Now There's A Thought.

A big increase in the number of primary school children suspended for violent acts is being blamed on the removal of corporal punishment in schools.
Figures from the Ministry of Education show a 88 per cent increase in suspensions of eight-year-olds from 2000 to 2008 for assaults on classmates, a 73 per cent rise for seven-year-olds, a 70 per cent increase for six–year-olds while the suspensions over the same period had increased by 33 per cent for five-year-olds.
"It is significant that as schools have removed corporal punishment, schools have become more violent," Family First national director Bob McCoskrie said today.

Now there may just be something to that ... it was certainly a more time-limited approach than reasoning them in to good behaviour and almost always was effective ... not so reason or reasoning which requires a reasonable and reasonably skilled person for it to work - not many adults can achieve this let alone an indisciplined out of control kid.

Sponsoring Events.

There probably is a good reason why companies that sponsor 'travelling science road shows' to schools should view the shows before they are toured.
A more comprehensively Green agenda would be hard to imagine ... global warming, new Kyoto Protocol, CO2, methane ... & featuring cows as environmental destroyers.

Such receptive audiences, such an exciting fast-paced presentation, such credibility, such 'buy in' by teachers and hence perpetuation ensured .... such self-inflicted, sponsored, 'shooting of oneself in the foot' ... absolutely, irresponsibly, incredible!

Now Who Really Is Redefining 'Family' In NZ?

The acting principal Family Court judge wants the law changed so de facto and same-sex couples can adopt children.
Paul von Dadelszen says the 2004 Civil Union Act and changes to property legislation have put people in de facto relationships and same-sex couples on the same footing as married couples.
But Judge von Dadelszen says the 1955 Adoption Act was left out of that raft of legislation, and at the moment the only people allowed to adopt a child are married, heterosexual couples.
He says the Adoption Act was drafted according to the norms of 1950s society, but is outdated and has become unjustly discriminatory.

Demographics or the 'experts?'

more police may not solve problems

A report into policing in South Auckland says a promised 300 new frontline police may not solve the district's problems long-term.

.... but if the increased number of frontline police are visible, increase the probability of consequences for offending and the immediacy of those consequences, they will have a dramatic and immediate effect on crime.

Personal Reflection.

Now I wonder what Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, will see when she looks in the mirror in the morning?

Will she be able to rationalise it (the 'anything goes visage' and corresponding behaviour) on the basis of, "everybody deserves the best defence possible?"

Or will she see it as 'one step, (nay, several km's) too far?'

Or perhaps she will be in awe/dread/disgust at what she has become?



& will she be able to rebuild her credibility?
Should she be able to rebuild her credibility?
Or will she, with her infinite knowledge of human behaviour, become an errrr ... expert on deviance ... a judge?
... time will tell.

No assault conviction for Sam Kelt

Judge Bernard Kendall said the evidence of bar staff had been clear about the grabbing of Mr Spiers' T-shirt, which constituted an assault.
But there was no injury or physical effect on the victim and he discharged Kelt without conviction.

Aha ... so now 'assault' or conviction for this breach of the law, requires that there be an enduring physical effect.
I wonder where Section 59, Sue Bradford's legacy, sits with respect to this finding.

'Tis A Hard Road Being The Perfect Model, Son.

All Blacks trained in risky business of a social life ... to avoid potentially embarrassing headlines and has hired risk management company Core Dynamics to educate players about the pitfalls of public life.
Sessions include role-plays and practical help, such as being shown what drug utensils look like.

Obviously Rugby Management, buoyed by their success at toilet training, at reducing that onfield pandemic of explosive nasal & other orificial clearance ... a pandemic more infectious and potentially dangerous than that 'scare-mongered up' swine flu ... are taking a further, brave step forward. Of course, as new players are included in the squad, this basic skills training will have to be an ongoing annual phenomenon.

... but really, as if many would not have known about drug paraphenalia.

... and then there are the rugby skills ... Oh dear ... so many well developed muscles and so few connected neuronal pathways. How, when under pressure, could they be expected to remember those sixty plus planned and rote learned moves?

Is the characteristic of immediate self-gratification really synonymous with being a good sports person? I would have thought it made a person more subject to performing emotionally, as evidenced by that 'dead, defeated look' in so many eyes when they were behind 17 to 3 ... sort of 'once were warriors.'

It would appear that Graham Henry is making considerable in roads into improving those basic social skills, those skills basic to social functioning, but....