Stupid Yank + Dumber Kiwi Press

The Atheist · 18th April 2007, 08:10 PM

Ghosts obviously don't feel the cold, cruising around Antarctica now.

This is straight from the pages of one of the country's largest and most-respected dailies - the 100+ year old Christchurch Press.

Unbe####inglievable.

How can they print this crap? Appalling journalism & e mail to that effect sent.

No photos. Quelle surprise.

Goshawk · 18th April 2007, 08:16 PM

It's just cause-and-effect, pure and simple.

Quote:

"Ghosts haunt McMurdo. I've been hearing about it for ages," Barden said. "Ghosts from the Erebus plane crash haunt the big gym."

So she *knows* that McMurdo is haunted, so when she hears funny, rhythmic noises up on the roof, she doesn't think (as I would), "Oh, the metal is expanding and contracting with the temperature", she thinks, "Ghosts!"

Protesting to stuff.co is pointless, as there is a genuine news story here. You're mistakenly interpreting it as them reporting that "there are ghosts at McMurdo". But what the story really is, is them reporting, "This McMurdo worker thinks there are ghosts at McMurdo", which is different, and which does qualify as a human interest story.

The Atheist · 18th April 2007, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Goshawk

It's just cause-and-effect, pure and simple.

So she *knows* that McMurdo is haunted, so when she hears funny, rhythmic noises up on the roof, she doesn't think (as I would), "Oh, the metal is expanding and contracting with the temperature", she thinks, "Ghosts!"

Protesting to stuff.co is pointless, as there is a genuine news story here. You're mistakenly interpreting it as them reporting that "there are ghosts at McMurdo". But what the story really is, is them reporting, "This McMurdo worker thinks there are ghosts at McMurdo", which is different, and which does qualify as a human interest story.

Yeah, I realise all that, plus it sells newspapers, which is all they care about.

I just want to go and kick someone! This BS makes me so mad.

thisninjascrazy · 18th April 2007, 11:04 PM

If I still read the paper, I'd be mad as hell too. Our press is definitely prone to flights of fancy and speculation from time to time. You could write a letter to the editor about it, but the best-case scenario there is you win a fancy writing pen for 'letter of the week' and they keep publishing BS articles. It would be nice if somebody was held accountable.

The Atheist · 19th April 2007, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy

If I still read the paper, I'd be mad as hell too. Our press is definitely prone to flights of fancy and speculation from time to time. You could write a letter to the editor about it, but the best-case scenario there is you win a fancy writing pen for 'letter of the week' and they keep publishing BS articles. It would be nice if somebody was held accountable.

Actually, I try to avoid any papers other than The Independent, I find they're all full of crap that I don't need to read about - university massacres, for instance.

I have written to the editor, realising it's quite futile, but I do it anyway.

I like the avatar - suitably angry-looking bloke. Have you met De_Bunk yet? He's a fairly angry sort of bloke as well. I know he's a Pommy, but I'm thinking of conferring honorary Kiwi status on him. (Is that a rollie or a J?)

Moochie · 19th April 2007, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Ghosts obviously don't feel the cold, cruising around Antarctica now.

This is straight from the pages of one of the country's largest and most-respected dailies - the 100+ year old Christchurch Press.

Unbe####inglievable.

How can they print this crap? Appalling journalism & e mail to that effect sent.

No photos. Quelle surprise.

Geeze,TA, one woulda thought you'da thunk by now

Excreta sells. Big time.

And isn't it odd that we can use terms like "excreta" with reckless abandon here, but not the four-letter equivalent?

What is it? The number of letters? Some numerology woo in the minds of the guardians of our beloved forum?

M.

thisninjascrazy · 19th April 2007, 04:51 PM

Alas, it's just a rollie... I'd probably be less angry-looking if it was a J

thisninjascrazy · 19th April 2007, 07:34 PM

It may not pertain to the paranormal or Antarctican ghosts, but I was appalled at how the New Zealand press treated Rigel Walshe (frontman of Dawn Of Azazel). They just jumped to wild conclusions and speculations. When Rigel camly and rationally explained himself, there was nothing in the way of an apology or retraction. I'm not really a fan of his music, but he seems like a nice enough guy. That's just another example of our wacky press.

The Atheist · 19th April 2007, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Moochie

Geeze,TA, one woulda thought you'da thunk by now

Mate, I know. Being in The Press, though...

That's the worst of it - it's akin to the same article appearing in AFR - it just doesn't happen.

Well, it didn't happen in the past.

Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy

Alas, it's just a rollie... I'd probably be less angry-looking if it was a J

Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy

It may not pertain to the paranormal or Antarctican ghosts, but I was appalled at how the New Zealand press treated Rigel Walshe (frontman of Dawn Of Azazel). They just jumped to wild conclusions and speculations. When Rigel camly and rationally explained himself, there was nothing in the way of an apology or retraction. I'm not really a fan of his music, but he seems like a nice enough guy. That's just another example of our wacky press.

