Posts by simon g
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John Key looked happy enough on the news yesterday, cutting a ceremonial ribbon in Christchurch. Just as he does when eating oysters in Bluff, marshalling sheep in Te Kuiti, and reading stories to primary kids on Budget day. He is the ultimate photo-operator.
He doesn't have a direction, because he's already at his destination. And he desperately wants to be liked. The public (less desperately, but mostly) want to like him. So the answer is obvious.
Let Bill English and Phil Goff, politicians to every last strand of their DNA, argue the issues and fight to run the country. Let John Key be our first President (although he'd probably prefer Viceroy). Then he can cut all the ribbons he wants.
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So has anybody covered the real story here? No?
Stephen Franks is getting closer.
Just a couple more scandals to go. Or only one, if Melissa Lee works a miracle on Saturday week.
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The deathly silence in the House for these questions spoke volumes.
Yes, and I was wrong up-thread. I've never heard Goff be so succinct.
The general tone of restraint suggests that the MPs have heard enough on the grapevine to know that piling on in the usual manner would not look good.
Under normal circumstances, "I'm not at liberty to say" is not an answer you'd expect the opposition to let the PM get away with. (Who has denied him this liberty?).
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Question Time will be fun today
Sadly, it will probably just follow the usual pattern:
Long-winded questions from Goff, jokey blokey non-answers from Key, pointless points of order from Labour benches, arguing with Lockwood Smith while the real target escapes.
I hope I'm wrong.
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What is the maximum penalty for personal matters?
Will David Garrett be demanding harsher counselling? Three sessions and you're out?
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Standard & Poors delivered their verdict at about 4 p.m. What time did Bill English sit down? Fast readers, eh?
Many years ago (pre-internet) I had a temp job as a lowly messenger/clerk in a London financial company, and found that it's the people at the bottom who get to know the secrets (being too low to bother with). I suspect my spiritual successor was photocopying and shredding copies of our Budget well before we heard about it. I hope (s)he made a few bucks.
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I hope the media see through the "delay/defer" spin on tax cuts.
I have delayed producing my great novel, but ... you know, it's all there, it just may have to be written posthumously.
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Danielle: Yes.
To get a reaction more visceral still, refer to the team as "United". Not a good idea on the streets of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, and so on.
As for franchises vs. relegation, there's no contest, is there? Apparently somebody will win the Super-Number this weekend, and then the rules will be changed, and then changed again, and nobody really cares much because the marketing people will decide.
Cut some throats, open trap doors, zoom in on the tears. Without that, NZ domestic sport is dull.
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I had forgotten because I don't care. All I really knew about this match was that Manchester United were trying to be the first team to win back to back Champion's League titles.
I think that puts Hadyn's analysis of Ferguson's record in its proper perspective.
But still, I'm delighted Barcelona (the People's Club) beat Evil Inc. If only to piss off their non-supporting non-Mancunian shirt-wearers in NZ.
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I look forward to my annual hurling of shoe at TV/radio, when presenter turns to pundit and asks:
"Are you expecting any surprises in the budget?"
Er ...