NZ Centre for Political Research

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*I had not formed an opinion prior to reading your comments. This partly because I had more important considerations to occupy my mind. And they did not have to be very important to feature higher than a few ill-considered-words of someone I do not even watch. Thank you for bringing sanity and reason to this subject. The incident was almost irrelevant. The issues as outlined by you are hugely relevant. Thank you. Mike

*There will be no humour and nothing to laugh at if we don't have free speech We will have nothing to talk about Yuk !!!! Judith

*Rude ill-mannered bugger, what he said was not just offensive, it was beyond all bounds of decency. Sack him. Why didn't John Key shut him up? Michael

*We are getting very petty and small minded. Carleon

*Whites can be ridiculed at anytime but if the boot is on the other foot all hell breaks loose. Coloured people seem to have very thin skins indeed. Laurie

*My father fought the Nazis to avoid this sort of carry on. He sacrified his youth and health for nothing. Jim

*What an unmitigated cartful of horse manure. How many of the offended were using the boss's computer and wasting time. No wonder there is so little being accomplished!! Mike

*Political correctness gone stark raving mad! Note that if it is a slur against a white person nobody cares. Sandra

*What's wrong with people. If it had been Billy T making the same comments, it would have been all OK and everyone would have laughed ha ha ha ha. So, it's OK for that black mother f****** hori what's-his-face Harawera, but it ain't right for a white honky to go down the same track. I believe that when offence is perceived to be given, then we ALL have a choice as to whether or not to TAKE offence. So... we CHOOSE to be offended. Seems to me that everyone is so bloody pc sensitive that it is way beyond a joke. Oh, and by the way, I hope I didn't offend you with my fondler word back there!!! Neil

*Admittedly he did go on a bit too long about Dikshit and his comments about the GG were somewhat odd to say to the PM but I don't think it warranted being dismissed.

Yet again we seem to have double standards - Hone Harawira, even though an elected MP, can say what he wants (even though I admire his honesty about not wanting his daughter to marry a white person) yet Paul Henry cannot.

Sports Tonight on TV3 happily uses the term 'Pom', and is supported in this by the BSA, yet does not use any other slur like frog, coconut, diego, etc.

It would seem racial abuse is selectively allowed - which seems in itself racist.

Kiwis have always been overly sensitive to criticism, and far too easily offended by light-hearted banter and ridicule. It is time the nation grew-up, acted like adults, and had more joie de vie. Gary

*It is more a matter of good manners than political correctness. Henry's comment to John Key re.the Governor General was of little consequence andc brushed aside by the P.M. The insult to an Indian official was appalling. The person is female , her surname is unremarkable in India but Henry translated it to English on T.V. Holding such an individual to widespread ridicule places Henry at a level degrees lower than Harawira. He at least did not intend to publicise he opinions of his fellow citizens. Henry is now silent. He should remain so. Peter

*He wasn't being racist or offensive. He was just taking the mickey. Up until now satire was the NZ form of humour. Stuart

*I feel that the Govt has let us down in not promoting the present governor general. He is a non event to look at infact I wouldn't recognise him if I fell over him. Personally, I don't feel he has the statue of a Governer General compared to our previous ones. Barry

*The Mintos of this world are a creeping disease that needs to be cured. Rik

*We are ever so precious and PC! The Herald seemd to have an agenda on this and drove it with a passion---and that from a newspaper not fit to wrap the rubbish so poor is it's reporting compared to some overseas newspapers. John

*Political Correctness is 2010's version of Alcohol Prohibition!! Think about it...the mere act of having a laugh or making a comment is now outlawed. I'm not condoning abuse or violence but normal "astute observations of stereotypical societal people and behaviours" Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason! I've had dozens of different jobs in my life which has enabled me to attend numerous new workplaces and also go into thousands of NZ homes and let me tell you - different cultures and ethnic groups behave in very specific ways. End of story. That's not offensive -= it's the way it is but, lord forbid, you actually SAY that these days!! It's the listener of comments that decides whether it's bad or not - not the deliverer. If you're taking offence at a comment - harden up! You have the problem. Peter

