For those going "Who the fuck is Paul Henry?" You folks have it right - I wish we could all be thinking this. He's a morning TV shock jock presenter who yesterday decided to have a go at our Governor-General (Queen's representative in New Zealand), who is a NZ-born kiwi of Fijian-Indian descent, by asking the Prime Minister if he was going to make the next appointed GG "someone who looks like a New Zealander."
The broadcasting organisation he works for then defended him, saying that he says what New Zealanders are quietly thinking but too afraid to say.
I repeat, this New Zealander quietly thinks, and is not afraid to say, Paul Henry is a cock. And TVNZ is a bigger one for defending him. I don't care if he's apologised, I also don't care if it's about the ratings. Some things are just wrong no matter which way you look at them. And if any Kiwis actually have been quietly wondering about our Governor-General (which I doubt), the information is easy to find (first hit on google for 'governor general sir anand'). No excuses, people. You do not need some wanker to ask questions like that for you.
It demonstrated very publicly just how spineless our Prime Minister really is. Instead of calling Henry out on such a blatantly racist statement, the not-so-honourable Mr Key instead looked uncomfortable, laughed and changed the subject. Yeah, the question probably came out of leftfield for him and I doubt his PR people had a reply to that one prepared for him, but the fact that his response wasn't "It is not ok to say that on national television, or ever, you are a bigoted creep and I'm out of here" as an instant automatic response, says quite a bit about Mr Key. He's supposed to be able to speak under pressure, and to represent New Zealand's stance on issues. Based on his response to this, our stance on blatant racism is to giggle, feel a bit uncomfortable and then pretend it didn't happen.
Really?
Anyway, I'm disappointed that Key isn't copping more of the flak from this. Henry is a paid monkey that dances for ratings. Key is running the country, and thus should be held to account for his lack of leadership. Why, John? Is it because you're aware that the audience for that particular TV show is made up of people who like Henry, and you're going for the redneck vote? Enquiring minds want to know.
Speaking of which, does anyone on here watch morning TV? I've only seen it once or twice - it's where I first heard about Zumba, as I was waiting with Mum for the ambulance when she moved out of her house. But it was a different sort of Zumba, one aimed at people in the retired age bracket (at least, based on the people doing the demo exercises it was). The whole thing seemed to be a magazine-style affair designed to provide segments of entertainment in about 10 minute blocks. Some of it looked interesting (the gadget bit for example), but mostly it.. didn't. So I'm wondering what the appeal is.
Anyway..
I finished the knitting part of the blanket! No photos yet because the finishing-finishing isn't done. Yes, I had to use the internet to learn how to cast off. Which is lucky, as I don't have a convenient granny about for learning such things.
Finally, PLEASE VOTE. Apparently less than 20% of Wellingtonians have voted so far, and the election closes at lunchtime this Saturday. If you haven't, please do it today. Why do I care so much? Because Wellington's awesome, and it won't be kept that way by apathy.
