Posts by Nick Kearney
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Of course, the only reason you're defending the system is that one of your lot got in.
I think the system is askew. I'll leave it to better brains than mine to figure out how to fix it.
I remember attending a party workshop once where "delegates" spoke on the demise of MMP, worried that it could end the party. I argued that the simple answer as I saw it was the party will survive on its people and policies, not on the political system. If it needs a system to survive then you don't have an existence because the system was vulnerable to change. But I was the odd one out I think.
Also, the Sensible Sentencing Trust's jack-up candidate on the Act list turned out to be a complete arse.
You can see how people might get annoyed.
Yep, I can see how they might.
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But I don't want Douglas in Parliament, and I think it's damn unfair that Epsom gets to put him there.
Oh, come on. Let's face it, if Jim Anderton's Progs got 3.85%, and on the back of Wigram hauled into Parliament an MP you loved but I didn't, I doubt we'd be having this "conversation"!
It's only unfair because you don't like him. That doesn't make the system unfair.
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Oh, I'll agree if I think you're right, but I think those with very strong principles, political or otherwise, tend to come out on the wrong side of the 'H' ledger when found out. Act people do tend to have very strong principles, whether you believe in them or not, and so when "found out", the come-down is harder IMHO.
As for "remains a member" - no idea, despite my affiliations. I wouldn't say if I knew anyway for privacy reasons.
I did see him a year or so ago, but that was at the start line of a fun run and we chatted heart rates, not politics.
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Can I suggest that that seems to be one of the defining feature of Act people; they get apoplectic about the perceived moral failings of others, but when it comes to themselves there's always some reason why it doesn't apply.
Hypocrites come in all party shapes and sizes; they're not peculiar to "Act people".
Anyway, Dick Quax hasn't been an "Act person" for a long time.
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No need for snark. I appreciate Chris's care and clarity in saying who he's speaking as.
Okay, I withdraw and apologise.
Onwards and upwards....
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Putting on Elected Rep Hat......
Writing reports is a political game really.
...Taking off said hat...
Oh, is that how you can be more than one person around here?
Now I know.
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Is there waterpolo in your family?
Strangely enough I get asked that a lot. The answer is no, but I am an avid swimmer.
I hear the mysterious Kearneys who played (very well I am told) waterpolo were from Takapuna Grammar. I was a Westlake "boy".
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Yes he does, I reckon. If a person is an official of a party (especially a really small one like ACT), their opinions, like it or not, are pretty much representative of how the party "thinks". It's not a hat you can take off (even if local councillors often try to con the electorate that they're "non political").
Oh dear. How to control one's exasperation.
I have opinions separate to my party's, and the individuals involved in it, beliefs, strange as that may seem. We are not all drones. In fact in this government, ACT is allowing its MP's free votes on most matters: see http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10561882
I am also not an elected official of the party. I volunteered to be the party secretary, mostly because we are short on people and I thought this would be "doing my bit". I am not on a payroll, let alone the taxpayers - I am a volunteer. It is a hat you can take off - maybe not for the Prime Minister, but certainly for someone like me. Otherwise you're suggesting every lighthearted humourous comment a volunteer makes is attributed to the government. Seriously. Please. Otherwise the very democracy you pretend is being subverted will be under threat as people will be too scared to speak.
Time to stop being serious 24/7. As I have tried to suggest three (four?) times now!
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Thanks Russell. I should have guessed that venturing into the lions den waving red meat around can cause problems.
I won't comment on the rest of your reply as it's likely to be quoted in Parliament if I do!
Suffice to say, I think your points are valid and I have concerns also: it's impossible to please everybody. But expecting the Auckland Council to appoint directors soon after the election is unrealistic. The new transport CCO couldn't even operate until that was done, which, as I pointed out, can take months and months.
@ Craig, it's Nick, Nigel is another/the other one.
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I do not represent the ACT Party in any manner whatsoever while espousing opinions on this blog, or while making snarky, tongue-in-cheek comments, or on any other blog, any more than any of you do for your respective parties. Honestly folks, take chill pills.
It's lighthearted banter. Isn't it?
Work beckons, gotta fly.