Colin Espiner spins more Labour Propaganda for The Press

excerpts from http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4013918a1861.html
The Press | Monday, 2 April 2007 - COLIN ESPINER

"...Now, supporters of the legislation are simply hoping to stagger across the line, battered and bruised by an onslaught of negative public reaction to the so-called anti-smacking bill."

Oh, poor little MPs, how hard must be for them! But how we can look up to them for riding over 85% of New Zealand's public, roughshod, ploughing ahead with their repeal, when...

THE DEBATE SHOULD COME TO A NATION-WIDE PUBLIC REFERENDUM.

"For all the outrage and the lobbying, the thousands of emails and the threatening telephone calls and dark threats against the children of one MP supporting the legislation, the bill is still almost certain to pass.

...Calculations are being done across Parliament about the level of political capital the bill's supporters are using up on this one. The Greens will probably escape unscathed since their voters are firm supporters of the bill anyway. But Labour electorate MPs in particular are really being asked to take one for the team.

...The bill's promoters and supporters relaxed after the Maori Party pledged to vote for it, securing its majority through Parliament. They took their eye off the ball and allowed opponents to dub it the anti-smacking bill and claim it would criminalise law-abiding parents.

Of course, this won't happen. Police will use their discretion, as they do at present, and prosecute only those who have committed a serious assault on a child."

"Of course this won't happen" - says who? Bradford's proposed repeal WILL criminalise parents for correcting their children using REASONABLE force.

OF COURSE THIS WILL HAPPEN. How much did Clark pay you to write this ridiculous codswallop, Colin? Get a real job mate.

"Smacking is already illegal - there is simply a defence under Section 59 of the Crimes Act if parents are arrested and charged with assault. That almost never happens, except when a parent is brought before the courts for beating their child with a riding crop or a piece of hose pipe..."

For crying out loud. If smacking is illegal, Colin, then my Mum and Dad are criminals. They may not have been prosecuted yet, but they are still living - and parenting on the wrong side of the law, if what you claim is correct.

COME ON KIWIS, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD NOW.
Head over to www.politik.co.nz and email all the MPs who are voting for repeal of Section 59.

It is DEAD EASY.