Possum throwing.

23 replies · 921 views

over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Possum throwing.

Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/4167789/Editorial-Serious-meaning-in-silly-debate

So let's clear up what the argument is not about. No one is arguing that possums are not a pest and shouldn't be eradicated in order to protect native plants and animals. No one is arguing that it's inappropriate to throw a dead animal on to the back of a truck so it can be disposed of.

At the same time, characterisations of those involved in the possum throwing as rural simpletons with sadistic tendencies are unfair and unwarranted.

What is at issue ï¿½ legitimately ï¿½ is whether it's appropriate to encourage children to throw dead animals for sport.

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

what's wrong with throwing dead pests? as long as the kids understand it happens at one time in the year I see no harm, and of course they wash their hands afterwards.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

People wouldn't throw a family pet around after it died would they? Can't they be left with their dignity. I wouldn't want my body being thrown around or torchered after I die.

It sends the wrong message to children and there are links to children being cruel to animals (even if the are dead) to go on to do worse things.

Personally I'd rather punish the person who brought them in the country in the first place. F**king moron. (and yes i know it was a long time ago)

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Saw the the thread title and thought it was made up. Something new is learned.

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

PC gone too far.

Throw the f**kers

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

No.

Possums are Tb carriers (bovine).

And they roll in their own urine

And they carry rabies.

Kids - don't try this at home or anywhere. Leave it to the Steve Irwins of this world.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

They do the same thing at the annual Possum Bust at Matatoki School (just south of Thames). While most the rural folk had no problem with it, as a city slicker I always did. To me it taught children to disrespect animal life and those who abuse animals (dead or alive) often do go on to abuse people. Rural people really do have a different worldview though, so the way they think of animal life is often different to those from cities. I disagree with hunting and rodeos, whereas farmers kill animals for a living. Animals mean different things to us!

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Technically? Yes. According to the Oxford dictionary (last time I checked) a "sport" is any activity that involves both a) competition and b) physical exertion/ability. Throwing the possum fulfills B. If there is a competitive aspect to it (ie "who can throw it the furthest" or "who can hit Chris Payne the most times") then it's a sport. Whether or not it's a good or bad is a seperate issue.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go play cane toad cricket.

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Depending on how the possums are killed and then whether or not they're clean enough to be handled by the kids then I'm not worried. Doesn't seem that cruel. Me and some friends played a variation of ultimate frizbee with a cows tongue (they're massive!) years ago and we don't go around amputating the limbs off each and every animal we get near because of that. loyalgunner2010-09-27 08:37:27

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I voted yes, but that's cos I thought it was a euphemism for masturbating..

I like tautologies because I like them.

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Cosimo wrote:

I voted yes, but that's cos I thought it was a euphemism for masturbating..

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

^ Animal cruelty!

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Hans Kriek will be on to you

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Oceanic6 wrote:

People wouldn't throw a family pet around after it died would they? Can't they be left with their dignity. I wouldn't want my body being thrown around or torchered after I die.

It sends the wrong message to children and there are links to children being cruel to animals (even if the are dead) to go on to do worse things.

Personally I'd rather punish the person who brought them in the country in the first place. F**king moron. (and yes i know it was a long time ago)

same goes for Gorse bush

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Applying today's values and knowledge to the past?

Whoever invented cigarettes should be punished...

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

There are already too many kids in NZ growing up cavalier about animal cruelty... and one man's pest is another's beloved pet. I have pet rabbits and I know they're a pest to many but I love mine to bits. I'm sure a dog owner would be horrified to see dead dogs treated with a lack of dignity so I think it's best not to make kids think that some animals are better or more worthy of respect/humanity than others

but also I must say I find the phrase "tossing the possum" quite funny tho in my mind it only works with the male sex - tho I'm sure some smart mouth will try and explain how a chick can toss her's

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

SK is back!!!!

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

SK is back!!!!

lol yeah I knew this place would be all frothing at the mouth at the mean Dom Post today so figured I'd pop my nose in - I still lurk occasionally but kind of feel like an intruder since I so easily picked attending Shapeshifter over Bocca Juniors

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

SK, perhaps men have a "Possum" whilst women have a "Beaver"?

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Possum throwing and beaver punching

I like tautologies because I like them.

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I'd like to see the ad exec who designed those stupid beaver tampon ads punched - as one of the few on here who might use the product that ad ensures I never will

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

stealthkiwi wrote:

I'd like to see the ad exec who designed those stupid beaver tampon ads punched - as one of the few on here who might use the product that ad ensures I never will

As my 8 yr old (at the time) daughter asked "What's a beaver doing on the ad?". Deathly silence. "Don't know, ask your mum, while I run out of the room".

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over 15 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

You should have said "It shouldn't be there. Public spaces is no place for a beaver".

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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