Maybe [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060665/quotes?qt0429616|Thomas?

whats w/ all the communists who wnt 2 paralyse ChCh cos they think a group hug is needed b4 & restoration decisons r made? #eqnz – idjits

I think that puts things in their proper perspective.

In fact Lewis, the bill would allow the Minister to set aside the sunset clause . .

Nope – s17 is protected. But Brownlee gets to be dictator till 2012, and change almost any law he feels like. Even if he won't, the mere fact that he can is intolerable?

So the Minister could order the election of Jim Anderton as Mayor of Christchurch to be nullified- and no one could do a thing about it

Yes – the Local Eelctoral Act is not protected from such Orders.

Nope – s17 is protected. But Brownlee gets to be dictator till 2012, and change almost any law he feels like. Even if he won't, the mere fact that he can is intolerable in a democratic society under the rule of law.

I got it wrong. But a perfect example?

Or possibly....

When sections 6 to 16 cease to applySections 6 to 16 cease to apply on the earlier of the following:

(a) a date specified by the Governor-General by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the responsible?

Having the power to change any law by Order in Council means they can just amend supply to continue forever (well, until April 2012, which is after their term expires), and the government?

(a)the Building Act 2004: Don't worry about the 66% of the building code needed in new buildings in Chch.

(b) the Cadastral Survey Act 2002: What? The land moved? Sorry, that bit is now mine Mine MINE!

(c) the Commerce Act 1986: Buy my car?

And the law passed unanimously. What are you going to do now, Graeme?

You seem to be of the view that the only parties contesting the party vote are currently in Parliament. This is an erroneous assumption. However, I will also check what concessions were obtained before the bill passed.?

And yes, I suppose you could always vote for the Worker's Party.

And the law passed unanimously. What are you going to do now, Graeme?

Can't speak for Graeme, but E-Day Plan B is always an option: Do the laundry, a grocery shop, change my library books then have a nice lunch. Perhaps a movie in the evening if there's anything good?

I read s.6(3) as?

It's a familiar story from history: emergency, unanimity, no scrutiny. You don't need to be paranoid about Gerry Brownlee's secret Idi Amin fantasies – it's all too easy for things to go wrong even if the decision-makers?

I am not confident that New Zealanders currently understand the rule of law or, in a crunch, would necessarily stand by it as a fundamental constitutional norm.

The other three constitutional norms?

Is s.6(3) really a privative clause that purports to exclude the courts from examining the lawfulness of an Order in Council?

No it isn't. The very existence of cl 7(5) implies that Parliament intends that the Orders-in-Council made under this legislation will be able to be held invalid for some?

Where have I heard something similar?

We ain't patriots huh?

You don't need to be paranoid about Gerry Brownlee's secret Idi Amin fantasies...

You clearly haven't seen this morning's order in council, or you would call him by his correct title – Field Marshal Gerry Brownlee, V.C.

More to the point this legislation is a direct demonstration – yet again?

Also, note that my promise began "If anything even remotely dodgy is done under this law...", I can also hope that nothing does.

You think you'll be allowed to vote in Gitmo, you terrorist troublemaker?

No, I don't. But you don't have to double Godwin yourself to think this is the worse possible occasion for Parliament to legislate in?

OK, do I believe for a moment that Jerry Brownlee and Trevor Mallard are in the Beehive basement with a can of petrol as we speak?

But "believe" is not a basis for good democracy. Especially when you have as supercilious fool as Gerry Brownlee in charge. I don't actually?

The sooner we bring in limits on the pay and tenure of our elected representatives the better.

I think the current limits on their tenure are called elections.

The immediate reactions about changing the crimes act etc, they're not the likely thing. Apart from anything else they'd be electoral suicide.?

But "believe" is not a basis for good democracy. Especially when you have as supercilious fool as Gerry Brownlee in charge.

Keep reading, Tom. :) I think I'd rather know our politicians can't be evil, instead of trusting they won't.

You clearly haven't seen this morning's order in council, or you would call him by his correct title – Field Marshal Gerry Brownlee, V.C.

Well, I certainly haven't seen it. What was it?

This is scarily reminiscent of Italy's use of emergencies to justify unconstitutional acts. In that context, this Bill seems not only Draconian, but Berlusconian.

The parallels between Italy and NZ's governments continue to disturb. Next Steven Joyce et al will be buying TVNZ.
The ACT "Super City" is a monument?

I think the current limits on their tenure are called elections.

Except with MMP's party lists it isn't. I would like to see as an essential MMP reform an absolute limit on how long you can serve in the house of representatives, maybe nine or twelve years. My view is?

