Recent Blog Posts (RSS)
Hard News: Some cool stuff so you won't miss me 9:16AM on 21 Nov 08
OnPoint: There is no depression in New Zealand. Apparently. 1:40AM on 20 Nov 08
Field Theory: On Averages 1:39PM on 19 Nov 08
Up Front: And a Pony. A Sparkly One. 12:18PM on 19 Nov 08
Island Life: And some with a fountain pen 3:52PM on 17 Nov 08
View all posts on Public Address
Paul Campbell
From: Dunedin
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 575
Now we've got John Key
We don't know what he stands for
He's got a nice smile
Alastair Jamieson
From: Auckland
Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 34
An affront
to puppets everywhere
to merely call him wooden
(With apologies to Rolling Stone magazine
Paul Rowe
From: Waiheke Island
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 453
Who, me? Policy?
Did I mention tax cuts yet?
Forget the Nineties.
James Francis
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 57
Look at my background.
Said John, the man from Merrill’s
We shall sell. Trust me.
Robyn Gallagher
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 992
I just had a look at the original billboard. It reads "Say goodbye to higher taxes. Not your loved ones." That's two full-stops; two separate sentences that may not actually be related.
In fact, the second sentence "Not your loved ones" sounds like the wail of someone seeing their baby kidnapped by a pirate. "Not my baaaaby!!!!!"
It also literally sounds like "Knot your loved ones", but I don't want to think about tying up my gran.
Jordan Carter
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
I'm personally quite relieved that these are, actually, hopeless compared with what Ansell did last time. When I first saw them, the only branding that came to mind was, "TVNZOnDemand!!". Which probably isn't quite what National is looking for.
Paul Williams
From: Sydney
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 849
That's two full-stops; two separate sentences that may not actually be related.
And they're not.
I accept that the current levels of emmigration are worth worrying about but I'm just not convinced that they're entirely a factor of a single issue; personal tax rates. I'm having a discussion (of sorts) about this point at kiwiblog, including with Ansell, and frankly it's ridiculous that Key would promise to reduce emmigration simply by reducing personal taxes. It's almost enough to make me want him to be PM so that we can hold him to the promise!
Maxine Campbell
From: Hamilton
Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 5
A new billboard out today apparently:
Get youth into training, not into trouble
Hardly pithy. News of its release was elicited from Key by his good friend Paul Henry (who should probably register as a third party) on Breakfast tv this morning. Watch how easily Key rolls when pressed to reveal the "line". Strong leadership? Bite me.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_minisite_index_skin/news_breakfast_group /breakfast
Paul Williams
From: Sydney
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 849
Get youth into training, not into trouble
I can't view this link but if it's true, it's galling. The lies just don't stop!
Transitions and pathways into training and employment from school have been hugely improved by Labour compared with National. A series of initiatives were spectacularly successful, not least of all Modern Apprenticeships which surprised officials, providers and Industry Training Organisations alike with it's success and exceeded all the targets (and was almost entirely the idea of the Minister, Maharey). Similarly, funding and support for industry training has ballooned (quadrupled funding if not more) under Labour having stagnated under National.
I understand why, but National erred by letting English go from Education, he understood it well and was looking like he'd have a suite of alternative policies to offer.
Ansell might have gone from National's team, but his preference for sloganeering in preference to policy remains.
DeepRed
From: The southernmost capital city in the world
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 232
Paul - I totally agree. At the Welly Film Archive, I recently noticed a video clip of David Lange raising similar issues in the 1978 election. And I quote from a recent article by Chris Trotter:
How do you propose to silence our political consciences; close the wage-gap; cancel student debt; mend those broken hearts; curb our wanderlust; and end New Zealand's geographical isolation?
By cutting personal income tax? Give me a break! You could abolish income tax altogether and we'd still be paid less than the Aussies.
What's that? You're going to make the bosses pay their workers more?
Yeah, right.
I suspect what ties the above factors together is what Germaine Greer describes as suburban mediocrity.
Maxine Campbell
From: Hamilton
Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 5
Try this one. You'll need to scroll down to their "latest video" listings.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_minisite_index_skin/news_breakfast_group
Paul Williams
From: Sydney
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 849
I missed this piece by Trotter, I can't say I'm actively looking for his commentary at the moment however I agree with these statements.
I agree with Greer's summary of the Ramsey St ambition, though it's probably been updated since to be Fountain-Gate a la Kath and Kim. Interestingly, several commenters at kiwiblog responded to my questions about how Key'd do these things by saying he should bother providing the detail 'cause he doesn't need to - Ansell included! Their supporters clearly don't want to know, or worse; already know, but would rather we didn't.
Paul Williams
From: Sydney
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 849
Try this one. You'll need to scroll down to their "latest video" listings.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_minisite_index_skin/news_breakfast_group
Thanks - news of a policy! Good gracious. A promise to wave fees for, I think he said, 16 and 17 year olds in teriary study. It's a start I guess. Modest and largely replicates existing arrangements, but at least it's something that can be measured and assessed.
The rapport between Henry and Key is charming though innit? Henry's politics are well known so I guess no one expects him to be anything other than a sycophant.
James Francis
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 57
I'm personally quite relieved that these are, actually, hopeless compared with what Ansell did last time
John Ansell's not doing these. Does anybody know who is? I'm curious.
Idiot Savant
From: Palmerston North
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 760
This is classic Crosby-Textor - just compare them to the 2005 UK Conservative party billboards (defaced version here). Exploit and whip up fear, provide no answers.
Crime/parole will be next, then racism.
Sacha
From: Ak
Since: May 2008
Posts: 797
Did no one else notice the dog-whistle about family safety in that second line?
giovanni tiso
From: Wellington
Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 1072
Did no one else notice the dog-whistle about family safety in that second line?
Plus it's written in a graffiti scrawl. Apparently.
It also literally sounds like "Knot your loved ones"
Kinky.
Sacha
From: Ak
Since: May 2008
Posts: 797
"Knot your loved ones"
Well that oughta keep em safe..
Sacha
From: Ak
Since: May 2008
Posts: 797
The Nats even have tidy "graffiti scrawl", it would appear.
Matthew Littlewood
From: Christchuch
Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 79
Blue is an Ambitious colour, which
when mixed with yellow
gives you Green.
Please login to post a reply.