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BIG NEWS Report: Barnardos asks kids about smacking, and lies about the research”… Why? In order to promote their VoteYes Campaign?

June 28, 2009 by SPCS  
Filed under Anti-smacking Bill, Family, Moral Values

Barnardos have been interviewing New Zealand children by phone to see what they think about getting smacked. The question they asked:

Do you think that adults who are taken to court for hitting a child should be let off if they say they were disciplining the child?”

……. The kids had to push 1 if they should be let off 2 if they think they should not be let off, 3 if they don’t know and 4 to hear the question again. Just over half said they should not be let off. Many probably didn’t understand what ” let off” meant- ……..Nor is it clear whether “adults” included strangers.

They interviewed stressed kids who called the What’s Up hotline, a hotline for kids to talk about anything they wish, including abuse. While the kid was waiting to speak to a real person, they were given an automated message with the above question. That’s a little like asking turkeys on the 15 December whether they are looking forward to Christmas. There was only a 10% valid response rate. Read more

Simon Barnett Explains the Referendum in 90 Seconds

June 26, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Uncategorized

Barnardos drop legal threat re Vote No CIR YouTube Video

June 25, 2009 by SPCS  
Filed under Anti-smacking Bill, Family

A stunning satirical video posted on the YouTube website that lampoons the arrogant, ‘professional’ “we know best” ”YesVote” child ‘experts’, who hate the thought of the majority of NZ parents voting “NO!!” to Sue Bradford’s anti-smacking law in the forthcoming CIR, has got up the noses of Barnardos officials. They formally contacted the author and star of the video, a Mr Renton Maclachlan from Porirua, who interviews a fictitious Mr Dennis Morris-Traveler - spokesperson for the Vote Yes lobby group… Barnardos demanded that he immediately remove his offending video from YouTube. They also contacted YouTube directly to get the video removed.

 They followed the initial contact with a lawyer’s letter threatening legal action. The Barnardo’s lawyer said to Maclachlan that her clients rights were violated by him purporting to be an employee of Barnardos, to officially speak for it and represent its view. Maclachlan sought legal advice and after an exchange of letters, Barnardos decided to proceed no further.

 The YouTube Title and Description for the video are as follows:

 NZ Correction Referendum: Vote Yes? No! SATIRE

BEWARE. WARNING. SATIRE. COMEDY. Renton Maclachlan conducts an in-depth, enlightening, and entertaining interview with Dennis Morris-Traveler of Baanaadoze and spokesperson for the Yes Vote campaign…

See at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfrwuBxc5w8

 For those with a more serious frame of mind wanting concise information explaining why they should vote “No” (and NOT “Yes”) in the forthcoming Citizen’s Initiated Referendum (CIR) … view Maclachlan’s other videos on YouTube.

The NZ ‘anti-correction law’ – ‘What it says!’ – your ‘unemotional’ guide to Section 59

‘Renton Maclachlan brings a brief, clear, unemotional, analysis for Kiwis of Sue Bradford’s ‘anti-correction law’. See it for yourself and find out what it means! Be confused no more! And vote ‘NO!’ in the referendum in August!’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxiYobjbeO4

The NZ ‘anti-correction law’ – ‘Why correction is needed.’
‘Renton Maclachlan brings a clear and concise, fast paced, in your face yet unemotional, analysis of the worldviews behind both the old and the new Section 59s.’
http://www…youtube.com/watch?v=HsnT8ul2f28)

CIR critic’s forced sex-smacking argument fails

June 24, 2009 by SPCS  
Filed under Anti-smacking Bill, Family

The Society contends that Deborah Coddington has failed in her attempt (Herald on Sunday 21 June) to illustrate the absurdity of the ’smacking law’ question in the forthcoming CIR which she argues is equivalent to the absurd question – “Should forced sex, as part of a good marriage, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” How would the public respond to this question she asks, if put by lobbyists in a CIR seeking to put an end to rape within marriage, at a time when ”it was once considered legal for a husband to rape his wife, or vice versa, because marriage was taken as consent.”It is sad to see such a pathetic, erroneous and misleading argument being used yet again by a self-described “grumpy” grown woman. Her attempt to argue by way of comparison or even analogy fails. There is no equivalence between a CIR question on smacking and her silly and stupid one on forced sex. “By hokey” (to use her words) is this the best she can offer in reasoned argument?
  
The vast majority of people today, as in earlier times, do not recognise forced sex as part of a GOOD marriage. In fact it is a symptom of a sick and failed ‘marriage’.
 
In contrast the vast majority of people today, as in earlier times, do recognise that a smack, involving reasonable force for the purpose of correction of a child, may form part of GOOD parental discipline and should not be criminalised. And yes it can be delivered by a loving parent, a fact that Ms Coddington cannot comprehend.
  
Leaving aside the question of whether or not forced marital sex should or should not be treated as a criminal offence, the failure of the law in earlier times to provide protection against marital rape was a failure of the law, NOT evidence that most people or a significant number actually approved of and/or promoted or or condoned husbands raping their wives or vice versa.
 
If a child was allegedly assaulted prior to the repeal of s. 59, in the context of parental disciplinary action, and the perpetrator of the alleged crime was acquitted by a jury of his/her peers or a judge, this was NOT because the jury or judge considered it legal to assault children, but rather because the Court determined that their action did NOT constitute an assault under the Crimes Act.
 
