I See Red

Stop "Guilt Upon Accusation" Law

World first: gay PM in Iceland

Johanna Sigurdardottir is Iceland's new Prime Minister - and she happens to be gay.

I get frustrated when people like Chris Trotter go on about "identity politics" within the Labour Party.  For me such success is not about identity politics but about social democracy in action.  Johanna Sigurdardottir was clearly the best person for the job. 

The social democratic mission is about ensuring that people have the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background (age, sex, gender, disability, income, family background, religion).  I don't celebrate Johanna Sigurdartottir because she is gay: I celebrate Johanna because she was the best person for the job, and Johanna and the Icelandic people did not let sexuality be a barrier to her success.

Hat tip (No Right Turn)

Will it work?

(cross post from Just Left)

I live about 40 metres away from Deans Ave, which is one of the "boy racers" major circuits each weekend in Christchurch.  The noise is frustrating.  The rubbish left behind a nuisance.  And when frustration and nuisance becomes dangerous, such as bullets fired at policemen, then we have a serious issues that must be addressed. 

But this issue has been bubbling away for a number of years.  At each stage the rules have got "tougher", and penalties "harsher", and yet the issues gets worse; the situations more dangerous.  Hon Clayton Cosgrove introduced a "boy racer" private members bill into Parliament with tougher penalties which passed with cross-party support.  Mayor Bob Parker introduced bans into several streets and several parts of the city - even though the evidence was that the problem would simply shift elsewhere.

At each stage the Police have called for more powers to deal with the issue.  Politicians are now responding by promising to "crack down" on "boy racers".  Sound familiar?  Is this part of the "law and order auction"? 

I'm not interested in being "harsh" or "soft" on boy racers.  I'm also not interested in defending indefensible and illegal behaviour.  The situation must be solved.  My key question is - what will work? 

What will solve the problem, or create a situation where the noise, the nuisance, the rubbish, the danger is minimised?  Is crushing cars, removing licenses and throwing these "boy racers" into prison (as John Key, Judith Collins, the police and others are suggesting) really going to solve the problem, or will it create an even worse situation?  Where is the evidence, the research, the analysis?