OnPoint by Keith Ng

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OnPoint: Peek-a-boo, I can't recall seeing you

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  • Kiwi Nomad,

    Why does this farce continue? Because it suits Key to have ACT around. Its nothing to do with seats in the house, as the Epsom seat would be Nationals if it wasn't held by Banks. The only rationale for ACT being around is so that it can be the promoter of loony far-right policies such as charter schools and government spending caps, as part of it's twisting Nationals arm behind it's back in a so called power sharing agreement. What is not commented on is the reality that these are Key and Nationals preferred policies... These are the policies they want for their own idealogical/religious reasons, but know aren't popular with the general public, so use ACT as their cover to implement. So never mind that Banks is ethically and morally corrupt, Key would have done the same in his shoes, as he has in the past and will continue to do in the future no doubt, since the general public let him get away with it...

    Auckland • Since Dec 2011 • 7 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    . . . that time I got helicoptered out to the Crisco mansion where I met an obese Bond villain . . .

    Sounds remarkably like a kiddie witness account from the Christchurch Civic Creche case.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Kiwi Nomad,

    Why does this farce continue?

    That's an interesting question. Key could end this at any time so why hasn't he?

    Is there something else we should be looking at - something just as, or even more, corrupt ... how about letting Sky City have more pokies so they can build a convention centre that will cost the government millions to run?

    Or how about selling assets, at huge financial cost to the country?

    Ah who cares anyway it's three years to the next election and the the public won't remember any of this shit by then.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    ...how about letting Sky City have more pokies so they can build a convention centre that will cost the government millions to run?

    Or how about selling assets, at huge financial cost to the country?

    Aaaah! But that's not breaking the law, that's just dodgy ethics and misinterpretation of the word mandate - and, as we all know, John Key is comfortable with that...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay, in reply to Kiwi Nomad,

    such as charter schools

    Would Key continue with "ACT's" Charter Schools should a National candidate be elected in Epson?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Brislen,

    Teapot vomit. Keith, I love you and want to marry you.

    or similar.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Hamish,

    You are a true wordsmith! So much gold in one post.

    ACT is exactly the sort of blithering wing-man National needs right now. I imagine John Key will protract the process as long as possible.

    The A.K. • Since Nov 2006 • 155 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    and, as we all know, John Key is comfortable with that...

    And that's why he's comfortable with John B. Interesting that since Simon Power has left the Party (and now knowing he squashed the chances for Dotcom to own the Coatsville Chrisco Christmas House) lots of this shit is hitting the fan.
    There does seem to be an appearance of this Government sidetracking the unpopular issues with distractions . This is now dragging Williamson into it, so if it was a simple distraction, it is unwise and stupid but dishonesty is.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Green, in reply to Paul Brislen,

    Teapot vomit. Keith, I love you and want to marry you.

    or similar.

    Ditto. Get in line.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2008 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Hamish,

    ACT is exactly the sort of blithering wing-man National needs right now. I imagine John Key will protract the process as long as possible.

    As in "obstruction of justice" protracted?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan King,

    This nails it brilliantly.

    But, you know? Surely being "unable to recall" something significant from just two years ago is, in itself, enough to make you unfit to hold public office! Is he brain damaged? He certainly sounds it, giggling through interviews ...

    Since Sep 2010 • 185 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew E,

    The cost-benefit calculation taking place on the 9th floor of a building in Wellington is likely to be coming down on the side of cost quite soon, I'd say. Key may be a nasty right wing thug, but he's not a stupid nasty right wing thug. The benefit of the political cover offered by ACT is rapidly being outstripped by the risibility of the prospect of Banks remaining a minister for 2.5 more years. I think Key probably thought about this before the election (which is why he left it so late in the process to have that cup of tea), but will be disappointed that Banks couldn't avoid being teh stupid for a little bit longer.

    174.77 x 41.28 • Since Sep 2008 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward, in reply to Ian MacKay,

    Would Key continue with "ACT's" Charter Schools should a National candidate be elected in Epson?

