tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11340801.post8933006940383976539..comments2023-10-06T16:45:25.381+13:00Comments on "Elephants and the Law" by Dean Knight: A Kiwi New Year message - from our de facto Head of StateDean Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069298298745322597noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11340801.post-18364964924009740922011-01-06T05:09:04.848+13:002011-01-06T05:09:04.848+13:00Perhaps, Dean. I would note, however, that our cur...Perhaps, Dean. I would note, however, that our current Governor-General, a Catholic, has given official speeches containing biblical references. And, to our nation's credit, that hasn't been considered a problem.Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11340801.post-7806617610988266612011-01-04T12:42:28.379+13:002011-01-04T12:42:28.379+13:00Simon
I guess our commitment to the secular state...Simon<br /><br />I guess our commitment to the secular state is much stronger here in New Zealand. <br /><br />The fact the Queen is the notional head of the Queen of England is yet another reason why I think she is an inappropriate Head of State for New Zealand.Dean Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03069298298745322597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11340801.post-9025536608847936262011-01-04T07:57:35.366+13:002011-01-04T07:57:35.366+13:00Dean,
I am intrigued by your second comment.
I...Dean, <br /><br />I am intrigued by your second comment. <br /><br />In particular, why did you find the biblical references in the Queen's <i>Christmas</i> Address both "surprising" and "uncomfortable"? Surely it would have been much more surprising if the speech (by the notional head of the Church of England) were completely devoid of any reference to the biblical underpinnings of the Christmas festival. It would have also, from a quick look at past speeches, marked a striking <i>departure</i> from past practice.<br /><br />Second, is it not possible that your discomfort with the "very biblical" (I would have thought "very sporting" more accurate) nature of the speech is exactly the type of complaint that leads to the blandness that you earlier criticize? The more people attempt not to make any group uncomfortable, the more likely you are to end up with excruciatingly boring public addresses.Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11340801.post-42945796528854691612011-01-02T11:28:46.999+13:002011-01-02T11:28:46.999+13:00Personally, I favour parliamentary appointment by ...Personally, I favour parliamentary appointment by super-majority (ie, indirect election). Former politicians don't have the apolitical credentials required for the job. <br /><br />But, regardless, direct election has also proved to have worked fine abroad. <br /><br />The point is that selection based on a foreign blood-line is the worst of all worlds.Dean Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03069298298745322597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11340801.post-78511219213866400102011-01-02T10:52:41.626+13:002011-01-02T10:52:41.626+13:00Bland and irrelevant of course, but there is an up...Bland and irrelevant of course, but there is an upside to that - those just might be merciful qualities in a Head of State. If we elected our own I doubt that we would do as well as Sir Anand but would simply settle for a revolving door of stale former politicians who never lost the art of the meddle or fiddle.Hamish Keithnoreply@blogger.com