Does this really, as a number of commentators have been keen to suggest, undermine the key messages of the campaign?

No it doesn't, but (IMO) it sure undermines the credibility of certain parties and media folks who want to pontificate on the subject of family violence in future.

And am?

This family needs help & I'm a little unhappy CYF are seen as kiddy police and not social workers who are positioned to help her with a few anger issues described as "heat of the moment". Aren't they a support agency?

The article shows?

Never let the facts get in the way

We don't know the facts. But don't let that stop your nicely paragraphed little wrap-up of events.

I was out at The Checks the night before. They were great — and I actually think Sven is one of the better guitarists I've ever heard.

Faaaaaaack the Checks were choice. I had such a bloody good time that it wiped me out till Saturday afternoon. And when I?

And he's been 'humiliated'? So he should be – but let's also remember what's NOT happened. He's probably going to be demoted, not removed from Cabinet, let thrown out of Parliament. He's not going to face any criminal charges ...

Well, Tau could always choose to lay a complaint of?

I think there are few people who would be able to restrain themselves from some sort of physical reaction if someone grabbed them by the tie.

Going to call theatre on that, Lucy – because I think a certain degree of scepticism is in order about the sources of "most?

Faaaaaaack the Checks were choice. I had such a bloody good time that it wiped me out till Saturday afternoon. And when I came to write about it, it was the first time that I had the "dancing about architecture" problem with writing about music: words were not enough?

Going to call theatre on that, Lucy – because I think a certain degree of scepticism is in order about the sources of "most accounts".

Oh, alright then: "Eyewitness accounts related to Dominion Post reporters." Given that you weren't there and didn't speak to witnesses, it seems a bit harsh?

but this is either hysteria or cynical politicking.

I don't think this is cynical, and I find that more troubling. We've all gone down a rather long and often fraught road with Treaty issues. Now we have talk of separatism. I can't see that helping much. And the Maori Party?

Well, Tau could always choose to lay a complaint of assault and take his chances. It doesn't look to me like something that should be cluttering up the courts.

Agree with you on the last part – but it would be a matter for the Privileges Committee. After all, if?

Turns out, it's available here, at Kiwi Concerts.

Damn that's a good link. I'm going to have to restrain myself until I get home and on my own internet coin now.

Henare was a plonker. Mallard was an even bigger plonker.

I'm going to return to my belief that we'd?

My point, not well made, is that I've seen enough fights where?

"Mother reported for smacking child's hand"

I feel the need to go gloat at Family First and other pro-smacking campaigners. Having argued about 20 times earlier this year that the following would happen:

1. Parent smacks child.
2. Person complains about parent smacking child.
3. Police investigate.
4. Police decide?

Turns out, it's available here, at Kiwi Concerts.

Damn that's a good link. I'm going to have to restrain myself until I get home and on my own internet coin now.

But isn't being a Public Address reader all about the boss's bandwidth?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/16/newsid_4098000/4098929.stm

The interviewer appeared to be asking radical questions to prompt radical responses, and I actually thought Kruger was?

I'd wager that a significant proportion of the population think more of Mallard now than they did before.

That's because I'll wager a fair slice of the population has felt (and suppressed) the urge, at some time or another, to smack a politician upside the head.

I'm amazed that some people are treating that so lightly, or are willing to play it?

But yes, the interview was inadequate. We were shouting at the TV for Sinclair to ask a question like "What exactly are Tuhoe's?

In the bit you quote in your original post Kruger referred to?

The report I saw on TV news said Mallard punched Henare three times and had to be pulled off him when he had Henare on the ground and was choking him. (If memory serves.)

TVNZ said Mallard punched him three times, and TV3 said Henare retaliated by grabbing Mallard by?

The irony is that Kruger's a joiner: he's on the BOP district health board and has done some great work in education and on reports commissioned by MAF. I really wonder what he was thinking.

I don't know if it's that ironic – the world is full of talented and?

but I didn't come away feeling any the wiser. Then again, I don't think anyone was supposed to.

That's Sunday for you ...

Anyway, one 'physical reaction' to someone getting in your face like that (assuming the allegation is true) is to detach yourself and walk away, not stage a confrontation.

