Posts by martinb

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  • Hard News: Last Words,

    I think Labour, being a broad organisation has some people that don't realise they have to earn every vote, and a lot of sincere capable hard working people who do.

    I think also that a Norman/Turei Greens party is a much easier sell to be a partner in government for the right of the Labour party than Tanzcos/Locke/Bradford etc.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Last Words, in reply to ,

    Yeh- I voted Green in 1999. I haven't since as I thought they should have been promoting the core green message of how beneficial being genuine not token with our environmentalism could be. Rather than a little bit of marijuana,anti- chicken hormones, anti-American imperialism etc and hooshed together, though each may have its merits.

    Now they are trying to mainstream Green politics I can't bring myself to trust Russell Norman. There was something saint-like about Donald and Fitzsimmons. I'm not yet convinced by the current crop there.

    Appearing on this thread is also the slight hint of tactical voting for Winston. Considering this. It is not a nice thought, but which other party can concievably have a real shot at preventing asset sales?

    Also 4 % of the non-Nat vote would be a lot to waste. I think the opposition will be stronger with Winston in it. There are some National cabinet ministers who really need an introduction to some firebrand opposition politics. The man can answer a question, even if he doesn't have an answer written out for him by Steve Joyce. but not sure that I'll be able to vote for him on the day.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Last Words, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I agree with you on the broadcasting policy- but respectfully disagree about the GST off fruit and veges. We are feeling the full force of the fast food advertising dollar. Any step in the right direction will help. Here's I/S view on NoRightTurn.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics,

    Wow.

    No mostly at the image of them throwing a live hand grenade onto a school bus. I don’t like the comment. Being a racist doesn’t make you a child killer and you have been defending the ACT party who have Dr Don as their leader.

    Peters representing a party of anti-Asian zenophobes (and as someone who has lived in an Asian country, can write in an Asian language, ok so very poorly but, and understands a little bit about the attitudes and history of some parts of Asia I can say that tolerance of foreigners isn’t what defines that part of the world.) isn’t that nice, but I don’t notice you getting all annoyed for example that Key chose 3 Maori political leaders to pick on as causing instability or that John Banks stereotyped Polynesians as porn-watching, benefit-bludging drug addicts IIRC.

    So racists is racists

    -and as we all know plenty in the family and acquaintances circle I’m sure doesn’t mean that they can’t hold any number of contradictory positions, find people personally pleasant and be contributors to society, even TV3 debate panels-

    I don’t mind them being called out, and in fact encourage it but I feel using the gratuitous mangled burnt corpses of children to do so a bit too much.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Well, wasn't he Foreign Minister during the Labour Government though?

    I know Maori party are claiming the same thing-'we're not in government', but if you're Foreign minister sitting around the cabinet table it's semantics surely? Important semantics maybe, but definitely part of the governing arrangement.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Quite – and really if I was forced to choose who to ask to hold a pinless hand grenade, I’d pick Turei and Norman in a heart murmur. Peters and Harawira would throw it in a school bus out of force of habit.

    Wow, that's quite a casual slander there. Are we still on PAS?

    Peters was in a shambles of a government with the Nats, who decided they needed an Alliance list mp to prop up their banana republic government, then for 6 years in a stable governing arrangement with Labour. No changes to his party during that 6 year period IIRC.

    Harawira has left a party whose members voted for Labour with their party vote because he couldn't stomach the coalition with National. He has one of NZ's most successful opposition MPs of recent times in Sue Bradford high on his list, who has suceeded in getting two private members bills passed.

    These records are not of particularly unstable behaviour. That's a fairly repugnant image you've chosen there Craig. And when you look at the record of Act over this government term, and you are defending them, I would suggest both Peters and Harawira's records are certainly better, even if you find their politics distasteful.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    That’s okay Craig. Listeners can simply check the online helpful policy guide that RNZ has made comparing each parties’ answers on policy.

    This leaves the morning show for topical events like the Prime Minister running away from questioning, and saying his principled stand against airing accidentally taped conversations is not for his own political gain or to prevent his embarrassment, but to help some hypothetical suicide victim.

    This surely is the kind of thing we want to know about the man who will be representing us in the room with the most experienced politicians from around the globe after the next election? Can he hold his nerve and not lose his composure under pressure?

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics,

    Geez I am seemingly to always be late to these things. And Russell seems to have said it better by quoting the man’s own words twice.

    So I can only re-link to this
    May have to get this printed off and put on my wall. The distracting colours will keep me docile if the Nats get in with a vote over 50%. Thanks Danyl.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: A week being a long time in politics, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10767255

    Key as he has for the past 3 years fronting for the tough interviews. More kids t-shirts to sign, then off for a round of mini golf probably. Working all hours of the day.

    @RB Snap I'm a day late, you've already got there.

    Paul Holmes, the man entrusted with interviewing our Prime Minister in his 'serious' interview on Q & A this weekend, has been writing week after week in this election campaign seemingly partisan columns in the Herald and with no disclosure of the fact that he helped the National party leader in 2005 with his media training.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Criminalising Journalism,

    I always wonder about Paul Holmes' columns in the Herald- they are just so nakedly partisan when you compare them with, say, Fran O'Sullivan. Why doesn't he declare that he helped to media train the National leader for the 2005 election?

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

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