Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Loving your dog and owning your words

185 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 4 5 6 7 8 Newer→ Last

  • Islander,

    Nah- just going by the electorate I vote in - no good labour candidate
    but no good alternative - soooo- we'll vote labour/labour or labour/green, or even green/labour but sure as shit not maori party
    (and never nat.)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I can't see any logic for her support of Winston Peters and her refusal to have even vague confidence in the Privileges Committee, Owen Glenn, and the SFO.

    Not wanting to guess any of this situation but one wee observation for me is, if this is refusal to have vague confidence,perhaps she has no confidence. I wouldn't want vague, some or guesswork on my conscience. I would want the facts. Incidentally I haven't seen facts

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Incidentally I haven't seen facts.

    And I'm cynical enough to wonder if Clark doesn't want to see any. As I said elsewhere, it's often said that a smart politician doesn't ask a question without already knowing the answer. The less famous corollary is that when you suspect the answers aren't going to be what you want to hear, you don't ask the question in the first place.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • dc_red,

    Meanwhile, Mr Pull-Your-Socks-Up-New-Zealand takes a hit

    Couldn't have happened to a nicer 'tycoon'. And while that term is more reminiscent of Monopoly than anything else, it is likely appropriate in the context of Russian crony-capitalism.

    While his ramblings would no doubt go down well at an ACT conference, why the Herald should give them such a rapturous reception (with not even so much as a one-sentence attempt at critique) is beyond me.

    I'm also still trying to get my head around why cry-baby Sharples went to the media with his little whine.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'm also still trying to get my head around why cry-baby Sharples went to the media with his little whine.

    Red: Someone calls me a liar and a hypocrite, then you're not going to get a kiss on the lips and a bunch of roses. You will get a response. Nor do I respond well to macho posturing and veiled threats.

    Why exactly should the Maori Party take the shit that's being thrown at them by Peters, and not call out Horomia if his lobbying is out of line?

    Good on Sharples, I say.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Why exactly should the Maori Party take the shit that's being thrown at them by Peters, and not call out Horomia if his lobbying is out of line?

    Good on Sharples, I say.

    The usual suspects are going apeshit, but I think Sharples has terribly over-egged this, not least in alleging attempts to "pervert the course of justice" (which has an actual meaning) but then being all secret squirrel on names. His complaint about his conversation with Horomia is now down to an observation that it "didn't feel right". If this is "dirty tricks" I'm at a loss ....

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • JohnAmiria,

    The usual suspects are going apeshit, but I think Sharples has terribly over-egged this ....... His complaint about his conversation with Horomia is now down to an observation that it "didn't feel right". If this is "dirty tricks" I'm at a loss ....

    Ah, but we're not talking about Tranz Rail shares anymore are we?

    Meanwhile, Mr Pull-Your-Socks-Up-New-Zealand takes a hit

    Couldn't have happened to a nicer 'tycoon'. And while that term is more reminiscent of Monopoly than anything else, it is likely appropriate in the context of Russian crony-capitalism.

    Yes. And if I was a Hollywood Scriptwriter I'd be imagining all sorts of scenarios: Jennings in an opulent boardroom being made an offer he couldn't refuse by a large bald Russian stroking a cat. "Russia is for the Russians, Mr Jennings. But good luck in Africa..."

    hither and yon • Since Aug 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    Stephen wrote:

    artisan sausage inna bun

    Me = slowpoke I know. But can I just say how awesome it is that we have references like these bandied around most days?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Someone calls me a liar and a hypocrite, then you're not going to get a kiss on the lips and a bunch of roses. You will get a response.

    Yes and one like nobody asked me, seems unacceptable for National when Helen was accused of misleading the public but completely acceptable for National when asked about 30,000,...50,000...or shall we say 100,000 Tranz rail shares. I made a genuine mistake. Yeah Right.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Couldn't have happened to a nicer 'tycoon'. And while that term is more reminiscent of Monopoly than anything else, it is likely appropriate in the context of Russian crony-capitalism.

    While his ramblings would no doubt go down well at an ACT conference

    No-one should be surprised. (scroll down the list on that page)

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Yes and one like nobody asked me, seems unacceptable for National when Helen was accused of misleading the public but completely acceptable for National when asked about 30,000,...50,000...or shall we say 100,000 Tranz rail shares. I made a genuine mistake. Yeah Right.