Possibly a bit difficult if one is being grabbed by the tie. Unless Mallard had one of those detachable ties, and I?

Sainsbury tried a question along the lines of: "If I punched someone in my workplace I'd be in a lot more trouble..." to which Peters replied, in an instant,?

On a different note, and with Movember coming up, I thought I'd pass on Mrs_Red's reaction to Sainsbury's moustachioed visage every time it appears on our TV: "aaahhh, the walrus! turn it off! turn it off!" Thankfully we don't watch TV One much.

I find just about everything about Winston?

Sainsbury tried a question along the lines of: "If I punched someone in my workplace I'd be in a lot more trouble..." to which Peters replied, in an instant, "Rubbish. The former CEO of TVNZ threw punches and was promoted to the top job..." (or words to that effect).

Sainsbury?

At some point during the last week Mark Sainsbury had Winston Peters on to talk about the duel between "los morons".

Winston Peters? Didn't he, y'know, have a bit of a biff himself? Not exactly a stop violence meeting was it.

I'm sure Bill Ralston would be terribly amused to find he'd ever made it that far up the greasy pole – and would like the pay arrears deposited to his secret Swiss bank account.

Good point – I'm trying to recall the general course of the interview, and can't vouch?

It may be that a lot of Tuhoe and others have no respect for the law. That's an attitude, not?

I'd wager that a significant proportion of the population think more of Mallard now than they did before. Admittedly he is starting from a low base. I always thought Mallard was a muppet, but now I sorta feel bad for the guy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/16/newsid_4098000/4098929.stm

I was living in the UK when?

And he's been 'humiliated'? So he should be – but let's also remember what's NOT happened. He's probably going to be demoted, not removed from Cabinet, let thrown out of Parliament. He's not going to face any criminal charges ...

Well, Tau could always choose to lay a complaint?

frolic in Trevor and Winston's salacious panty-sniffing sewer

Craig, WTF?

I'm one of these prissy PC old maids {(c) Winston Peters} who takes exception to people's private lives and families being used as offensive weapons in Parliament and the media. And IMO it's not over the top to compare that kind of sewer rat to the kind of pervert?

to compare that kind of sewer rat to the kind of pervert who gets off on other people's underwear

Unless you mean, people who have not received permission to do same?

I don't think its necessarily perverted to get off on other people's underwear...

No, but when you wake up grossly hung over, unsure where you are, why you're there, what you did the night before, or why you've got a stranger's jockstrap on your head (and upon further investigation, discover?

You say tomato, I say.. uh.. tomato ;-)

Meh... I say any day when you can remember what you did the night before without cringing, is pure gravy. ;)

I agree RB, and if my wife makes one more drunken announcement about my tiny penis at the next street BBQ I hope the Police won't be called either if I pop her one on the mouth. I was provoked.

Careful you don't wind up trivialising family violence there ...?

Craig, WTF?

Uh, yeah, what Stephen said.

I agree that what Henare said was not fair or in any way justifiable. And my point is that Mallard could have played the "unjustifiable, inexcuseable, blah blah blah" card himself and won himself a bit of sympathy in the same quarter you?

Maybe the current TV campaign script should be amended:
Because it's not right. Unless you're on rival teams (sports or politics) in which case a bit of biffo is to be expected. It's the Kiwi Way.

And furthermore, if you pay attention to the campaign, rather than simply trying to?

I'm unhappy with Clark trying to spin the Mallard incident with the "lady's honour" thing. I wish she'd just left it with what he said: it was wrong to hit someone, no matter what.

And I was half-hoping that some reporter would ask: "so Mallard was defending a woman's integrity,?

Well that's a POV, and thanks for putting it forward without the distubing level of peacock machismo flowing from some quarters. But – and I guess this sounds rather pompous – it just seems to me that if you've got to get down to Trev's level you've already lost?

Careful you don't wind up trivialising family violence there ...

I certainly wouldn't dream of trivialising family violence – it's awful and I've been lucky there's been none of it in my family.

But your reply is kinda my point. No-one would dream of trivialising family violence and yet there is?

Maybe the current TV campaign script should be amended:
Because it's not right. Unless you're on rival teams (sports or politics) in which case a bit of biffo is to be expected. It's the Kiwi Way.

