Posts by Ian MacKay

  • Hard News: Dressing for the Road,

    On a wet day I find it quite hard to ride my bike with my umbrella up. The funny looks that I get must be because I wear my ordinary clothes and do not own a sweat band.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Key Questions,

    I hear warning bells every time Mr Key starts an answer to a tricky question with, "Now lets back up bit. Some time ago ...." He does this so well that the original question is lost.
    Mr Key's defenders say, "It was only a phone call for goodness sake. Move on."
    Mr Key's non-defenders say, "He lied and ducked and weaved to hide the answer to a simple question. He tried to cover up. A PM should not behave like this."

    And I wonder if Mr Robertson has more to come.
    And I wonder if The Speaker will change his practice given that origin of Mr Key's problems was the silly non-answer in Question Time.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: The Watching World,

    And there is no over arching body in the USA who would have the power to investigate the credibility of their voting system. In NZ every paper vote is checked in the weeks after the election and any of the rare anomalies are referred to the police.
    Perhaps our Electoral Commission could earn some pocket money by being consultants for USA Federal Government?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: The Watching World,

    Victoria Collier on Kim Hill describes the alarming control of the Republicans over the voting system. The privately held software is secret. There is no way of checking the credibility of results as opposed to our paper trail. When there is a close election as is said to be this time, then there is room to manipulate votes. Remember Florida and the 500 votes that won GW Bush President?
    http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/sat/sat-20121103-0810-victoria_collier_vote_rigging-048.mp3

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: The Advocate,

    The Minister of Education refused to submit herself for interview by Campbell...

    That seems to be the default settings for Ministers in this Government. Duck. Hide. Avoid. The PM is unable to find the time to front on National Radio or Campbell Live yet has time to appear on "friendly" programs. The often repeated comment that no one was available to respond is a bit ominous for Democracy.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Key: Concession Not Recession,

    "Prime minister John Key has returned from a flying visit to Los Angeles...."

    Strewth! He not only walks on water but can fly over thousands of miles? Wow.
    (Note: The word for "on" is almost identical with "by" and was lost in the translation just as "virgin" just meant back then "a good woman.")

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Legal Beagle: Kim Dotcom: all the fault…,

    Vindicated Rich of Observationz. Interesting stuff from you and Graeme to layman's eyes. (I would never make it as a lawyer!)

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Legal Beagle: Kim Dotcom vs. The Teapot Tapes,

    ".... the "public interest" requirement of the Solicitor General's prosecution guidelines has not been met."
    I wonder if the negating of the Erabus Inquiry was the result of pressure to preserve the Public Interest. And so it will be here perhaps to preserve or repair, the Good standing of our Security Service and that of the PM.
    Wonder if there will be public pressure/outrage if it becomes Sacha's, "Nothing to see here?"

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Legal Beagle: Kim Dotcom and the GCSB,

    "Ignorance Takes Us Nowhere," says John Key.
    So finding out is justified - as long as you don't get caught.

    If Mr Key did sign approval, then in spite of his claim that he had no Knowledge Dotcom before the raid, would be a bit shaky?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Fox News: I know, right?,

    And the lesson therein is that the Media can be a vehicle for Political Bul---Err ...Spin----err .... Honest Information. Thank goodness NZ MSM is squeaky clean.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

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