OnPoint by Keith Ng

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OnPoint: Election 2011: GO!

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    This is supposed to be the money spinner for the country in 2011, fucking pay the people working on it. Instead of exploiting their time and effort by using some imagined rub off of the feelgood effect.

    Well for starters, the RWC is going to lose many millions of dollars, and is being underwritten by the government. So more money to pay people will mean we lose more.

    Secondly, all major sporting events use volunteers like this for a number of roles. The recent Olympics had tens of thousands of them. Speaking as a frequent sporting event volunteer, people know what they're getting in return for volunteering, and it won't just be the t-shirt.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Danielle,

    Jack, no ‘Almost Blue’ in sad times! You will collapse in an inconsolable heap! ‘It’s almost touching, it will almost do.’ Argh.

    Yes, although strangely I find such music cathartic at low times. You’re just lucky I didn’t play 'Broken'. Even I’m not that stupid. No, really, I’m not.

    If we somehow recognize each other, I’ll see you at Sufjan Stevens. Well, I’ll know you’re enjoying it too, at least. ;-)

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    Speaking as a frequent sporting event volunteer, people know what they're getting in return for volunteering, and it won't just be the t-shirt.

    What I really don't get are volunteers who work in airports. They're a continuing source of bewilderment to me.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    What I really don’t get are volunteers who work in airports. They’re a continuing source of bewilderment to me.

    Airports spook me, full stop. But I’d imagine if you were a retired person of a certain temperament, it would be a damn sight more interesting way to meet people than hanging out on a park bench. And if you're a neurotic flyer, like me, a competent, friendly adult pointing you in the right direction is a sanity saver.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    What I really don't get are volunteers who work in airports.

    the glamour, innit

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    And if you're a neurotic flyer, like me, a competent, friendly adult pointing you in the right direction is a sanity saver.

    Yes but airports these days are massive money-making corporate entities. Surely they ought to EMPLOY competent and friendly adults.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Yes but airports these days are massive money-making corporate entities. Surely they ought to EMPLOY competent and friendly adults.

    Misguided altruism is everywhere.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Surely they ought to EMPLOY competent and friendly adults.

    I'd say that about a lot of commercial entities (yes, I am looking at a certain supermarket that uses The Walking Dead's pilot for staff training), but there you go and here we are. :)

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

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Surely they ought to EMPLOY competent and friendly adults.

    Much like our essential fire and ambulance services still rely on volunteers, and ad agencies and hair salons are propped up by wage-slave interns.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Well, no, I can see why somebody would want to volunteer for the fire service or an ambulance (*not* money making corporates) or do an internship that could be seen however wishfully to lead to an actual job. But in airports without volunteers those positions are actually staffed by employees.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    True. Little logic on show

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kracklite, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    They're competent and friendly if you properly follow the proper protocols.

    The Library of Babel • Since Nov 2007 • 982 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    I think some people do the volunteer thing for the uniform, some people just love a uniform, eh :-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kracklite,

    They're competent and friendly if you properly follow the proper protocols.

    Deserves a direct embed, that:

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    Well for starters, the RWC is going to lose many millions of dollars, and is being underwritten by the government. So more money to pay people will mean we lose more.

    The Big Owe, anyone?

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

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Sacha,

    Much like our essential fire and ambulance services still rely on volunteers

    Certainly for the fire service (much less so for ambulance, but don't get me started), the alternative is volunteers or nobody. The million dollars a year to run a permanently-staffed, single-appliance station doesn't magically appear. So when your community is too small to justify that kind of outlay (or even the few-hundred-thou for 0700-1700 Monday-Friday paid coverage), if you don't have volunteers you have to wait for the nearest centre that's big enough to have career staff to get a truck to you, which in the case of some parts of the country could be hours.

    The airports could operate without the hospitality volunteers, no question (and many do), but they'd probably start paying people to fill the roles were the volunteers to throw their toys.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    The Nats will win the 2011 by the power of HYPNOTOSIS, refer to the technique used in the following you tube clip - it is game over.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DU4TDGlbTz8#

    The most underhand thing in the history of politics is at hand.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    See Kyle

    Well for starters, the RWC is going to lose many millions of dollars, and is being underwritten by the government. So more money to pay people will mean we lose more.

    I dont find that very compelling reasoning.
    And who is this WE of which you speak? Is someone going to come and take my computer if the RWC loses more money?

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    you’re remarkably tin-eared and privileged about how imputations of effeminacy/homosexuality are used to keep men in their proper place.

    Dont know about privileged, I'll admit to tin-eared at times I dont know everything. Keeping someone in their "proper place" ME! If I ever do that you have my permission to bash my head against a wall and dont stop till you have bashed some sense into me.

    When you’ve done throwing yourself a pity party, Andin, I’d like to think you’d prove me right. Because you’re not that guy either.

    Sorry, just wanted a bit of attention. What can I say, I'm a man who felt aggrieved, wronged if you will.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to andin,

    And who is this WE of which you speak? Is someone going to come and take my computer if the RWC loses more money?

    Since a lot of it is public money, yes, sort of, indirectly. And if that basement flat of yours happens to be located in Dunedin, quite directly.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Who's been giving my money to rugby players is what I'd like to know. And I have migrated to sleeping in a garage.
    Dont ask!
    Has someone's been eavesdropping on Craig and mine's conversation?

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi, in reply to andin,

    I like how one of the commenters defends Key by saying, "Well, at least he's not as bad as Berlusconi!"

    I'm so grateful to live in a country with such low expectations of its elected officials.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Andre Alessi,

    You jest, but a staunch Labourite friend of mine pontificated on Facebook that the Hurley comments made Key worse than Berlusconi. Oddly, he neglected to pursue that line of argument further after Goff repeated those comments...

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    OK, first time since Friday arvo I've been able to catch up with this thread - been offline all w/e.

    Recordari - It was not my intention to make you feel like an idiot. I do sincerely apologise for that. My participation in this discussion is at least in part motivated by a genuine desire to understand peoples reasons and motivations for doing what they do. I will try to moderate my tone.

    We have had some decent exchanges in the past, and you are actually close to the top of a shortlist of PASers I'd like to meet in real life, for what that's worth

    So, apologies again. And, um, friends?

    As an aside, I have recently updated my profile to include an e-mail address. Anyone who wants to throw brickbats my way ex-discussion can now do so.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Rich Lock,

    you are actually close to the top of a shortlist of PASers I'd like to meet in real life, for what that's worth

    +1

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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