Posts by BenWilson
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Hard News: We need to talk about Len, in reply to Rob Stowell,
where Len didn’t book the hotel himself anyway
He probably doesn’t, but I’m sure he’d mention to whomever makes the bookings what his preferences were. And when you’re making bookings, it’s pretty remiss not to get the best deal you can for the money you’re allotted. So if one place is giving more freebies than the other, then it makes sense to take it.
It’s not “nothing to see here” territory though. There is a boundary where too many gifts become a form of corruption. I’m not really sure where it is. If they were supplying him with endless champagne, caviar and hookers in the penthouse suite, then I’d have a problem with it.
-
Hard News: We need to talk about Len, in reply to jb,
If the free nights weren’t formally associated with a loyalty plan and were simply gifts (with the assumed intent of keeping him onside), then surely this borders on corruption or – at the very least- gaining pecuniary advantage from his position as a public servant.
It borders, for sure. But it's not automatic. There is perfectly sound financial reasons that have nothing more sinister in them than influencing the Mayor's next choice of a hotel to stay in. He's obviously a guy who spends a lot of time in hotels, so you chuck him free stuff. Not to mention it looks good for the hotel to have high profile people staying there. I can well imagine the lowly people checking him in making the call "Jeebers, you can't put the Mayor of the whole city in that pokey room when this nicer one is free! Offer him an upgrade"
-
Hard News: We need to talk about Len, in reply to Jim Cathcart,
But the point is astray. If the CEO of Panasonic can pull his horns in, why should it be any different for the mayor of Auckland, MPs, etc?
It shouldn't, but it certainly is easier to "pull your horns in" when your monthly salary is more than all of the money Len is accused of "stealing" even with the bullshit accounting.
-
Hard News: We need to talk about Len, in reply to Jim Cathcart,
The CEO of Panasonic had limited himself to USD100 max for hotels on his frequent visits to Tokyo and he made a point out of staying in reasonably priced hotels on overseas trips. That is leadership during tough economic times.
He does get paid millions per annum, so it would probably be a bit rich if he was porking into expenses too.
-
Hard News: We need to talk about Len, in reply to Glenn Pearce,
Peter Jackson and James Cameron will be able to use the Kikuyu in Ash Street as a set for Day of the Triffids soon.
There's a Capture thread for the "Berms of Auckland". I've got some beauties out my way. Waist deep thistles and prickles, hemlock and rye. The hedgehogs must be loving it.
-
It’s going to be an interesting three years.
Indeed. Who the Mayor slept with, and in what rooms, and how many text messages he sent, are things about the governance of Auckland that don't even make my personal radar.
-
Speaker: Levelling the Playing Field, in reply to Bart Janssen,
Despite it being multiplex, I enjoyed Gold Class as something a bit different. Massive armchair with footrest, side table, and staff serving you food and drinks throughout. They make money on the food and drinks so it's a pretty sound model.
-
<redacted trollbait>
-
Ka pai!
-
Hard News: Mandela, in reply to Martin Lindberg,
It's a little bit of both. He's a damn fool - every deaf person in South Africa now knows his face, and is pissed off at him. I wonder if he's considered that his cries for mercy will go unheard.
Last ←Newer Page 1 … 286 287 288 289 290 … 1066 Older→ First