Polity by Rob Salmond

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Polity: Cold, calculated and cynical

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  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    Right now I want to my break my screen in half. Our movers and shakers are becoming a law unto themselves, FFS. I hope that everyone who treats the political system as a beauty pageant and a gossip mag loses everything in a bubble burst and gets denied a state bailout.

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

  • Ianmac, in reply to Ianmac,

    Q1. Today. Grant Robertson. Start at 7:30. (Sorry missed that out.)

    Bleneim • Since Aug 2008 • 135 posts Report Reply

  • krothville, in reply to Biobbs,

    Currently the most popular story across their entire site.....

    Since Sep 2014 • 73 posts Report Reply

  • izogi,

    As insulted as I am at the Prime Minister's behaviour this week, I have also found myself agreeing with Peter Dunne's latest comments (alt: Herald coverage).

    As Rob's pointed out in his original post, Key threw a dead cat into the room to distract from being criticised on a real and important issue. In that capacity it's worked beatifully, even with people who see it as a dead cat. Everyone's bickering about whether the PM's a hero or a disgusting turd, and there's much less talk about detainees.

    As Danyl's also noted this morning, when the conversation's made more about John Key than about issues, Key will nearly always win, even if the complaints are fully justified. It's no wonder the government uses that advantage.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    While the Carter/Key roadshow has disgracefully shamed parliament this week, Peter Dunne stands out for his robust criticism of Australia's appalling abuse of human rights.

    The modern concentration camp approach Australia has taken is simply wrong. It was wrong when the British tried it in Northern Ireland in the 1970s; it is wrong in Guantanomo Bay, or in Israel today. Australia is no different. The right to due process and fair and open trials is inalienable. So New Zealand needs to be asserting basic human rights and freedoms, not stooping to the name-calling and abuse that has passed for debate over the last week.

    Toby Manhire is always worth reading and in Ten things John Key has (and hasn't) said he highlights Key's attempt to play both sides of the debate by claiming he's working for the poor sods who are stuck in Aussie gulags, while simultaneously attacking the opposition for taking the same stand.

    Key's performance this week has been so offensive that I'm expecting John Oliver to revisit prime minister ponytail next week.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Alfie,

    Peter Dunne stands out for his robust criticism

    Well yes, though his final paragraph, where he claims that "The political civil war of the last week has done nothing at all for any of the detainees on Christmas Island" is standard Dunne touting himself as Mister Common Sense once he's sensed the direction the wind's blowing. The "political civil war" that Dunne belittles was sparked by the considerable and largely solo efforts of Kelvin Davis.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    the considerable and largely solo efforts of Kelvin Davis.

    http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/kelvin-davis-continues-march-against-sexual-violence

    And walk he did. Not a show for the media...he walked.

    Up hill and down dale with a very small support crew.

    If I hadn't seen him with my own coldly cynical eyes...I would have doubted the story.

    Kelvin Davis has an added benefit by having an accessible office in Kaitaia...womaned by a knowledgeable and committed staff member.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Alfie,

    Things can't be going well in Chez National when they start trotting out b-grade backup puppets.

    Michelle Boag, the former National Party president, says she is "disgusted" by those evil women who stood up in parliament and dared to share their experiences of sexual abuse. How dare they make it "all about them"?

    Boag's reaction to Key's abhorent claim that opposition members were somehow supporting rapists is not recorded in the story.

    Dunedin • Since May 2014 • 1440 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald, in reply to Alfie,

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • izogi,

    I don’t want to distract too much from the discussion, but while we’re on the topic of people being mis-characterised to create a biased impression (intentionally or not), it’d be nice if our own media could spend more time primarily referring to these guys as “people” instead of, y’know, “mongrel mob members”.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • izogi,

    This morning's Morning Report carries a story about how Australian deportees are being made to sign a document which effectively waives their right to an appeal when choosing to leave Australia. The full form (pdf) is linked from that article, as well as an audio clip interview with an Australian lawyer.

    This is despite John Key's assurances, after speaking to Malcolm Turnbull, that deportees would be able to continue their appeals from New Zealand without disadvantage.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to izogi,

    that deportees would be able to continue their appeals from New Zealand without disadvantage.

