I don't post on crime or the police but the story of Arie Smith interests me a great deal. I worked with a young man with Asperger's syndrome and that's given me some insight into what may have contributed to the fate Arie suffered at the hands of some 'law keepers' during the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake. Arie suffers, we are told, from a compulsion to 'collect' light-fittings. That doesn't sound at all extraordinary to me, in light of the activities of my Asperger's friend. What was odd though, was the extensive bruising that was evident on Arie's head after he was apprehended by persons-as-yet-unnamed during their operations on the streets of quake shattered Christchurch. They were thought to be the New Zealand Police when Arie's state of dishevellment was first noted by the media, but now there is speculation that it may have been our military who inflicted the severe bruising to Arie's head, or perhaps the Australian police who were active in the area.
We shall see.
I can pass no judgement on the case but will be following news of the situation as it comes to light. I'll not post a picture of Arie's injuries, though they are easy enough to find on the newsinternet.
90 comments:
The thing is this Robert, did Arie know what he was doing was wrong or not?
Looting light fittings or anything else at a time of disaster is rightfully frowned upon by society, such people are corrosive to community cohesion when it is needed the most.
Does he deserve a beating? probably not, but those that have little sympathy for him are not necessarily the monsters here.
I tend to think the fellows nicking the generator were probably more deserving of such treatment.
As the parent of a child with Aspergers, I've done my share of research about the condition. One of the things I learned is that Aspergers sufferers have a LOWER incidence of criminal behaviour and a more acute sense of right and wrong.
If Arie was indeed assaulted, then we should let the justice system deal with it. Whilst an assault is inexcusable, in these emotion-charged circumstances, nor is it surprising.
He wasn't looting. He went into a building that had been abandoned since the Sept quake and the took two, maybe three light fittings (his aspies's passion) that in all likelihood were destined for the landfill. He'd apparently been going to demolition sites for months and asking for such things and had been given them. According to his laywer, he didn't realise that what he was doing was wrong (probably because even though it's technically illegal it's not wrong. Most of us call it recycling).
NZ and the media should be ashamed that this man became the poster boy for post-quake looting. As should the police and the judge.
There's an enlightening interview with the lawyer on today's Checkpoint, and a good thread by Russel Brown on his blog a couple of days ago (read the comments). The lawyer said that Ari confirmed the police hurt him (not sure if NZ or Aussie but I'm assuming NZ).
Shunda - whether Arie knew what he was doing was 'frowned upon' by society is a moot point. The act of stealing light fittings is a relatively minor one and certainly not worthy of the righteous indignation and vitriol that surfaced when his actions were reported. As for the uniformed force (who ever they were) beating him, that's not how the law is supposed to deal with thieves Shunda and wishing that the generator thieves the same treatment shows a willingness to suspend justice when emotions are running high. None of the thieves deserve to be treated in that manner, if in fact they were, by our representatives for law-keeping.
Judith Collins has a lot to answer for, where this kind of thinking proliferates. I'm reminded of Salem.
Inv2 - based on what you tell us, the chances that Arie was stealing the fittings is less than for the rest of us. Perhaps, as wildcrafty explains, he wasn't, or believed he wasn't. Either way, the howling about looters points to something ugly in our natures and it's something that individuals should attend to, if they detect it in their own make-up, in my opinion. You say, Inv2, that an assualt is inexcusable. We have to be careful that we don't then go on to try to excuse it.
and wishing that the generator thieves the same treatment shows a willingness to suspend justice when emotions are running high.
Not at all, it is simply a reaction to an incredibly fragile situation.
There comes a time when more immediate measures are necessary, how do you know that Arie didn't assault the cops?
Physical violence is the lowest form of conflict resolution, but unfortunately it is occasionally necessary.
There are also some people that know no other language.
I don't like it and I have never been a violent person, but I would resort to it if necessary and sometimes you have no choice.
Either way, the howling about looters points to something ugly in our natures and it's something that individuals should attend to
So people showing a desire to preserve the safety of a community in a time of extreme distress is "ugly"?
