Monthly Archives: April 2011

Don Brash, John Key and Mary Poppins

Posted on 28th Apr, 2011 by Puddleglum

It’s Mary Poppins time boys and girls – Dr Brash is your medicine and Mr Key your spoonful of sugar. Do you want to take your medicine? No?   Well, what’s to be done with you? There not quite as … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand Politics | Tagged , | 2 Comments

ANZAC Day and Nationalism

Posted on 26th Apr, 2011 by Puddleglum

I’ve never been to an ANZAC Day dawn service. I’ve often tried to work out why. I think I now know.

Posted in Fascism, Freedom, Military, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Who’s afraid of (the charge of) ‘elitism’?

Posted on 14th Apr, 2011 by Puddleglum

Is it elitist to advocate government funding of TVNZ 7 and, by extension, Concert FM, National Radio, the NZSO and the Royal New Zealand Ballet? I don’t think so. Michelle Boag, in her appearance on Jim Mora’s ‘The Panel’ on … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Nature, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Who’s afraid of (the charge of) ‘elitism’?

Earthquake Reflections and Connections

Posted on 7th Apr, 2011 by Puddleglum

We care most about things that happen to us and affect our interests directly. Try as we might, it’s harder to care about things that happen to others, at a distance, and which have little impact on our interests (which, … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom, Human Nature, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Earthquake Reflections and Connections