Te Radar: It's anti-political correctness gone mad

It came as a great surprise to me that ALAC's acting chief executive Sandra Kirby stated it "defied belief" that one of the countries most notorious university watering-holes would display a sign saying "Why study for exams when you can get drunk with your mates?" Surely the answer is obvious. I often found that becoming intoxicated with my chums was preferable to more traditional forms of exam study.

Not only was it infinitely more fun but it actually enhanced our results as it allowed us full and frank discussion of how little it was we had achieved during the year, and how best to bungle our way through the looming quizzes we had paid so much for the privilege of inflicting upon ourselves.

It also formed long-lasting allegiances that allowed for many wonderful examples of nepotism later in our careers.

Of course the tavern that erected this sign just happened to be the same one where a 19-year-old man was fatally injured two years ago during an intoxicated game of bullrush.

This fact only made it worse, said the ALAC woman. It suggested that the tavern were "slow learners", she said.

While not wanting to trivialise this unfortunate event I am sure that many people will find the sentiments of the ALAC bigwig a little disquieting.

Is this one of the reasons that Dr Don appointed an official National Party spokesman for the "Eradication Of Political Correctness", that churlish catch-cry of the indignant citizenry?

Already some in the anti-PC brigades have compared Josie Bullock, the probation officer who objected to being banned from the front row of a ceremony, to the recently deceased Rosa Parks. While this may be stretching things a little far, it is nonetheless a good point.

At a recent naturalisation ceremony I had the privilege of attending, which was conducted in a local council chambers, the kaumatua in charge of being in charge ensured that no women sat in the front row of the event. No explanation of why this was done was provided.

Given the make-up of the crowd of diverse new citizens, (many of whom I deduced through crass racial generalisation came from countries where the treatment and role of women might not be as enlightened as ours), I had to wonder what kind of example this was setting to our new citizens.

Perhaps he was merely being a chivalrous type, allowing women the ability to fall asleep unnoticed in the back rows as the interminable formalities dragged on?

Of course we aren't the only country in need of a little common sense.

In England, some banks are ceasing to offer piggy-banks to children, as they could be deemed offensive to Muslims.

This follows directives by councils in England banning from council premises all pig-related items, including novelty hog calendars, porcelain figurines, and Winnie the Pooh and Piglet memorabilia.

Still, maybe Political Correctness hasn't gone mad. Perhaps we are simply being too courteous.