What should be attended to is a desire to enable those that seek to harm all the rest of us.
Yes, we have extremists that go to far and want them 'strung up', but most people are just showing a contempt for something deserving of contempt!!.
What Shunda said
Just another thought; given that Arie's case is still before the Courts, or sub judice, his lawyer seems to be making a lot of public statements.
Just sayin' ...
Shunda!
Time for a point by point rebuttal! I can't have you tumbling into this abyss without trying to arrest your fall :-)
and wishing that the generator thieves the same treatment shows a willingness to suspend justice when emotions are running high.
Not at all, it is simply a reaction to an incredibly fragile situation.
(Shunda - you say 'not at all' but then go on to justify the 'reaction' by saying that the situation is 'fragile'. Those who are baying for Arie's blood aren't in the middle of a shake, they're on the internet, arguing on blogs or writing letters to their editors!).
There comes a time when more immediate measures are necessary,
(assualting a young man to the extent he seemed to have suffered is not a justifyable 'measure' to take Shunda - the public is supposed to be protected from the police in such situations)
how do you know that Arie didn't assault the cops?
(I don't but nevertheless, the police are not licensed to bash those they apprehend. He doesn't look like a brutish boy to me and how many police were there? I can only see one of him!
Physical violence is the lowest form of conflict resolution, but unfortunately it is occasionally necessary.
(Not between police and a lad they are arresting Shunda. Police are trained to 'render harmless' those they arrest. Those bruises don't look like standard training to me! )
There are also some people that know no other language.
(I'm willing to bet that Arie isn't one of 'those people')
I don't like it and I have never been a violent person, but I would resort to it if necessary and sometimes you have no choice.
The police have many choices Shunda - they are trained not to have to resort to what appears to be violent assault on a member of the public. I'm only surmising of course, as the case is yet to be heard, but there are things that can be said in general about this kind of thing.
But wait! There's more!
So people showing a desire to preserve the safety of a community in a time of extreme distress is "ugly"?
Come off it Shunda! There was baying alright! Some were calling for looters to be shot on sight! Give us a break!
"People showing a desire to preserve the safety of the community" - hardly!
In any case, all looters are not the same. Some, like Arie, might be at the very low end of offending - taking light-fittings from condemmed buildings? "STRING HIM UP! GIVE HIM THE BASH!
What should be attended to is a desire to enable those that seek to harm all the rest of us.
Was Arie, in your opinion, 'seeking to harm all the rest of us? You and I don't even live in Chch!
Yes, we have extremists that go to far and want them 'strung up', but most people are just showing a contempt for something deserving of contempt!!.
Why do you think people show 'contempt' for a young man who stole light fittings Shunda, rather than concern and compassion? In this case in particular, which is the one we are discussing, yes?
"So people showing a desire to preserve the safety of a community in a time of extreme distress is "ugly"? "
When they condemn a man with a neurological disability who ends up in prison for taking a couple of light fittings from a demolition site, yes that is very ugly.
That's not preserving the safety of the community, that is blind unthinking acting out. Go read the Russel Brown blog and see how many people who were previously baying for blood have changed their minds since reading about what happened to Ari.
By all accounts from the people that know him, Ari is not a violent person. Everything I have seen from people that know him suggests a level of respect from both him and his supporters that makes me think that he made a mistake and is sorry for it.
There is no reason to speculate that he was violent until some evidence is brought to light that that might be the case.
Monster that I am, I have great trouble mustering any "concern and compassion" for the creeps who stole the generators, or for the budding muso who tried to escape with a drum-kit stuffed down his shirt!
What are your thoughts on the land-lords who have hiked their ChCh rents in some instances up 150%
Are they deserving of our "concern and compassion", those whom the mayor refers to as looters by a different name.
S should be Suz
Suz - I'm concerned about Arie - the subject of this post. The 'generator thieves' are another issue, but I wouldn't condone the police bashing them just because you and others, thought their actions despicable.
As to the landlords - The Market, The Market!
That's, I suppose, what you get when you adore the Invisible Hand.
