What would Alan Duff say about this.

Northland MP, John Carter was also pulled up by the police.  When asked if his vehicle was registered he got angry and swore at the police.  This incident found it's way into the New Zealand Herald and other national newspapers.

The leader of the National Party, John Key, was quick to go on television and to the papers and say that such behaviour is 'totally unacceptable'.  John Carter had to apologise to the police.

Now I don't encourage people to get angry and swear at the police or anyone else when they are upset.  However we do get two different pictures here.  The judge in Taupo last week said the right to express yourself only in a restrained way is no right at all.

The real challenge is how to respond to someone who is angry like this.  If you focus on how 'bad' they are you will only make it worse.  Better to recognise that they are upset for whatever reason and acknowledge that.

First posted by John Faisandier on 7th July, 2008