It has been for a very busy year for me so far. In January, I gave a lecture on Locke, Hume and Descartes to Maxim Institute’s interns. I also preached two sermons, one at Massey Presbyterian Church, the other at Riverhead Presbytarian Church. I have been asked to teach Critical Thinking to 11-16 year old [...]
Entries from February 20th, 2009
Springbok Hypocrisy
February 19th, 2009 5 Comments
It is a bit rich that one of the reasons the South African rugby council are citing as an obstacle for the Springboks to be able to play the New Zealand Maori Rugby team is that the Maori team are “selected along racial lines.” Apparently “the council forbids South African rugby teams playing against opponents [...]
Tags: Bad Reasoning · Rugby
Cross-Posting Warning
February 19th, 2009 4 Comments
I am now occasionally posting over at Coping in a Technological World so just a warning there may be some cross-posting occurring going forward though I will refrain this time. It is a great blog, full of all sorts of useful tips, so check it out sometime.
Tags: Cross-Post · Tech-Tips
Internet Blackout
February 18th, 2009 2 Comments
Over recent years [read: under the previous Labour government] we have been increasingly concerned at ill thought out, badly drafted legislation that removes power from the judiciary and confers it on other bodies within society that are not subject to the rules of evidence and due process. The anti-smacking bill is an obvious example. The [...]
Tags: Human Rights · Justice · Liberty
When Did Solving Your Own Problems Become "Unreasonable"?
February 18th, 2009 9 Comments
What is so “appalling” about tightening your belt and sorting out your own financial mess? Stuff reports: Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is tracking down the Work and Income staffer who wrote to beneficiaries telling them to take out loans to cover their debts.After being tackled on it in Parliament, Ms Bennett said last night [...]
Tags: Role of the State · Welfare
The EFA Officially Repealed
February 17th, 2009 3 Comments
The Electoral Finance Act is toast! Shortly before 8pm tonight parliament passed the third reading of the bill to repeal it 112-9 (no prizes for guessing who voted against… how many Greens MP’s are there in parliament again?). Freedom of speech has won a significant victory. A shred of hope for the future of New [...]
Tags: Electoral Finance Act
Irritating Ads
February 16th, 2009 4 Comments
Have you ever thought about those TV commercials that target drunk driving? You know, if you have had a few then take a taxi, sleepover, get a sober mate to drive you home. Also those ones that the fire brigade do; don’t drink and fry, if you are having a few drinks then order in [...]
Tags: Bad Reasoning
Technical Problems
February 15th, 2009 4 Comments
We have a fault on our phone line currently meaning our internet access is down, ditto our landline. Due to being Telstra Clear customers, we cannot get this looked at until at least Monday. I am starting to seriously re-think switching back to Telecom who can get things done on weekends and who do not [...]
Tags: Announcements
Maori and Pakeha are Not Partners to the Treaty of Waitangi
February 11th, 2009 15 Comments
[For the benefit of our international readership: Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand; Pakeha is a term used to describe Caucasian New Zealanders; The Treaty of Waitangi is a significant founding document of our nation over which many historical and current differences have arisen around its role, interpretation and application.] Recently I read [...]
Tags: Jurisprudence · Role of the State · Treaty of Waitangi
Victoria Fires
February 9th, 2009 4 Comments
This morning I heard the news about the fires in Victoria on the radio and I, like most people, was shocked and sobered. Like most Christians hearing the news, I stopped and prayed for the people affected. Two years ago my parents moved from Torbay (Auckland) to Cairns after really enjoying their holidays and the [...]
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