Comments on: Why I Hope Shahar Peer Wins the Women’s Tennis Singles

By: ConorJoe

ConorJoe — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:35:31 +0000

Crikey ben, don’t misrepresent me. No abuse here and I have appreciated your commenting. Relax gentlemen.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:13:40 +0000

I realise that this is totally off topic and I fully anticipate abuse from Merv and Joe, but have you read the article by rosemary McLeod in today’s 14 January) DomPost? It resonates strongly with your views from an earlier blog (20 December). It is on the Stuff website if you have not already seen it.

By: ConorJoe

ConorJoe — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:02:21 +0000

Hear hear bill.
and ben and brewer – get a room – (with a blog).

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:39:48 +0000

Brian, stop being a lazy blogger and hurry up and change the subject before Merv falls into a catatonic trance:)

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:36:11 +0000

Good idea, Bill; stop all Israelis coming to NZ. While we are at it close the borders to tourists from China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, USA, Australia and a few others whose records on human rights would not stand close scrutiny.

By: bill schoffelmeer

bill schoffelmeer — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:06:21 +0000

I guess you are guessing that the main intention of the protest was to disrupt Peers concentration.Perhaps.But while you and and I are in agreement on the issue of Israels jackbooted thuggery as a nation,and express our views,at least Minto and his supporters are literally making a noise;and taking some form of action.It seems to me somewhat feeble to vow support for a player simply because you disagree with the nature of the protest.Cowardly?Perhaps.But unlike yourself I have no sympathy for Ms Peer,who it appears from her comments and actions (posing in military uniform at her governments behest)is in full support of that outrageous military aggression her govt is engaged in.
Like yourself Brian I believe we should be applying pressure on our govt to pressure Israel.Sporting sanctions simply wont cut it.The reason,it seems,that Peer was used as a poster girl for the Israeli Attack Force,was because as a sporting star in an country with few sporting stars,she shone.As all Israelis are conscripted,and thereby complicit in the actions of their war machine,I suggest we cease letting their citizens enter this country as tourists,deny them the freedom to travel here;return the service.

By: Merv

Merv — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:16:29 +0000

If you were to be honest, Ben and Brew have wandered off on their own, hand-in-hand. So much off-topic that it’s not even funny. It’s indulgent and tedious.

By: BE

BE — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:19:21 +0000

BE I hope you will not mind if I finish by complimenting you for providing an environment for a thoughtful ‘discussion’.

Always happy to accept a compliment, Ben. Thank you.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:46:57 +0000

BE I hope you will not mind if I finish by complimenting you for providing an environment for a thoughtful ‘discussion’. Your contributions are stimulating and set the tone for the rest of the debate unlike so many blogs that are just ‘shouting matches’

By: BE

BE — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:40:38 +0000

Thanks Ben. It has been a rare pleasure debating with you.

This sounds like a suitable close to this correspondence. As someone brought up in Northern Ireland, I was tempted at times to say, ‘A plague on both your houses’, but all’s well that end well. If only that could happen in the Middle East.