Bracewell and Ryder: the answer is easy for their 'indiscretions.'

I was listening to talk-back radio on Sunday and the callers were once again lambasting Ryder and Bracewell for their latest ‘indiscretions.’ Apparently (and there are probably more stories to come) the two went out the night before a Test Match (that’s in Cricket, for my readers who wouldn’t have a clue about what I am talking about) and had a few drinks. Jeeze, in days gone by, no one would have even noticed!

People were saying, ‘drop them from the squad,’ amongst other over-the-top, holier than thou suggestions, about how to deal to these two excellent cricketers. I heard people going on about in this ‘professional age’ of sport that such behaviours shouldn’t be tolerated. OK, that’s fine, but please remember these guys are typical young guys who ‘press the boundaries’ so if we want to see them ‘hit the boundaries’ then lax up people. Sure they need a reminder and I say that they just need to have happen what I read about today---repeatedly, so they got pinged where it hurts---in their pockets---they got fined! That’s all we have to do and what better way of learning the new etiquette of ‘professional’ sportsmanship and behaviours. Mind you, if this was in Australia, they’d be ‘bloody heroes’ for being pissheads!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Should New Zealanders have the 'freedom' to fight in other peoples' wars?

I loosely recall the words of a famous song that said something like, ‘freedom’s just another word for nothing else to do.’ Those words, even if wrongly quoted seem quite pertinent now that there is a discussion about New Zealanders fighting in Syria possibly having their passports revoked. That is a serious step and one that cannot be taken lightly. We have had other times in our history whereby, our citizens have gone overseas to fight against tyrannical despots or leaders they see as being non-democratic. Take the Spanish Civil War, when people from all over the globe went to fight for both sides of the war.

John Key needs to be careful about what should happen to the New Zealanders going to fight in Syria. If they are shown to be fighting for ‘terrorists’ (who decides that?) organizations and then expect to return to NZ, then perhaps there is an issue with their supposed ‘radicalization’; something that we can well do without in NZ.

We do not want to import the politics of the Middle East. We have had immigrants from other nations in the past who have come to NZ for the specific reason to escape the ‘troubles’ from their homelands. The last thing they wish to see is a rebirth of the same old failed ideas here in NZ, the new home with new hopes. One needs only to think of the Irish or Lebanese arrivals, all who have fitted in well and contributed to NZ society.

I can see ramifications for this debate that could threaten our strong belief in ‘freedom of choice,’ but I can also see that if a ‘returnee’ brings back the fight to NZ, then we are entering an area that is fraught with danger. We must have this discussion and one that is held widely. We do not want knee-jerk reactions; ones that politicians will use for their own purposes here; to retain power.

 I am not saying that John Key is doing that---- yet. But---we must be aware of the potential to ‘bring back trouble’ from foreign wars. We most definitely do not need to do that. So---go carefully, Mr Key, and let’s not have emotional unhelpful arguments from those opposed, but without real policy of their own. I am hardly a Government supporter, but this is the time for some very careful and rational thinking, from all side of the political spectrum. Is that what we are going to get?

www.authorneilcoleman.com