Posts by Richard Aston

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  • Speaker: It's meant to be hard,

    I would think it's likely more effective than not telling him ...

    Yeah fair enough but if that's all you do ...

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Speaker: It's meant to be hard,

    Now you're putting me on the spot : )
    There was plenty of boldness, vision and consequence to the Lange government. Perhaps, post-MMP, the boldness is more likely to be found on the fringe.

    I agree the Lange govt was right up there in the bravery stakes
    I think the The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 was fairly advanced thinking for its time ( quite aside from its demise soon after)
    Maybe Mickey Savidge ?
    I agree the boldness is often on the fringe but what is the magic that gets fringe ideas into the mainstream ? I don't think telling John Key what he needs to do will do it.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Speaker: It's meant to be hard,

    His example of the New Deal was a pretty good one, I thought.

    I agree David but it seems to me these are only moments in history - where governments or leaders act as visionaries , perhaps supported by fortunate circumstance or providence.
    Maybe I have become jaded but having met a few politicians I am not convinced they exist in a visionary environment or that visionary thinking even has a chance of staying alive in our political system.
    To ease my jaded soul can you think of courageous actions by governments in recent history approaching the arc of what "Slarty" is throwing out to us.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Speaker: It's meant to be hard,

    New Zealand punches above its weight in global affairs due to its environmental and ethical position ..., the fact that NZ is nuclear-free and generates nearly 80% of its electricity from renewables

    But can these noble attributes be attributed to courageous government policy?
    Our nuclear-free stance was people driven – finally championed by David Lange
    80% of our electricity from renewables – is our hydro dominated power system a result of government “green” policies or a legacy of pragmatic engineers?

    we are one of the few nations to genuinely accept the concepts of free trade.

    Again was this actually courageous government policy or the practical fact we are so small we had no choice, couple with the fact we have been a nation of traders for yonks.

    So forgive my frustration to have watched a new government which had been handed one of the greatest opportunities for radical change in the last decade fritter away the chance to genuinely deliver anything that will improve the position of this nation

    Frankly I don’t understand the obvious high expectations beneath your frustration with the current government’s lack of courage – why do you think this government is any different or the opportunity for change is any different to what was available to previous governments ?

    Your ideas are all wonderful and courageous, I am right behind your call for taking a bolder and uniquely NZ approach. I am just not sure how much radical change is actually driven by government or prime ministers.

    John Key is a team manager not a visionary.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Hard News: Of swine and cows,

    Re. the backmasking - thanks for posting Richard, I'd never felt like destoying my records enough to try and make them play backwards.

    I never realised Beelzebub was so into toolsheds that he wanted to lead us all down the garden path to one. I suppose it makes sense though, what with all the pitchforks and all. You've got to have somewhere to file them tidily away.

    Yeah well the devil's in the detial

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Hard News: Of swine and cows,

    Ah. It appears I did not know that because somebody did not want me to know.

    Remove the probe Russell ( its just behind your left ear) then you will know all they do not want you to know

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Hard News: Of swine and cows,

    Backmasking in music is fertile soil for conspiracy theories.
    Backmasking is simply playing a piece of music backwards to reveal ...hidden messages.
    The conspiracy part comes in when some say these were deliberately created to pass on subliminal messages.

    Here's the famous Stairway to Heaven revealed as containing - shock horror - Satanic messages. Hey our teachers always told us Rock was evil.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Hard News: Do these people even talk?,

    I think Morning Report is well past its due by date in its current format and interviewers, and needs a good shake up

    You could be right Tom but why don't Radio NZ have listener feedback on their site? The nat radio site has no interactive channel.
    If they did you could then express you dissatisfaction direct.
    I see Radio Live's site at least has a forum.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Hard News: Do these people even talk?,

    Sport at this level is entertainment and entertainment is big business - what is the problem with government seeding money into NZ business especially a fledgling business like Maori Television?
    To put it in context the Rugby Union’s 2008 annual report shows they have assets totaling 73 million – they make 11 million a year off investments alone.
    It’s a business!

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Hard News: The son that got away,

    What next? Jude Dobson in charge of Health restructuring?

    um... John Banks in charge of Super Auckland

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

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