Parker's take on it, I regard as showboating, as I do all his utterings.
Sorry, did I veer off-topic too much, wonder where I've seen that before!
So Parker's the one to watch out for, got it.
Yes Suz, the Mayor is the bad guy and those "thoughtfully and resourcefully acquiring possessions" (looting is such a regressive word) are just doing what they can't help but do.
Thanks for the clarification Shunda, it all makes sense now ;)
"thoughtfully and resourcefully acquiring possessions"
Who has said that?
I think it will be interesting to see what happens to the rent gougers. I haven't followed it enough to know what the issues are and who is right or wrong.
@ Suz (12.54pm) - d'ya think that Robert's getting a bit of what he dishes out at other places? Oh; the irony!
And Shunda (1.00pm) - it's that redistribution of wealth innit? And I don't know about you, but I'm really rather comforted that Bob Parker and not Jim Anderton is leading Christchurch through this tumultuous time.
Hey Inv..I feel duly chastised :(
Not THAT much off topic!
Suz - vere as much as you like, I'll not chastize you. I was clarifying for you just which incident I thought needed 'concern and compassion' rather than a call for all pitchfork-armed men and women.
Shunda - your precis of my statement about Parker and the need to be clear about the subject we are discussing is trite. Not that I mind at all. Wildcrafty saw it for what it was - a slanted re-telling, but go for it, it strengthens the argument that under-pins the post.
Inv2 - your support for Shunda and Suz is not unexpected - you share the emotionally-charged manner of response. There's nothing ironic in having lively commentary is there? I'm enjoying it though I expected more from you all. :-)
Did Arie deserve the bruising he got from the police (if in fact they did it).
You seem to argue, perhaps. I'm with the law on this one. You just can't do that. The good thing is, this case will be tried and we'll be able to read the results than get back to each other and discuss the legal findings. All things being equal, that is.
He looked like a bad looter though, eh! That's enough to cheer on his attackers, don't you agree?
:-)
Suz - a basket of Peasegood Nonsuch if you can point to where I chastized you for being off-topic :-)
Inv2 - care to share why it is that you are 'really rather comforted that Bob Parker and not Jim Anderton is leading Christchurch through this tumultuous time.'?
As an aside, Christchurch whores are doing a roaring trade, one woman of ill repute made $1400 before she hung up her vagina for the night.
Nothing makes people horny like digging body parts out of rubble!
Kiwiblog has the details.
Nice.
Shunda - I invite you to re-read your comment and if, on reflection, you find that it's something that you might regret having said, withdrawing it from view (trash can icon).
No pressure, more brotherly advice. Your choice of course.
Robert is trying to make out that we are all extremists, we are not.
I am a reasonable person, but I would not stand by and watch someone pinching my neighbours stuff after an event like this, and I hope they would do the same for me.
To borrow one of your much-frequented utterings Robert, "lighten up"!
And I expect my fellow "pitchforked-armed", "emotionally charged" dunces, Shunda and Inv, to assemble in the naughty corner (or perhaps under a door-way), and contemplate our failings, and watch on as Wildcrafty receives her/his gold star.
and if, on reflection, you find that it's something that you might regret having said, withdrawing it from view (trash can icon).
Why Robert? is it factually incorrect? to ugly?
Why can't we look at all aspects of a disaster like this and how it affects people?
Are we afraid that the buildings are not the only things crumbling before our eyes? are we not able to call a spade a spade and look at the uglier side of human behaviour after events such as this?
Are we only able to concern ourselves with the lessor issues of stealing light fittings?
Shunda - we are talking about a young man who (reputedly) beaten by police.
No one has suggested that you stand by and watch people steal from your neighbour.
I would hope that, should the police arrive and arrest those thieves, they'd not bash them black and blue. The law punishes according to the law, not in response to passions aroused.
I sincerely hope!
Shunda - which 'ugly side' of human nature are you referring to?
Are you criticising the prostitutes or their customers, the men of the rescue teams?
No apples for you Suz!
The law punishes according to the law, not in response to passions aroused.
I sincerely hope!