*In his position he should have done his homework first. Mary

*I don't like Paul Henry but I think he has said out loud what most people privately think. If it is OK to call me a Pakeha because I look white it is certainly OK to call to call a person Indian if he looks like one. Peter

*His purile sense of humour is no different to the stuff we hear every day on radio. Bryan

*Hone Harawira got away with worse and insulting many more people. Paul's was harmless but he had to pay the price. Will miss him. Margaret

*Too much policital correctness and no freedom of speech.What is happening to us? Selwyn

*1. The primary reason that he should have been able to exercise his right of freedom of speech was that the Indian politician's name was in fact - Dikshit and was pronounced "dickshit" by her own admission.
2. Being her real name the TV station or Mr Henry could not be held liable and it could not be claimed as defimation.
3. Mr Henry could fight a wrongful dismal case on that basis?
4. If one had a name like that and was going into public life would it not be appropriate to change it?
5. The last point is that the whole incident was funny and good humour in a serious world - why not just laugh about it? Nick

*I would answer yes if persons guilty of similair offensive behaviour had been dealt with accordingly, but alas they were not. Inconsistency breeds contempt. Murray

*Well chaps, the jolly old Governor-General can really look like an genuine Kiwi fellow wouldn't you say, but what ho, I don't look a bit like an Indian and my name is being Patel. Get a bloody life! Seriously, if the G-G wants to look that part, can he get a suit that isn't two sizes too small? Peter

*He often speaks our thoughts. WD

*Too much pc bullshit these days..
Paul joked and over done it a bit.
Hone racist harawira is racist, said racist comments and meant ever word he said, and he's still in goverment.. Crazy bull pc world we stay in..
Bring back paul henry.. He's a hoot! Toney

*If Paul Henry is considered to be a racist. What on earth is Hone then!!!! S

*Surely we have better things to worry about...another smoke screen to cover the real issues of the Foreshore and Seabed, the economy and the strikes, to name a few but definitely worrying issues. Audrey

*He was again over the top and made a real meal of ridiculing both the name and the Gov Gen who incidentally does a great job and shouldn't have to reflect that NZers support insulting him. Rayna

*Suspended for a time but should have held his job. Gavin

*Paul's sin was saying what a lot of us think. Desmond

*Paul Henry sometimes acted like a young boy in his comments but he was a breath of fresh air in politically-correct NZ and certainly easier to listen to than the ugly face of John Minto and his communistic cultural marxism.
Time to begin a right-wing media outlet like Fox News and P. Henry can apply for the first position. Monica

*He who is without sin let him cast the first stone. Rex

*Lindsay Perigo says it all for me. We have become a very sad lot. If Billy T James could laugh at himself and his own culture, and make the world laugh with him, what has changed since then. I wish John Minto would put a xmas hat on that miserable head of his and get a life. Whoops, hope I haven't offended! Sonia

*We have emailed TVNZ and expressed our disgust at Rick Ellis's acceptance of Paul's offer to resign. We have ceased watching TV 1's Breakfast show too. Not that we expect anyone to take any notice of this action as we are not one of the few who have been selected to have the People Ometers that record the watching public but we sincerely hope this (Breakfast) show looses popularity and advertising revenue as a result Shame on them for caving into the noisy few empty headed PC brigade. Peter

*He just said what a lot of people think. Clark

*He crossed the line too often. Miriam

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*I agree with Muriel's comments as well as those of Lindsay Perigo. Gaylene

*Keep it for ALL New Zealanders. THis is the thin edge of the wedge. Give it a few years and we will have to pay to access our ocean. Maori are becoming the NZ elite and will be a minority ruling group like the old South Africa whites. Gaylene

*To be lampooned for foolishness is fine but what Henry did was simply crass. Don

*I thought one of the first things a politician or public figure did was grow a thick skin. Ann