And furthermore, if you pay attention to the campaign, rather than simply trying to?

Winston Peters? Didn't he, y'know, have a bit of a biff himself? Not exactly a stop violence meeting was it.

He did, sometime in the late '90s, between himself and the newly -re-elected mayor of Auckland. Basically they were both out in the lobby, words were exchangedc and Peters shoved?

I firmly believe that personal life and whanau are completely off limits.

then you might not want to be standing for parliament
becuase it happens most every day in the house

]]> Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:43:29 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32300#post32300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32300#post32300 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:46:02 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32301#post32301 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32301#post32301

then you might not want to be standing for parliament
becuase it happens most every day in the house

Sue, I plan to be standing as a Green. I would be obliged if you would descry a personal life / whanau attack by a Green MP either in the House?

then you might not want to be standing for parliament
becuase it happens most every day in the house

And if people of good will on all sides of the political spectrum aren't going to say "not in my name, you don't" where does it stop? Russell's cryogenically frozen head?

I firmly believe that personal life and whanau are completely off limits. So I can understand Mallard's reaction to Henare's baiting

Er, this is the same Trevor Mallard who baited Don Brash in the House ad nauseum about Don's marital woes???

__(FYI this is why I think Mallard is a hypocrite.?

There's clearly a gender bias in what constitutes assault.

Well, yes. But I don't think there's a gender bias in the police or in the courts much more than there is in society. I'm sure there's a bunch of social groups around where if you bash a woman you'd be?

Er, this is the same Trevor Mallard who baited Don Brash in the House ad nauseum about Don's marital woes???

Somehow I'm trying to find a way for Tau Henare getting the wrong woman to make a difference in this thing, either way. I can't find it though.

Maybe it?

Somehow I'm trying to find a way for Tau Henare getting the wrong woman to make a difference in this thing, either way. I can't find it though.

How about ... you can't defend the honour of a non-existent woman, so the PM's recent explanation holds even less water?

How about ... you can't defend the honour of a non-existent woman, so the PM's recent explanation holds even less water?

Or the PM's spin holds no water at all if she's alluding to the woman who secured this grovelling retraction and apology from a Sunday newspaper that has [[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=41&objectid=10433150|a track?

Er, this is the same Trevor Mallard who baited Don Brash in the House ad nauseum about Don's marital woes???

Are you saying he's lost all right of reply when his personal life is being (from his perspective, unfairly) smeared across the House ?

Didn't watch the telly tonight – can anyone confirm the Bomber & a 16yr old stripper story & that he was the one pissed at Alt TV for the racist txt?

I think what you quoted there was the fake Bomber who's been posting to various forums. As if the guy doesn't?

Peters couldn't?

Also, I recall Henare himself at one point describing the blow he received as "a tap on the jaw" rather than "a closed fist to the head."

I?

Have you seen the National front benches lately?

Yes, but not being the government, they aren't called on to do anything other than spout bullshit.

Yes, but not being the government, they aren't called on to do anything other than spout bullshit.

No wonder the likes of Ryall and Collins are so highly placed. :-)

I wish the PM would stop adding oxygen to the faux flames too.

Well, more to the point, I wish the PM would have a good hard think about the notion that abusers flourish when they're surrounded by people who are either in total denial or active enablers. While (IMO)?

Er, this is the same Trevor Mallard who baited Don Brash in the House ad nauseum about Don's marital woes???

Are you saying he's lost all right of reply when his personal life is being (from his perspective, unfairly) smeared across the House?

In a nutshell: yes.

Also, I?

How about ... you can't defend the honour of a non-existent woman, so the PM's recent explanation holds even less water?

Yeah I guess so. Except I thought Sharon was a real person, but just not having an affair with Mallard?

Or why wasn't his response in the house... "Haha?

Are you saying he's lost all right of reply when his personal life is being (from his perspective, unfairly) smeared across the House?

In a nutshell: yes.

The logical conclusion of your perspective is that as soon as an MP smears the personal life of another MP, then the first?

If I got into a fight with a 13 year old male, you could bet, all other things being equal, I'd be the one the police would be coming down on for not acting my age.

