Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Buy now: spend the recession inside!

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  • linger,

    Dunno 'bout party pills, but I suspect by the time of the election most of us'll be wanting to vote for a Chill Pill Party.

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Dunno 'bout party pills, but I suspect by the time of the election most of us'll be wanting to vote for a Chill Pill Party.

    They said the Green party was gaining popularity ; )

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

  • Felix Marwick,

    Dont think he dodged the Roger thing, He was pressured into making a statement after Duncan (from Tv3) harrangued Bill English regarding Nationals position and I suspect he had to comment.

    For the record - once Douglas said at the morning press conference that he would accept a cabinet post in a National led Government if the opportunity arose the next logical step was for the gallery to get an opinion from John Key on this.

    It's not pressure, it's the natural progression of a political story.

    So come question time an attempt was made by pretty much every media outlet in the gallery to buttonhole John Key on his way into the house. However Key did not participate in question time yesterday so nabbing his deputy was the next best option.

    From what I could gauge at the time English's response was largely worded the way it was because National had not prepared its position. It's possible they'd been waiting to see specifically what policy positions Sir Roger would take - bear in mind they would only have had word of mouth on what Douglas had said just two hours previously. To me English's comments were a continuation of the cautious line previously taken by the party.

    Now that did change when Key had his stand up just after 4pm. I know there are conspiracy theorists who obviously doubt the genuineness of what he said, but I can honestly say that in all the times that I've interviewed John Key I've rarely seen him so emphatic in his opinion. He was quizzed for over seven minutes on the matter and did answer questions emphatically and explicitly (which for political journalists is kind of refreshing).

    In fact I think it's the first time I've ever heard him swear during a stand up.

    Of course I can't make any 100 percent guarantees about John Key's position, but from what I observed I'd have to say he appeared genuine in the statements he made. Either he's telling the truth or he's worthy of winning an Oscar for best actor.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    thanks Felix, makes a bit more sense now. Although from what you could gauge,do you think the National party are beginning to understand the importance of having policy, to be able to prepare its position?

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

  • Bryan Dods,

    on the subject of PC cards:

    Before rushing out to buy a card it could be advantageous to check for a USB equivalent.
    Although probably comparing apples with pears, I have used a satellite decoder card for my internet connection for about 8 years.( formerly ihug Ultra, now BorderNET iSat)
    It ran as hot as a toaster.
    After my third card developed familiar problems I moved to a USB DVB-S decoder. Now at least the heat can escape into the room rather than cook the components.
    The SkyMedia 200 card cost $250. The USB decoder costs the same.Testing on the external unit has only been about 4 months so it will be a while before I have a good indication of its longevity.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    Sofie,
    I'd have to say it's the issues that require immediate reaction that have catching National out. The kerfuffle over Auckland Airport and the delay they took in weighing into the Air NZ troop ferrying episode being just two examples.

    Normally when a political party is setting the agenda it's operating from prepared ground (National's blunder on GP fees being the notable exception) and it's easier for them to stay on message.

    Reacting to breaking events can be a lot harder. Acting on the spur of the moment can have long running and unforeseen consequences (not all of them necessarily good - ask Maharey about his pronouncements last year on PPPs) so instinct has to be tempered with caution. However exhibiting too much caution can lead to public perception of indecisiveness or lack of ideas.

    It's a tightrope politicians have to walk every day

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I have to wonder what ACT was thinking with Roger Douglas. For them to have enough swing to get two cabinet ministers with national, they're going to have to pull 5%ish, which isn't looking likely. They're also going to have to hope national get the other 45%, because I can't imagine Dunne or Peters will go into a government with ACT.

    Maybe I don't understand the far right 5% of voters. I'm sure that maybe 1 or 2% would be jumping down excited with the thought of all our health service being run as private enterprises, but I can't imagine it's going to turn on 5% of the population. I suspect bringing Roger back in is going to solidify their tiny base, but keep it tiny.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    ACT needed to recapture their traditional support which had been captured by National.

    Talking to a few staffers I had heard that when they'd been out and about trying to woo them back the common response was "we're pretty much sure Key will make the changes we need when he wins"

    Bringing Douglas back achieved several important things for ACT;

    One was to assure its supporters ACT had returned to its ideological roots.

    The second was publicity and attention to their policies.

    Thirdly, and potentially most importantly, the reaction of National to Douglas's policy platform sends a clear signal Key is a moderate and not likely to bring the gains the swinging ACT supporters hoped he would supply. On that basis they're now likely to gravitate back to ACT.

    In a perverse sort of way, as a result of yesterday's events, ACT might in fact be the winner. If ACT picks up more of the conservative right wing vote it could end up in a better bargaining position post election day.