    Yeah right, Sofie... because everyone's had their hands down the front of his pants for the obligatory hand job.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Ewwwww Maybe Owen Glenn and John Key should get a room already! You are so well informed there Craig ;0

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Has anyone noticed that whenever it looks like National are in for a chance at the treasury benches more people pull up their roots and head for foreign shores?
    I can remember times when it looked like Labour were going to get in and people headed home.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Has anyone noticed that whenever it looks like National are in for a chance at the treasury benches more people pull up their roots and head for foreign shores?

    No, but then again my stock response to people who threaten to emigrate if the election result isn't to their liking is "I'll drive you to the airport, and you better not be some damn fool Alec Bladwin wasting my time".

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    The largest number of New Zealanders leaving the country (year ended December) was 1979, 64,072 and 82,554 if you count non New Zealanders. Set against arrivals that still gives a number of 42,627 New Zealanders leaving. All under a National Govt.
    Tourism and migration 2007
    Which is only surprising as National misleads over migration statistics

    And yes Craig, I concur. If you think the country is going to the dogs, you should stay and fight the damned mongrels.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    I've been struggling to identify a clear signal about migration since this debate all started. I've migrated but my reasons bear no relation to the hyperventilation from National. I wanted a change of scene and figured a few years in Australia would be good for my CV. Only problem with my logic was that I (re)started my family and bought a house... all of a sudden it's six years later and hard to return.

    I would love to return to NZ, even under a National government - it's home fr'crissakes but it's just not that simple. And so it seriously shits-me-off when Key/Lockwood pretend their immigration policy will have any impact on emigration. I doubt it will and I suspect they know it.

    Talk to me about childcare, about the number and quality of parks, about maternity/paternity leave, costs of health insurance, housing affordability and public transport and I'm listening; wank on about just wages and I figure you haven't a clue what really motivates people in the medium-term (I accept the lure of higher wages is attractive, until you start thinking about buying a house and starting a family... all of a sudden the prospect of living an hour out of Sydney or London starts looking a bit boring frankly).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Morgan Nichol,

    If his dog could give explicit informed consent, I'd be in favour of allowing this holy union of love Marks so strongly desires.

    Auckland CBD • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    From what I gather of Garth George's latest spleen-venting (and his previous ones), his political alignment seems closest to that of Pope Benedict:

    Garth George: Laissez-faire capitalism won't wash

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Garth George: Laissez-faire capitalism won't wash

    But if you ask it really nicely it will dry and fold.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Iron itself and shelve in the linen cupboard too?

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    What of homo economicus and what exactly is that invisible hand of Adam Smith doing?

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    What of homo economicus and what exactly is that invisible hand of Adam Smith doing?

    The invisible hand every now and again closes into a fist and punches you in the nuts. Smith was the first to recognise that.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    The invisible hand every now and again closes into a fist and punches you in the nuts. Smith was the first to recognise that.

    That was worth a Friday morning chuckle. Cheers.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • kmont,

    While searching for the correct spelling of skootch I came across this:

    twife [contraction of it-wife] n.Nonhuman spouse, partner in an interspecies or intermaterial marriage. Proposed by a right-wing politician as a tongue-in-cheek rider to a tax increase bill he opposed, this bid to widen the definition of marriage to include animals and inanimate objects found unexpected acceptance . Conceived in a satirical spirit to indicate the sorry state of morals that would come about if gay marriage were legalized, the rider was seen by the public as an expression of a true, secret desire. The politician was acclaimed for his bravery, and despite his denials became the darling of the nation. Later, he acceded to the wish of all and made an ornamental shrub his twife, becoming the harbinger of a new era in which the material world was seen as joined by bonds of love and fealty. Not only that, but the rights accruing to spouses enabled the numerous Americans who became husbands and wives of local bodies of land or water (many went so far as to propose marriage to the earth itself) to push through far-reaching environmental protection laws, buoyed by the support of sentimental voters. The possibility of being wedded to the world made people feel sexy just walking around, and the sense of commonality with material things made death less dreadful to many. The smoke caressed its twife, the chimney; clods adored the spade; the mongoose pledged his troth to the steam engine. The world was bound together by secret—but legal—bonds of love.

    ....and I couldn't help but think of this thread and be tickled by the connection.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 485 posts Report Reply

  • Madeleine,

    The hysteria that surrounds anyone daring to make any criticism, no matter how slight, of the sacred cow of gay rights is outlined in Homosexuality and the Right-Wing Socialists.

    I am still not sure if video was a ridiculous smear campaign or simply evidence of the majority not being able to reason. In Fisking Grant Robertson we walk the confused through the video. Stop by, especially if you think what Franks said was in any way homophobic.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2008 • 8 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 4 5 6 7 8 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.