Ms Coddington appears to be so consumed and enlightened by the adrenaline derived from her self-confessed grumpiness that she deliivers her ‘knock-out blow’ in these terms: ”There is no such thing as a loving smack, just as there is no such thing as a hateful hug.” ….. to which 85% of parents who intend to vote “Yes” at the referendum retort… “By hokey Deborah ….. ‘There are none so blind as her who refuses to see!”
 
Reference: Deborah Coddington: Referendum offers king hit to humanity
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10579712
 

Dr Seuss’s guide to John Key on CIR

June 23, 2009 by SPCS  
Filed under Anti-smacking Bill, Family

Media Release: 23 June
  
The Society has contacted the famous children’s book author Dr Seuss for comment, following today’s sensational media reports that Prime Minister John Key has compared the wording of the forthcoming ’smacking law referendum’ (CIR) to those of his imaginative iconic ”green eggs and ham” children’s stories.
 
Dr Seuss, speaking from his apartment on 97th Street, lower Manhattan, New York, said:
 
” In my humble view, few New Zealanders who know their ABCs should find difficulty understanding your Citizen’s Initiated Referendum [CIR] Question ‘Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?’”.
  
Quoting his famous elephantine character, Horton (from Horton Hatched the Egg) he said of the CIR: “It means what it says, and it says what it means, Even an elephant could deliver an answer and get 100%” Read more

Green MP Sue Bradford’s Attack on Democracy

June 22, 2009 by SPCS  
Filed under Anti-smacking Bill, Family

Media Release 19 June

Green MP Sue Bradford is infuriated that both John Key and Phil Goff have told the media that they will not be voting in the forthcoming Citizens’ Initiated Referendum (CIR) dealing with the ‘anti-smacking law’, because, like her, they consider the question being put to the public is silly, ambiguous and renders the CIR exercise pointless and a complete waste of tax-payers’ money. She is incensed that these politicians are not supporting her expensive “Vote Yes” campaign to retain the anti-smacking law she championed and is distressed that their decision not to vote might convince some who intend to support the “Yes” vote, that voting is a complete waste of time. 

On the one hand Bradford tells the New Zealand public that the referendum question is so ambiguous and silly that it renders the exercise pointless and on the other hand she craves, indeed pleads with them, to vote “Yes” in support of the legislation she championed. This is blatant hypocrisy. The tragedy is that she doesn’t comprehend that it is. She is even prepared to publicly criticise two gentlemen – Key and Goff – with years of collective experience in managing and disciplining their own children – for exercising their right not to vote in the CIR.

The Society commends Mr Key and Mr Goff for taking this incredibly bold and brave stand not to vote as it will assure all New Zealanders that politicians like them really do want to hear the genuine opinions of ordinary New Zealanders on the subject, rather than their own, possibly self-serving ones. This ever-so gracious and noble move on their part to sacrifice their own privilege to exercise a democratic right in deference to that of the general public, is so very laudable (we’re being facetious if you haven’t noticed!). It is reminiscent of the bold and brave actions of great field commanders in time of war – such as Hannibal – who chose to forgo the privileges of rank to eat the maggot-infested food dished out to ordinary soldiers and sleep next to the field latrines with his men.

New Zealanders must grasp that Super Commanders Key and Goff are genuinely and intensely interested in the views of the common folk who sacrifice their lives on a daily basis for the children of this land. That’s why they have not sought to discredit an instrument of democracy – the CIR – just days before it is to be unfurled. It would be unconscionable for such men of such superlative integrity to pour scorn on their country’s flag prior to it being unfurled or after it is flying. That’s why, they have said nothing whatsoever that would denigrate, discredit or demean or call into question an instrument of democracy – the CIR – (one they were actually instrumental in setting up) …. Yeah right!

Abortions Authorised on Mental Health Grounds a Farce – Dr Margaret Sparrow

June 22, 2009 by SPCS  
Filed under Abortion, Pro-life

Media Release 19 June 2009

The Abortion Law Reform Association, [ALRANZ] on 16 June issued a media release in response to the release by Statistics New Zealand of the abortion statistics for 2008. Dr Margaret Sparrow, President of ALRANZ stated:

 “We would like to see the abortion law reflecting what happens. We totally agree with the anti-abortion groups who say that it is ridiculous that 98 per cent of abortions in New Zealand are done on mental health grounds, because that is patently a farce.”

Dr Sparrow was for many years the Director of the Parkview Abortion facility in Wellington and during this time terminated the lives of thousands of unborn children, her statement must be taken very seriously. Dr Sparrow is stating clearly that certifying consultants are using mental health grounds to authorise abortions to provide abortion on demand, abortion on demand is unlawful. The Crimes Act requires that doctors must have good faith in their belief that the continued life of the unborn child represents a serious threat to the mental health of the woman. The failure of doctors to have good faith renders the abortion unlawful. Dr Sparrow’s statement indicates that many unborn children are being deprived of their lives unlawfully. This is a serious injustice and a violation of the right to life of unborn children. It also undermines the rule of law.

The government has a grave responsibility to protect the lives of its future citizens who are the weakest and most defenceless members of the human family. What action is the government taking to ensure that the lives of unborn children receive the full protection of the law?

Abortion, the violent dismemberment of a child in the womb is the ultimate in child abuse. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of child abuse in the world. The government is sadly opposed to the national referendum on smacking, holding that it is a criminal offence to allow a light smack on a child as part of good parenting. The message the government is giving is that it is acceptable to kill a child in the womb but unlawful to smack the child after it is born. The Society for the Promotion of Community Standards challenges the Prime Minister, John Key to tell the community what action his government is going to take to stop the unlawful violence and child abuse imposed on our unborn children in our public hospitals, sanctioned by his government and funded by the taxpayer?