Island Life by David Slack

Read Post

Island Life: Songs in the life of Key

35 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

  • Angus Robertson,

    The candidate must lie naked all night in a coffin-like box, only his nostrils protruding above the icy water with which it is filled, and with heavy stones laid on his chest. In this position he must compose a poem of considerable length in the most difficult of the many difficult bardic meters, on a subject which is given him as he is placed in the box. On his emergence next morning he must be able to chant this poem to a melody which he had been simultaneously composing, and accompany himself on the harp.

    What happened if a druid, confused by the cold, plays someone elses melody?

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I really sorry you can't see the difference but it seems to be a failing you share with your party leadership. That's all.

    And I'm really sorry that Ive wasted so much time and energy on debates -- with both the loony left and rabid right -- that ultimately boil down to "it's only bad when they do it". And I'll freely admit to being a bit of a crank where public access to public information is concerned.

    As I've said, if Labour wants to make credibility, transparency and integirty campaign issues, fine. But please let's not make it one way traffic.

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

  • Bob Munro,

    What happened if a druid, confused by the cold, plays someone elses melody?

    He'd be off Key.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Don Christie said,

    policy one might expect from 9 friggin years in opposition

    forgetting that National has 14 policies generated in those long dark years.

    That said, I'm extremely disturbed by some of the things that Labour is doing. Instituting Guantanamo standards in it's new Immigration Bill, for one. After nine years, this Government isn't listening to any of its critics, and for that reason alone I think they should spend some time in the cold. At least changes made by National would have strident opposition.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Pretty much my position too George, but one I reached at least 3 years ago.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Spending on relocating snails was done with SOE Solid Energy's money. The $25 million figure wasn't an actual cost it was the turnover (not profit) that didn't happen because of the time delay in coal production until the snails were relocated. The delay was caused by successful opposition to destruction of the snail's habitat under the Resource Managenent Act by the Forest and Bird society and Save Happy Valley campaign, not the government.

    There is no connection whatsoever that I can see in comparing the two figures. It's a calculated lie made pernicious by trading on the fears of vulnerable sick people. ‘Heart’ indeed.

    Thanks, Bob. Not so many words, just clear, concise and factual. Why do I have to start a fscking blog site to read them?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Why do I have to start a fscking blog site to read them?

    Indeed.

    Stephen Judd is too modest to link to his ruminator's digest of the last year's news, but it is truly compelling viewing. It's both beautiful and disturbing, and describes the print media in less than two minutes.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    *cough*

    Thank you, George.

    I have written a little explanation of what you're seeing here.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Bob Munro,

    Thanks Russell.I hope it's all factual. I belted the last bit out rather quickly. I think there might have been a Minister of Conservation ruling which helped enforce the relocation of the snails (after permission had been granted to go ahead with mining under the Resource Management act): which could at a stretch indicate government involvement. Also I'm not 100% sure if the $25 million was lost turnover or profit. In this media release Solid Energy say it has cost them $10 million. Either way the coal is still there. There was just a delay in mining it.

    I don't really care much for the ins and outs of politics these days, I've seen a few governments come and go in my time. But this sort of advertising really gets me going. And it's the 'I'm such a clever dick' attitude behind it that gets the blood pumping.

    I mean what is ACT's policy on the funding of PHARMAC? Are they saying money will be made available from the taxpayer based on a pressure group's ability to get media profile?

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    The ruminator digest is freaky. I was just thinking the other day what a great idea an animated time series for that tool would be. It was going to be my "idea of the week".

    Just shows how unoriginal I am...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.