    This despite John Key saying he wants no part of ACT's radical right wing agenda.

    Politics - you gotta love it.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Felix

    It may be a rival radio station, but I'd suggest you try and get hold of Roger Douglas' interview with Perigo on Radio Live this morning.

    Thursday PM: Key dismisses Douglas.
    Friday AM: Douglas dismisses Key.

    Either they're both Oscar winners, or they're heading for a helluva fight.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    Simon,

    to be fair ACT has been consistently critical of National in the past few months. Hide has said frequently that he regards National and Labour as being virtually identical philosophically.

    National's not said much about ACT because it simply hasn't had to. There's not much to be gained in talking about a party that's polling less than 1% when your own party has been getting scores of 50% or more.

    Having said that I'll try and track down that interview you refer to.

    BTW the rivalry is always friendly ..... ;-)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    <blockquote>Fear not Jeremy, Labour have proved themselves masters of winning the hip pocket vote. It won them the last election, and they'll no doubt pull another winner/bribe out of the bag this election.</blockquote>

    Well, I'm not so sure voters are going to be quite so economically complacent this time around. And I have to agree with Gareth Morgan who has been withering about the quality (or more precisely lack thereof) of reporting of both National and Labour's economic policies during the last campaign, and eye-wateringly irresponsible spending promises (which, of course, are only inflationary when the other bastards spend like drunken sailors during two-for-one lapdance night at the Eager Beaver).

    In the end, I don't think any party can depend on too many more half-billion accounting errors. :)

    From what I could gauge at the time English's response was largely worded the way it was because National had not prepared its position.

    Well, from what I've heard National - quite sensibly - didn't want to have a needless 'haters and wreckers' moment. I naturally can't speak for everyone else in the party, but if ACT goes out, runs and solid campaign and scores the 7% it did in 2002, well that's how it goes. But I think its near-psychotic to be laying claim to a Cabinet seat when 1) you're not even in Parliament, and, 2) for the last four years and change you've routinely been getting trounced by the margin of error.

    Sorry to say this, but I think the Maori Party and the Greens have been a little smarter about not overplaying their hand. Exerting influence is one thing. Being seen to be the tail trying to wag the dog is something else again.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Jody Fanning,

    What version of DVB-T did Freeview take? I believe that 3.0 includes DRM that can allow forbidding all recording or transfering of recordings off the device. Hopefully that isn't used since it kills all PC based solutions.

    Also DVB-T won't appear in phones. It uses too much power, which is why they invented DVB-H for handheld devices. It is now mandated as the European mobile TV standard.

    Also odd that there is the split between 1080i and 720p between the channels. But it is not because of any penny pinching in bandwidth costs since the data rate of the two formats is the same. But usually sports channels chose 720p since it reacts better with fast motion.

    Finland • Since Mar 2008 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I have been looking at usb tuner dogles. Question, if I get a usb dongle that supports just mpg2 will it be useless for NZ's mpg4 broadcast? Or what about the WinFast DTV2000 H pc card, this one will do dvbs and dvbt but only mpg 2 again or do I have to get a mpg4 card or is that just the recording format? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

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

  • Steve Withers,

    Craig said: "And I think it's an inconvenient truth to point that successive New Zealand governments have been quite happy to engage in quick-draw 'megaphone diplomacy' when the bullhorn is pointed at nations (Zimbabwe, Fiji) that aren't too far up the trade league table (China, Iran). Hypocritical moral prostitution or the uncomfortable sight of realpolitik in action?"

    I agree, Craig. While governments have shown selctive morality, Keith Locke has been consistent. If there is any criticism to be meted out, it shouldn't be directed at Locke. 'Realpolitik' is, almost by definition, a synonym for hypocrisy.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Re - the ACT/National bust-up:

    Rodney Hide joins in over on Kiwiblog

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/03/armstrong_on_douglas.html#comment-425337

    Does that mean Rodney is now officially "Kiwiblog Right"? ;)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    "Fear not Jeremy, Labour have proved themselves masters of winning the hip pocket vote. It won them the last election, and they'll no doubt pull another winner/bribe out of the bag this election. This is not a dig at Labour, they only learnt while in opposition from what National also did. With the air seeping out of Key/National's party balloon I would not be surprised if Labour 'win' (albeit a narrow coalition, with the Greens, Anderton, Peters, and the Maori Party) in September.- io"

    Sorry I’m going to have to use the word “fuck” again. I don’t give a fuck if Labour wins at the moment. I want an end to this bullshit politics where the market is the only thing we talk about. I want to obama now not in three years time.
    I don’t want to be ruled by the marketplace.I want to be fed by the marketplace
    And I will work in it for that food, but my and other citizens lives will be grander than any bad day job so many people are finding impossible to leave
    If anybodies work isn’t fulfilling at least it will provide for a lifestlye that is.