*Paul Henry should have been given a rap over the knuckles for showing bad manners but should not have felt the need, or been encouraged, to resign. He can be just like a big kid at times, and that is part of his appeal, though there is no real malice in him. It isn't kind to poke fun at people for things they can't help, like a name, even if we privately have a laugh to ourselves. I enjoy his exuberance and think he should be re-instated (though I don't watch any breakfast television much. We need not to hurt with our words, but apart from that, it's a poor show if we don't have free speech. Sheila

*Do not be fooled. We neither live in a democracy nor a place where freedom of expression and the law are necessarily just. The invasion into what was once private thoughts, enterprise and beleifs is a serious matter. We live in extremely demoralising times. Carol

*Though I may be one of few New Zealanders who don't know who Paul Henry is, I firmly believe we need to see this for what it is an "attack on free speech by those with a totalitarian bent" and as such a huge challenge to all we value as New Zealanders. Lisa

*Some years ago I heard a very empathatic and thoughtful talk about Serbia, Croatia and other such places - such an excellent talk that listeners still remember great chunks of it, and the humanity of the guest speaker. Name: Paul Henry. Free speech is free speech. Why is that Paul has lost his job, and not for example Hone Harawira? Why is there one rule for one person, and another rule for another public personality? Sandra

*PC crap again. When are we going to get real. Tony

*A big NO!! for goodness sake do some people watch Paul Henry just so that they can complain? Maybe the comments about the Gonernor General were ill conceved however in the light heartedness of Paul's show we know what to expect and be prepared to agree or disagree without taking offence. We have to be prepared to lough at ourselves and get on with life. Gary

*The comments were not only appropriate the manner in which they were delivered were hilarious, how any commercial channel could afford to dispense with a talent such as his beats me. Baxter

*I like how Lindsay Perigo said it. James

*Good on him! We need more people in the media like him. Laurie

*We found it a good start to the day to watch Paul & Pippa on Breakfast. We haven't tuned in to Breakfast since Pauls' enforced resignation. What a ridiculous farce, the total hypocricy of Minto and his ilk, the biggest reverse racists of all. Lorraine

*An interesting point is that several 'letters to the editor' writers claimed that Mrs Dikshit name should have been pronounced as "Dixit". Utter poppycock! The Indian broadcasters who were covered in TV1's Close Up programme, discussing the furore pronounced it exactly as Paul Henry did. PS. Did you hear the one about the Englishman. the Scotsman and the Irishman? Oops, sorry, thats racist! Vic

*"Breakfast" is not the same without him! Mack

*Paul Henry has often been funny; in regard to the name of the Indian woman he was just insulting. And that's not a matter of free speech; it's a matter of lack of civility. Mike

*Incredible that in a country that fights for freedom of speech in other countries that we dismiss it here. Wayne

*The Indian cabinet minister does have an unfortunate name, but chose to stick with it into politics. Our own Governor General is not a politician, and represents all of NZ as head of state. All of NZ includes all races, orientations, subcultures, everything. Henry implied that NZ has some kind of scary xenophobic culture where society has some kind of racial purity agenda. We fought a whole war over that issue, and we don't want it here. Debate about what it means to be (or become) a NZer is good, and also how restrictive immigration policy should be. But nobody should imply that racial minorities cannot belong in NZ, since even our ancient legends include stories of prehistoric immigration. Dwayne

*We have real problems in NZ with this type of nonsense going on. What a sick society that it can't even laugh at itself-and guys like Minto should crawl back under the rock from where they came. They do no good for society. Come on kiwis, where's your sense of humour. The english language pronunciation of the name Dikshit is exactly how it is spelt. And the GG doesn't look any more like a NZ'r than his father probably did-who cares! We have bigger issues to worry about than that as I'm sure he does too. Build a bridge. Graeme

*Yes, but not just because of the last debacle. He is a bully and has been given free rein to express his arrogant and intolerant opinions for years. Malcolm

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*All has been somewhat of a storm in a teacup..more state control..are we having BIG BROTHER here to catch every word we say? Jane

*Henry is an obnoxious little cretin. He goes from one foot in mouth to the next. Ronmac

*We didn't always like Paul, but that's what the 'mute' button is for! In reality, the only people who should be able to complain about Paul are those he's made the comments about. And they have both kept a dignified silence! Lester & Barbara

