Island Life by David Slack

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Island Life: Songs in the life of Key

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  • Paul Campbell,

    I can just imagine it, laid back in the box with my nose sticking out of the water and all I can think of is dirty limericks

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    I predict the Libertarians would do rather well

    I dunno how well they'd do, what rhymes with "Socialist lickspittle"?

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    yes but on the other hand lots of things rhyme with Rand: "unseen hand", "pay for your own broadband", "SOE disband", "Nats right-hand", "ideological headstand" - the possibilities abound ...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    But at least they have seemed to feel obliged to offer big wodges of detail in their policies and more willing to produce it sooner.

    Ah, yes...would you include the '20 hours free childcare policy' where, after considerable prompting and exasperating even the usually horizontal Geoff Robinson, Steve Maharey eventually admitted his definition of 'free' was somewhat different from everyone else's?

    And if Michael Cullen is going to be the designated hitman on this issue, then I think it's only fair to remind people that three years ago, he had to be ordered by the Ombudsman to release politically inconvenient Treasury costings of Labour's flagship student loans policy. Kudos to the late John Belgrave for actually telling Ministers they can't ignore the Official Information Act, but he shouldn't have had to.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    John Ansell might be gone, but surely the lesson has not been forgotten.

    Not gone, just working for Act. But I am still racked by guilt every night about what I did to him:

    "You do have to steel yourself when the people like the Russell Browns [Public Address blogger] attack you. You get used to it, but I didn't realise I'd get used to it quite so quickly. It really stung the first time."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I dunno how well they'd do, what rhymes with "Socialist lickspittle"?

    Andrew Little?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Oh say... what rhymes with "merchant banker" then?

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • David Slack,

    And if Michael Cullen is going to be the designated hitman on this issue, then I think it's only fair to remind people that three years ago, he had to be ordered by the Ombudsman to release politically inconvenient Treasury costings of Labour's flagship student loans policy

    Good point. And that would be an equally good example of policy being dumped on us late in the piece.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Andrew Little?

    Some might say that's the definition!

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    To me one of *the* defining factors of this series of Labour Governments has been their development and publicising and campaigning openly on policy. I don't think many of the current crop are particularly proud of the approach they took in the 1980s. The fact that Craig has to stretch so hard to find a possible exception speaks volumes.

    Of course, they are still politicians, and when the wind blows hard in their faces they are adept at bending rather than breaking. But Key is in danger of looking like water reed susceptible to every fickle breath of air rather than the Might Oak that is conservative folk lore..."This lady is not for turning" hardly applies, does it?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Hosking,

    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.

    And that is how 'Macarthur Park' came to be written....

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    And that is how 'Macarthur Park' came to be written....

    I always thought he had his nostrils in something when he wrote that, rather than out.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    The fact that Craig has to stretch so hard to find a possible exception speaks volumes.

    Um, Don, it's not a "possible exception" that Cullen was ordered to release the Treasury costings of the student loans policy during the campaign. Statement of fact, and as far as I'm aware no Chief Ombudsman had taken that step before, and I hope will never need to again.

    I certainly don't think Treasury should enjoy the public sector equivalent of papal infallibility, but it's sure hard to have a meaningful policy debate when Ministers of the Crown are suppressing public information that is politically inconvenient.

    In the end, if Labour wants to make this election about credibility and character, so be it. Let's ask some hard questions about whether Dr Cullen has been entirely upfront about the true costs of the Toll buy-back. What does that coy reference to "significant reprioritisation" buried well inside his Budget speech really mean? If the cupboard is really bare, will Doctor Cullen come out and say that there will be NO policy announcements during the campaign itself with significant price-tags attached -- like the student loan policy last time out?

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

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Oh say... what rhymes with "merchant banker" then?

    Oh me! Pick me! I know this one. It's... ooh it's right on the tip of my tongue!

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Um, Don, it's not a "possible exception" that Cullen was ordered to release the Treasury costings of the student loans policy during the campaign. Statement of fact, and as far as I'm aware no Chief Ombudsman had taken that step before, and I hope will never need to again.

    Don was talking about policy. Labour were very clear on their policy at that time, they released it, including the detail.

    I would say that "possible exception" is quite accurate, as policy was fully released. Yes there was a problem with the treasury costings being held back, that's not policy though.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    The thing is Craig, you are talking further details about details. We are not even close to that stage with National. What was National's railway policy, before the buy back and after? Lessez faire, in both cases? Hardly informative.

    As I said, you are stretching into detail. And only because you can.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    ooh it's right on the tip of my tongue!

    Ewww

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

  • Paul Campbell,

    There once was a merchant banker
    His lack of policy cause rancour
    when finally released
    his taxes weren't least
    everyone thought him a

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    damn should be 'caused'

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    (and just to prove it can be done)

    Annoyed with the Socialist lickspittle
    the libertarianz said that it'll
    be a cold day in hell
    when in the house do they dwell
    'cos the rest of us don't care a whittle

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Bob Munro,

    Not gone, just working for Act. But I am still racked by guilt every night about what I did to him:

    I'm happy to wade into John Ansell as well. The example quoted in Russell's link to an upcoming ACT ad comparing spending on giant snails with not spending on herceptin is comparing apples with something not even remotely like a fruit.

    You do have to steel yourself when the people like the Russell Browns [Public Address blogger] attack you. You get used to it, but I didn't realise I'd get used to it quite so quickly. It really stung the first time."

    However, that is what Mr Ansell is aiming at - describing his job as "to make ads that make news, that are controversial enough that [the media] will not be able to avoid putting them in the news."
    He said right-wing parties internationally had difficulty portraying that they had "heart" - and his main job was to put heart into right-wing policies.

    The strategy showed in a presentation he made to Act's conference at the weekend, when he showed an ad depicting "the priorities of Labour."
    It said Labour could afford $25 million to save an endangered snail, but could not afford the same amount to fund Herceptin for women with breast cancer

    Spending on herceptin or not is a decision carefully made by tax payer funded PHARMAC by experts who weigh up the always competing demands of spending on drugs.

    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.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    I keep saying I wouldn't like to find myself in a lifeboat with Helen Clark,

    Helen is a survivor,
    Be it on mountain or plain,
    the like of which amongst leaders is seldom seen,
    by her side the valiant captain Mike
    a treasury of wit who is rarely sullen,
    together they face the foaming sea
    but try in vain to fathom the secret Key
    the key that claims to set us free
    alas it's not meant to be.
    the freedom that the people hanker
    will not be found with such a banker.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    <blockquote>The thing is Craig, you are talking further details about details.</blockquote>

    Don: I'm sorry, but one thing I'm going to have little patience with this campaign season is an uneven playing field where the goal posts never stop moving.

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

  • Steve Barnes,

    an uneven playing field where the goal posts never stop moving.

    I thought you'd stopped drinking. ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Don Christie,

    where the goal posts never stop moving.

    Heh, Craig. I dunno, but I think I speak for a few here who would apply that to the shifting sands that form some of the more interesting online discussions with you.

    I mean come on, we are talking about where the hell to find the substantial volume of policy one might expect from 9 friggin years in opposition verses some day to day minutia of parliamentary debate and operation. 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.

    an upcoming ACT ad comparing spending on giant snails with not spending on herceptin

    Oh well. At least we now know who is financing ACT this year.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report Reply

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