Democracy is not the only thing that died. Also freedom of speech and the right to privacy (due to increased surveillance powers that are sure to come).
I think we should also acknowledge the 50 innocent members of our community that died as this is the biggest tragedy.
We can't do much about the 50 dead people other than ensure that the madman who did it never sees the light of day and support the relatives of the victims. The other things that died are under our control.
Looking at the history in Australia when John Howard did the same thing one thing that happened in was that enough voters felt disenfranchised to support a minor party (the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party). Minor parties can hold the balance of power under MMP.
I don't think we are ever getting our semi auto center-fires back but we can at least hope that a political party emerges who can represent us.
It's also worth not forgetting two organisations that threw us under the bus - Fish and Fame and Hunting and Fishing. I think F&G were just relieved that 5 shot semi auto shotguns survives and H&F just saw dollar signs for all the replacement rifles.
This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my rifle I am useless, without me it is useless.
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el_trout_whisperer
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Re: Democracy Reply #16 - Apr 15th, 2019 at 9:46pm
I've been mourning that mythical unicorn a few years now, and then I realised "hey don't be sad, something can't die if it never was". In an odd way it is nice to see it becoming more obvious by the year. Emperor is starkers.
Had a laugh at the concept of the post though, nicely done!!
It's also worth not forgetting two organisations that threw us under the bus - Fish and Fame and Hunting and Fishing. I think F&G were just relieved that 5 shot semi auto shotguns survives and H&F just saw dollar signs for all the replacement rifles.
You're bang on there. I won't buy items from Hunting and Fishing stores now. Highly doubt it'll make any difference to them with the amount I spend a year though
Without good mates the "great outdoors" is simply the "big outside"
What I find quite most concerning regarding our democratic processes is the point that has only come to light (to me) during the submission process. People from overseas appear to be able to put in submissions and skew data concerning NZ Acts of Parliament!!!! Surely that's akin to foreign interference into another State's affairs So if the Green Party get on the Email list of their fellow Green komrades around the world and tell them to put in pro forma submissions supporting the bill, the finds will so 60% support for the bill But dig a bit deeper and you'll see most all the submissions around 4kb in size were proforma submissions supporting the bill, and contained Zero personal information other than name, whereas most all submissions of a much greater kb size contained (mostly) well worded submissions on how them and their family would be affected by the rushed passing of this bill. Smells big time. I would have expected a minimum of proof of citizenship/residency to be able to have ANY say so on domestic politics. Experts, well they should have been identified formally as experts. Just saying.
Theres the difference. In one sweep of the broom they are removing a personal freedom, and in the next they are adding a personal freedom. (choice).
When I think about it, thats a lot of what Politicians do isnt it. They have to do something all day in Parliament. The obvious thing is make new legislation.
Reminds me of when I was managing properties. When the owners arrived for their annual holiday they always wanted to leave their mark. You know, leave something behind or make an improvment as it was their property and they wanted to mark the patch..
Easiest visible thing to do was pull out the chainsaw and cut down a tree. They certainly made a difference and someone else got to clean up the mess.
“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
Also stated that there was every chance that no firearms licence owner would ever vote labour ever again.
I suspect the new law only affects a small percentage of firearms owners
Id have to agree,its more about being seen to take some form of action and not admit the system as a whole needs a rethink ,anything else is just for votes .