No it doesn't.
The woman who attempted to murder my kids with her car got nothing, the boy that chased me down for 4km, (often on the wrong side of the road) got nothing.
We live in a screwed up valueless society where simply minding your own business becomes a dangerous activity.
The woman continues to drive like a maniac, and I am powerless.
Excuse me if I feel a little passionate about the safety of my children and the inability of the law to protect them.
Are you criticising the prostitutes or their customers, the men of the rescue teams?
Yes to all.
Horrible business, don't you agree?
Shunda - where the Law punishes, it does so according to the law - does that clarify my thoughts. I sympathise with you if you've been subject to a miscarriage of justice.
The 'horrible business' you refer to - is that:
prostitution?
rescuing earthquake victims?
making money?
the increase in prostitution in times of catastrophe?
I can't tell what your argument is.
Human beings can behave like animals Robert.
Intelligent, cunning, and extremely dangerous wild animals.
The most dangerous creature on the face of this planet is the human being.
In times of disaster and war the evidence for this becomes overwhelming.
"The veil of civilisation is very thin"
Arie probably looked like one of these animals, he may not have been, but he sure looked like one.
If a wrong has been done then justice will be done, or will it?
The voice of reason that you reserve for your own blog, is undermined by your obvious contempt for those whose political persausion might differ from yours.
Parker's take on it, I regard as showboating, as I do all his utterings.
Keep the sneering for your comments on other people's blogs, so that we can appreciate your compassion and good sense here.
Anonymous - I do regard Bob Parker's utterings as 'showboating', generally. He's an ex-television personality isn't he - he's trained to capture the camera's attention and that of the audience. I'm not sure why you regard expressing that view as sneering or contempt. Are you sure you're not over-reacting? I suspect you are.
Parker's and my views do differ, as you say, and I don't identify with him at all.
Btw - have you a view on Hone Harawira?
I'd love to compare your assessment of Hone with mine of Parker.
Thanks for the 'voice of reason' comment btw.
Shunda - Arie looked like an animal?
I mustn't have seen that photo. The one I saw shoed him looking like the victim of an assault.
"If a wrong has been done then justice will be done, or will it?"
Good question (I presume you mean the wrong that appears to have been done to Arie?)
What do you think Robert?
If you saw someone rummaging through what is left of someones life, you would just assume they are out for a walk?
Nope, but I wouldn't abandon ethics and wade in and give him the bash!
What if he was the owner?
What if he was impaired mentally?
What if ...there's whole lot of things to consider before you break the law by assaulting someone Shunda.
The police are trained to manage this connundrum. If they bashed this lad because they were angry/stressed/mistaken whatever, the courts will, I hope, re-establish the law as it should be applied.
Ok Robert, If Arie is so devoid of any control over his actions, where were his minders? He was obviously diagnosed before this incident, so who let him take off into town? where were those responsible for his safety?.
There had just been a massive earthquake and this fellow was allowed to just wander off?.
Yes, I do have a view on Hone Harawira.
Hone represents his people fearlessly and without compromise. He expresses his views clearly and neither his motive nor his sincerity can be doubted. The Maori Party recognises that Hone has extensive support for his position, which is rather more transparent than theirs. Anybody who dismisses Hone Harawira as a "showboater" is a fool of the first order.
Comparison?
Shunda - I've not said (or implied) that Arie is/was 'devoid of any control over his actions' - I respectfully suggest that you have supplied that thought.
I suspect that, like the Asperger's boy I know well, Arie has fascinations for things and or behaviours. My friend likes to move from place to place as if he were an aircraft (not quite - I'm protecting his identity). Arie, I speculate, might yearn for light-fittings. He'll know, I suspect, that he shouldn't steal them. He may have believed that the abandoned ones were 'available for those who loved them most' - I can only guess. I don't see that he had or needed 'minders' there's been nothing said in the media.
I suspect that in most ways, Arie may have been a fairly ordinary guy. My Asperger's friend is free to go off to town on his own - he's not an idiot!