*It wouldn't hurt for television to acquire a sense of decorum and some good manners. Mr Henry's removal should be permanent. K

*In perspective - the Guv Gen does not look like a Kiwi. The woman from Greenpeace DID have a mustache and Susan Boyle DOES look like a retard! Derrick

*It's not a political correctness issue--If you watch the clip of the comments on Dixit, this is genuine offensive racism. Jenny

*I think this is the start of certain Maori considering themselves above the law. 50 years ago Hone Harawera's remaark would have been a crime of treason,very seriously regarded wheras Paul Henry's comments would have been diregarded as the truth and freedom of speach We really are on a slippery slope. Neville

*I love Paul Henry. He's great fun and the only reason I switch on the TV in the morning. It totally sucks that you can't have a giggle over someones name. Dipshit?! For chrissake - I laughed my head off! That is a silly name! All the best Paul - You ROCK! My mornings won't be the same without you xx Tracy

*Maori, Chinese & Pakeha - most of his humour could upset me, some of it others - all of it - most definitely amuses & entertains me!... Politics aside & the need for a laugh – more so, now than ever - EVERYTHING HE POKES FUN AT REFLECTS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE AVERAGE KIWI's MIND!? (Proven by the opinions of teens through to octogenarian friends…). Rosina

*The danger to New Zealand is not John Key, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the office of Prime Minister. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of a Key government than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their prime minister. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Key's, or our previous governments, who are a mere symptom of what ails New Zealand. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The country can survive a John Key and his partners in treason. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made and continue to accept him and his like as their masters. Robert

*This "PC" nonsense has gone too far.... Prue

*The advertisers who pay for the advertising that support TV shows such as this should be free to sponsor commentators that speak intelligently rather than constantly uttering mindless drivel. Des

*His so called "humor" was always at the level of a gutter. I didn't like him, I didn't watch him. The whole story has nothing to do with free speech - it has everything to do with total lack of class (if somebody cares about - I do). It was blown out of proportion - I agree. Elizabeth

*Yes he was on a mission ramp up the insults in the name of ratings. Ron

*But his position must have become untenable with the Mintos of this world baying for his blood. Geoffrey

*What a song and dance about nothing. Mary

*Freedom of speech overrides manners! Kelvin

*No! No! No! And emphatically, NO! He should NOT have lost his job. As initially stated by a TVNZ representative, Paul Henry was only saying out loud what we're all quietly thinking! Bring back Paul - he is a breath of fresh air in this world gone mad on political correctness! Raelene

*He is was the best on TVNZ and listening to him at home we would comment on a subject then he would say the same words that we would a little later. He was tuned in to the people. Faye

*And a long time ago. TVNZ used him without shame to boost ratings. They didn't have the common decency to shove him out for cruel and nasty remarks he made previously. It took the world stage to dislodge that twit and shame TVNZ into action. Yes, some people may privately echo his drivel but as a public broadcaster his comments and views should have been more circumspict. He is intitled to express his views but not on a publicly owned TV show. All of Pauls comments could have been aired and spoken in a less derogerity fashion. IE; the nationality of the current GG, wording of the question/statement if couched differently could still have had an information value without being insulting.
The name issue, if he hadn't been told how to pronouce the ladies name and made a genuine error, OK but having been informed on how to pronounce her name in the correct manner and then to go on to make fun of her name and nationality, WRONG! Freedom of speech is one thing but to be derogrity and childish statements a la Paul Henry bring us all down.
As we were told years ago in my college debating club, attack the policy, the topic or the view but never the person. Argue the proposition. The standard of journalism in this country has hit a very muddy and murky bottom. Wendy

*No Paul Henry should not have lost his job. He should not have even been suspended. Our society is far too PC and there is no humour and no life left. A few (probably paid) activists created the furore while the rest of us watched in disbelief, not able to alter the course of events. Colleen

*Paul was saying many of us thought and said in private need more open and honest people like him. Roger