So what we would need instead to address the problem you've identified is some direct way for voters to influence parties' list rankings.

One other reform I am of a mind to like is to change the currently derisory 500 member requirement to register as a political party to contest?

"Power comes from the barrel of a gun." – Chairman Mao.
"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." – Lord Acton.

Therefore, power and corruption come from the barrel of a gun.

In this day and age, absolute power comes from the barrel of?

The day after New Zealand's Parliament cheerfully abolished itself, the country's biggest newspaper* spoke out, with a thundering editorial on the design of America's Cup yachts.

Democracy under a tack?

(*unfreeze grandpa, he'll explain)

It will start with minor laws, the checks and balances types, such as the RMA. No need to actually fix those laws, lets just ignore them under emergency powers.

To be followed shortly afterwards by "Look, we've been ignoring the RMA in Canterbury with no problems. Based on that, we?

One solution suggests itself: make the party membership requirement proportional to the size of the party list. Thus, a party fielding only a handful of candidates would need only 500 members (as at present), while a party wanting to field 100 candidates would need 10000.

For what benefit? How does?

They really do believe you vote for a bill "to send a clear message of support to people trying to rebuild in Canterbury". Do the Greens really think that the people of Canterbury won't forgive them for voting against bad legislation? In short, do they think people are stupid?

You're?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWe07krS8_E

J'ai ton amour et je veux ton revenge, baby.

For what benefit? How does that give members any more control over party lists?

Exactly. The Greens have less than 10,000 members, yet have the most democratic list selection process (STV ranking by all members, subject to only minor tweaking for geographical/gender/ethnic balance).

If you don't like how parties behave,?

So, in the end, they'd tried everything they could, and were still facing a fait acompli. Since it is clear where they stood on the risks associated with the bill, I can see why they would want to adopt a stance of symbolically supporting the people of Canterbury.

Because by?

So, in the end, they'd tried everything they could, and were still facing a fait acompli. Since it is clear where they stood on the risks associated with the bill, I can see why they would want to adopt a stance of symbolically supporting the people of Canterbury.

And they?

I can see why they would want to adopt a stance of symbolically supporting the people of Canterbury.

Except it doesn't. Saying it does doesn't make it so. And as a person of Canterbury, I don't like being used like this.

"Look, we've been ignoring the RMA in Canterbury with no problems. Based on that, we don't anticipate any issues with removing it from the country as a whole."

Bingo.

And yes, you are being used, good folk of Canterbury. Yet you'll probably collectively vote this government back in, won't you.

If you don't like how parties behave, the real solution is to get involved. You really can't dictate their behavior by statute.

Civics education would help – rather than focusing on tweaking the internal constitutional arrangements, how about ensuring a broadly informed population who feel able to demand that the?

I can see why they would want to adopt a stance of symbolically supporting the people of Canterbury.

Symbolism is important, which is why it would have been important to symbolically support democracy, and send a signal that this is an appalling piece of legislation. Voting against it or abstaining?

Since it is clear where they stood on the risks associated with the bill, I can see why they would want to adopt a stance of symbolically supporting the people of Canterbury.

Mikaere: I don't want to pile onto the Greens here because, frankly, I think National and an MIA?

Oh good grief.

Zer irony! It burns ussss!

I had thought better of the Greens. My first thought was to not renew my overdue membership, but maybe I should try and work from within to vote out this rotten caucus and elect people with some spine.

I miss Sue and Nandor.

This year?s theme highlights the role of parliament in holding the Government to account. The House has several processes through which it performs this role:
question time, when members ask Ministers questions about their portfolios
thousands of questions are asked to?

What strange priorities New Zealanders have. We must be ever vigilant against attacks on the hotel mini-bar, but Ministers can help themselves to all the power they can handle.

However, the two sources report the story rather differently. The Herald quotes Chch city councillor Chrissie Williams?

Except it doesn't. Saying it does doesn't make it so. And as a person of Canterbury, I don't like being used like this.

You do get that this was a symbolic gesture, don't you ?

Look, I really do get what you are all saying about the law being shite,?

You do get that this was a symbolic gesture, don't you ?

I get that it's being presented as a symbolic gesture. Does that actually make it one? "We're going to give you a symbolic helping hand, please ignore its resemblance to a kick in the groin."

But as Craig?

I get that it's being presented as a symbolic gesture. Does that actually make it one? "We're going to give you a symbolic helping hand, please ignore its resemblance to a kick in the groin."