Perhaps, as wild=crafty intimates, he was familiar with the building he was found taking light-fittings from, had taken or been given fittings from there before and felt okay about helping himself following the earthquake. I'm speculating wildly here but it seems possible.
You seem to see the worst-case-scenario in many issues Shunda. Temper your passions with a wash-down with the milk of human kindness is my advice :-)
Anon (2.35pm) said "Keep the sneering for your comments on other people's blogs, so that we can appreciate your compassion and good sense here."
Anon; as one who has a blog on which Rob quite often leaves "sneering" comments, I have a different view to you. Wouldn't it be better for him to maintain consistent standards WHEREVER he is commenting?
Anonymous - if your comment is genuine then you have my utmost respect!
Your behaviour compares very, very favourably with mine where I call Parker a showboater!
What, if I may ask, do you think of Parker?
Inv2 - my standards are consistent across the blogs. On yours, I'm drawn to comment on issues I'd otherwise not bother with here.I'm not a fan of ad hom, nor bad language. I am keen on poking ridiculous statements with a stick though and I guess that's what you and Anon rail against. To get all tetchy because I criticised Willy as rather precious, don't you think?
Btw
"Inv2 - care to share why it is that you are 'really rather comforted that Bob Parker and not Jim Anderton is leading Christchurch through this tumultuous time.'?"
Robert states: "Anon, if your comment is genuine, then you have my utmost respect..your behaviour compares very, very favourably with mine"!!!!
Well done Anon...another gold star sticker handed out.
Your cup seems to overflow with the milk of human-kindness until it comes to financially well-off authority figures? Any pre-existing bias there Rob?
You seem to see the worst-case-scenario in many issues Shunda. Temper your passions with a wash-down with the milk of human kindness is my advice :-)
It is hard to see a worse scenario for Christchurch than what they are currently experiencing!!
Sheessh Robert!!
Milk of human kindness? please!
I have been burnt too many times to offer kindness that is not tempered with wisdom.
I care about people plenty, to much in fact, and I have learned the hard way in that regard.
Why do you feel you have to lump me in with the brutes Robert? who is really polarising this debate?
Suz - you mean William?
I'm no fan, nor can I see any reason to believe he loves New Zealand. I'd not rush to see or meet him either. If I was invited to his wedding, I'd decline (with thanks - I'm nothing if not polite).
Did you have any other 'financially well-off authority figures' you'd like me to comment on?
Mugabe?
Sarkozky?
Bill English?
Dame Sylvia Cartwright?
@ Rob; given that you have invited me to make an off-topic comment, it would be rude not to!
I believe that Parker has been an outstanding leader in this time of crisis. Sure, his media training makes him a skilled communicator, but he's also worked his butt off. He has also led in a manner which I do not believe that Anderton would have been capable of. Anderton is divisive, and he also showed contempt to the citizens of Christchurch by suggesting (at first) that he could do the mayoral job as well as being MP for Wigram.
Family in Christchurch were not fans of Parker prior to 4 September 2010, but now they are coverts. He has been the man for the time, whereas Anderton is yesterday's man.
Shunda - we are not discussing the whole Chch situation, just details thereof and I stand by my comment.
I don't think I 'lumped you in with the brutes' (do you mean Inv2 and Suz :-) ?
And as for polarizing - are we polarized? I thought we were testing each others boundaries - a worthwhile exercise if ever there was one!
Shunda, I know full-well that you are a caring bloke. I'm hoping to provoke you into some introspection, that's all.
Whoops; last paragraph should say that the whanau are CONVERTS - there is nothing covert in their singing Bob Parker's praises!
Thanks Inv2. All I could really extract from that is that Parker has worked hard since the quakes and that you don't like Anderton.
It's your opinion you've offered, right?
You asked for my assessment of Hone Harawira.
Don't ask if you are not prepared to accept the answer.
Now you ask for my opinion of Bob Parker. I am not a resident of Christchurch so do not know of his performance as Mayor prior to the earthquakes. The enormity of the stresses and strains demanded of him as a leader are alsmost beyond comprehension. Anybody who dismisses Bob Parker as a "showboater" is a fool of the first order.