*Political ccorrectness is introduced. We laugh it off and don't conform. Laws are then written to FORCE us to conform. free speech gone.Now ruled by the Marxists and leftwing intellectuals. It is very serious. Don

*Leave him alone. Cripes - nobody can take a joke these days! Humourless society! Aphrodite

*Because our athletes were in Delhi this was a bad time to make adverse comments about Indians! Jim

*The cause of all what seems to be P.C.nonsense, is much more serious is that it is rooted in Marxism and leftwing intellectuals of the past 100 years. Refer to this youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyu-9-OhHog
Enter political correctness. We laugh it off and don't conform. It is then written into law and we are FORCED to conform or lose our jobs, freedom od speech now gone -submission to Marxist rule. Don

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*I cant believe how vicious some people are when there is an issue like this. Yes he did step out of line but he didnt deserve to lose his job. Biddy

*He had the power, through his position, to give permission for others to abuse anyone who is different to them. Racial harmony is fragile and must be protected. Deckard

*Another example of how precious NZ has become under the PC regime promoted by Clark. Bob

*I didn't agree with what he said. BUT I will defend his right to say it to the death. 1984 and NEWSPEAK is alive and well in left leaning NZ. Peter

*The price of "No Freedom" in TVNZ's case is eternal boredom. John

*His value as a fearless interviewer far outweighed any silly comments or behaviour that he occasionally exhibited. Brian

*If you can't laugh about yourself, see a psychiatrist. Jacoba

*NO! NO! - one hundred times NO!! It won't be long before we are like a communist country where you can be killed for criticising or speaking out. Bl...y pc brigade!!! Despite his arrogance and outspokenness he was the reason we turned on Breakfast in the mornings. How come such a minority of protesters can have so much influence. Neither were the majority silent - there were thousands of emails in support of him. Margaret

*The issue for TVNZ does not involve free speech or freedom of expression. It is simply a case of an irresponsible and stupid employee finally going one step too far. I do not (or hardly ever) watch his show, frankly anyone who has time to be so entertained, and that's all it really is has not enough to do. However, on the odd occasion when I have seen the show, my impression has been that it can scarcely be surpassed for sheer drivel and stupidity, certainly not a credit to TVNZ or a tribute to the intelligence of the presumed audience. If Paul Henry represents the IQ of the average NZ'er - God Defend New Zealand! He was a pernicious influence and good riddance to him. Michael

*Shame on TVNZ - but thats not surprising given they are so thick. Norm

*Absolute stupidity. Hope he comes back on TV3!! Peter

*Of course not! Too many little-minded people in our country. Barbara

*Henry was part and parcel of the TVNZ news team. Being a 'shock jock' is not part of that team. Henry had already called Susan Boyle 'retarded.' He'd used the 'f' word and 'c' word at an awards ceremony before his comments about the Governor General to our Prime Minister after which went on to make puerile fun of an unfortunate surname. The place for that brand of humour is not breakfast tv. How much worse was Henry going to get? Richard

*Free speech should mean FREE speech, Mr Key!! Peter

*Of course NOT ! what is going on here, I smell a rat, this is another jack up that John Key has had far too much say in. Tony

*The breakfast show has absolutely no credibility given that humor and opinion is no longer tolerated. Paul Holmes as a replacement - give me a break! Cyril

*Is no-one allowed to speak their mind any more? Peter

*He was too embarrassingly immature to hold any position as a broadcaster. Forget this storm in a teacup...he should have been sent packing years ago. Ross

*Definately not. He simply tells it the way it is on a variety of subjects often voicing the views of the silent majority.
Without Paul "Breakfast" is dead -- Long live Paul Henry!! Arthur

*Minto is an outright wanker - never like apartheid in S.A. but supports it's installation here in NZ! TVNZ is disgusting. Won't watch the breakfast show again for a long time. Bryan

*Well said Lyndsay Perigo!! Paul Henry may be irreverent but he brings a great deal of humour to an otherwise dull and plastic morning slot on TVNZ. Their loss will be someone else's gain. Maggie

*He was colorful and I sometimes cringed. However always sat and watched a bit in the morning on TV1. At least he had an opinion and was not afraid to say. Don't bother much now...John-Paul

