Late last night, via my website, which is how many constituents and others contact me directly.
From: Scott xxxxxxx
Address:
Phone:
Cell Phone:
IP Address: xxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Clare,Firstly, I would like to applaud you on a great speech today at the anti-VSM
protest today. It is very reassuring to hear that some NZ politicians still
have common sense and I think it is safe to say that Labour has my vote in
November.However, the real issue of my email concerns media sensationalism by the New
Zealand media of Otago University students. Today many well-behaved,
hard-working and politically engaged students held an anti-VSM protest. For
some unknown reason the media has completely ignored this, yet two years ago
when 150 idiots started a \’riot\’ on Castle St, it was the first news
bulletin for two days. The NZ media consistently referred to these idiots as
\’Otago students\’, whilst completely ignoring the fact that they
represented approximately 0.008% of us.This concerns me because it seems as if no one really gives a damn about all
of the GOOD students at Otago whenever we legitimately get upset about
something. I\’m not sure if you could actually do anything to help me but I
would appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue.Yours sincerely,
Scott xxxxxxx
He’s right of course. If the issue doesn’t suit the agenda then it gets ignored. Who sets the agenda? Good question.
And perhaps John Armstrong should reflect that while the integrity of parliament is very important, so too is the reason for parliament, which is a forum of elected members there to represent people. And give them a voice. The practice of democracy requires balance, but at it’s base is representation. Not ceremony.
PS: Scott gave me permission to use his email
which is a forum of elected members there to represent people.
How many of the people from your electorate were you representing there yesterday Clare? Serious question.
And representation in parliament should also mean setting an example in reasonable behaviour?
(Why on moderation?)
Yes, it’s very frustrating when the media report what a small but vocal unrepresentative group say or do as being the views of all students, isn’t it?
Yeah, come to think of it, it has been quiet!
I mean they hold a protest, PM there, lots of people, what’s not newsworthy about that? 
So Clare, what’s happened to all the other Labour, Green Members Bills that would have been considered if you lot had behaved like adults instead of clowns and got over this Labour Party Funding loss.
You have no credibility when it comes to criticizing others when your (Labour’s), own behavoir has prevented other perhaps worthwhile Bills form being considered.
Not a single other Member’s Bill in this whole year.
Quite disgraceful. And you were never going to win this argument. Stupid.
Clare are you saying you condone the actions of Carmel Sepuloni on Thursday?
I’m not going to engage in VSM/filibustering arguments arguments – I have without a doubt heard them all before.
But what I will say is that, I am a member of the OUSA Executive. On Wednesday night, members of the Exec gathered and decided to hold a peaceful protest. And in less than 48 hours we did just that: “Dunedin police said there was no issue with the behaviour of the protesters, describing the action as an “orderly demonstration”
So what I was part of yesterday, was a peaceful protest, organised in less than 48 hours, with buy in from not only the OUSA Executive and staff but the wider student body, politicians and the general public.
I have never been prouder to be part of the OUSA Executive, to stand with 3/4/500 students and put across one simple message. Tell me those from Otago, when was the last time you saw students take to the streets in those numbers?
The writer is shocked that the media haven’t made an orderly, medium sized protest (which happen all around the country all of the time) front page news in the same manner in which they made an alcohol fueled street riot which resulting in police in riot gear, people being pepper sprayed and multiple arrests front page news?
What planet do you people live on?
PS Shonelle, when you gathered on Wednesday night, did you get time to consider my opt-out request?
http://mydeology.co.nz/2011/08/day-1-of-opt-out-watch-the-battle-against-ousa-membership/
What people really find disappointing is that the government side of Parliament continue to push forward a bill that is unnecessary, will be destructive, and is overwhelmingly opposed by students, the public, and 98% of the almost 5000 submissions lodged on this Bill. Opposition MPs are reflecting this major opposition and hence are doing all they can to stop this extreme ACT bill.
By the way, some of the speeches given by National MPs in the debate could be called much more than unedifying.
Also, almost all Members’ bills put up by anyone other than National or Act would have most likely have been immediately voted down by the Government anyway, so Armstrongs point about holding up other worthy Member’s Bills is a red herring.
The practice of democracy requires balance, but at it’s base is representation
Can anyone think of anything more ironic than a Labour Party MP, Clare Curran in particular, promoting democracy?
