Please, Lord, make sure Spike never discovers these...
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Human rights vs Women's rights
This is an interesting story:
The NZUSA has plumped for defending them, perhaps more for internal politics than on the merits of the case. Simple analogies will show the problem with the argument that they only give positive support and are no threat to others. The argument that the future of women in higher education is uncertain is particularly weak - the idea of NZ readopting any institutional barrier based on gender is bonkers, especially when we're doing so well discriminating on class with financial barriers.
This is a test case appealing to international guidelines, with implications beyond NZ. We're not the only country to show a success for human rights in gender equality in access to higher education.
It will be illuminating to observe the reaction of feminists outside NZ to this issue as it works its way into their national politics. I think there's going to be a distinction drawn between those who advocate feminism as part of liberal principles and those who advocate it as a tribal identity.
Women-only scholarships under spotlight
Women-only educational scholarships are facing a legal challenge under human rights laws because they may discriminate against men.
In what may become a global test case, Victoria University Institute of Policy Studies senior researcher Dr Paul Callister has asked the Human Rights Commission to clarify its position, saying women significantly outperform men in education and therefore there may be no inequality for such scholarships to rectify.
Human Rights Commission's chief commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan, said she would carefully examine the issues and questions raised by Callister before responding.
The NZUSA has plumped for defending them, perhaps more for internal politics than on the merits of the case. Simple analogies will show the problem with the argument that they only give positive support and are no threat to others. The argument that the future of women in higher education is uncertain is particularly weak - the idea of NZ readopting any institutional barrier based on gender is bonkers, especially when we're doing so well discriminating on class with financial barriers.
This is a test case appealing to international guidelines, with implications beyond NZ. We're not the only country to show a success for human rights in gender equality in access to higher education.
It will be illuminating to observe the reaction of feminists outside NZ to this issue as it works its way into their national politics. I think there's going to be a distinction drawn between those who advocate feminism as part of liberal principles and those who advocate it as a tribal identity.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Family violence for fun and profit
Regarding the Tony Veitch case - I don't have a TV. I don't know who these people are. And I'm with Michael Laws on this - watching the incestuous NZ media tie itself in knots over one of its favoured sons is so entertaining.
Yeah, we get he's a nice bloke and under stress and all. But if he put the boot in to a woman on the ground, breaking her back, the correct place from which to interview him is from a jail cell. It's not that difficult to figure out, Paul.
Yeah, we get he's a nice bloke and under stress and all. But if he put the boot in to a woman on the ground, breaking her back, the correct place from which to interview him is from a jail cell. It's not that difficult to figure out, Paul.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Friday, 11 July 2008
We shall fight them on the beachheads of Bondi
Of course, violence may be a bit closer to our shores than I had realised...
Gloom and depression
Well, with "war games" announced by the US navy in the Straits, followed within hours by "war games" announced by Iranian missile forces, I expect people to start dying this weekend. I'm hoping that it's just politicians waving their dicks at each other - but I wouldn't be surprised to be more anti-American than normal come Monday.
For those of you who have problems with geography - the Straits of Hormuz are off Iran, not off California. When the navy of country A sails off the coast line of country B, and fighting breaks out, you usually look towards country A as the culprit. Bear this in mind when the competing claims of who fired first start flying.
For those of you who have problems with geography - the Straits of Hormuz are off Iran, not off California. When the navy of country A sails off the coast line of country B, and fighting breaks out, you usually look towards country A as the culprit. Bear this in mind when the competing claims of who fired first start flying.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Oooh - I think I *like* this girl...
Ladies and gentleman, Lucie Boshier.
More of the story here. Her blog is here.
I wear black all the time, I don't give a hoot about fashion - and I think I may well be in love.
More of the story here. Her blog is here.
I wear black all the time, I don't give a hoot about fashion - and I think I may well be in love.
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