Minto

[quickbuck]

You have got to be fucking kidding.. Minto should be put in (whatever replaced Lake Alice) & left to rot... hes a certified raving madman.

Ummm, stuff it, put him in Lake Alice... Still has a Water Tower... Not a lot else...

[scumdog]

Exactly the 1981 protests against the springbok tour probably did more to efect chainge in south africa than most realise,

Sure it S.A. did change (Minto probably had bugger all to do with it) BUT it has not exactly been a glowing testimony to harmonious inter tribal/racial relations and economic developement since then though, has it?

[oldrider]

I don't like Minto and generally don't agree with him - certainly not on this occasion.

However I do admire people who are prepared to get up in public, often taking unpopular stances (as with South African rugby tours) and have the courage to speak out. We need people like this. Without protesters change in our society and the free exchange of ideas would be very slow. So disagree with John Minto by all means but let's at least respect his right to protest - much as it sticks in my throat to say that.

The problem is Minto has just made a career out of protesting dumb issues, I do not respect that at all!

The adage: Fool's names and fool's faces, always seen in public places! Springs to mind with Minto!

[Skyryder]

The problem is Minto has just made a career out of protesting dumb issues, I do not respect that at all!

The adage: Fool's names and fool's faces, always seen in public places! Springs to mind with Minto!

From one 'fly' in defence of another fly I seem to recall you respecting our right to be a fly.: dodge:

What one person considers dumb another may not. Respect is not based on opinion alone but how an individual acts on their opinion. Most of us have little time for hyprocytes as they do not act in a manner that they believe. Rodney Hide would be a classic example of this. Politics aside of the two who has the most respect on the basis of how they act to their own beliefs?

I respect people on how they act not necessarily in what they believe. Respect is different from agreement and most of us have difficulty in telling the two apart.

Minto acts on what he believes. Whether we agree with him or not or for that matter anyone else, is not the issue.

It is no mean feat to protest on issues that most of us have little concern about. Pretty easy to out there with the numbers but with little support...............not many of us go that far.

One day I'll tell you about the time I nearly picketed the Trade Union Centre. I backed off for reasons I'm not going into here. Last time we met I told you half the story. I’ll tell you the other half next time we meet.

It takes some guts to stand up in public O R..............and commitment to the cause that you believe in. I do not agree with Minto's cause on this. However he does act on what he believes in. I give the man credit for that. See my post #82.

[Pixie]

Before this thread runs to another four pages, does anybody actually disagree with the proposition that Mr Minto is a twat?

Define Twat

[Skyryder]

Sure it S.A. did change (Minto probably had bugger all to do with it) BUT it has not exactly been a glowing testimony to harmonious inter tribal/racial relations and economic developement since then though, has it?

There was another guy before Minto. Trevor Richards. He took a lot flak in the early days and departed about the time that HART was begining to get some public traction. Minto had the orgainsation skills to to take the issue a step further but without Richards I don't think HART would have got off the ground.

The SA Government wanted to Give Minto some medal for his support. Minto turned it down on the grounds that the Govt had sold out. He has been known to organise protests against the the SA Govt from Soweto. That takes balls. Now the SA gonerment claim they never offered Minto any recognition for his services.

Go figure.

Skyryder

[Skyryder]

Define Twat

Well if it aint tawt, it anit no good.

Skyryder

[cs363]

Define Twat

10 chars etc

[scumdog]

Define Twat

Does anybody know what he actually DOES to create an income?

What with impending fines and court costs he has to have one, right?

[cs363]

Does anybody know what he actually DOES to create an income?

What with impending fines and court costs he has to have one, right?

Well apparently he writes a weekly column for the Christchurch Press if Wikipedia is to be believed, and I think he used to write one in the Harold as well. That's about the only reference to a normal job I can find.
I have a hazy recollection that perhaps he was a teacher in a former life? Can anyone throw any light on this?

[Skyryder]

Well apparently he writes a weekly column for the Christchurch Press if Wikipedia is to be believed, and I think he used to write one in the Harold as well. That's about the only reference to a normal job I can find.
I have a hazy recollection that perhaps he was a teacher in a former life? Can anyone throw any light on this?

He's a Union rep. Not too sure which one.


Skyryder

[James Deuce]

He's a teacher.

[Insanity_rules]

I thought he was a rectum stretcher.

[Ronin]

He's a Union rep. Not too sure which one.


Skyryder

So he has no real real job then?

[Kickaha]

Political activist John Minto said New Zealand's most decorated living soldier Willie Apiata was "no hero" compared to three peace activists who attacked Marlborough's Waihopai spy base.

"The real heroes of Afghanistan are the three Kiwis who popped the dome two years ago," he said speaking at a protest today (Jan 23) outside the spy base, where up to 40 banner-waving demonstrators shouted "close Waihopai down".

Mr Minto said that Corporal Apiata, who won the Victoria Cross in Afghanistan for rescuing a wounded comrade under enemy fire, "was no hero compared to Sam, Adrian and Peter".

Sam Land, Adrian Leason and Peter Murane from the Anzac Plougshares group will stand trial in Wellington on March 8 accused of causing $1 million worth of damage to the Waihopai base in April 2008.

Mr Minto, who himself is due in court on February 7 after being arrested for protesting against an Israeli tennis player at the ASB classic in Auckland earlier this month, said: "They are real heroes because what they did goes against the mainstream of New Zealand public opinion and was a truly brave, inspiring and courageous action.

"Unfortunately Apiata is involved in a very dirty war on behalf of America and the people of Afghanistan don't want him there.

"I don't see him as a hero because people have to take personal responsibility for their actions and I am not sure he realises the real reason why he is there in Afghanistan."