Very, very good counter.

They take the stupid line when it suits, but as soon as you can have a dig at the cops from the other side of the fence, go for it.

As far as I could tell, he's in a band, not out beating up coons and sacrificing virgins.

MG1962 · 20th April 2007, 04:04 AM

Maybe the date is a clue. Friday the 13th, oooooooohhhh spooky

De_Bunk · 20th April 2007, 04:06 AM

The Atheist...

"Honorary Kiwi"...yeh..why not...!

I'm an American by birth, 'Brit-lander' by living here since 1973...and i once received a personal letter from the President of Brazil 'Lula da Silva'...so i reckon i'm an "Honorary Brazilian" as well...

Anymore countries wanna adopt me...???

Maybe some tribe from the 'rain forest'...???

Hey...I'd even become an 'Honarary Mexican'...( 'They took our Jeeeerbs' )

DB

thisninjascrazy · 20th April 2007, 04:19 AM

Another New Zealander? This isn't going to look good. There's already some talk on the CT forums about how we're the ones pulling the strings.

Moochie · 20th April 2007, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy

Another New Zealander? This isn't going to look good. There's already some talk on the CT forums about how we're the ones pulling the strings.

Well, anyone who eats fesh and cheps is suspect, IMO...

Or is that fush and chups?

M.

EeneyMinnieMoe · 20th April 2007, 08:47 PM

I'm sorry, pray tell me: what's a Yank?

Unless the person you're talking about lived before the 19th century or you're talking about masturbation it's "American".

Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck".

thisninjascrazy · 20th April 2007, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by EeneyMinnieMoe

I'm sorry, pray tell me: what's a Yank?

Unless the person you're talking about lived before the 19th century or you're talking about masturbation it's "American".

Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck".

I feel the same way about the term "Kiwi". I may be small, flightless, nocturnal and I may have a hairy back, but that's where the similarity ends between myself and the bird of the same name.

apathetic medic · 21st April 2007, 04:05 AM

[quote=The Atheist;2535464]

"I have written to the editor, realising it's quite futile, but I do it anyway."

Perhaps if you threaten to complain to their advertisers you will get a better response. Money talks, after all.

apathetic medic · 21st April 2007, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by EeneyMinnieMoe

I'm sorry, pray tell me: what's a Yank?

Unless the person you're talking about lived before the 19th century or you're talking about masturbation it's "American".

Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck".

A "Yank" is a slang term for a person living in North America, South of the 49th parallel and North of Mexico. I am a "Canuck" and have found the term can be used in a derogatory fashion, (ie: D--ned Canucks!") as well as complimentary, (ie: Those Canuck snipers did a magnificent job supporting American troops in Operation Anaconda). I find the word "Canuck" much less important than the intent with which it is used.

EeneyMinnieMoe · 22nd April 2007, 11:42 AM

Really. I find the word "Yank" itself irritating and childish cause it's so antiquated. We haven't called each other Yanks since we stopped using the telegraph to send messages and the President's name was James A. Garfield.

That's as if I went around calling Brits lobsterbacks or something.

I looked up the word a second ago on Wikipedia and now I'm fascinated by it's rich and complex history and varied meanings through the centuries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee

I thought it was a word Southerners used to refer to "Northerners" and that mutated to refer to all Americans but the history of it is even more complex. It was a term for New Englanders, like WASP is nowadays, and is was broadened to the Northeast, then to the whole of the North and then to the whole of the United States. And in New England itself, it refers to a poor New Englander. How about that.

I loved this E.B.White aphorism:

To foreigners, a Yankee is an American. To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner. To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner. To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander. To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter. And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast.

Davo · 23rd April 2007, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy

Another New Zealander? This isn't going to look good. There's already some talk on the CT forums about how we're the ones pulling the strings.

Yep, Kiwis rule here.

from a kiwi (ex pomme)

Davo · 23rd April 2007, 05:49 PM

Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck".[/quote]

yes, quite.

The modern day term for a canadian is a `flap head` (South park Reference). In jest...

