Posts by Gareth Ward
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hear views from trade and diplomatic experts on the international relations aspects of this issue
Kyle, I actually think this is one of the few heartening things in there! The negative impacts on trade and our role in international diplomacy (beyond just climate too) would be significant if we were to jump out of Kyoto or, to a lesser but still important extent, if we watered down our response to be pointless. Getting those views into such a review weighs heavily towards a "stay in Kyoto and react properly" outcome...
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Sacha - I believe that comment you link to is from an earlier article (midweek I believe it popped up on Stuff) that saw me hope that Trotter had moved beyond the vitriol of the election campaign to a more balanced view.
I believe the article Craig is referring to was in the print version of the SST yesterday and shattered those hopes - it basically accused "Maori" of being traitors for not backing Labour (by ignoring National) after all they'd done for them. It was cringeworthy stuff... -
Pardon me if I find the outrage four months after the fact somewhat less than convincing.
And I'm sure you'll pardon me if I find your assertion that the most troubling aspects of that story are the producer's decision and the timeframe somewhat less than convincing as well...
:>
These agreements are all well and good - it's exactly how this "good faith" translates to action that matters. If honoured in intent, the Maori Party agreement really heartens me.
Although, I find myself in the contradictory (although not unexpected) position that I hope he delivers on the intent of the agreement with the Maori Party, and ignores the intent of the ACT one. If he is to remain consistent, I can't really decide which way I'd rather it fell... -
I think they ought to have let you get away with it (a foreigner to boot... c'mon!), but also serviceable are morosa, ragazza, donna.
Morosa is a new one to me - ragazza and donna didn't seem to give her any special status (but I freely admit that was more due to my inability to subtly intimate the necessary meaning in the wonderful manner that Italians can). Still, I think most people got the idea!
It was just quite noticeable when I was in hospital up there - as my "unmarried/unengaged partner" she wasn't of any import to them. Once la mamma mia showed up, different story. -
All because what the English language has to offer me is the inadequate word "partner" (no, we're not in business together), where the Italian has the beautiful compagno/compagna, which happens to be the same word for political comrade.
I needed you in 2005! Spent 6 months around Italy with my girlfriend-then-fiancee (grazie Lago di Como!), and finding the appropriate word for her was rather challenging...
Fidensata (sp?) apparently wasn't appropriate prior to engagement. -
ou can't legally refer to your CUPcake as your "wife" or "husband"
Whilst I'm trying to keep the petrol at bay... Good lord, really? That's... awful.
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I think the key to Auckland Central is actually the vote that didn't turn out.
I guess that boils down to "was the lower turnout proportionally representative, or was it a specific block that didn't show up". Hard to tell really...
Certainly agree that a fresher Labour face currently has strong potential there for 2011 (with the caveat that plenty changes in three years).
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John key seems to be interested in consulting widely, which is very good to see.
Absolutely, I'm very pleasantly surprised - what are the odds he'll consult to the Greens on certain emmissions trading matters where they have such a good base of understanding?
Of course, consult != action so here's hoping it turns into policy action. Considering the common refrain that the Nanny State Left were only about consulting consulting consulting, you'd like to think it will... -
Kyle, civil unions aren't just for teh gays you know... :>
Re Tizard/Kaye - I'm not sure that the voting pattern was specifically about anti-Tizard (seriously, how many people really follow every actions of their sitting MP so as to be able to form a view on their performance?). The tides of change (both "to National" and in general), and a changing electorate that I suspect would have, on average, dragged it to be wealthier and younger just favoured Kaye...
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Speaking of deals, Key's comments re Kiwisaver after meeting with union leaders this morning have cheered me up a bit.
If they genuinely will take another look at how they've chosen to setup that scheme then I'll hold out hopes for setting it back on a decent footing...