BLANKET MAN - HIS CHOICE

We have the utmost respect for the well argued debate that is lit by Rosemary McLeod in her columns. Her skill as a journalist forms the bedrock of everything she writes.

But today we think that what she writes is a crock of crap. She thinks that blanket man represents our collective shame and failure as a society . What liberal crap.

We wrote about Blanket man just the other day after he was blatantly breaking the law in broad daylight. And the authorities did nothing. They left him there with his alcohol to drink in a public place - something that is illegal. Something that a brash 18 year old could find leaves him with record.

Rosemary thinks that society has failed Blanket Man - wrong he is failing to live up to his responsibilities in society by abiding by the law. He exists because we dont treat him like a normal citizen.

He is treated like the law does not apply to him so by inference the council and the police are saying that he is okay to do what he likes. He has a status not accorded to any other citizen.

He is not , as McLeod asserts, some modern day image of the old blanket wearing Maori.

He is a lazy shit who now has an uncommon status because we dont treat him like we treat everyone else. He is now deemed to be someone special.

And Ms McLeod needs to see the disgust drip from the faces of the Maori I know who find Blanket man an appalling embarrassment.

Maori need to start taking control of their own destiny - too many are doing well, are law abiding, taxpaying, culture enhancing citizens. So the ones that aren't don't have any excuses any more. And the signal for change must come from Maori leaders themselves. They must say that the behaviour of Maori is unacceptable. That it must change. No more dope for breakfast, no more 5 day alcoholic benders. We need to see the focus of Maori leaders shift from grizzling about the foreshore and seabed and looking at what they can do to support their own people and give them direction.

So to Ms McLeod we say that Blanket man can be a part of society but when he breaks the law as he currently does then its time for him to accept responsibility for his actions and its time for Maori to take responsibility for his actions as well.

ONE LAW FOR ALL

Take a look at this wanker. Filthy Shit Aka Blanket Man the "urban legend" who is a common sight on the streets of downtown Wellington.

Now we think that the authorities lax attitude to him is just plain wrong. Every successful Maori we know cringes at the sight of him. Every unsuccessful one waves, feeds him or greets him with a "Chur Bro."

Says it all really.

But today we saw Blanket man blatantly break the law - a breach that would see anyone else fined. At the very least the liquor should be confiscated. And after a six pack of RTD bourbon, as was the case today - Blanket man would be intoxicated. We have seen him when he is pissed and he can become quite aggressive so he could also be arrested for being intoxicated.

Say an 18 year old wanders down Courtenay Place sees Blanket man getting pissed in full public view on a public street on a Friday night , then one of his mates gets chucked in the slammer for being intoxicated later that night that 18 year old would have less respect for the law and the law inforcers.

A lack of action by the authorities in this case sends all the wrong messages.

Blanket man not an icon. He is not loved by all. He needs to be treated as any other citizen. Inaction on the part of the authorities is an abrogation of their responsibility to uphold the law and apply it equally to everyone.

And I am more than happy for the police to "seize" my photographic evidence of this prick breaking the law.

GOLD!

NZ TEAM WINS 5 GOLD MEDALS AT TAEKWON-DO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARGENTINA

New Zealand has kicked off the first day of the ITF X Junior World and the XVI Senior World Taekwon-Do Championship at Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires) Argentina, winning 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze medals.

Aucklander Jeremy Hannah, was the first of the New Zealand team to take out gold winning the Junior Males 3rd Dan Patterns division.

SPARC sponsored Aucklanders Carolina Dillen and Mark Trotter were also in the medals with Dillen winning New Zealand's second gold medal in the Seniors Womens 1st Dan Patterns. Trotter secured a Silver medal in the Senior Mens 4th to 6th Dan Patterns division.

The team also struck gold with Chris Broughton from Auckland winning the Senior Mens Ist Dan Patterns division.

Aramai Tahau from Levin won the Junior Mens Individual Speciality competition while the last gold medal for the day was won by the Junior Womens Team in the Team Pattern division.

Wellingtonian Richie Lavin, another SPARC sponsored athlete won bronze in his Senior Males 3rd Dan Patterns division.