Indeed — and I'm not inclined to give Labour too much credit for generously insuring?

the politicians learned nothing from our "miracle".

Let's not forget these are a lot of the same tired fuckwits who brought you leaky buildings last time they sought to make life easier for the private sector (rather than insist they stand on their own feet without a helping hand from?

Well and good, but Russel says they opposed some useful Green amendments, too.

Indeed. And I am appalled by that.

I suppose Labour deserves some small credit for, apparently, requiring the term of the legislation to be reduced from a barely credible five years to two — but, otherwise: loyal Opposition? Hardly.

It's worse than that. Labour actually voted against most ammendments that could have introduced a semblance of democracy?

The way they have handled the Auckland Super City is all the evidence anyone should need that they dislike democracy intensely. There?

And now this stroke of the pen piece of shite? What's new?

POLITICAL JOTTING

Oh!, what a tangled web we weave
when first we practise to deceive!

And when the practise is perfected
we're just the boys to get elected

By the way, where can we find the vote record on bills?

Did any politician vote against this bill? Any at all ?

No.

Maybe they could get Millenium

My bad. Momentum Consulting!!

I was stunned by the breathtaking audacity of this bill , but I'm far more concerned that no one actually voted against it.

Have I missed something here ? Are there?

Did any politician vote against this bill? Any at all ?

In a bizarre way this is not unique. One remembers the US of A HoR fully supporting the Patriot Act. The same "headlight blinded eyes" were evident after 911 from the media where noone was game enough to stand?

The poor old Greens were in the same boat where if they did not vote for it, it would have been a bad look in Chch.

And yet somehow I'm not moved by their plight.

Oh! what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive!
But when you've practised for a while,
how vastly doth improve your style!

And yet somehow I'm not moved by their plight.

Me neither. A (for the most part) breathtakingly bad media environment is part of the landscape. There's nothing to be done about it, it's just something you work around and against.

If that means you think they'll pillory you for this,?

Mmmm. Could they not even have managed an abstention? I mean, generally I think abstentions are a big wuss-out, but very occasionally they're the better part of valour.

Yeah its somthing , how about just walking out of the house, or better take a lead from the Russians?

And where have the media been on this? It didn't even make the TV news tonight .

Bloody hell. I switched on to One about five minutes into the bulletin and assumed I'd missed it.

And where have the media been on this? It didn't even make the TV news tonight .

Politician says black is white, and all other politicians agree = No Story.

Politician says black is white, and some other politician jumps up and says "No, you fool, it's purple!" = Story.?

Richard Aston – it *could* be a Textor gameplan – but how do they get The Greens to play along?

umm.. . get Russel to wave a flag about , that was a great distraction last time he did it.
Oh forgive my cynicism but I can only hope that?

Bloody hell. I switched on to One about five minutes into the bulletin and assumed I'd missed it.

Sorry, it didn't fill the tits, arse, celebrity, crime, sport, or animal quotients. If Garrett had been caught naked together with Richie McCaw and humping a pig carcass, it would have been?

The way public issues are now played out in the media, with the emphasis on how people feel rather than on responses involving the critical engagement of the brain, has a lot to answer for.

Television news, in particular, seems to require everyone to respond like?

Could all detail of the case have been suppressed? Could he have entered an early guilty plea and been quietly dealt with?

There was little doubt Labour would support the bill. We all want to see a rapid reconstruction of Christchurch and wider Canterbury. That said, I voiced a sense of unease about legislation which provides sweeping powers to a?

We all want to see a rapid reconstruction of Christchurch and wider Canterbury.

While a rapid reconstruction would be nice what I really want is a well-considered reconstruction. After spending the last week and a bit hugely grateful for well constructed buildings and resilient infrastructure I want to see a?

The purpose clauses of the Act give some clue as to how this may play out..
They enable ?the relaxation or suspension of provisions in enactments that may divert resources away from the effort to efficiently respond to the?

Those of us in other parts?

Staggering.

Edit: have also looked for "Bill" instead of "Act".
Edit2: 4?

In a bizarre way this is not unique. One remembers the US of A HoR fully supporting the Patriot Act.

That may be what one remembers, but that is not what actually happened:

Passed the House on October 24, 2001 (Yeas: 357; Nays: 66)
Passed the Senate on October 25,?

Passed the House on October 24, 2001 (Yeas: 357; Nays: 66)
Passed the Senate on October 25, 2001 (Yeas: 98; Nays: 1)

I <3 Russ Feingold. That is all.

The clash between heritage imperatives and profitable development seems a reasonable fear.