Unless he was staring at your girlfriend's tits so you slapped him in the?

Unless he was staring at your girlfriend's tits so you slapped him in the face.

Yes well. Having lots of money to pay a good lawyer probably helps too ;)

Er, this is the same Trevor Mallard who baited Don Brash in the House ad nauseum about Don's marital woes???

After National MPs had implied David Benson-Pope was a kiddie-fiddler?

That's the problem with starting down the path of dragging out this kind of stuff. Once you start, it's very?

I almost yearn for the good old days of Jackie Dean?

the logical conclusion of your perspective is that as soon as an MP smears the personal life of another MP, then the first MP has to now STFU while all and sundry have carte blanche to make any kind of salacious insinuation, including inaccurate or patently false ones...

Have you?

Don't be calling my wife that. She prefers the title 'team leader'.

I'd respectully suggest most of us wouldn't get off quite so lightly if we got into a fistfight in the workplace.

I think that one depends?

After National MPs had implied David Benson-Pope was a kiddie-fiddler?

Oh come on, rodgerd, Mallard's been a good little attack dog – and amply praised and rewarded for being so – long before Benson-Pope or Judith Collins even entered Parliament. The one grain of sympathy I feel for the man?

Tariana Turia and Sue Bradford are joining my personal idiot list of Maurice Williamson and Roger Kerr.

Where did Sue Bradford come into it? I wasn't aware she'd made any statement on it.

Surely, Mallard's built networks over the years that could help him find a career where his 'anger' isn't encouraged and rewarded until it's politically inconvenient.

You know, you might just be right. I can imagine him being the popular and effective head of a sports foundation or something.

Where did Sue Bradford come into it? I wasn't aware she'd made any statement on it.

She hasn't to my knowledge, to be fair, I was trying to get a left/right and gender balance for my list... :) Feel free to disregard.

She hasn't to my knowledge, to be fair, I was trying to get a left/right and gender balance for my list... :) Feel free to disregard.

Ah, an equal opportunity idiot list. How very PC, while also not.

Trev may be an easy target but I think its easy to lose perspective amongst the breathless and holier than thou tone taken during such discussions.

Weston:
Members of my extended family killed by napalm: Nil.

Members of my extended family killed by molotov cocktail: Nil.

Members of my extended?

However, I would say that not all violence is equal and that blame is contextual. Trev has not made a career?

And whatever elase Henare may have done – he has accepted the?

And whatever elase Henare may have done – he has accepted the apology, said that's the end of it, and has made no further complaint.

Although he has pointedly refused to apologise for his own conduct ...

let alone Clark and Peters' apparent line that if you have any questions about these so-called terror-raids you're some terrorist-cuddling May-owri radical who wants to turn New Zealand into a racist hellhole.

Sorry, I missed the report where Clark said that. In fact, she said nothing of the kind.

Especially?

But seriously Craig: do you really believe the Maori Party's written claim that the police operation is a conscious attack directed by the Labour government against all Maori? Don't you find that even a little bit crazy?

I think it's pretty far out there, and I'm not aware of any?

But seriously Craig: do you really believe the Maori Party's written claim that the police operation is an attack directed by the Labour government against all Maori? Don't you find that even a little bit crazy?

No I don't – it's extremely crazy, but I don't think Clark's own comments?

I had to chuckle at the interview with Tariana (presumably recorded last week, before the AGM) on Mana News yesterday, in which she explained that her party only had an 1100-vote majority to overhaul to roll Parekura Horomia and claim an additional seat.

I remain of the view that that's?

M?ori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia has reiterated the need for cool heads to prevail over the police raids, saying he?s disappointed with the irresponsible statements being made by some politicians.

Mr Horomia said he was annoyed the?

some of his words to me are the closest to racism that I have experienced

About whom: white people, Argentinians, other Maori, Islanders, Chinese, all of the above?

It was reported by precisely no one ...

Yes it was. I distinctly remembering running a line from his office before he went into Monday's cabinet meeting and then interviewing him immediately afterwards.

But basically he passed the feeling that everyone else besides him was inferior and non-deserving of being here.

It was reported by precisely no one ...

Yes it was. I distinctly remembering running a line from his office before he went into Monday's cabinet meeting and then interviewing him immediately afterwards.