Mathew Davey from Auckland claimed silver in the Senior Mens 2nd Dan Patterns division and the last of the silver medals was won by Shane Black from Tauranga in the Junior Mens Speciality division.

Bronze medals were won by both Phillipa Henry from Whangarei in the Junior Womens 1st Degree Patterns division and Melissa Timperley for the Junior Womens Specialty.

The 4 day event has drawn over 800 competitors with large teams from the United States, England, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Germany and Poland.

New Zealand is hosting the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in Wellington from the 10^th to the 13^th March in 2011 and is expecting over 600 competitors from 60 Countries.

The 2011 Taekwon-Do New Zealand promotional team has set-up a stand at the Argentina Taekwon-Do World Championships to promote New Zealand in conjunction with Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Wellington City Council Events.

Chairman Nick Lourantos says:

" I'm absolutely blown away by the support shown by Wellington City Council, Tourism New Zealand and NZ Trade & Enterprise. It's great what happens when the Government and sport work together to promote our great country and what it has to offer the world.

"We have been promoting New Zealand as a place to come and play as well as a place to do business with. We have been gathering registrations for the 2011 Championships with amazing interest for ongoing holidaying in New Zealand.

“So far most interest has come from the United States, The Netherlands and Canadian delegations. They want to know more and the stand has whetted their appetite to come and visit New Zealand.”

DOMS A BIT LATE ON THIS ONE....

Well we predicted this one over two months ago
The Dom gets to it today -
Finally with Bob jones talking about mounting a campaign
we may finally have a decent local body election in front of us....

PORTHOLES

Our father, who is relatively well known for his un PC take on life often refers to sunglasses as Maori portholes. Now cos he is a Maori he can get away with it.

Today we wore our flash 5 year old Maori portholes with pride after they rated a mention in the NZ Herald on an article on Bob Jones.

Our encounter with Jones a week ago is documented here.

However despite the fact that Jones can be a rude and obnoxious old git, we are absolutely delighted he is going to stir up next years Wellington City Council race.
Hell- a bloody loo - ya.

We have been hearing that a good team is being readied. Excellent. We want to see business savvy, creative people who can take the city to the next level.

We also agree with Jone's idea to ban all cars in the central city and turn it into a bloody great promenade and mall.

Wellington local body elections are always so bloody boring and Jones is just the bastard to spice them up. Hell we might even take off our sunglasses to attend the launch..

UNWISE PARKING PART TROIS

We got this sent to us yesterday,and blogged on it earlier. The reaction from the Wellington City Council has been swift - they will investigate .. We will keep you posted.

The pic was taken yesterday in the Jarden Mile

UPDATE - THE REACTION

This is an ADT company vehicle parked on ADT private property (not public road). The parking restrictions have been painted to prevent non-ADT people from parking here. Jon Visser Wellington City Council Jon.Visser@wcc.govt.nz

THE REACTION TO THE REACTION
What a load of crap. The sign is painted on the side of the building that they occupy and is on their boundary. The purpose of it is to allow clear vehicle access to the tenants of 15 & 17 Jarden Mile. I believe that investigation will establish that the sign and the broken yellow lines were actually commissiond by the landlord of 15 Jarden Mile (The old vehicle testing station) or his property managers, Buchanan Property Limited, 04 495 3030 We, their neighbours have had ADT vehicles towed from the same place previously and they have paid the towage. We do it because we pay good money for our parking and expect unfettered access to it. We don't expect to have our access blocked by people who patrol our streets looking for victims to fine for minor parking infringements. Also who in their right mind would put up a "No parking" sign when they actually meant "Private property - non ADT vehicles will be towed" etc. One must however acknowledge a pretty good come back even if it doesn't stand the test.
From pissed off Jarden Mile resident.

NOT WISE PARKING PART DEUX

We got this sent to us today,and blogged on it earlier. The reaction from the Wellington City Council has been swift - they will investigate .. We will keep you posted.

NOT WISE PARKING

Someone is going to get some shit for this! The bean counter prawn was not impressed.

UPDATE : The pic was taken today in the Jarden Mile in the Ngauranga Gorge.