Posts by dc_red

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  • Hard News: Ideology for Evidence,

    This is so much sharper and more useful than whatever it was I heard Phil Goff say on the radio today.

    Quelle surprise. A semi-competent Opposition would quickly highlight 4-5 key reasons why these changes are a bad idea, and relentless highlight them in ways people can easily relate to (as with the Frog Blog survey of physician unavailability).

    Unfortunately, our Opposition is semi-comatose.

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

  • OnPoint: A Message from the National Party,

    I thought the Standard was pretty much on the money with the view that:

    Middle New Zealand might not have cared much about the first round of Fire at Will but it’s different when it’s your job at risk.

    Not that we can expect the hapless Opposition to make any ground on this issue, of course.

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

  • Hard News: The big #spill,

    Thanks Terence.

    Clearly the key to great polling (and presumed electoral success) is to open your country up to mining, and demand next-to-nothing in return.

    Who would have picked Brownlee as such a master political operative?

    Eventually Key will have to be on the defensive about something, and the media won't simply lap up anything that happens to blurt out of his mouth ... but don't hold your breath.

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

  • Hard News: The big #spill,

    @Christopher

    mummy's boy versus strong-minded female? Easy.

    John Howard lived at home until he was 32. Didn't seem to hurt his career any.

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

  • Hard News: The big #spill,

    @GLaird

    the commentators over here are saying that Gillard will destroy Tony Abbott in an election.

    Well, Rudd destroyed the pox that was the Howard government, and look how far that got him! ;-)

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

  • Hard News: The big #spill,

    @Craig:

    We're all looking forward to The Standard explaining how Julia Gillard's rise to the top of the greasy pole

    Or, y'know, you could actually have a look at their site. Where they simply note Rudd's almost inexplicable fall from record popularity, and light-heartedly wonder whether the same fate might befall John Key.

    It won't of course, given: the absence of a faction system and an heir-apparent, the placid media environment, and Key's desire to be liked by everyone (and thus avoid polarizing decisions).

    The real relevance to NZ politics is that some in the NZLP will look to how Abbott revived the bloated corpse of the Liberal Party, and wonder whether someone (i.e., Cunliffe) might do the same for them.

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

  • Hard News: Costly indeed,

    She also likens "Maori business" to a "gravy train." Unlike, y'know, white man's business.

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

  • Hard News: Costly indeed,

    WRT. Helen Clark and the $20 gumboots. Was this the only item on her credit card? Who, then, pays for the PM's work-related accommodation and meals, of which I imagine there are a great deal?

    I suspect HC in particular, and PMs in general, don't stay at the "Havana Nights Motel", or converse with foreign delegates over a Happy Meal, washed down with a small Fanta.

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

  • Hard News: Blog About Cat,

    Americans are really into indoor cats, and are likely to look askance at you if you have an indoor-outdoor cat. I have even heard people say that having a free-roaming cat is animal abuse, which I find quite strange.

    Canadians too. I believe some city councils have passed bylaws saying cats can only be outside if on a lead (attached to owner), a la dogs. The local council here has detailed instructions on how to trap the neighbour's cat (alive) if it wanders onto your lawn.

    I think these phenomena are linked to a North American obsession with property rights and property boundaries, something which cats are clearly oblivious to (whereas dogs are more easily contained by things like fences, and thus can be allowed outside with fewer fears of neighbourly retribution).

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

  • Hard News: Paul Reynolds: A Contribution,

    Awful news. I really enjoyed listening to him on Radio NZ (Friday mornings IIRC). Great content to go with his great voice.

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

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