Posts by simon g
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I guess it's fair enough that Key might not have thought that in these tough times the Government would actually be acquiring new assets. But it'll teach Key not to make open ended promises in future.
If he couldn't predict this one, he should sack his advisers, or himself. He was asked about rail right after he made the "not in the first term" pledge, on Morning Report for example (but sadly not on Agenda, when he first made it). He said then that National would not buy but would not sell either.
It is an absurd position, with no foundation in economic reality, and the only reason he gets away with it is that political journos are more interested in the game commentary ("So that's innoculated then, good tactic or not?") than any debate on the merits of policy.
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It's funny how the 21st century gripe with Bad Socialists is that they hand over too much money to the capitalists.
When I were a lad, the commanding heights were supposed to be confiscated. Truly, Thatcher has won.
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In the UK party leaders singing embarrassing childish parody songs about their opponents goes back to William the Conqueror, at least. That it may not be the case here has come as a bit of a surprise.
Here's (then) Labour finance spokesman John Smith, on the deteriorating relationship between Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson (now known as Nigella's dad, but back in the 80's, Maggie's Chancellor of the Exchequer, who traditionally resides next door in 11 Downing Street).
House of Commons, June 7 1989 (Hansard):
"Although he and the Prime Minister are neighbours, he should take account, as many of us who are aficionados do, of the theme song of the "Neighbours" programme which we hear twice a day on BBC television. The song goes :
"Neighbours--everybody needs good neighbours.
Just a friendly wave each morning helps to make a better day. Neighbours need to get to know each other.
Next door is only a footstep away.
Neighbours--everybody needs good neighbours.
With a little understanding, you can find a perfect blend. Neighbours should be there for one another.
That's when good neighbours become good friends."
(Lawson jumped/was pushed shortly afterwards, and Thatcher didn't last much longer).
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Well, all he has to do is rely on the good old "he said, she said" balance in the media, and general apathy/exhaustion.
Police investigation says: No hacker. An inside job. (Reason: evidence).
John Key says: Might have been a hacker. Definitely not an inside job. (Reason: coz I say so).
And if you still dare to question what is blatantly bullshit, John's gotta message for ya: "Get lost".
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MMP has not prevented Clark getting much of her agenda through Parliament, by playing one side off against the other on an issue by issue basis...
Brilliant! Decide on the book's title, then rewrite the dictionary to fit. But don't stop at the New Language, invent the New Arithmetic too.
Civil Unions, for example, would have been defeated without the votes of National and ACT MPs. So Clark's "absolute power" includes hypnosis.
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Paul W - it's a story because the media say so. Last night on TV3 Duncan Garner said that National were - in his own words - "quite rightly" attacking Labour on this. If that's professional journalism, I'm a kakapo.
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That was a seriously misleading story in the Herald yesterday, made more so by its front-page prominence.
I took "confidential strategy notes" to be distributed official party instructions. In other words: somebody in HQ had the idea, it was discussed, it was written up, printed and handed out.
If that had been the case, it would have been evidence of very poor collective judgement, because in the hours/days involved in that process, there would have been ample time for the antennae to start twitching, and if they had still gone ahead regardless, evidence of stupidity and arrogance.
The updated version is a very different matter. "Notes taken by a participant" implies no forethought at all. Dumb but hardly damning.
Shoddy work by the Herald, again.
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Wishart's book will be bad, the media coverage will be worse.
Front-page editorial: "the Herald-Star-Post totally condemns this tawdry publication, with its disgraceful smears and innuendo. It is an outrage, and brings shame upon the noble profession of journalism."
Full coverage of the disgraceful smears etc: pages A2, A3, A4 ...
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Oh yes, and who in the Herald decided Mike bloody Moore would be their rent-a-quote?
I blame Bolger, Shipley and Palmer (for being discreet) and Lange, Muldoon and the rest (for being dead). The role of "ex-Prime Minister" has been filled by the least qualified applicant.
When does he start this job making tea and ironing the newspaper for the Russian billionaire?
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Should be red card, of course. Must wake up soon.