18th April 2007, 08:10 PM	#1
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Stupid Yank + Dumber Kiwi Press Ghosts obviously don't feel the cold, cruising around Antarctica now. This is straight from the pages of one of the country's largest and most-respected dailies - the 100+ year old Christchurch Press. Unbe####inglievable. How can they print this crap? Appalling journalism & e mail to that effect sent. No photos. Quelle surprise.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those. Last edited by jmercer; 19th April 2007 at 03:33 AM. Reason: Edited to remove objectionable word from title

18th April 2007, 08:16 PM	#2
Goshawk Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Decatur, Illinois, USA Posts: 1,324	It's just cause-and-effect, pure and simple. Quote: "Ghosts haunt McMurdo. I've been hearing about it for ages," Barden said. "Ghosts from the Erebus plane crash haunt the big gym." So she knows that McMurdo is haunted, so when she hears funny, rhythmic noises up on the roof, she doesn't think (as I would), "Oh, the metal is expanding and contracting with the temperature", she thinks, "Ghosts!" Protesting to stuff.co is pointless, as there is a genuine news story here. You're mistakenly interpreting it as them reporting that "there are ghosts at McMurdo". But what the story really is, is them reporting, "This McMurdo worker thinks there are ghosts at McMurdo", which is different, and which does qualify as a human interest story.
	Last edited by Goshawk; 18th April 2007 at 08:18 PM.

18th April 2007, 08:41 PM	#3
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by Goshawk It's just cause-and-effect, pure and simple. So she knows that McMurdo is haunted, so when she hears funny, rhythmic noises up on the roof, she doesn't think (as I would), "Oh, the metal is expanding and contracting with the temperature", she thinks, "Ghosts!" Protesting to stuff.co is pointless, as there is a genuine news story here. You're mistakenly interpreting it as them reporting that "there are ghosts at McMurdo". But what the story really is, is them reporting, "This McMurdo worker thinks there are ghosts at McMurdo", which is different, and which does qualify as a human interest story. Yeah, I realise all that, plus it sells newspapers, which is all they care about. I just want to go and kick someone! This BS makes me so mad.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

18th April 2007, 11:04 PM	#4
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	If I still read the paper, I'd be mad as hell too. Our press is definitely prone to flights of fancy and speculation from time to time. You could write a letter to the editor about it, but the best-case scenario there is you win a fancy writing pen for 'letter of the week' and they keep publishing BS articles. It would be nice if somebody was held accountable.
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109

19th April 2007, 01:37 PM	#5
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy If I still read the paper, I'd be mad as hell too. Our press is definitely prone to flights of fancy and speculation from time to time. You could write a letter to the editor about it, but the best-case scenario there is you win a fancy writing pen for 'letter of the week' and they keep publishing BS articles. It would be nice if somebody was held accountable. Actually, I try to avoid any papers other than The Independent, I find they're all full of crap that I don't need to read about - university massacres, for instance. I have written to the editor, realising it's quite futile, but I do it anyway. I like the avatar - suitably angry-looking bloke. Have you met De_Bunk yet? He's a fairly angry sort of bloke as well. I know he's a Pommy, but I'm thinking of conferring honorary Kiwi status on him. (Is that a rollie or a J?)
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those. Last edited by The Atheist; 19th April 2007 at 01:41 PM.

19th April 2007, 04:49 PM	#6
Moochie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,447	Originally Posted by The Atheist Ghosts obviously don't feel the cold, cruising around Antarctica now. This is straight from the pages of one of the country's largest and most-respected dailies - the 100+ year old Christchurch Press. Unbe####inglievable. How can they print this crap? Appalling journalism & e mail to that effect sent. No photos. Quelle surprise. Geeze,TA, one woulda thought you'da thunk by now Excreta sells. Big time. And isn't it odd that we can use terms like "excreta" with reckless abandon here, but not the four-letter equivalent? What is it? The number of letters? Some numerology woo in the minds of the guardians of our beloved forum? M.
Moochie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,447	__________________

19th April 2007, 04:51 PM	#7
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	Alas, it's just a rollie... I'd probably be less angry-looking if it was a J
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	__________________ "Insert arbitary Oscar Wilde quote, as he had a quote for everything" - Oscar Wilde

19th April 2007, 07:34 PM	#8
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	It may not pertain to the paranormal or Antarctican ghosts, but I was appalled at how the New Zealand press treated Rigel Walshe (frontman of Dawn Of Azazel). They just jumped to wild conclusions and speculations. When Rigel camly and rationally explained himself, there was nothing in the way of an apology or retraction. I'm not really a fan of his music, but he seems like a nice enough guy. That's just another example of our wacky press.
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	__________________ "Insert arbitary Oscar Wilde quote, as he had a quote for everything" - Oscar Wilde

19th April 2007, 09:30 PM	#9
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by Moochie Geeze,TA, one woulda thought you'da thunk by now Mate, I know. Being in The Press, though... That's the worst of it - it's akin to the same article appearing in AFR - it just doesn't happen. Well, it didn't happen in the past. Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy Alas, it's just a rollie... I'd probably be less angry-looking if it was a J Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy It may not pertain to the paranormal or Antarctican ghosts, but I was appalled at how the New Zealand press treated Rigel Walshe (frontman of Dawn Of Azazel). They just jumped to wild conclusions and speculations. When Rigel camly and rationally explained himself, there was nothing in the way of an apology or retraction. I'm not really a fan of his music, but he seems like a nice enough guy. That's just another example of our wacky press. Very, very good counter. They take the stupid line when it suits, but as soon as you can have a dig at the cops from the other side of the fence, go for it. As far as I could tell, he's in a band, not out beating up coons and sacrificing virgins.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

