Posts by Graeme Edgeler

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  • Hard News: The Debate and Onwards,

    A great Variety piece on Letterman vs McCain, and Letterman v Leno. Money quote:

    ... it’s as simple as the distinction between a comic (even an admirably hard-working one) and an old-fashioned broadcaster, predicated on Letterman’s ability to create his show at the desk in a manner Leno -- still more natural as a standup than a talkshow host -- never could.

    Much has been stated about Letterman’s virtuoso mix of comedy and righteous indignation after GOP presidential nominee John McCain’s last-minute "Late Show" cancellation ... Little of the commentary, however, has adequately characterized why the tongue-lashing Letterman administered was so remarkable -- a barrage of jabs that MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann (who had a front-row seat for the tirade) described as "perhaps the sharpest, certainly the most persistent political satire of the campaign."

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Southerly: Life at Paremoremo Boys' High,

    Also, my favourite teacher was later jailed twice for grooming and molesting teenage boys.

    If it doesn't involve cats, it's not really a good story :-)

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Cracker: Heroes and Villains,

    I've one - a number of years ago now, but I think still worth a mention.

    In one of the places I lived while at uni, I frequently found myself catching the last 'bus home. I was right at the end of the run, and invariably the only passenger remaining. Not needing to make a return trip, the driver (whose name I remember, but won't mention, lest he get in trouble) would abandon the official route for the end of the trip, and drop me off at my driveway, saving me a walk of maybe 400 metres.

    Not only that, each night he would also only pretend to clip my 10-trip ticket, so I pretty much never paid for what was the best bus service I ever received.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Cracker: Heroes and Villains,

    the same thing should happen with those "surveys" that businesses send out to promote their activities, e.g: 85% of NZ businesses have suffered from possum attack in the last year, says a survey sponsored by Kiwi Possum Extermination

    You mean you don't want to know that the survey being plumped in the news is a marketing gimmick from someone?

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Debate and Onwards,

    - can they chair the senate

    So ideally any VP debate is the same as a presidential debate (plus maybe questions on Senate rules of procedure/etc)

    The Senate really doesn't need chairing. It operates on a very consensual basis - pretty much nothing is done procedurally without unanimous consent. The VeeP is hardly ever there.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Policeman at the Dinner Table,

    Poor old Annette King was mocked for pointing out that we kill each other in the hot sun, but she was actually right.

    I thought most of the mocking was around the full moon argument...

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: Things that aren't true,

    But doesn't the objects weight need to be heavier than air?

    Denser. Not heavier. But yes.

    And yes, as it happens, I did just check this out myself yesterday, while tinkering around in the backyard.

    You own a tank? Cool!

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Southerly: Life at Paremoremo Boys' High,

    I think back to old Tokoroa North School - which was relatively new and reasonably decilicious at the time - and I'm jealous.

    What was wrong with Tokoroa North School?!

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: Things that aren't true,

    Didn't they do this one on the Daily Show or something last week? [update: yeah, John Stewart discussed this with Tony Blair].

    Which would be how the conversation arose :-)

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: Things that aren't true,

    Oh, right, things that AREN'T true.

    You must have thought I was a total idiot :-)

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

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