Fair enough, my apologies. I did a Google News search and couldn't find anything.

But basically he passed the feeling that everyone else besides him was inferior and non-deserving of being here.

He came on Off the Wire a couple of times and took it way too seriously.

The points scoring in the show was basically a laugh, but the second time he kept?

He came on Off the Wire a couple of times and took it way too seriously.

Believe it or not, he's lightened up and chilled out a lot – though I've got to say being around Winston or his cult-like party for any length of time would turn a saint?

(from page 3):

I predict she'll 'sin bin' him by taking his beloved RWC and Sports Portfolios off him

Not so sure 'bout Clayton Cosgrove as the Sub, but that could just be my hair bias.

Does anyone have the inside story about Mark Burton?

Performed very poorly, took the hint and "stepped down" is probably the extent of it.

Not so sure 'bout Clayton Cosgrove as the Sub, but that could just be my hair bias.

I'm more inclined to wonder about whether he's really the right man for Immigration.

Performed very poorly, took the hint and "stepped down" is probably the extent of it.

Was kinda sorta not surprised by any of the names, really. The really interesting one to watch will be Shane Jones – know I'm in the minority on this, but IMO he's been over-hyped and?

Two phrases come to mind:

Deck chairs on the Titanic and Card Sharp.

Interestingly one of the techniques used by Card Sharps is called 'culling' – manipulating desired cards to the top or bottom of the deck (according to Wikipedia).

There ought to have been a cull of the?

A likeable enough chap though, and as a Taffy Dally Hori having a foot in several racial camps keeps him striving for balance.?

But as you say, Craig, the sort of personality I believe they call "unconflicted" or "untroubled by self-doubt".

That's diplomatically put. :) A really interesting aspect of political psychology is watching people make the transition – or not – from being very big fish in their respective ponds to runts?

Rodney Hide's crusade against Mallard,

Was Rodders this insenced when a certain future National deputy leader was beating up pensioners?

Official version: he made a decision some months ago to concentrate on holding his seat at the next election. (Taupo is very marginal under the recent boundary changes)

Unofficial version – got the boot due to a poor performance in his justice portfolio and for making a?

Was Rodders this insenced when a certain future National deputy leader was beating up pensioners?

Oh, you mean the future National deputy leader who (if my memory serves) was charged – and convicted of – assault, and has had his nose rubbed in it at every opportunity since? I'd also?

make up your own minds as to which version you want to believe

I could believe both and this:
1) Someone took a sideways glance at Benson-Pope and decided that death with dignity is infinitely preferable to being gutted in public. She needs Mallard; Burton, not so much.

Oh, you mean the future National deputy leader who (if my memory serves) was charged – and convicted of – assault

Whoops, to be pedantic, I'm not sure that a private prosecution involves charges being laid. But anyway, here's the Herald report which doesn't seem to back up the delicious picture?

Now let me make it clear I don't like Mallard, bad mouthing ,sports mad?

But I do like the way he took ownership of what happened, no whinning, no excuses, no buts

Certainly – and I really, really hope the counseling works for him, because I wouldn't fancy his chances of taking Kim Hill in a fair fight. :)

IMHO not at all.............knows f**k all about elite sport and has done nothing for the rest. No lack of killer instinct in our Trev tho'

Mr Brownlee said: "I have found the last few days to be humbling, but I accept the judgment. We will not be taking it further. There will be no appeal."

I have never understood these sorts of statements about humility.

I have never understood these sorts of statements about humility.

Indeed. In Three's pretty soft piece on the reshuffle last night, even Clayton Cosgrove's Tourette-like reminders of how 'humble' he was drew some (gentle) urine extraction.

To be fair, though, Frederick McElrea's judgment would have humbled anyone who wasn't in?

"If Mallard had been formally charged and treated as a civilian, (hypothetically speaking) He would have been taken to the station, had his prints taken, mug shot and bailed after entering no plea in the wellington?

Unofficial version – got the boot due to a poor performance in his justice portfolio and for making a pigs ear of handling the Electoral Finance Bill once it was released.

I had read somewhere that Burton had been "underperforming" in his portfolio. He came across well on TV (ie,?