20th April 2007, 04:04 AM	#10
MG1962 Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,236	Maybe the date is a clue. Friday the 13th, oooooooohhhh spooky
MG1962 Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,236

20th April 2007, 04:06 AM	#11
De_Bunk Scourge of the Believer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 4,574	The Atheist... "Honorary Kiwi"...yeh..why not...! I'm an American by birth, 'Brit-lander' by living here since 1973...and i once received a personal letter from the President of Brazil 'Lula da Silva'...so i reckon i'm an "Honorary Brazilian" as well... Anymore countries wanna adopt me...??? Maybe some tribe from the 'rain forest'...??? Hey...I'd even become an 'Honarary Mexican'...( 'They took our Jeeeerbs' ) DB
	__________________ "Do not stand at my grave and weep".... 1. I'm dead...

20th April 2007, 04:19 AM	#12
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	Another New Zealander? This isn't going to look good. There's already some talk on the CT forums about how we're the ones pulling the strings.
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	__________________ "Insert arbitary Oscar Wilde quote, as he had a quote for everything" - Oscar Wilde

20th April 2007, 01:08 PM	#13
Moochie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,447	Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy Another New Zealander? This isn't going to look good. There's already some talk on the CT forums about how we're the ones pulling the strings. Well, anyone who eats fesh and cheps is suspect, IMO... Or is that fush and chups? M.
Moochie Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,447	__________________

20th April 2007, 08:47 PM	#14
EeneyMinnieMoe Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5,545	I'm sorry, pray tell me: what's a Yank? Unless the person you're talking about lived before the 19th century or you're talking about masturbation it's "American". Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck".

20th April 2007, 10:39 PM	#15
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	Originally Posted by EeneyMinnieMoe I'm sorry, pray tell me: what's a Yank? Unless the person you're talking about lived before the 19th century or you're talking about masturbation it's "American". Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck". I feel the same way about the term "Kiwi". I may be small, flightless, nocturnal and I may have a hairy back, but that's where the similarity ends between myself and the bird of the same name.
thisninjascrazy Scholar Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109	__________________ "Insert arbitary Oscar Wilde quote, as he had a quote for everything" - Oscar Wilde

21st April 2007, 04:05 AM	#16
apathetic medic New Blood Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surrey, British Columbia Posts: 21	[quote=The Atheist;2535464] "I have written to the editor, realising it's quite futile, but I do it anyway." Perhaps if you threaten to complain to their advertisers you will get a better response. Money talks, after all.

21st April 2007, 04:22 AM	#17
apathetic medic New Blood Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surrey, British Columbia Posts: 21	Originally Posted by EeneyMinnieMoe I'm sorry, pray tell me: what's a Yank? Unless the person you're talking about lived before the 19th century or you're talking about masturbation it's "American". Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck". A "Yank" is a slang term for a person living in North America, South of the 49th parallel and North of Mexico. I am a "Canuck" and have found the term can be used in a derogatory fashion, (ie: D--ned Canucks!") as well as complimentary, (ie: Those Canuck snipers did a magnificent job supporting American troops in Operation Anaconda). I find the word "Canuck" much less important than the intent with which it is used.

22nd April 2007, 11:42 AM	#18
EeneyMinnieMoe Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5,545	Really. I find the word "Yank" itself irritating and childish cause it's so antiquated. We haven't called each other Yanks since we stopped using the telegraph to send messages and the President's name was James A. Garfield. That's as if I went around calling Brits lobsterbacks or something. I looked up the word a second ago on Wikipedia and now I'm fascinated by it's rich and complex history and varied meanings through the centuries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee I thought it was a word Southerners used to refer to "Northerners" and that mutated to refer to all Americans but the history of it is even more complex. It was a term for New Englanders, like WASP is nowadays, and is was broadened to the Northeast, then to the whole of the North and then to the whole of the United States. And in New England itself, it refers to a poor New Englander. How about that. I loved this E.B.White aphorism: To foreigners, a Yankee is an American. To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner. To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner. To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander. To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter. And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast.

23rd April 2007, 05:45 PM	#19
Davo Thinker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Auckland Posts: 183	Originally Posted by thisninjascrazy Another New Zealander? This isn't going to look good. There's already some talk on the CT forums about how we're the ones pulling the strings. Yep, Kiwis rule here. from a kiwi (ex pomme)

23rd April 2007, 05:49 PM	#20
Davo Thinker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Auckland Posts: 183	Calling a person from the United States that is as childish, obnoxious and antiquated as calling a Canadian a "Canuck".[/quote] yes, quite. The modern day term for a canadian is a `flap head` (South park Reference). In jest...