Lest we forget, here’s a quote from Clare Curran on freedom and representation, yesterday:
“Your freedom is doublespeak. It’s ultimately about not giving people a voice.”
“What people really find disappointing is that the government side of Parliament continue to push forward a bill that is unnecessary, will be destructive, and is overwhelmingly opposed by students, the public, and 98% of the almost 5000 submissions lodged on this Bill. Opposition MPs are reflecting this major opposition and hence are doing all they can to stop this extreme ACT bill”
Its really quite simple…. if 98 percent of students want to be members of the student association… then voluntary membership will mean that they still can be. It’s not like the bill is saying they can’t be.
On the other hand, compulsory student member ship means that 98 percent of people can force their will onto other students.
THAT is wrong
I thought the speakers doublespeak was interesting at the last sitting. At one point he admonishes the house for its behaviour and that the public perception was bad, and then he said that he had great feedback about his conduct and that the public perception of him was good.
Talk about a disconnect. Even many right wing blogger’s think Lockwood Smith is dead wood so to speak.
The issue of media misrepresentation or ignoring relevant stories in favour of unbalanced propaganda is something that definitely needs further investigation and action to resolve. It’s not really a democracy otherwise.
Claire, you really are a long long way from reality! Time to pull your head out of Labour’s sands of ignorance and check out how disgusted most of the country are with Labour’s childish attitudes
There are quite a few hard-working, well-behaved students at Otago who do not appreciate being forced to join what is supposed to be an association of like-minded people with common goals.
If you want to join the OUSA then good for you that’s great and you will get to enjoy all the wonderful things that OUSA provides. If you don’t want to join then that’s fine too; you miss out on the benefits of OUSA membership but you get to spend that money on something which may benefit you even more like textbooks, or bus rides if unlike most students you don’t live within 10 minutes walking distance of the University.
Let’s not assume that 1 size fits all – there are lots of reasons why someone may choose not to join the OUSA; let’s respect each individual student’s choice and stop trying to force our beliefs onto him or her.
Why do the protestors allow this kind of thing.
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/psoriasis.gif
http://www.odt.co.nz/campus/university-otago/172367/noisy-student-protesters-disrupt-keys-visit
All it dose is bring their argument into disrepute.
Cameron , you forget without ‘compulsory’ student associations the University will step in to make a compulsory ’student facilities levy’ on every student anyway.
Then say goodbye to having any say on what happens , it will be run by the university oligarchs and whats in their best interests.
A student association cant be run like Jetstar, where everything from the using the toilet up is extra.
@Ghost – Paying to go is an outrage!
!
)
(Maybe that p-ing in the isle dude could’ve used that as an excuse
“If you want to join the OUSA then good for you that’s great and you will get to enjoy all the wonderful things that OUSA provides.” – Yep
and people can opt out! 
Therefore no need for VSM! 
Sometimes Spud, you can’t opt-out. The theoritical choice to opt-out is not a real choice if you can’t do so in practice:
http://mydeology.co.nz/2011/07/how-to-opt-out-of-ousa-or-not/
http://mydeology.co.nz/tag/opt-out-watch/
The art of the best fillibuster (er?) would have to be awarded to Gerry Brownlee. All yee above who have such short memories as to his stellar performances, when Nact were in opposition.
Ok it may not be preferred viewing for you who would rather watch the smiling wavy hand job man, but reality is that the opposition have no other choice when it comes to ridiculous legislation from a bill that is merely a golden handshake for ACT,s confidence and supply arrangement. For John Armstrong to disapprove so strongly is a sad indictment of the lean of the paper he scribes for methinks.
Shame he hasn’t written an article on the perception of balance Lockwood Smith thinks he has as Speaker, when a study of the Hansard will probably indicate other wise.
If I voted for this survey on commenting on Red Alert, I would have gone for “comments occasionally, have no problem with the right wingers on here trolling for they have very weak monotonous argument and can easily be rebuked “, jus’ sayin’
@James – I agree with you that people should be able to fully opt out of student associations.
Sophie, people who finish a comment with “jus’ sayin” leave the impression that they think their comment is weak. They’re probably right, and I think you meant “refuted” not “rebuked”
RT1 you sound like such a dork
Are you real?