Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Some Monday Things

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  • Tom Semmens,

    Another day, another step closer to New Zealand repeating the Bush years in font size 6.

    The similarity in the dynamics is getting downright scary.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • ScottY,

    I'm sure this will be one of those things Key and English just humour Rodney on.

    "Yes, a very interesting paper on rates-capping, Rodney. Well done! Yes of course we'll read it. Now off you go and sit in the corner like a good support partner."

    Hide is nuts if he thinks his proposal will get past cabinet.

    Or maybe he's just nuts, and I don't need to give a reason.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Unfortunately the waterfront stadium would have the same problem as Rattue's point about a league crowd of only 10-20k being a lonely one at Eden Park. Worse I imagine.
    But yes, the amplified Carlaw Park now seems like it would have been a lovely vision of planning, no? Good size, great location and with a league heritage that in many ways outstripped Mt Smart.

    Given that the Warriors are moving because of the council, I fail to see how these things weren't properly considered at the time. Of course, Rodney's plans just prove how little "proper consideration" occurs at any point in the council planning cycle.

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

  • Danielle,

    I really feel like I know the Palins. They seem so similar to some of the people I hung out with in Texas. If it weren't for her complete ignorance of, well, everything, and her perilous closeness to being in charge of something hugely important, I might almost be fond of them.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    I suspect if rates are capped, or otherwise abolished, about the only other avenue for council revenue would be a poll tax. We know what that did for Maggie Thatcher's political career.

    On a lighter note, here's some new stuff on OurTube.

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

  • Tom Semmens,

    ScottY - People say that John " Rainbows and Unicorns" Key is also just humouring the ACT party with the whole three strikes business. How long, then, until it is time for National to deliver or Rodney and rest of his lunatics throw their toys?

    My growing suspicion is Key is just pleased to be Prime Minister, and is trying to run the government in a loose managerial style with him as the chief cheerleader. Already his "Cheney" is cancelling his cycleway, rubbishing his economic outlook and generally showing every sign of being the guy actually in charge.

    But with it's Dubya like vacuum of authority it seems increasingly like Key's administration is going to disintergrate in ministerial feifdoms persuing their own agendas and prey to capture by powerful lobby groups - exactly same fate as befell the Bush/Cheney administration. McCully, Collins, Hide - are all quite capable of this and already are showing inclinations in that direction.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Rodney further "humoured" by being put in charge of de-fanging the Commerce Commission.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    <quote>We know what that did for Maggie Thatcher's political career.<\quote>

    Thatcher started her vendetta aginst local government with rate capping then moved on to the poll tax. Hopefully Hide's ridiculous politiacl career will end before he inflicts the sort of civil disaster that cost Thatcher hers.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    It's just TABOR in a portfolio he controls, surely? I guess C&R in Auckland City have already proved you can get away politically with underinvesting and holding rates down.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    And Agenda may be back on our screens after all.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Re- rates, cycleways, three strikes, seabeds and pretty much everything else.

    John Key's mentor is that popular Inuit philosopher, Havalookat.

    "So, Prime Minister, David Garrett has proposed waterboarding for jaywalkers."

    "Yeah, we'll have a look at that ..."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • johnno,

    And Agenda may be back on our screens after all.

    ... get rid of Garner and replace him with Linda Clark, and they might have something going there. And Sean can forget it as well.

    In reality, I'd be surprised if 3 go ahead with this. The NZOA funding doesn't cover the entire show, and I can't see Mediaworks coughing up more money for a low-rating show when they are already deep in the poo and thinking about cutting existing programmes.

    wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 111 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    First there's another, albeit minor, ethics investigation.

    As the basis for an ethics investigation, that really has to be the most stupid little thing.

    Do they not have enough to do up there in Alaska?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • ScottY,

    I'm no fan of the current government, but I don't think we should compare them with the Bush administration just yet.

    Hide is like a angry dog tied to a pole. He'll make a lot of noise and frighten a lot of people, but unless the rope breaks no-one will get bitten.

    The Nats won the election by appealing to the middle. I suspect Key knows that if he lets Hide loose it would be political suicide.

    Of course I could be wrong, in which case we should all start building our doomsday bunkers now.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report Reply

  • JackElder,

    And so our Glorious National Cycleway limps slowly back into obscurity. I'd be willing to bet that in a year's time, the only trace we'll see of the national cycleway will be a suspicious absence of local body funding for everyday cycling initiatives, as local bodies are asked to pay for their own section of the mighty path.

    I knew that a proper, grown-up national cyclepath was too bloody much to hope for. I still hope I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

    Wellington • Since Mar 2008 • 709 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Darlington,

    I'd be willing to bet that in a year's time, the only trace we'll see of the national cycleway will be a suspicious absence of local body funding for everyday cycling initiatives, as local bodies are asked to pay for their own section of the mighty path.

    It may be best remembered for becoming the 2009 PAS Word of the Year!

    Nelson • Since Nov 2006 • 949 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Should everything head that way, could you have the BDO out the Ellerslie Racecourse? That'd be fairly sizeable.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    BDO at the Ellerslie Racecourse?

    Or Cornwall Park?

    Or even better the Domain, which would have the adavantage that the party could spill easily into the city, or indeed run on a more adult 4pm-4am timeframe rather than in the heat and brightness of the day.

    It doesn't really *need* a stadium, does it?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Hooten on RNZ not a big fan of Hide's capped rates idea. No link yet.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I like BDO at te Domain. If they fairly schedule and locate music other than rock.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    It costs around $150 to go to the BDO. Trying to control access to either Ellerslie or Cornwall Park or The Domain? Forget it.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Moving on, don't you think Clark and Cullen would have been ripped to shreds if they'd been as far off-message with each other as Key and English are with respect to economic recovery?

    In 1999/2000, or after starting a fourth term?

    Had, in some parallel world, Sarah Palin entered the office of vice-president, things would have been mighty entertaining about now.

    First there's another, albeit minor, ethics investigation. The knives are out in the state Republican Party.

    Ted Steven certainly got massively screwed over. I'm not generally one to say this, but I hope someone gets prison time over that.

    Also, Sarah Palin's ethics invesigation, news, I suppose. Sarah Palin's family is not news, but gossip.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    In 1999/2000, or after starting a fourth term?

    At any time, I'd think. There would be talk of daylight opening up between them, etc ...

    Also, Sarah Palin's ethics invesigation, news, I suppose. Sarah Palin's family is not news, but gossip

    Given the laborious construction of the family identity for the purposes of last year's election, it's interesting to see it spin apart like this.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Surely it is no surprise that a Finance Minister is more cautious than their PM? I realise there are historical reasons to look for a rift in this particular relationship, and I guess whether that is a real problem is a matter of degree.

    Even Clark and Cullen would have been cut some slack in the current global climate - by the public that is. Media, not so much..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    wherefore the Big Day Out? I can't think of another suitable venue.

    Western Springs. Have the "Expensive" acts in the stadium and have freebies throughout the park paid for by concession stands and the new fangled super city (that might mean forgoing getting Beckham out here to kick a few balls) Now that would be a really Big Day Out.
    As for Eden Park, don't get me started.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

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