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Are things getting silly?

It's been a while since I wrote a purely political column so I'll address that shortfall today.

I read and watched, with some concern, that an MP in parliament used the "C-word" in reference to the speaker this week.

I've always alleged that profanity is the language of those whose vocabulary is very limited.

English is such a rich and comprehensive language that there are usually plenty of non-profane words which can be used without the need to resort to swearing, especially industrial-strength swearing like the "C-word".

I would ascribe a lower than average IQ and lack of really effective education to anyone who felt they had no linguistic option but to use the "C-word" in a formal setting such as a session of the New Zealand parliament.

The MP who made the potty-mouth comment was Debbie Ngarewa Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori.

Given that this is Maori language week, I find it incredibly ironic that an MP who constantly pushes the power of the Maori people and the importance of their language felt it necessary to use an anglo-saxon, colonist word to voice her opinions.

Why is it that her own language was not good enough in this instance?

Or is this just another case of "do as I say, not as I do"?

If you think Ms Ngarewa Packer was alone in demonstrating contempt and a lack of respect for the speaker then you'd be wrong. Labour Party MP Willie Jackson dived into the debate by voicing his support for the use of the "C-word" against the speaker.

That's right, instead of suggesting a suitable equivalent in te reo, Mr Jackson simply showed his own contempt and disrespect to the instution he'll be begging to retain a seat in come November.

Given that neither Mr Jackson nor Ms Ngarewa Packer seem to know enough Maori to find a suitable word to replace the "C-word", perhaps they should be suspended from trying to impose te reo on the vast majority of New Zealanders who have greater issues to worry about than trying to make sense of the signage at the new City Rail Link in Auckland.

Speaking of which...

It seems that te reo has been given precedence over English in the signage there, with most Aucklanders left confused as to the station naming now that Maori names have suddenly replaced the English ones which have been in use for over a century.

I did read someone praising this shift while making the point that Maori is an official language in New Zealand so all public signage should lead with te reo.

My response would be: the language used by the deaf, sign language, is also an official language of New Zealand so why aren't their pictures of people signing the station names at the new CRL as well? How will deaf people know which station they're trying to reach </sarc>

The whole issue of race in New Zealand is becoming increasingly divisive but I have a solution.

From this point forward, *all* New Zealanders should identify as Maori. This would totally eliminate race-based discrimination and privilege. Once again, New Zealand would become a unified nation of one race.

Simple solutions to complex problems, that's my specialty.

Carpe Diem folks!

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