*Mountains out of molehills again. Benjamin

*Of course he should not, but in a country where one race's chosen leaders are permitted to broadcast abuse about white motherfuckers and yet English language speakers get their knuckles rapped for even vaguely mispronouncing Maori language place names, it was only to be expected. Sorry about that, Paul. Rob

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*I cant believe how vicious some people are when there is an issue like this. Yes he did step out of line but he didnt deserve to lose his job. Biddy

*He had the power, through his position, to give permission for others to abuse anyone who is different to them. Racial harmony is fragile and must be protected. Deckard

*Another example of how precious NZ has become under the PC regime promoted by Clark. Bob

*I didn't agree with what he said. BUT I will defend his right to say it to the death. 1984 and NEWSPEAK is alive and well in left leaning NZ. Peter

*The price of "No Freedom" in TVNZ's case is eternal boredom. John

*His value as a fearless interviewer far outweighed any silly comments or behaviour that he occasionally exhibited. Brian

*If you can't laugh about yourself, see a psychiatrist. Jacoba

*NO! NO! - one hundred times NO!! It won't be long before we are like a communist country where you can be killed for criticising or speaking out. Bl...y pc brigade!!! Despite his arrogance and outspokenness he was the reason we turned on Breakfast in the mornings. How come such a minority of protesters can have so much influence. Neither were the majority silent - there were thousands of emails in support of him. Margaret

*The issue for TVNZ does not involve free speech or freedom of expression. It is simply a case of an irresponsible and stupid employee finally going one step too far. I do not (or hardly ever) watch his show, frankly anyone who has time to be so entertained, and that's all it really is has not enough to do. However, on the odd occasion when I have seen the show, my impression has been that it can scarcely be surpassed for sheer drivel and stupidity, certainly not a credit to TVNZ or a tribute to the intelligence of the presumed audience. If Paul Henry represents the IQ of the average NZ'er - God Defend New Zealand! He was a pernicious influence and good riddance to him. Michael

*Shame on TVNZ - but thats not surprising given they are so thick. Norm

*Absolute stupidity. Hope he comes back on TV3!! Peter

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*The media vigorously defend their right to publish, name and shame, maximise blood and gore on the news and sexualise everything they can, but cave in when confronted by a sad old has-been like Minto and his hairy lot of losers. There is no doubt that TVNZ dropped the ball with this one. Theo

*I do not go against the 'right to offend' However Paul Henry should have been removed a long time ago. Paul has been more than offensive all the time he has been there. Just plain bad taste, awful TV - just rubbish! Ian

*The politically correct fascist policing bully boys should lighten up. Tez

*Freedom of speech is out the window! What ever happened to a sense of humour. Pity the future for my grandchildrens right of speech! Heather

*I have not watched breakfast since as a protest. Beverly

*Some Indians burn an effigy of Mike Hooper and scream and yell abuse and John Key says nothing. Key is not working for N.Z., he is all for himself. He loves the camera so much. Lorna

*In this small country we are well on the road to Fascism. James

*Hopefully TV3 will have the where with all to hire him to front a new early morning program to carry the lesson home to TVNZ. John

*HE IS TOTALLY UNDIPLOMATIC. Rawiri

*Okay Paul is out spoken & called a spade a spade, but we seem to have lost the freedom of speech if we are of white descent & are becoming fearful . Anyone from any other ethnicity can & do say what they like about the white races & are never accused of being racists. But boy are they all quick to use the racist card when it suits them.PC is crap & is going to ruin the entire world with its unchecked extremism. Yes it is fine to call us white trash, honky, pakeha etc but the minute a white person says something the preverbial hits the fan.Personally I have no problem with the different races if they all fit in & become kiwi's & work in this country, speech English & fit it with our laws, etc. NZ has become richer for the mixing of races & most people are good.After all only 16% of the worlds population is now white so maybe the tables should be turned in our ( minority ) favour. Check out You Tube, George Carlin or Robin Williams on racism. Sheryl

*Not for his latest comments, but for insulting the irish singer. Ortwin

*Paul was always entertaining and the show was a much watch before work. Now I've lost interest..very sad. Marion

*I cant believe how vicious some people are when there is an issue like this. Yes he did step out of line but he didnt deserve to lose his job. Biddy

*Minto should be deported to say Afghanistan. Charles

*What about all the anti-non-maori comments made by many maori on a regular basis? Why aren't they censored. Oh forgive me, I forgot that we encourage racism in New Zealand, i.e. maori has every right to say whatever they want to say about non-maori. Maori simply forget they are more non-maori (in blood) than they could ever be maori.

