Fathers at Parliament Event
FATHERS AT PARLIAMENT
The Fathers at Parliament Event will be on the lawn at Parliament on Friday 1st September from 11:00am until 4:00pm. This is the Friday before Fathers Day.
All are welcome, especially groups that support the role of fathers in our families.
MPs have been invited to attend. This is an opportunity for Parties to announce pro-family policy. Speeches, consultations and family activities are planned.
The Event is supported by the Ministry of Men’s Affairs (a community group), Union of Fathers, Father and Child, NZ Suicide Prevention Trust, Family Court Enquiry Lobby, Child Poverty Action Network, Wiseguys Retreat and their Friends.
The organizers wish every kiwi father a happy Fathers Day and hope you will be able to spend enjoyable time with your children.
Contact the Ministry of Men’s Affairs 022 594 8093 or 0274 799 745
I will be there!
I am organising signage.
If anyone has any suggestions for appropriate banners I will be pleased to make them and bring them.
There is no charge.
You dont have to stand there waving them around.
It gives media something to take photos of.
Even if you cant attend, there are other was you can help.
I will be making up a large plywood greeting card that says happy fathers day Bill English.
Inside I have written a letter to Mr English and hope that if its presented well enough it might actually get read.
I would be pleased to include letters from others also.
We have three weeks so please consider contributing a letter.
But right now I need suggestions for signs and banners.
Any thoughts?
Comment by Voices back from the bush — Sat 5th August 2017 @ 12:36 pm
In the political history of the vote, the team (Kate Sheppard et al) organised two petitions in quick succession, the first of 9,000 and the second of 19,000 signitures.
It’s about 20 years since the SFST petition went to parliament.
Might be something worth thinking about.
Comment by Downunder — Sat 5th August 2017 @ 1:02 pm
Ask Minister for Men about Bigotry?
Comment by DJ Ward — Sat 5th August 2017 @ 4:19 pm
Wouldn’t you ask the Minister for Bigotry … ?
Comment by Downunder — Sat 5th August 2017 @ 8:20 pm
Good point.
Mine is sarcasm of something like that.
Forgot politicians aren’t that bright.
Comment by DJ Ward — Sat 5th August 2017 @ 11:13 pm
@1 Question?
signage or placards
Comment by Evan Myers — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 8:32 am
Evan, Whichever you think would be most suitable.
Comment by Voices back from the bush — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 8:54 am
@6 if eqnz reports a mild tremor sometime soon, we’ll know the penny has dropped.
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 8:58 am
Evan Myers @6: Some signage is probably the most important. It’s hoped the day will be people especially dads having some fun with their children more than holding placards, though of course it’s fine for anyone to hold placards.
Signs needed:
Other possible signs:
Please come and bring your ideas.
Fathers who are being prevented from full roles in their children’s lives might want to bring cardboard cut-outs of children and pretend to play with them.
Comment by Ministry of Men's Affairs — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 2:11 pm
Or perhaps
Comment by Ministry of Men's Affairs — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 2:13 pm
What do you think @Hornet?
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 3:44 pm
Only a feminist would vote agianst 50:50 shared care.
Comment by DJ Ward — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 4:23 pm
There are many females, with various beliefs, apart from ‘Feminists’ who for various reasons, would vote against 50 50 shared care.
Would a question like ‘why aren’t fathers allowed 50 50 shared care’ be a better approach?
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 4:42 pm
I think we have to remember that all the old people in rest homes will simply tick Red or Blue because they always have.
Most of us in the middle have seen a transition from First Past the Post to MMP, but many who will walk the streets only know MMP.
They have had a different education process, and have a different political thinking process.
As our mothers might have told many of us, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.
Who is the audience on the day?
You are going to Welly Town?
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 4:53 pm
One of the protests I was involved in outside the Family Court, had a doll in a cradle.
I donated a wreath, to add to the picture – not that there was any great understanding of this.
Afterwards I took it to the Domain, laid it on the Cenotaph, and apologized to my forebears.
We all see things differently.
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 5:10 pm
IS THAT AS DUMB AS CUNLIFFE?
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 5:24 pm
Downunder @ 13 and 16: So encouraging as usual, oh wise one.
Comment by Man X Norton — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 6:18 pm
Why encourage Feminism: Isn’t it, one person, one vote, or am I an idiot?
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 6:32 pm
No your definately not an idiot downunder. A bit blunt at times but a voice for reason needs to be like that. After seeing the same arguments a thousand times I don’t blame the cynicism. You’ve picked up my errors plenty of times. That doesn’t mean the touchy feally aproach is not a better way to change opinions at times.
As for my going to Wellington, I’m working on it. Bit hard with being a full time dad with small children and a partner who’s got long hours. I’m living near Huntly so it’s a bit much to take the kids as well.
Comment by DJ Ward — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 6:53 pm
Blunt, yes. And please forgive my cynicism.
We have history. Not every one knows our history, past or present. The second petition to parliament was mostly gathered in the North Island.
Jim Bagnell took the bus around the North Island on a road trip to Welly Town gathering the distant boxes. I flew from Auckland on the last day, with the Auckland contributions, Jim picked me up from the airport and we delivered the goods to the steps of parliament.
Some of us have been there over the past 20 years, before something came along and offended your sensitivity.
Now, if I was a Touchy-Feely bastard, and without a fucking thick skin, I wouldn’t still be here.
Comment by Downunder — Thu 10th August 2017 @ 7:21 pm
I used to be a parrot, but I’m better now.
The bigger picture though – the world is full of fucked parrots.
Comment by Downunder — Fri 11th August 2017 @ 8:23 am
A few signs and a drink at the bar won’t get you far …
That’s not to be discouraging, but you call it what you like.
Comment by Downunder — Tue 22nd August 2017 @ 8:10 am
I can see this going 1 of 2 ways-
1. Little or no media coverage. Maybe a brief blurb on T.V. news or a couple of lines on the back page of a newspaper.
2. The men attending will be portrayed as sexist female bashing pigs who should be should be grateful they have been let out of their cages.
Comment by John — Tue 22nd August 2017 @ 12:14 pm
24, probably right.
I’m more interested in getting attention of polititians, ive reserved the spot between the bouncy castle and the merry go round for my trebuchet- Molotov cocktail launcher.
Comment by Voices back from the bush — Tue 22nd August 2017 @ 1:43 pm