Mysteries, Chemtrails, Aerosols :: Mysterious NZ

[Melody Anderson]

The latest row over Air New Zealand and Qantas's policies of removing men seated next to unaccompanied children to other seating locations is being referred to as row over 'political correctness'.

Like others who have recently commented (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10357742), I believe this contributes to the setting of a dangerous precedent for a 'guilty until proven innocent' /all men are potential pedophiles attitude becoming more prevalent.

All people are potential peodophiles, all people are potential murderers, all people are potentially anything and everything.

In my opinion, referring to it as an issue of political correctness trivialises the damaging impact of this new standard on the development of our society. What will become of today's toddlers who have been raised on such warped values and in such a climate of fear and paranoia?

[smashdracs]

This topic is far reaching.

There was a guy recently, I think it was here in Wellington, who had an innocent hobbie of photographing children in action on playgrounds.
He was a totally genuine retired guy, if I remember the story correctly.

Anyway, he was seen taking pics of kids and someone totally freaked out and reported him to the police, and he got labeled a paedophile etc.

Problem was the guy was totally taken aback by the uproar, he had no idea that what he was doing as a harmless hobbie was going to cause a serious uproar.
He stated that he would never do it again, and was gutted that he had been attacked in this way.

So men, dont ever photograph someone elses child, it could land you in real trouble.

And what about schools, Men are afraid to become teachers, there is something wrong with a male who wants to work with children, so it seems people believe.

When I was 19, I applied for a special work scheme through WINZ, to become a helper at a Pre-school based at a Christian School on the North Shore in Auckland.
I got the interview, went and spoke with the Principal, met the Teachers, and had a tour of the pre-school.
The Principal was really happy about me doing the job, as were the teachers,we had been in the interview for an hour or so, but the Principal stated that before I could have the job, she would first consult with the parents and let me know within a few days.
Well..... the parents gave a resounding NO to my application.
They stated they were uncomfortable with A MALE being around the children in the pre-school.
This was 10 years ago now.
The Principal, who seemed genuinely dissapointed and embarrased about it apologeticaly told me I couldnt have the position.

This absurdity has been around for a while now.

[Hieronymous Bosch]

hi melody,
you hit the nail on the head. this is exactly how i felt after reading about this..
it IS dangerous. it IS a slippery slope creation. it IS discriminatory. it IS absolutely ABSURD. the counter argument is now that the airlines are "trying to protect the men" from "a child's potential misadventure in accusation". absolute rubbish.

methinks this is a prime example of a trivial issue, yet a key social one that is blown up by the media. the objective is to implant a seed of discontent to fuel a climate of fear and paranoia. it gets people to focus on the negative stereotype and perhaps, let their guard down a little. each civil right, even in perception that we give up to the global fascist coporate agendas may seem small, so we take the bait.. yet, as time goes by, our full civil rights castration ends up being death by a thousand cuts.

(pardon the satirical imagery :)

[Hieronymous Bosch]

[Melody Anderson]

Commiserations Smashdracs... I think you raised another significant point here. It is parents who are helping to blow this out of proportion and to perpetuate these kinds of responses the airlines are making.

And we all know what that means.... It means that everyone of us has a responsibility to stand up for what is genuinely right and not to go along with the fear and paranoia. But most particularly, the burden of responsibility is on those of us who are parents or who aspire to become parents. This thing has gone so far, it needs the introduction of a forceful change by a new generation of parents.

Don't buy into the madness... Make a stand and do what you can to do it differently with your own kids. So you'll get some flack for it - you might even lose friends or family over it - but you'll keep your self respect and you'll know that you are giving future generations a shot at living a life of quality without fear and suspicion...

[Deano]

I dont see it as a big deal so long as the seating arrangements are sorted before the passengers are seated they can choose where you sit, its their plane. However didnt this case come about because the man was asked to move after everybody was seated. In fact it would be interesting to know the exact words used by the stewerd when asking him to move and whether it crossed the line regarding discrimination.

