Introducing Myself

[Elfinity]

Well I've already posted a couple of comments on other boards, but thought a general intro might be a good idea.
But, Im quite hopeless at this, so please bear with me:-)

Im 24/f and from New Zealand. I wouldnt call myself a largely political person, but Im learning. Im interested in a variety of social issues, and tend to take what some people term a 'leftist' view of things. Though Im still quite wishy-washy on many issues. Im interested in animal rights, environmentalism, legalization of marijuana, third world issues, poverty, human rights, etc.
Im also big on art, music, reading, and all sorts of other general stuff.

Basically Im here to discuss anything that comes up, and hopefully learn a thing or two in the process:-)

[libereco]

good to have you here. :)

it's always nice to have people here who don't follow the exact political ideas of someone else, and are still open for new things.....in my opinion.

makes everything here more interesting.




(Edited by libereco at 2:56 pm on Dec. 11, 2001)

[El Commandante]

Welcome to the board, there are people with all sorts of views here so I'm pretty sure that you will find some one who has common views to you.

[MJM]

Hi elfinity I'm from nz too, nice to see I'm not alone down here.

[Elfinity]

Thanks for the welcome people:-)

Im glad im not expected to fit into any particular political ideology, as so many expect us too. I just think while Im learning and forming ideas it's best not to align with a specific ideology, and instead for the moment I live by why I think is 'right'. So anyway, Im glad to be here, and hope to bounce some ideas around the place whenever I have time.

Oh, MJM it's good to see a fellow kiwi here. It's not too often I run into NZers online, esp not in political/social forums. I often wonder why? I dont really know any people who're very interested in politics/social issues in reality either. Do you think this is a symptom of NZ or just the people I know?:-)

[MJM]

I think it's a NZ thing. I don't know many politically active people either. We tend to get our news and ideas from the US down here so it's quite a rightist country. The out-going political types tend to go with enviromental issues rather than political ones.Plus all my mates tend to sit around getting stoned.
But there are some NZ sites you may want to check out.

This one has a discussion feature but no-one really uses it:
http://indymedia.nelson.org.nz/
Here's a communist one with no discussion feature:
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/wpnz/index.htm

[Elfinity]

MJM

Thanks for the links, I didnt even know the Workers Party existed.

I think you're right about NZ. I noticed that the very few people I meet who are politically inclined and not singing the praises of capitalism seem to support the Greens and/or NORML. The focus seems to lean towards specific popular issues such as the anti-GE issue, rather than a entirely leftist ideology.
And unfortunately most people just arent really fussed with politics or social issues at all, I think at least partly because of a general lack of educatoin on many of the important issues here.
Though with the current prominence (for lack of a better word) of the green party, and the large anti-GE protests in Wellington recently Im hoping that is a symbol of some change in attitudes and a growing level of social and political concern in our country. Maybe something like GE will just be a starting point for many.

[MJM]

Yes I think the greens are the most likely source for any real change in the near future.Small steps at least, they also seem to be the only ones opposed to the 'war on terror'.
Do you live in Wellington?

[Elfinity]

I also think Jim Anderton of the Alliance holds pacifist beliefs, but of course hasnt openly condemned the U.S. bombing of afghanistan.

No, I live in (of all places) the Manawatu.

[Hayduke]

Welcome my frind welcome to the board