Polity by Rob Salmond

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Polity: Cold, calculated and cynical

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  • Angela Hart, in reply to Sacha,

    coinfidence

    lovely freudian slip :-)

    Christchurch • Since Apr 2014 • 614 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to izogi,

    Section 13 in particular seems to strongly suggest that the Speaker can’t be dumped by others

    And, to be fair, there are good reasons for that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    This is some pretty amazing TV from Story tonight.

    Dan Parker allows the women who walked out of Parliament to tell their stories. My eyes were welling up and then Marama Davidson spoke and I just felt really angry about the way she's been treated.

    The clip also includes video of detainee Ko Rutene – back when he was a soldier working Key's security detail in Afghanistan. Key refused to discuss his case.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX,

    John Key's repeated comments in the house are a spectacular low in the conduct of parliament and the office of Prime Minister, you will not see anyone else stoop as low.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • Biobbs,

    The shame is spreading: now front page on the Guardian's international edition:

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/11/new-zealand-female-mps-mass-walkout-pm-rapists-comment

    So much for NZ's repuatation for progressive politics.

    The River Mouth, Denmark • Since Jan 2011 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Dan Parker allows the women who walked out of Parliament to tell their stories. My eyes were welling up and then Marama Davidson spoke and I just felt really angry about the way she’s been treated.

    The clip also includes video of detainee Ko Rutene – back when he was a soldier working Key’s security detail in Afghanistan. Key refused to discuss his case.

    So far the whole debacle has gone from detainees to ‘soft on crime’ to ‘turning a blind eye to rape culture’. The dead cat might just backfire.

    On that note, how seriously do tough-on-crime types take rape culture? With the usual bluster of the usual suspects? Or do they take the ‘uncovered meat’ view and fob it off as PC gone mad?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Here's today's utter fucking horrorshow:

    They need a TMO

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Attachment

    Today in a nutshell, for those just catching up ...

    [...]

    Key told Gower he wouldn't be correcting or apologising for what he said yesterday.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • linger, in reply to nzlemming,

    Like how Key is cast as taking the side of the Aussie in that analogy.

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Shelley be right mate…
    (or taking the Bysshe…)
    a timely discovery – Lost Shelley poem execrating ‘rank corruption’ of ruling class made public in The Guardian

    In the poem, Shelley calls for “a total reform in the licentiousness, luxury, depravity, prejudice, which involve society”.
    A fiery denunciation of war and oppression, the abuse of press and dysfunctional political institutions, his poem goes even further, asking if “rank corruption” shall “pass unheeded by”, mourning how “Millions to fight compell’d, to fight or die / In mangled heaps on War’s red altar lie”. He also fulminates against the “cold advisers of yet colder kings … who scheme, regardless of the poor man’s pang, / Who coolly sharpen misery’s sharpest fang, / Yourselves secure.”

    “It was dangerous of Shelley to write that ‘Man must assert his native rights, must say / we take from Monarchs’ hand the granted sway’”

    “The poem has great topicality for now with its mention of ministers supporting war and foreign oppression … Edward Said was at pains to point out that he couldn’t find any objection to colonialism and imperialism in English literature. Here it is. Shelley spends a good few lines on pointing out the oppression of British imperialism in India,” said Rosen, highlighting how Shelley writes that “The fainting Indian, on his native plains, / Writhes to superior power’s unnumbered pains.”
    …the poem also sees Shelley write of government advisers, “To whose fell breast no passion virtue brings”, who have the power to “breathe / O’er all the world the infectious blast of death”, and to “Make a tired nation bless the oppressor’s name”.
    Even as Lynton Crosby comes up with yet another phrase to sustain this government in power (‘we must live within our means’), this poem appears. Wonderful reminder that ’twas ever thus.

    <my bolding >

    I'm still looking for the full copy...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • John Farrell,

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Attachment Attachment

    More scenes from Planet Key…
    and the ’Epic Rise and Fall of John Key’
    aka The Silliad


    </collaged images used with satirical intent>

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew C, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And here’s the video of one of Key’s DPS guards pushing Kelvin Davis after he told Key he was “gutless” in the foyer earlier.