What I would like a journo to ask is the following question of Mr Key:

"Have you discussed the incident with the National MP?

If Key is going to continue to go on and on about how Helen handled Trev's actions then he should be opening himself up to some scrutiny about how he is handling Henare.

I'd agree up to a point; but would also say that Key's not the one banging on?

Graham McCready, who is facing more than 40 tax-related charges and is due to go to trial next month, lodged the court documents yesterday after police said they would not investigate his complaint.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4257199a11.html

Why didn't you chivalrous concern for the 'honour' of women subject to offensive and inaccurate insinuation extend as quickly – and vigourously – to [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=178407|Mary English, Rosemary Bradford and Cathy O'Malley?

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:20:32 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32665#post32665 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32665#post32665 Finally, while we're exploring political hypocrisy around the Mallard affair, I'd like a journo to ask Miss Clark this question:

Why didn't you chivalrous concern for the 'honour' of women subject to offensive and inaccurate insinuation extend as quickly – and vigorously – to [[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=178407|Mary English, Rosemary Bradford and Cathy O'Malley?

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:27:33 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32670#post32670 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32670#post32670 I suspect Mallard would have been up for more severe punishment if there wasn't a tacit agreement from all sides that Henare was asking for it.

No, I'm not defending Mallard for a second. But there is such a thing as rough justice.

And on Mr McCready....he looks the lead?

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:32:24 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32672#post32672 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32672#post32672 BREAKING NEWS!! (from NZ Herald)
Official confirmation NO charges will be laid following punch-up!

So I guess we can all STFU now? It's over ...

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:40:44 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32673#post32673 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32673#post32673 Oh Craig, don't start me on Clark's ridiculous "defending the honour of a woman" argument. Given her normally reasonably feminist stance I was surprised she could get those words out of her mouth in that order when she wasn't making a joke or being sarky.

Thanks for the update on?

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:45:55 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32674#post32674 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32674#post32674

I suspect Mallard would have been up for more severe punishment if there wasn't a tacit agreement from all sides that Henare was asking for it...
...No, I'm not defending Mallard for a second

Thats a fairly impressive bit of doublethink there Rob. "Im not defending what Mallard did, but?

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:56:37 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32676#post32676 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32676#post32676 Not double think at all, Andy.

I just wasn't taking a puristic legal approach.

And if you think I'd go out of my way to defend Mallard, well, I think you'd find anyone who knows me would find the idea rather funny.

]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:04:46 +1300 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32677#post32677 http://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-moron-y-moron/?p=32677#post32677

Thats a fairly impressive bit of doublethink there Rob. "Im not defending what Mallard did, but Henare was SOOO asking for a smack in the chops".

Hum... and here's something else to consider: If you're a slightly misanthropic curmudgeon with a short (but longer than it used to be) fuse,?

Oh, and I'm afraid it's not over: Henare speaks

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0711/S00014.htm

A strange statement. He could just say "That's not what happened". But he doesn't.

A strange statement. He could just say "That's not what happened". But he doesn't.

Listening to her on Morning Report she went a bit further than saying Henare initiated the punch-up by 'grabbing his tie'. I think Henare's statement wasn't 'strange' but (wisely) very carefully phrased. Think it might be?

Don't they have any real work to do in parliament?
Ahem.......

I will be contributing hippy humus and pita bread.

On the issue of Henare's interesting proclamation that Mallard has been given a "portfolio promotion":

Mallard was no 7 in the Cabinet rankings (front bench) and is now no 10 (second bench). The portfolios Mallard has picked up?

Jackie, I have similar hopes of Carter. Mallard had a real affinity for ECE (or as close as we've ever got anyway), partly as a result of some strong ECE advocates who had influenced him earlier?

Sorry InternationalObserver, I don't get the joke there, maybe I'm a bit dense tonight?

Me either...

So it's dubious for National to claim that the new portfolios are promotions (with the highly arguable exception of Environment) when they value them so lowly in their own caucus.

Margaret, I think the real question is what value Clark places on them – and if those portfolios are trivial,?

and not an elected member of Parliament – he was whipped in Te Atatu running under the National colours (he entered Parliament tagging for NZ First).