    Don't forget they also sign to pay for their removal . Push 'em out, remove all rights, charge 'em. Nice.

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

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to izogi,

    John Key’s assurances

    ...those and an 80 cent stamp will post a letter.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • linger, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    John Key’s assurances

    i.e., what he’s issued from his ass.

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to linger,

    John Key’s assurances

    i.e., what he’s issued from his ass.

    We have one piece of enlightenment thanks to Corrections Ray Smith Serco sacked

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

  • simon g,

    Today we have the perfect illustration of "fair and balanced" (copyright Fox News) ...

    The Prime Minister has apologised for saying that the opposition back rapists - which they obviously don't. The Leader of the Opposition has apologised for saying the Speaker is biased - which he obviously is.

    The headline takeaway will be "season of goodwill" and same-same. So in the end, the dead cat has done its job.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Under Locke and Key
    John Locke said that the social contract was, in essence, society giving up some rights in order that the State will protect those remaining rights, Governance by consent.
    John Key, on the other hand, manufactures that consent with the aim of feathering his nest and those of his ilk by obfuscation, deceit and the actions of a bully.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    But not until mid 2017. Meantime the violence in Mt Eden continues, and the Australian government continues to charge deportees for their airfares and make them sign forms absolving Australian Government of anything - the NZ Government's reassuring words don't seem to count for anything. Just two separate items from Checkpoint today

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • linger,

    And as I/S points out, Serco’s prison (mis)management contract for Wiri is set to run for 25 years!

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    they also sign to pay for their removal

    One example, despite yesterday's denials from the Minister.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Sacha,

    So $7210.00 , 2000km from Christmas Is to Perth , $389.00 ,5000km from Perth to Auck. The Australian government are even profiting from the deportation.

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

  • izogi,

    I’m not sure exactly which thread this is most appropriate for, but The Panel today had Dr Bronwyn Hayward as the head of political science at UC (2:30 onwards), claiming the PM’s been shifting over time to a more recent behaviour that’s very polarising.

    She’s commented quite strongly on how he’s using his popularity, and the long term effect on NZ’s democracy, drawing comparisons between the “kind of politics” being used (anti-argument, anti-reflection, avoiding debate) and with leaders who aren’t usually associated with democracies.

    Not that it’s an especially new insight or that her opinion will affect polls. I just found it an interesting thing to hear on The Panel.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to izogi,

    Dr Bronwyn Hayward as the head of political science at UC (2:30 onwards), claiming the PM’s been shifting over time to a more recent behaviour that’s very polarising...Not that it’s an especially new insight or that her opinion will affect polls. I just found it an interesting thing to hear on The Panel.

    Interesting to hear from Dr. Hayward, who's nothing if not a seasoned Key watcher. I believe it was in early 2007 that Key gave of his time as recently-minted opposition leader to meet with and answer questions from Dr. Hayward's students. The impression he made, even on those predisposed to regard him as hellspawn incarnate, seemed to be of a disarmingly straightforward consensus builder.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    They will have split a charter flight between a dozen passengers, to be fair. No profit.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB,

    Now, some of the following may have already been mentioned up-thread... but I just want to re-itterate it for those who were not paying close attention...

    Our Glorious Leader, John almighty, wants to look after normal Kiwi Battlers to protect them from "rapists and murderers**" by ignoring what the Australian Government is up to, and ignoring the "so-called, human rights" of these people so they can be deported back to NZ and spend time amongst us,...

    And, those evil Labour lackeys who hate us all, want to argue with our best mates the Australians, point out how "un-just" their actions are, and keep those "rapists and murderers**" back in Australia which obviously is far less safe for those voters here in NZ? right?


    ** note- at the time these comments were made, no statistics were on hand to know how many, if any were in fact "rapists and murderers"- subsequent investigations show it to be a very small percentage , but slightly above zero.

    And anyone pointing out the discrepancies in this are obviously politically motivated, cynical, and not to be trusted by fair-thinking good Kiwis.

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

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