[smashdracs]

How do you cripple the people of a nation without them even realising its happened?
Destroy the family unit.
The family is the support unit for every human born, without it, you become reliant on other things.

Is it possible for the majority of parents today to provide their children with a functioning family unit?
A father?

Sorry for the tangent....just thinking out aloud

Men seem to have been under heavy attack via insidious methods for quite some time.

Another thought....the welfare system that seems almost to make it too easy for
1. Men to shirk their responsibilty as Fathers and leave the family

2.Women to turn to the state to provide for them and their children...DPB

Values in society have changed drastically

[Hieronymous Bosch]

[Melody Anderson]

Interesting you should raise the issue of the family unit smashdracs. I think the whole concept of the family has, ironically, been damaged by the very people who claim to be upholding the concept of 'family values'. Many of them have shown themselves, through their actions, to be just the opposite. Many of them are very vindictive, hateful people who seek to deny and restrict others, whilst preaching their family values message - whatever that is. Like conspiracy and conspiracy theory, family values has become a tainted and contradictory phrase.

We live in times where people seem to be becoming more and more self-absorbed, less demonstrably caring of others and more and more desensitised to violence. This self-absorbed and often very materialistic preoccupation, if it impacts on individuals, impacts on the family unit too.

But this isn't so much about family values, but human values. There is a perceivable trend towards people losing their humanity, their empathy, their consideration for others... It's everywhere you go.

I'm not a big believer in family for family's sake. I feel in many ways, that people put up with a lot of crap from others simply because they are family. They live by the rules of obligation and emotional blackmail. I particularly notice this around Christmas time, talking to shop assistants, checkout operators etc. So many of them now express a sense of burden about Christmas and very often, it's the family stuff they resent the most.

As Hiero suggests, more and more people are becoming enslaved by possessions and indulgence. People are also losing their self-sufficiency, losing the ability to cook, create, repair etc. Studies have shown that many children cannot identify basic vegetables, don't know that eggs are laid by hens, don't know where meat comes from.

I'm not suggesting that it's wrong to have things or to want things, however, I do think we need to get back to the basics in terms of relating to one another. Basic human decency. Remembering what's really important in life. Showing consideration for others. Feeling appreciation for what we have - counting our blessings etc. Simple concepts that used to be part and parcel of learning about how to get on in the world.

[Hieronymous Bosch]

[Melody Anderson]

[Tod]

Its just the airlines covering there own backs - If cancer patients can take cigarette manufacturers to court then anythings possible.

[info4]

Tod

I think you miss the point on this.

What we are talking about here is how things are changing, freedoms are being compromised etc and most people just let it go by with out comment.

It is crazy that you go on an airplane and because you are a man they will not let you sit by a child. How would you feel if this was you?

[satanzhand]

It doesnt sound like to big a deal at first! right! yeah right!

But if you look at the whole it is! I'm a father of two one boy and one girl! I think Im a good dad and im active with the family(hands on).

I get funny looks if I attempt to play with other kids, or talk to them or what ever... at first I backed off because I felt funny that i might be labeled a kiddie fiddler..but after talking to my wife... whos was understanding that people might feel funny about me doing that( being a nice person is after all a crime, you would want to make a child smile or feel wanted would we) I have decieded everyone can get stuffed, If I know its ok then its ok.
The thing about the guy taking photos, crazy stuff .. anyone with kids knows they make you happy( some times crazy but mainly happy) the big smiles, giggles, etc. who wouldnt want to capture that on film i mean really who wouldn't. Some times i have to put in some big hours at my business and if i see some kids playing or leaving school i'll look at them, and it'll make me feel happy, where is the crime in that.....paedophile arent waiting on every street corner( most are running countries or church's ..oops).

If you wonder were this is going start studing Nazi history and the history of Goverments or people in power who gained total big brother type control of the masses and you'll see where this is going(gone).

[Melody Anderson]