, so there is every chance he does really care about the greater good of his community.

Like him, or not!

At last the voice of common sense.

I agree with your comments on Laws. I believe that he does have genuine desire for a better community. Laws is both articulate and has a high degree of common sense and as such there is no need for him to behave in the manner that he does. In doing so he reduces his full potential as a public figure and that is the tragedy of Laws.

Skyryder

[MSTRS:Me]

Great post, SS90. I'm sure that Skyryder will be along shortly to argue with you.

At last the voice of common sense.

I agree with your comments on Laws.

Holy shit!!!

[ManDownUnder]

Thanks for the green bling SR - unfortunately rules say I can repeat what you said to me in here without your ok... but did it strike you that you're still off topic?

Do I take that as proof that the easiest way to win a fight is to join the winning team?

[Pixie]

BINGO!!!!!!!!!

LOL they're spelled the traditional Maori way!. Y'know... as the ancients did.

On a cave wall in their own faeces

[Headbanger]

I don't think anyone would complain if Maoridom footed the bill for the name change.

Great post, apart from this bit, The good people in Wanganui aren't interested in having the name debate, It was pushed on us by shit stirrers from elsewhere, we are happy with the name of our town and fucked off that the bullshit ever started.

Maoridom could pay the bill and they would still be told to fuck right off.

Our town, Our name.

[SS90]

At last the voice of common sense.

I agree with your comments on Laws. I believe that he does have genuine desire for a better community. Laws is both articulate and has a high degree of common sense and as such there is no need for him to behave in the manner that he does. In doing so he reduces his full potential as a public figure and that is the tragedy of Laws.

Skyryder

That's a really good point!

Being a "professional" (by most accounts) seems to require a complete separation from ones emotions particularly when dealing with questions of race.

For example a Judge.

I do agree that the way Mr Laws wrote that letter could be seen by some to be unprofessional, but I believe that to be the Mayor of a small(ish) New Zealand town requires a certain set of personal attributes than someone as "unique" as Michael Laws has.

To be honest, I could never be the Mayor of a town that has gang problems, the fear I would have of dissapointing my community (by failing to remove gang intimidation/drugs) would over whelm me.

I am pretty sure that most Kiwi's (if they are honest to themselves) feel the same.

Tim Shadbolt and his concrete mixer.

Mayor of Invercargill.

His style works for his Community. Good on him.

Michael Laws community needs something different, and different is what they got!

Yes, I see Mr Laws as having a big ego, but as his community stands to benefit from his ego, I simply overlook that!

I knew a really good young motorcycle racer with ADD, travelled with him a few times, and yea, he was hard work (sometimes), but his ADD seemed to give him "the edge", so we all just over looked it!

Maybe the same could be said for Mr Laws!

[short-circuit]

Our town, Our name.

This right here is a very interesting idea.