Paul was entertaining - I didn't watch him often but I thought what I did see was hilarious.

As the old saying goes - STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK MY BONES BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HARM ME. Paul's humour was, in fact, harmless. "Offence" is a state of mind only. Some people choose to use it as a fuel. Delwyn

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*I love Paul. His comments were childish and stupid. I have no issue if he resigned freely to acknowledge his mistakes. Breakfast TV will be the loser though. Ray

*The reason the "extortionate law commission wants to close down bloggers". John

*No-one in this situation should have lost their job. Chris

*Absolutely NOT!!.

Your article on the freedom of speech tells a lot but omits a very scary extension....

Take it just one step further and you have totally undermined the whole education system and discipline of rearing well-adjusted, honest, upright and good kids.

How often do we "offend" our kids simply because in their inexperience they want, say or do something that is not correct, or not appropriate, etc... Our duty to them for their proper upbringing is to correct them. Sometimes when required to apply other forms of discipline. However all the child now needs to do is claim to have been offended and the parent - or caregiver - or teacher - etc... can be charged for the "offence".

This is not just a disaster in the making, it is the uprooting of the fabric of a civil and decent society. It is the beginnings of a tyrannical and despotic society where freedom is essentially seen as lawlessness and criminal.

This is a VERY SORRY state of affairs.

A message to Paul:
Paul, though your comments can be borderline at times, you are straigh down the line. You MADE the breakfast show. It can NEVER be the same without you or someone like you with the "gumption" and humour that you have shown us.

Without your personality there in the mornings TVNZ "sucks". Walter

*No way! Breakfast TV is not the same without Paul Henry. I don't bother watching anymore. I really miss him! Katrina

*Overblown BS! Indians burn an effergy of a Kiwi in the streets and we say nothing! Indians complain that their winner in a beauty contest doesn't look Indian enough! Get over it!!!!!! Andy

*PC gone mad. Jeff

*For putting our trade with 1/6 of worlds population at risk. Andrew

*We are too PC in this country. Cindy-Pam

*Of course not!! But what do you expect of an organisation that remains in thrall to "Charter" broadcasting & nanny-statism? (As do many in our country.) Dave

*Paul Henry should not have lost his job. John Minto should be put down for the Communist vermin that he is and the threat he poses to the freedom of all New Zealanders ... including Hone Harawira whom we all know is a racist Maori Radical. I also reserve the right to call him and his mother and their pathetic associates whatever I feel like calling them, without fear or favour. Dianna

*Yet another blow to free speech and we are heading down a disasterous path of political correctness, especially in the media and I'm sure that other reporters and people in the news media will not risk their carreers to express any opinion that may offend. Shirley

*His comments were misguided and a tad silly. But nothing that could not have been resolved with pointing this out to him with a bit of a telling off. Jasper

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*Not for those comments. He is an idiot however & was usually a turnoff for me. Wot happened to TV3 news?? Neville

*A slip of the tongue! The debate that followed gave people the chance to think about who is a NZer. People like PH make people think. Otherwise we will have a zombie state. Willy

*He was asking the question a lot of NZers have been asking and rightly so. Murray

