17 September 2009

Nandor Tanczos

Nandor Tanczos
Nandor Tanczos, one of Aotearoa's more colourful — some say controversial — political figures resigned from Parliament last year. Because he's a rastafarian and promotes the decriminalisation of cannabis, he was frequently pilloried; however, having heard him speak and having read what he's had to say on social justice and environmental issues, I suspect his critics either didn't bother to listen to his arguments or felt it easier to resort to attempted ridicule than to respond with reasoned arguments.

Since resigning from Parliament, he's kept a low profile, but given his contributions to keeping the world safe, just and healthy, no one could fairly accuse him of not having done his bit.
All content © 2009 Pete McGregor
at

6 comments:

  1. Batteson.Ind17 September 2009 at 19:24

    Excellent portrait! That guy has so much character :-D.. I found the wikipedia read fascinating and also sad.. isn't it always the way, people who actually give a shite get squeezed out, mis-reported, mis-understood etc... also sad Ireland seems to be so void of anyone who actually gives a shite..

    ReplyDelete
  2. pohanginapete17 September 2009 at 19:45

    Thanks Watercats. Anyone looking at New Zealand's current political situation could be forgiven for thinking no one here gives a shite, too. But it's not so — plenty of us do, and I trust we're just in one of those bad spells that won't last indefinitely. Meanwhile, those of us who do care have to try to minimise the damage while avoiding disillusionment and despair. It helps knowing we're not alone; it helps knowing there are people all over the world who share that concern. Thanks :^)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ruahines18 September 2009 at 07:58

    Kia ora Pete,
    Such compassion, tolerance, and genuineness that emanate from Nandor. I wonder what it what look like side by side with the mayor of Whanganui?
    Cheers,
    Robb

    ReplyDelete
  4. pohanginapete18 September 2009 at 10:32

    Kia ora Robb. I might get a chance to photograph Mr Laws this weekend. It might be a challenge :^)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous29 July 2010 at 09:14

    World of rich and politically powerful with conservative ideologies always prevail in short and present times, labeling avant-gard such as Mr. Nandor Tanczos as out-of-norm. Societal change takes centuries, and that also with much strife and turmoil of life.

    I like Mr. Nandor Tanczos being vegan and now know his pizza habit...bad that other irrelevant informations were part of spillage from Hell Pizza ID theft on July 26, 2010.

    ReplyDelete
  6. pohanginapete1 August 2010 at 20:53

    Anon., I take your point, but it doesn't always take such a long time to see large changes in societal attitudes — look at apartheid in South Africa, or racial segregation in the USA, for example. Certainly, conservative attitudes tend to resist change (by definition), and they're well represented among the rich and powerful (if you're rich and powerful, it's highly probable the last thing you want is for things to change); nevertheless those who think further than their own desires are neither powerless nor rare.

    Thanks for the thoughts.

    ReplyDelete

Constructive criticism is welcomed (I particularly appreciate thoughts on what you like and don't like), but please keep it courteous.