Posts by Graeme Edgeler
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Science fiction is coming. That’s if you haven’t already downloaded it from teh internets, put it on a flash drive and played it on your 32-inch widescreen LCD TV via your PS3.
Or just waited for the DVDs to come all the way to region 4 and bought them from your local Whitcoulls...
[Only a little unfair, we actually got BSG season 3 before region 1. Damn them.]
-
After the frequent disparaging mentions of the Herald's Your Views, I thought I'd mention their current one:
-
How about misleading the House last Wednesday about his actions in 2002 and 2003, is that within the jurisdiction of the Privileges Committee?
Too late now.
A complaint of a contempt of Parliament must be raised at the first opportunity. That was Thursday.
-
Of course, if Clark is really convinced that Key not only mislead the House but clearly committed a contempt of the House by failing to disclose a pecuniary interest, I look forward to a complaint in her name being laid with the Privileges Committee. Put up or shut up, Don?
Not really. The allegations are of impropriety in 2002 or 2003 - during the term of the 47th Parliament. The Privileges Committee has no jurisdiction over matters arising in an earlier Parliament.
Calling 110-proof bullshit on that, Don.
110-proof is normally around 55%, right?
-
__Sorry guys, but I cannot think of that quote - could you please pass it on?__
I'm damned if I can find the exact wording, but Bolger is reputed to have mused ...
Ah ... you should have an autographed copy of his autobiography then.
Page 177:
Parliamentary colleagues approached me and said, 'Don't rule out the race card, Jim. We may need it to win in 1990 yet.' I recall my answer: 'Playing the race card may help us win - then come monday how do we run the country?' They had no answer.
-
...if effective crime policies were put in place the savings could be spent on road maintenance instead of increasing road user charges to truckies.
Effective crime policies that involve spending a lot more on prisons to house more prisoners for longer? Wouldn't that mean less money for roads?
-
Spare Room catches Telecom making shit up again. The happy company in that new TV ad doesn't exist
People thought that was real?
Also, not finding a partnership in the companies register shouldn't be too much of a surprise.
And I assumed accountancy firm, not law firm as Spareroom did :-)
-
Kyle - you've forgotten that there are two senators.
-
OK, well doesn't that pretty much screw the concept? Although I suppose the definition of secret ballot would come into play (e.g. does it simply mean it can't be traced after it's made?)
Not necessarily. People have a right to vote secretly, but a fair proportion of us don't (or at least tell each other who they voted for).
The paper from the Chief Electoral Office suggested that people should be able to vote electronically, then turn up at a polling booth on election day and cast a paper (?) ballot that would override their on-line vote.
-
Re, secrecy - I can see the threats of coercion etc (although a polling booth hasn't done Zimbabwe much good on that front) but am yet to be convinced (please, give it a go!) that enforced secrecy is a critical ingredient of democratic elections?
A secret vote is a human right.
* Section 12 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990:
Every New Zealand citizen who is of or over the age of 18 years—
(a) Has the right to vote in genuine periodic elections of members of the House of Representatives, which elections shall be by equal suffrage and by secret ballot* Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity ... To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors
* Article 21 of the Universial Declaration of Human Rights:
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
* Article XX of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man:
Every person having legal capacity is entitled to participate in the government of his country, directly or through his representatives, and to take part in popular elections, which shall be by secret ballot, and shall be honest, periodic and free.
* The American Convention on Human Rights
Every citizen shall enjoy the following rights and opportunities:
...
b. to vote and to be elected in genuine periodic elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot that guarantees the free expression of the will of the voters...[note that these last two are not from America the country, but from America the 'continent', as expressed by the Organisation of American States]
etc.