Posts by dc_red

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  • Island Life: Still not over it,

    On another note, I have cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was fucking mayhem (not due to the notoriously unpredictable weather, but an over-abundance of aggressive American cyclists out for a race). I would never do it again.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Island Life: Still not over it,

    Raymond asked:

    Cyclists do have votes but do they pay road tax

    Pedestrians cross roads without necessarily paying road tax either I guess.

    Footpaths and (I think) cycleways are paid for from other sources.

    And to a certain extent, when someone cycles, walks or catches public transport instead of driving, they make driving more viable for those who continue to do so. Thus they get more for their road tax?

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: Go Us,

    __"I'm a bit like Obama": says John Key.__

    I think he's quite right on one sense - not so long ago, the convention wisdom was both men had the proverbial snowball's chance of reaching the top of their respective food chains. Other ways, not so much.

    Well, they're both male and human, so in that respect they have tons in common, at least in DNA.

    But, Craig, wasn't Key picked out as potential leadership material as soon as the new broom swept him into the candidacy for Helensville in 2002 (and swept out useless time-server Neeson)?

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: Awesome,

    Gareth - thanks. A few years ago I read that only 1/14 Americans had a passport. But bear in mind that until very recently they could travel to Canada and Mexico without one.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: Awesome,

    Gareth - what's that "Passport" point in reference to?

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: Awesome,

    Craig, very useful pointer towards Snowe there. I recognized the name but didn't know much about her ... from your analysis and the description on Wikipedia, I absolutely agree.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Island Life: Cruel and kind of, like, random.,

    I expect Russell (Crowe, not Brown) has already replaced his phone.

    What he could really use is a new rugby league team.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Spiral of Events,

    Of all the portfolios Helen Clark has held over the years, Assoc Minister of Racing is surely one of the more unlikely.

    As for how this will play out, I concur with Logan:

    -He will be seen as a victim by enough people for his support to return.

    How that works out for the rest (John Key who rushed to judgement but hedged, Helen Clark who was not prepared to sack him without all the facts - although it must have been galling to have to put up with this, Rodney Hide who has attacked vigorously and probably has nothing to lose), who knows.

    Although I hazard that the potential for this outcome is exactly why Clark hasn't rushed to judgment.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Spiral of Events,

    If turned out Fay or Richwhite had dropped a hundred grand on John Key...

    There's more than a few MPs I'd like to drop a hundred grand on, provided it was dollar coins dropped from a great height.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Hard News: The Spiral of Events,

    Actually, a pox on all their houses. It's hard to not become increasingly cynical about the whole beltway thing and how it operates.

    Great, the beltway term I was castigated for using in some quarters yesterday is really catching on! ;-)

    Doesn't look like he'll be gone by lunchtime ... any picks on whether he'll still be a Minister by the time Checkpoint comes on tonight?

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

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