    I'm not seeing it like you are Russell. It appears that the guard is in motion, has to step around the guy with the beard and glasses who moved into his way and bumps into Kelvin. I think claiming that he pushed a guy who was criticising JK is a little overblown. But, meh.

    Auckland • Since May 2008 • 169 posts Report Reply

  • Ianmac,

    Bleneim • Since Aug 2008 • 135 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald,

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11543941

    Claire Trevett....

    If apologies were commodities the Government surplus would be assured in perpetuity given the extent to which demand is outstripping supply.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I’m still looking for the full copy…

    http://poeticalessay.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    On that note, how seriously do tough-on-crime types take rape culture? With the usual bluster of the usual suspects? Or do they take the ‘uncovered meat’ view and fob it off as PC gone mad?

    "Tough on crime" is actually "tough on criminals". Well, poor brown criminals, not middle-class white guys who assault taggers. "Tough on crime" is also pro-smacking. It's weird in McVicarCoskrie land. There's about as much interest in rape culture as there is in poverty and racism as drivers of crime. Consensual sex in a book, now, that's a different matter...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Tracey Watkins on Carter's contribution.

    Parliament's Speaker David Carter could have defused the situation on Wednesday after admitting he erred in not making the prime minister apologise for unparliamentary behaviour over his comments on Tuesday.

    But Carter instead lit a fresh bomb under the whole sorry affair by insisting his hands were tied.

    From here it can only get uglier.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    I still reckon if Key can’t prove a patrilineal relationship to Kelvin Davis he can’t get away with his patronising and passive aggressive bullying comment ending in: “my son”.

    The Bogan-in-Chief!
    Right Honourable, hah!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Attachment

    is there a Doctor in the House?
    More scenes from Planet Key…
    and the ’Epic Rise and Rise of John Key’
    aka The Oddhissy

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Key isn't usually in Parliament on a Thursday, so if Carter wants to make a statement without watching his boss squirm, today is his chance (of course that shouldn't be a consideration, but the Speaker's a party hack, so inevitably it is).

    I don't know much about the rules (standing orders etc) but I can't see why he can't start the session at 2 pm with at least an acknowledgement that yesterday was a bleak day for Parliament, and that he invites MPs to meet him "offline" to discuss their concerns. An outright apology would be much better but I doubt he can bring himself to go that far, hope he proves me wrong.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Howard Edwards, in reply to Emma Hart,

    That has to be the best one-paragraph summary of Sensible Sentencing and Family First that I have ever read in my life - well done!

    Albany • Since Apr 2013 • 66 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    The further we get into this the sicker I feel.

    Really. It makes me sick with anger and sadness.

    How can we as New Zealanders treat our own citizens like this?

    How can our PM and the speaker behave this way in parliament?

    How can our country stand beside Australia as it abuses it's own people and ours?

    How can the women in our parliament be treated with such callous disregard?

    Part of me wants so desperately to hit something, it's that core animal part that when faced with horror wants to go into some kind of fanatical rage in the vain hope it might save me.

    The rest of me is just crying.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Ianmac, in reply to simon g,

    Today QT. They spent the first 15+ minutes untying the meaning of Carter's ruling and Robertson's question 1 was phrased with the same sort of words that Carter had OKed yesterday. Carter ruled his question out even though it was using similar pattern as Key's rants. Contradictory!
    http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/.

    Bleneim • Since Aug 2008 • 135 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Attachment

    Incredibly, Key is now trying to paint himself as the victim.

    Key said Opposition MPs had "hurled" abuse at him rather than backing the victims of crime.

    "The comments and the abuse that's been hurled at me, not a single one of those has been about a victim or alternatively about New Zealanders.

    "I'm actually the person standing up for victims of crime - I'm certainly the person that's been standing up for New Zealanders to make sure that they are protected."

    Are we seeing the beginning of a new meme... a dead cat double bounce? Lynton Crosbie must be proud of his protegé.

    There's a petition over at Action Station calling for Key to apologise.
    It's Not OK Prime Minister

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

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