Practically, I'm more worried about cowboy builders gouging desperate homeowners who then resort to the false economy of (potentially unsafe) DIY repairs — all without politically inconvenient cost or consequence.

Some commentators have been declaring that the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Bill has turned?

Yes, the media is just not interested in informing the people. If I knew nothing of this "Attack on Democracy" the TV News would have made me no wiser, all they were interested in was three strikes Garret.
As Simon said "The media seek fights, not truth." they see only?

Deeply, deeply disturbing.

Though, as usually happens, I expect The Standard to promptly restore the cosmic balance of cretinous partisanship. Karmically exquisite, but not pretty to watch.

Is he really trying to rehabilitate the concept of dictatorship? That is quite priceless.

It actually scares me that he thinks like that.

I can understand dictatorship only in very, very extreme circumstances, where basically turning the nation into an army is required. We're not there, not even close. We've?

Is he really trying to rehabilitate the concept of dictatorship? That is quite priceless.

I think the last time I recall someone doing that was Anakin Skywalker in one of the unmentionable Star Wars prequels. And we all know how that turned out.

Though, as usually happens, I expect The Standard to promptly restore the cosmic balance of cretinous partisanship.

Actually I thought their lead article is pretty good: Labour grassroots revolt against Quake Act betrayal.

Membership appalled, MPs out of touch. Looks a little like the feelings around here.

I normally only?

Actually I thought their lead article is pretty good: Labour grassroots revolt against Quake Act betrayal.

Got to give credit where credit's due — that was pretty good. But every time I feel like this about The Standard, someone – whether in the comments or a post – comes along?

Got to give credit where credit's due — that was pretty good. But every time I feel like this about The Standard, someone – whether in the comments or a post – comes along with the stupid stick and goes nuts.

It feels right to see [[http://blog.greens.org.nz/2010/09/14/earthquake-bill-passes/|Russel Norman's weak excuse?

Given that the site is normally filled with the sympathetic, that's a rare thing indeed.

Not at present. Lots of members and supporters, most of them expressing their outrage.

I think the last time I recall someone doing that was Anakin Skywalker in one of the unmentionable Star Wars prequels. And we all know how that turned out.

__"It's a clear desa Separatists made a pact witha desa Federation du Trade. Senators! Dellow felegates! In response to this direct?

...

We wanted to be clear that we do stand by the people of Canterbury and acknowledge the need to expedite some processes to facilitate recovery, while also strenuously disagreeing with the approach being taken and doing our very best to?

I totally get basis for the never-vote-Green-again dummy-spitting, but seriously, who are you going to vote for ? It was a hard choice, and maybe they made the wrong decision, but at least they are aware of it. Contrast that with Labour, National et al.

I suspect I'll probably still?

I totally get basis for the never-vote-Green-again dummy-spitting, but seriously, who are you going to vote for ?

Indeed. Even voting in the elections at all is usually a choice of the lesser of evils.

It was a hard choice, and maybe they made the wrong decision, but at least they are aware of it. Contrast that with Labour, National et al.

Oh, here's a freshly baked cookie I dropped in the toilet earlier. I totally understand my respect is a pretty base coin for?

(I will eat it out of the toilet, but only if you call it by its proper name, by Jove!)

It was a hard choice, and maybe they made the wrong decision, but at least they are aware of it. Contrast that with Labour, National et al.

This again comes back to expectations. We expect the Greens to follow their principles in important matters. The fact that they knew that?

What in the world is wrong with cookie?

Nothing, so long as you remember it's a sometimes food. I wonder if that's what Cookie Monster meant – the rest of the time he eats biscuits. They probably didn't have chocolate coated caramel, mint and fudge biscuits when he was a?

I'm still undecided on whether to renew my already-lapsed financial membership of the Greens. The only thing that stops me walking away is that they are (unlike all other NZ?

Nothing, so long as you remember it's a sometimes food. I wonder if that's what Cookie Monster meant

Hivemind!

Back on the subject of Canterbury's newly relaxed legal environment: the pushing begins...

Hivemind!

Sorry to mythbust, but this is just a case of me being able to read, rather than being the 100th monkey*

*and anyway, I still insist I'm an ape.

Oh for heaven's sake let's not start with the whole American/British English thing eh? What in the world is wrong with cookie?

Nothing, especially when I was alluding to an infamous stand-up routine by Chris Rock:

Niggas always want credit for some shit they supposed to do. A nigga will?

As long as I'm an ape, I'm happy, I can still travel business class. They don't let any old monkey in there.

Whereas it's pack animals for saddle class.