    An obvious question (although probably requiring weasel re-wording) for Question Time.*

    Is part of the reason Key is keeping this going is retaining the sole ACT MP as a Minister is part of their confidence/supply agreement and he needs them to pass laws without the Maori Party (if I recall the numbers correctly)? Now sure, it's unlikely ACT are going to cross the floor, but I wonder if Key wants it all to become so incrimating that he can say to Isaacs "jeez, it's out of my hands now" rather than be the decisive one to push him.


    *Plus there's an awesome printing/fax joke in there somewhere I can't quite nail

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Bravo. "Wide" ethics rule for money trader Key. Is this really what we are prepared to put up with in our supposed leaders?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • tim oliver,

    And because I haven't seen this mentioned here, this is the funniest thing I've heard in ages:

    http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-John-Banks-denies-Dotcom-relationship-cites-marriage-as-impediment/tabid/506/articleID/27665/Default.aspx

    Since May 2011 • 8 posts Report Reply

  • Keith Ng, in reply to Andrew E,

    The cost-benefit calculation taking place on the 9th floor of a building in Wellington is likely to be coming down on the side of cost quite soon, I'd say.

    Maybe it's a Sunk Cost Fallacy thing. "FFS, we smeared ourselves with so much shit to get Banks in here, we can't just waste it..."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 543 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew E, in reply to Keith Ng,

    The crucial word being 'fallacy'. And if they don't believe that shit stinks to high heaven, I have some new clothes for their Emperor. Oh, and a bridge that's going cheap...

    174.77 x 41.28 • Since Sep 2008 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa, in reply to Hamish,

    blithering wing-man

    That almost should be in capitals, like Speaker of the House.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    the Crisco mansion

    Note to self (and Keith): ChriscoCrisco ...

    ...although I have to say, for this recent returnee from the US, the momentary confusion added a certain lubricious je-ne-sais-quoi to the scenario. (Do not, repeat, do not look up Crisco on urban dictionary. Hey, I told you not to).

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    John Clarke knows what it is like not to remember important
    political details

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Aidan, in reply to tim oliver,

    And because I haven't seen this mentioned here, this is the funniest thing I've heard in ages:

    http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-John-Banks-denies-Dotcom-relationship-cites-marriage-as-impediment/tabid/506/articleID/27665/Default.aspx

    It is so ludicrous, is it possible he deliberately misunderstood and faked outrage so as to give himself an out from the interview? If so, impressive subterfuge and shame on us for buying it.

    Canberra, Australia • Since Feb 2007 • 154 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Act are a convenient fig leaf for National's genuine policy planks, to be sure, but let's not forget that if Banks leaves Parliament and there's a by-election the period between his resignation and the election of a new MP leaves the whole government hanging on the largesse of the Maori Party in the event of a confidence vote: or a supply vote, for that matter, given the very near proximity of this year's Budget. (And doesn't the Opposition traditionally call a confidence motion on Budget Day?)

    Given the general disquiet across the entire population about a lot of National's policies (asset sales, casino, Crafar, welfare reform...), and the reported leap in Labour's fortunes, the Maori Party has to be feeling a bit of pressure to revisit their attachment to National. Based on the latest Herald poll, a coalition of the not-government parties plus Maori Party would have clear domination of the House. If I were Key I wouldn't be feeling so comfortable about having to rely on the Maori Party to keep me in power if Epsom comes up for grabs. This latest ruckus will also not be good for National's short-term image - the stench might even be sufficiently corrosive to strip away a fair chunk of the teflon.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Martin,

    blithering wing-man

    That almost should be in capitals, like Speaker of the House.

    *laff*

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 187 posts Report Reply

  • Keith Ng, in reply to Jolisa,

    (Do not, repeat, do not look up Crisco on urban dictionary. Hey, I told you not to).

    I am of the Santorum generation. Crisco barely registers as NSFW.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 543 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    Jolisa: heh - the occasional advertising for Chrisco hampers stuffed through my letter box still make me wonder why one would want to buy a hamper full of lard .... but then my ISP orcon makes me wonder too

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

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