Jim Anderton a friend of environmentalists Robert?
Goddamn..now I'm a brute as well! (sorry Inv. you gotta join me in the naughty corner!) But I think Shunda's been released. ('cos he's caring, not like us and fair enough!~)
The enormity of the stresses and strains demanded of him as a leader in this time of crisis are almost beyond comprehension.
Anon@4:12 - of course I accept your comments about Hone. Thank you for giving them.
A mayor who is handling a crisis well could still be a show-boater, in my opinion.
Shunda - Anderton, friend to the Greens?
Not at all. I'm not talking Anderton up.
Suz - don't turn your back on Inv2!
As A Taurus, am known for my die-hard loyalty :...only time I might turn my back on Inv would be during a plus 4 tremor, once I was assured he was in safest place possible, hopefully adjacent to me, under a sturdy door-frame.
Reports are now coming in that Arie had an accomplice and they were carrying tools for breaking and entering.
Arie could just be another shameless individual feigning mental illness to get a better deal at sentencing.
Just like all the idiots over here blaming the Pike River disaster for bashing the missus, or smashing up the town (one of them was also done for looting in ChCh).
March 10, 2011 12:37 PM
Parker's take on it, I regard as showboating, as I do all his utterings.
March 10, 2011 2:46 PM
Anonymous - I do regard Bob Parker's utterings as 'showboating', generally.
March 10, 2011 4:33 PM
A mayor who is handling a crisis well could still be a show-boater, in my opinion.
Almost there, Robert.
The voice of reason is a quality that you display too sparingly.
It is a quality that is much easier to respect.
Almost where Anonymous?
Renouncing my view that Parker is a show boater? Wouldn't that make me a hypocrite?
I've said I believe him to be one and I'll not resile simply because you like him.
You'd like me to say, "Bob Parker is not a show boater?
Why?
Suz - Taurus is , surprisingly, a female sign. "Bull" I hear you say. It's true.
Don't abandon Inv2 - he needs bovine assistance. Btw - do you know the song, "Cows with Guns"?
Dana Lyons, the singer and writer of that wryly amusing song is coming to Riverton in 4 days time to give a concert...
Not being a believer in all things astrological, I'll take your word for that...oddly enough, I do seem to be a typical bullish Taurean :) Tho' I doubt Inv needs my assistance in any shape or form!
On a lighter note, Terry and I are attempting to emulate you and Robyn tonight, having FINALLY, and not easily I might add, having sourced some wheat, and will attempt to produce some flour (Aching arms already) using his mill.
Has anyone (other than Arie) actually established whether he even has autism?
Or is this guy just pulling a "Chris Carter".
Did I mention liking Bob Parker?
Jim Anderton has the good grace to stay out of the limelight. I imagine Jim is doing those positive things those community needs of him at this time.
Of course I don't wish you to resile from your belief that he is a "showboater". It says rather more about you than about him. Discretion is the better part of valour and I thought, erroneously as it transpires, that you were almost there.
Hand-ground flour Suz!
That's impressive. Are you baking bread with it?
Next you'll need to make a cob oven.
It's easy and sounds well within Terry's skills range (and no doubt you own).
Shunda - no one has ever suggested that Arie has autism, so far as I know and I also don't know, or didn't know that Chris Carter was autistic. I thought he was gay.
"Did I mention liking Bob Parker?"
No, but now that you mention it.
Curiously, when 'giving your opinion on Bob Parker' (4:12pm), you didn't (give your opinion of him that is).
That's odd for someone so forthright as you.
I GIVE UP.
I am sick of the way these debates go round in circles.
The blogosphere is not a place where truth comes out, it is a place where opinions are stated and the battle lines drawn.
I will now become a random personality that simply reflects the nihilistic tendencies of the blogosphere masses.
Those pigs should be strung up for what they did to that retard!!
"Hand-ground flour"...you're talking in tongues now, scary!:)
We have 550g of the most fluffy and light flour (thanks to Terry's considerable biceps), and am just assuming I'll make a loaf as I would with any flour? Let me know if there's a Riverton/Guyton secret recipe lurking!