"Should have got Gerry to do it."
Will inevitably give rise to...
B1, what's with that?
B2, oh it's been Gerry-rigged.

And never mind the Gerry-mander.

And never mind the Gerry-mander.

nor the Gerry-maunder

(but do look out for another Maunder minimum )

And Gerry Brownlee has responded:

__"If they are worried about process then I think they should take themselves down to the people in Bexley, or Avonside or the other pockets of severe damage around?

http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/law-experts-criticise-quake-bill/5/65339

"I am strongly on the side of people whose lives have been dislocated, not the hand-wringing academics who frankly are contributing nothing to the recovery effort."

Could almost have been taken straight from today's Kiwiblog comments thread on the story (barring the lack of profanity).

What wiki says:
The history of the Jerrycan is notable because it was reverse engineered during World War II. The name of the jerrycan reveals its German origins (Jerry being a disparaging wartime name for Germany and Germans).[7]

This is the reverse engineering of?

Could almost have been taken straight from today's Kiwiblog comments thread on the story (barring the lack of profanity).

Oooh, wow. That gets quite odd, doesn't it?

Twenty-seven tyrants and generals speak out against the meddlesome legal profession

* although in German händeringend connotes desperation, not futile concern over?

Another still, small voice: The Law Society expresses concern over the Gerry-mandate (sorry, "wrings its hands").

How cute. They think the consequences are "unintended"

Magnificent post at Imperator Fish:

If you liked that, you may also like the secret diary of
Comte Gerry de Brownlee, duc d'Eglise de Christ

The Labour Party is concerned a bill to facilitate Rugby World Cup activities will give Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully too much power.

The Government Administration Committee has reported?

*'I' includes 12 like-thinking whanau members. I rather think this scenario?

Order of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_Fire_Decree

Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Bill

The major difference is that the earlier is a presidential decree & the latter was unanimously?

No mention of any outside involvment from the Mayor or Council, no clergy that I'm aware of. Not a word of any outside sanction.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/4181301/Return-to-work-soon-for-officer

Or was this the Running of the Goats?

How many cops have been killed in Christchurch?
None to my knowledge.

So why march to a war memorial?

The right of marching is given by the Mayor to military units as a ceremonial remeberance.

It all seems a little displaced emotion. I'm all for?

Seriously, police officers take the risks of their job quite seriously, so do their families. My mother used to sit up late watching old movies waiting for my dad to finish night shift. The worst thing would have been a knock on the door rather than?

The Police are entitled to march in any public place they so choose, at any time, without getting anyone's permission, so long as they meet the conditions?

if they want to match in memory of fallen comrades then that's their absolute bloody right and who the fuck are you to question it?

Just as they have a right,and you have a right, I think JT has a right also.
I also think

The right of marching is?

No mention of any outside involvment from the Mayor or Council, no clergy that I'm aware of. Not a word of any outside sanction . . . Or was this the Running of the Goats?

Police Parade Goat As Robbery Suspect

Police Parade Goat As Robbery Suspect

Goats are known for their lively and frisky behaviour, one just has to remember Billy the Kid...

"while one of them escaped, the other was about to be apprehended by the team when he turned his back on the?

...whether Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand was a New Zealander or not.

When assured by Mr?

What really surprised me was when he was talking to Key about polling of the supercity mayoralty suggesting Brown was clearly ahead of Banks..... and his questions?

Ritual & ceremony serve a valueble purpose but these things are not generally done in isolation. Weddings have priests or celebrants, so do funerals.

It was a war memorial they marched to. Like the 9/11 memorial on the cnr of Oxford, Kilmore & Madras St, it seems a very displaced emotion.?

Are the Police at War? If so, who with?

I'll mention that to the RSA next ANZAC Day.

Ian, you're assuming that Henry is actually human; I'm not entirely convinced.

And Paul Henry wasn't convinced that the Governor-General is a New Zealander – you two are made for each other!

Could it be Bobs lying again (he does say some clangers) & they don't want to be called on in insurance fraud cases??

or this?

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/quake-s-worst-hit-still-waiting-answers-3798620

Parker needs to be seen as a man of power and in charge, that means having knowledge. So he always has an answer and many of them are bold faced lies.

CTV have the Director of the Arts Centre choking as Mike Yardley relays?

the emergency powers given to the CCC CEO, why he's on holiday, and passed them onto the Acting CEO, who passed them onto the Councilors

link for that?

http://ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/newsmedia/mediareleases/2010/201010066.aspx

Demolition of unsafe buildings6 October 2010
The Christchurch City Council is issuing a?