Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Anatomy of a Shambles

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  • Andre Alessi,

    I put it to you, Andre, that the capability for dysfunctionality within corporations is the only reason they are at all tolerable. A truly efficient corporation would be terrifying to behold.

    As much as I can agree with the point you're making, I honestly don't believe that poorly managed corporations who manage to make life difficult for both customers and employees are all that much better than some kind of corporatistic dystopia. I mean, have you tried calling your bank or power company recently?

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

  • Petra,

    ...corporatistic dystopia. I mean, have you tried calling your bank or power company recently?

    Ahh, yes. The result of that 80's corporate mantra, "lean and mean". An awful corporate culture meme if there ever was one. Fuckers.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    A visual representation to cheer or annoy (depending on your situated perspective)

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    A visual representation to cheer or annoy (depending on your situated perspective)

    FFS, Trevor, don't you have any work to do?

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

  • Tom Semmens,

    Labour Day, 2010 style...

    Peter Jackson: "Build me a Hobbit House"

    Samuel Parnell: "I will do my best, but I must make this condition, Mr. Jackson, that on the job the hours shall only be eight for the day … There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which for men to do what little things they want for themselves. I am ready to start to-morrow morning at eight o’clock, but it must be on these terms or none at all."

    Peter Jackson: "How dare you question my genius! I'll get it made in England."

    Samuel Parnell: "My brother carpenters in England have agreed to not build a house for you until you agree to my conditions."

    Peter Jackson & British Builders Association: "Wah wah wah! This unrepresentative little working class socialist shit fresh off the boat from England is trying to tell us hard working Kiwi pioneers how to run our business! Look, there are 500 of my hard working Kiwi peasants rallying in our support! The government must change the law to make sure he has no rights except that which we grant him, or we shall shift all house production to America!"

    John Key: "Consider it done, and here is several million pounds for us upsetting you, you poor wee morsels!"

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    oh, nm. Not worth it.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    Trollshevism

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Presumably ACT have said yes. Wonder what Rodney wanted in exchange?

    I'd imagine he was very happy. Corporate tax cut, changes to employment laws going in the rightwards direction.

    Really - the left needs to take this one on the chin, and make sure it doesn't screw up this unbelievably badly again.

    I really don't get why things like this belong to 'the left', but the Act Party falling apart only belongs to them.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    From the TEU newsletter

    Govt saves Wānanga from going overseas

    After two days and nights of negotiations the Prime Minister John Key has convinced senior officials at the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa not to move its business offshore. The deal follows protests and public outcry that wānanga education was special to New Zealand and created much-needed skilled employment opportunities for thousands of kiwis.

    The Prime Minister told parliamentary correspondent Paki Taunuhia that demands by the Tertiary Education Union for workers be allowed to negotiate collectively for fair pay and conditions had undermined the viability not just of the wānanga but tertiary education throughout the country.

    The deal to save the wānanga will give it a special tax rebate, a discount for importing overseas students who would not otherwise have been able to study at the wānanga and the government has also agreed to pass a law removing employment rights from all union members and turning them into independent contractors.
    In a special tourism tie-in Wānanga students will be required to wear modified traditional Māori clothing and sing waiata at Auckland International Airport arrival gates.

    Mr Taunuhia says the country is lucky to have a Prime Minister with such acumen and business negotiation experience.
    "Who knows where the Wānanga might have gone if the Prime Minister had not intervened."

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • tim kong,

    Dear Tom,

    With respect, your analogous tale while dripping with sarcasm and a fair degree of erudite noddery to the history and heritage of the Labour movement, is only reflective of the pompous fluff that has been passed off as serious political debate over the last month.

    Would Helen Clark have been any less pragmatic in making a deal that keeps NZ workers employed and an industry afloat?

    Despite the certain belief that some might hold about ideological positions, some of us "scabs" and "poor wee morsels" out here in this New Zealand are actually willing and wanting to work. And are willing to negotiate our terms and conditions. And are willing to engage with our employers as civil human beings. And accept that there are risks and benefits. And get on with it.

    To return to your wee tale - what use would Mr Parnell's promise to work 8 hours be - if there was no work to be had. I'd wager that not much sleep, 8 hours or not would have been had if Mr Parnell had no work.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Trollshevism

    Genius.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    Petra, you appear to have missed my point.

    They were not anti-union rallies

    Indeed not. I would have worded that better if I'd had more than two minutes to write the post.

    But they were marching at least in part as a direct reaction to union actions.

    The countries that rate highest highest on "happiness" and "prosperity" and "great places to live" ranking thingies, are those that have a good, balanced mix of socialism and capitalism. Now why is that, I wonder

    Thankyou for the Mansplain. I find nothing there to disagree with.

    I am proud to call myself a "weak, soft socialist". But then I'm not a screaming left/right ideologue; one eyed and bitter. I'd like to think I'm more pragmatic than that. Besides, hardline ideologues tend to be too authoritarian for my tastes.

    You seem to be implying that I am a one-eyed bitter idealogue. Would you care to explain to me why?

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

  • Rich Lock,

    Screaming because your effete, atrophied, office-softened hands can no longer wield a shovel?

    Well, yeah, obviously. Not rich enough to be one of the Boss Class and buy my own serfs, but too office bound and downtrodden to have the powerful physique of the true working man.

    Guess I'm just one of those useful idiots I've been hearing so much about over the last few days.

    A frustrated political necrophiliac. The never-ending wonders that the interwebs throw up.

    And you don't think unleashing a zombie Michael Savage on the beehive would be a good thing?

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

  • DexterX,

    A zombie moive with Michael Savage visitng the beehive - would be "The house of the brian undead."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Could work into the Resident Evil franchise - their first one was set in "The Hive" after all. I don't think the "politician zombies" angle has been milked yet. Roger Douglas doesn't even need makeup or lines. And wouldn't Rodney Hide make a perfect Dr Evil?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    We will proceed as usual, in our parliamentary democracy. If that is unacceptable to you, I'm sorry. But that's how laws are passed.

    But excessive use of urgency *is* how this government operates.

    Some time ago, Idiot/Savant had a thorough comparison of not only the numbers but the types of laws passed under urgency by this lot and the ones before. Hopefully someone can link to it while I go back to the mines..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Trollshevism

    Genius +1

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    And you don't think unleashing a zombie Michael Savage on the beehive would be a good thing?

    While I hold Grannyman Savage to be the greatest Prime Minister this country has ever had, no amount of whiskey would induce me to disinter and dry-hump his dessicated carcass. Let the poor bugger rest in peace.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood,

    I can imagine the trailer:
    The Undead are rising, and this time it's going to be Savage.

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    & the porno offshoot "Dead Savage Humping".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    Savage Honeymoon ?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    Yes, Ross, I am a CL Clark. Tom was my dad.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    You seem to be implying that I am a one-eyed bitter idealogue. Would you care to explain to me why?

    It was the impression that I got from this post:

    So let's recap...

    But especially this bit:

    Wil you be celebrating with a few good old working class beers tonight? None of that champagne for you. No. That's for weak soft socialists like Russell Brown.
    What's that buzzing I hear? Oh yeah, it's Michael Joseph Savage spinniing in his grave.
    If anyone needs me, I'll be up at his memorial with a bottle of scotch, screaming at the wind.

    But perhaps I was being a bit hyperbolic in attributing fanaticism to your own hyperbole. *shrug*

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    Also, I had to look up mansplain. Yay! A new, cool word. :)

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

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