Shunda - don't ever give up. Arie didn't have autism, he has Asperger's syndrome. I don't believe that is debatable, but if you've heard differently, let us know.
I thought his debate was in fact resolving itself in a linear and logical manner.
I'm not the bread-maker in the family Suz and can't offer a recipe. Freshly ground flour is a very different substance from stored, store-brought flour, isn't it.
Shunda - there were pigs involved???
You're right, this is confusing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-VQVC7Miqo
No, but now that you mention it.
Curiously, when 'giving your opinion on Bob Parker' (4:12pm), you didn't (give your opinion of him that is).
No mystery intended, simple oversight.
I can think of no other individual who might better present the public face of Christchurch to the world, at this time, than Bob Parker. "Cometh the hour, cometh the man", has been used by many to accurately describe his handling of these crises. He speaks fluently, knowledgeably, compassionately, and answers questions directly. He appears to be always available to front up, yet conveys no indication of weariness, no indication that the task might be beyond him, and remains relentlessly positive. There are hundreds, even thousands, who are performing critical roles on the ground in Christchurch, many trained in such roles but most not. The skills Parker brings to his role not only complement the skills of all those other people, but also enhances them. They can be confident that Parker's demeanour and words convey the strength and resoucefulness that they are exhibiting, and accepting on their behalf the heartfelt thanks of the rest of us that they have stepped up to the mark with such spirit.
What about that Phil Goff eh Rob? He's calling for looters like Arie Smith to be shot by firing squads.
Oh, and don't take my word for it; here's the audio
http://www.95bfm.com/assets/sm/198778/3/PhilGoff28Feb2011.mp3
Just as well Goff wasn't there when Arie got arrested, I reckon ..
Inv2 - If he's been "He's calling for looters like Arie Smith to be shot by firing squads" then he's a foolish fellow indeed.
I'll take a listen.
Anonymous @ 9:08
That's a remarkable commendation for Bob Parker. You've got me revising my opinion of him.
(Well written too)
Inv2 - the link didn't work/take me anywhere I could hear Goff's statements.
Can you clarify for me - by looters like Arie' do you mean others with Asperger's and who are fascinated by light-fittings?
Who does Bob Parker think e iz?
The friggin Mayor or summin?
Blah!
Your comment is most gracious.
Thank you.
Robert, your comment at 9:32pm is most gracious, and I thank-you.
I don't know why the link won't work for you Rob, because it worked fime for me. But NZPA can help:
PHIL GOFF SAYS CALL TO SHOOT LOOTERS A JOKE QUAKE-GOFF Mar 10th
Wellington, March 10 NZPA — Labour leader Phil Goff joked that the army should shoot looters stealing goods after the Christchurch earthquake in a
radio interview.
On radio station BFM on February 28, Mr Goff talked about meeting a man in Linwood whose sister was killed in the quake, whose house had been badly damaged but then it was ransacked by looters.
“I saw the army out in the street and I thought court martial, firing squads you just can’t believe how low a small minority of people can get,” he told the radio station.
Will the Greens be happy to work with a man who wants criminals executed?
One last thing Anonymous, before you go, if you've not already retired.
You said measured, gracious things about both Hone Harawira and Bob Parker on this thread. You don't however, offer your personal opinion about either, that is, whether you like, trust, admire etc. either man.
Why is that?
Inv2.
Hmmm...
"Labour leader Phil Goff joked.."
Are you trying to deceive Inv2, or just being silly?
"He's calling for looters like Arie Smith to be shot by firing squads."
"“I saw the army out in the street and I thought court martial, firing squads you just can’t believe how low a small minority of people can get,” he told the radio station."
I think you're having a go at mischief-making yourself Inv2, but you've not made much of a go of it :-)
Your claims don't stack up at all.
Phil Goff for presadente!
I have some photos of the mill but don't know if I can post them onto your blog. Our e-mail is t.weaver@actrix.co.nz, cheers.
Post a Comment