    Let’s reeducate ourselves on what the market is and what it use to be, remember a time when it had pleasantries that were as enjoyable as its function. When selling meant feeding both parties equally.

    Remember what Enron said? Ask why?

    Business has to be understood as the protein it is, but elections like life works best with a balanced diet . (Tom Cochrane was right after all).

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    Look at America, by their own admission a corner of an economic table you don’t want to unscrew, because if it comes down the whole table goes down.

    Look at America , so influential on our music, film, politics and banks. Why is the gini coefficient (mesaure of income equality) rising constantly , rising steeply from the 1970’s onwards. Why should the balance be constantly increasing? Where should it peak? Is this a natural selection kind of thing or is that no one knows how to actually stop it?

    genuinely interested?

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Now Roger Douglas has posted comments on a Kiwiblog thread.

    So that's Hide and Douglas over there, and Jim Anderton on here. Who's going to get Helen? And who will be the first politician to get told off by a moderator?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    Slashing Red Tape on housing! (?) TV 1 & 3 seemed to have the same reporter on this item.

    So far the only concrete task stated was by Keith Hay Homes on the 'Savings' builders would make on not using Double Glasing.

    Those 'Savings' are passed onto the occupier through extra power required for the extra heating replacing the heat which is lost and the increased hospitalisations for those who can't afford to heat.

    Straight forward PIMs go through in 10mins. So a standard should be able to be worked out.

    We're still discovering the last batch of Cowboys work - Leaky Schools etc. Any change is too soon.

    Central Govt seems to be play free & loose with District Council functions & removing streams of revenue. Which DCs have been running a surplus of late?

    But what was that B'shit the MasterBuilders dude was saying about this would stop chippies going to Oz?

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    <blockquote>Slashing Red Tape on housing! (?) TV 1 & 3 seemed to have the same reporter on this item.</blockquote>

    Well, let's be charitable Shep -- I'm sure they were all working off the same press release a platoon of ministerial press secretaries slaved over a hot laptop all weekend to produce. :)

    Even for the arse end of a four-day weekend, I thought both One and Three were more than usually uninformative.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Bill English has just been quoted on the radio talking about "Helengrad-style housing". Clearly, the decision has been made to hit back hard, if not constructively.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    Well, let's be charitable Shep -- I'm sure they were all working off the same press release a platoon of ministerial press secretaries slaved over a hot laptop all weekend to produce.

    "Government slashes building industry red tape" perhaps?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    <blockquote>"Government slashes building industry red tape" perhaps?</blockquote>

    Yup, but you can't go past this truly bizarre effort from Jones:

    <quote>“Agony is what I felt when I surveyed the charred remains of the Kura Kaupapa School and the sight was made more miserable by the extensive presence of graffiti scrawled across the walls of the school,” Mr Jones said.

    “It is disgusting that we have had an arson attack at this school which the Prime Minister visited last year, but to have it tagged as well is enough for anyone to see red.

    “Tagging is driving normal sane New Zealanders to new levels of hostility and rage, and to come across graffiti where a school that has been the crux of its community is just soul destroying.

    “Given the cruel nature of this arson and the callous disregard the taggers have I hope the Moerewa community leaders hold the families of these culprits to account.”

    Where do I start on that little impacted wodge of hysterical brown-neckery?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Bill English has just been quoted on the radio talking about "Helengrad-style housing". Clearly, the decision has been made to hit back hard, if not constructively.

    We're only now allowed to build grey concrete apartment blocks? Or was he adding just a titch of imagery to his statement for effect :P

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    "Government slashes building industry red tape" perhaps?

    Yup, but you can't go past this truly bizarre effort from Jones:

    “Agony is what I felt when I surveyed the charred remains of the Kura Kaupapa School and the sight was made more miserable by the extensive presence of graffiti scrawled across the walls of the school,” Mr Jones said.

    “It is disgusting that we have had an arson attack at this school which the Prime Minister visited last year, but to have it tagged as well is enough for anyone to see red.

    “Tagging is driving normal sane New Zealanders to new levels of hostility and rage, and to come across graffiti where a school that has been the crux of its community is just soul destroying.

    “Given the cruel nature of this arson and the callous disregard the taggers have I hope the Moerewa community leaders hold the families of these culprits to account.”

    Where do I start on that little impacted wodge of hysterical brown-neckery?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

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