*No - BUT: this notion of the 'right to offend' is not an accurate concept. NZers are particularly good at being rude and crass, thinking that making fun of someone else is all just 'good fun'. What a crock! With freedom comes responsibility. Poking fun at someone else is actually a disguised way of attacking them and belittling them so that we feel better about ourselves. We can dress it up any way we like, but if we are honest with ourselves, our 'humour' is often a disguised attack, and brings a spirit of criticism, condemnation, control and mocking. So, after a fashion, the bleeding-heart thinned-skinned lefties DO have a point. Of course, they are using their own brand of control & manipulation to subdue those who oppose them. But of course, that's what happens when a society throws away moral absolutes and lets everything 'hang out' like NZ & the rest of the Left West have done. If humans won't be responsible and control themselves (that is, not indulging in every whim & fancy that crops up in their minds), then control will be imposed from without. Just because you CAN say a thing does not means it's good, right and beneficial to say it. You remember 'good' and 'right', don't you? Those things that NZers have little supply of these days... Peter

*Totalitarianism raises its ugly head again. Chris

*I may not agree with what he says but I will defend to the death his right to say it. Dave

*Of course not. What abject weasels must inhabit the positions of power at TVNZ!! Harawira seems free to make his nasty comments with impunity while Henry must be removed from sight after one misjudged attempt at humour. And we thought witch hunting had fallen from favour a long time ago ...John

*He is a real pain to watch and will go from bad to worse if he had not been stopped. Ian

*I don't particularly like Paul Henry. However, he should not have lost his job over this matter. It is all quite pathetic really. Has New Zealand become pathetic? Oh dear, somebody save us from the politically correct left wing. Walter

*TVNZ may have had a better case on the basis of incompetence as Henry didn't do his homework on (a) Governor-General's NZ birthplace; (b) the actual pronunciation of the Indian Minister's name; (I wonder how he copes with some Irish / Scottish names that I hear commonly mis-pronounced (on occasion including my surname by new residents). Peter

*OK, so Paul Henry could have been a little more PC, but that's the great thing about him, he is one of the very few who doesn't read strictly from the teleprompt, this does not make him racist and certainy does not warrant his family being sent hate mail, I am ashamed to be included in a society that has sunk this low, I really thought New Zealand was better than this. John

*Freedom of speech is no excuse for utter rudeness. Alan

*Henry's error of judgement was in attempting to elevate pettiness to the level of national debate. An error he (and others like him) make too often. But choice of subject aside, he should be free to make a fool of himself if he wants to. I for one vote with my remote control and choose to watch broadcasters who consider more important topics. Graham

*NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!

There is no other way to say it: NO!

Call me "racist", if you like; I really don't give a flying-s**t.

Paul was simply stating what the rest of us are thinking.

The GG should be someone quintessentially Kiwi like Sir Peter Leitch.

It should not be not some half-ar*ed twit from the judiciary who is frightened of his own shadow.

The FACT is that our current GG's name is not simple to pronounce when compared to "Smith", "Brown" and "Jones".

Even against "Sharples", "Harawira" and "Awatere" it fails the "easy to say" test.

That he is also too short for his weight and "follicle"-ly-challenged simply makes him even more laughable.

Now compare this laughing stock with some REAL statesmen like Sir Paul Reeves and Sir Keith Holyoake.

Then you start to understand just how much of a cretin this brown-nose, ar*e-licking PANSY really is.

In losing our ability to laugh at ourselves, we lose a central part of ourselves that makes us Kiwi.

And, as we Kiwi have always said: if you can't stand the HEAT then GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN! Mark

This week's poll asks:

Should Paul Henry have lost his job?

*No - it was all a ridiculous beat up and the National government behaved shamefully in yielding to the left-wing PC brigade. NZ broadcasting will become greyer and duller as a result. Jim

*The whole thing was a storm in a teacup. Henry should have toughed it out. David

*This attack on our freedom of speech is quite insidious. National are probably already recruiting the thought police. And now they want to regulate the last bastion of freedom - the Internet. When the hell will they stop? Stewart

*Great article by Lindsay Perigo - why isn't he on our TV any more? He was an excellent interviewer. Sue

*I'm certainly not going to be watching Breakfast anymore. TVNZ treated Paul Henry disgracefully. They should have defended him. What he said was all a bit of a laugh. What the hang is wrong with everyone these days - has everyone lost their humour? Ken