Balls, David. I didn't vote for MMP (and still prefer STV), but was definitely was on the losing end of that vote, but really?

But Chris Carter? He'll do us, thanks very much.

Yes, a primary teacher I was talking to yesterday is positively excited about his appointment.

He was the victim. He's humiliated. 'Oops there goes my mana.'

As I understand it, Mana is more than that. I don't think that the Labor party would actually gain any Mana if Henare lost any in this situation.

I could be wrong. Anyone know anything about Mana?

Anyone know anything about Mana?

Only what I saw on Eating Media Lunch a year or two back, but I think that was a different kind of mana.

I could be wrong. Anyone know anything about Mana?

The people who constantly crap on about their 'mana', generally don't have any with me. It's a bit like the famous non-definition of jazz: If you have to be told what it is, you're never going to get it. :)

Yes,?

Let's look at how Mallard's three new portfolios were ranked by Labour, in Dec 2006:
– Broadcasting -?

I will be contributing hippy humus and pita bread.

You'll be contributing organic dead leaves and dirt?

I'm all for gardening, but I was hoping for some food...

Craig, I wasn't arguing that the portfolios are trivial, just that it is kind of weird for National people to be arguing?

For most of the 1990s, both Labour and Environment were held by National front benchers – Labour first by Birch until 1993, then later by Bradford under Shipley (can't remember who had it in between).

Environment was held by Upton – again, a front bencher.

It seems?

For most of the 1990s, both Labour and Environment were held by National front benchers – Labour first by Birch until 1993, then later by Bradford under Shipley (can't remember who had it in between).

Well as Margaret points out, it wasn't broadcasting that made Maharey number 4, in much?

I will be contributing hippy humus and pita bread.

You'll be contributing organic dead leaves and dirt?

I'm all for gardening, but I was hoping for some food...

Luckily for Kowhai, hummus has multiple spellings from different dialects – humus, hommus, etc are all valid.
Which I'm normally not (quite)?

Birch was... finance wasn't he?

If you believe certain people, Birch's primary job function was to keep Satan sweet, and dispose of the exsanguinated kitten corpses without anyone noticing.

The primary definition of "mana" is "respect owed".
Of course, that immediately raises the question of how one gets respect — answers to which are culturally specific and lead to a fair?

http://www.tv3.co.nz/video/LabourPartydelegatehitsprotesterwithmegaphone/tabid/309/articleID/38389/Default.aspx?ArticleID=38389#video

Sandra Manderson graffitis Police station.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4259561a6530.html

I've never seen such a thing as offically santioned graffiti (maybe that red spikey sculpture on the AKL motorway).

Mallard got promoted seems like Len Richards thought it was a good path to follow. My bet Party Prez.

See my post in the other thread, Michael. Until last year, Richards was co-leader of the Alliance. He published a statement last week unequivocally condemning both the Ruatoki raids and the?

I've never seen such a thing as offically santioned graffiti (maybe that red spikey sculpture on the AKL motorway).

The red sticky thing north of spaghetti junction; it used to be yellow.
Well it was apparently anonymously dumped there two or three decades ago.

I like it.

The hysterical nature of the protest no doubt raised the temperature. But Labour should still turf him out of the party.

Looked relatively clam compared to some of the protests I walked through back in the 90's, Russell – and I'd bet the house that there were plenty of folks?

Looked relatively clam compared to some of the protests I walked through back in the 90's, Russell – and I'd bet the house that there were plenty of folks inside the Bruce Mason this morning who were on the other side of the door then.

I think what's different about?

The beehive is having a public open day tomorrow. I think I might keep the hell away.

Looked relatively clam compared to some of the protests I walked through back in the 90's,...

I was one of the protesters that made it onto the?

I think what's different about this one is that it was like a family squabble on the capital-L Left.

No feud like a family feud – and the weird (and rather pleasant) thing about being in the Young Nats at Vic back in the 90's is that there were plenty?

At least she – from the look of the story on Three – had the good sense to just walk away; seems as if her only error of judgment wasn't to make sure her husband/partner followed her inside.

The One News footage shows that quite compellingly: she put down the?

Russell, you don't seem to have activated the Discuss button on your latest post?

D'oh! Done now. Comment away.