22 May 2004

Stephen Franks struggles with English Language

"Stephen Franks demonstrates unfamiliarity with the English language when he says 'the effect of flagburning... is not expression'," said Peace Action Wellington member Don Franks.

The second of nine listed meanings of "expression" in the Collins English Dictionary is "manifestation of a feeling or emotion without words." Paul Hopkinson very clearly expressed the feelings and emotions of many new Zealanders when he burnt a flag which has been tainted by the actions of the present and previous governments.

The flag which Paul burnt has welcomed apartheid teams, crowned New Zealand imperialist adventures in the Pacific and currently stands in support of the US occupation of Iraq.

Stephen Franks describes Paul Hopkinson's act as "offensiveness". "Stephen Franks should stop playing semantics and consider the real offensiveness to which the New Zealand flag continues to be party to," Don Franks concluded.

ENDS

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