Posts by Andrew Smith
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It's a real pain if it means the ETS legislation can't be passed
No, no, this legislation must not pass. It's one of the most damaging fiscal mistakes this country has made since Muldoon froze prices in the 80's. Why should we jump into this ETS like some excited crusaders when the climate debate is still very vibrant.
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Dude, you're the one who said that this thing will be won by leadership and experience.
No real contradiction, Dude. Just two separate points.
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Perhaps my reference to Mrs Obama being 'manicured' was a mistake...apologies. I just don't think she will make a difference to the voters. I also think that Obama has made a huge mistake in selecting Joe Biden as running mate. Obama has talked 'new' and 'change' and has selected 'old' and 'stale' as his side-kick. Another f"up for the Dems.
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The interview with Rick Warren was telling. Obama once again came across as far too idealistic and hugely adept at platitudes. McCain has flaws in his econoimc knowledage, but came across as decisive and realistic. The election will come down to Leadership and expereince. Obama, even with a manicured wife, will have no chance when the people come to make that choice in November. The Dems have already 'F*ked' it up.
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I'll pass over the two errors of grammar...
Thanks Trevor for the grammar lesson. I'll always be grateful to you. But it's important to focus on the argument rather than trying to belittle an opponent. Note Russell's reply. Done in the spirit of healthy argument. What was your point anyway?
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The neocons did probably overplay their hand in Georgia this week. But Russia hasn't come out of this as emboldened as we might think. Putin and Medvedev have shown their hand, but really, being a bully in their own backyard is different from extending their influence globally.
And lets not forget, that while Iraq was a mistake originally, it hasn't turned out all that bad. The silence now from the left-wing media on Iraq says it all...nothing much remains to criticise.
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And then there is Burma. I recently talked to a friend just returned from the Thai/Burma border. This person managed to link up with an aid agency inside Burma after crossing over through a hidden trail. The situation there is not pretty and China's support of that awful regime is next to complicit to genocide. Half the Burmese propulation is displaced (not verified), the junta sell most of the electrical energy produced to neighbouring states whilst depriving their own. And the recent refusal to allow aid into the flood areas was next to ethnically related genocide. I'm afraid I just can't look at the Olympics and feel celebratory just great pity.
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I don't think fiscal conservatism and 'liberalsim' (Keynesian?) have to be bad bed-fellows. I have a borrowed a large amount of money to upgrade my house. That's a sensible debt. The materials I bought 4 years ago to do this were much cheaper and I have spread the payments over a long period and am able to produce a rent from the asset. So National borrowing for infra-structure is not 'stupid' as Helen put it. It is for income producing assets. Anyway, Labour already borrow 2% of GDP for their programmes. Arguably a lot of that borrowing is wasted.
Actually the reason I won't vote National, is their bringing in a carbon-emission trading scheme. Not that's stupid Helen and John!
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This whole Winston saga is the greatest farce ever. I have lost patience with these idiot politicians who prevaricate endlessly. They wouldn't know the truth if it bit their arse. John Key, Helen Clark...they are all putrid. Long live the guy in the yellow jacket...at least he has nothing to lose and at least asked the right questions yesterday.
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Last night TV One made one of the best local Dramas I have seen. Using the best spinners they had, they tried to make us feel sorry for a man who badly injured a woman. I was taught that to hit a woman was absolutely forbidden. I still think so and I teach and model that to my kids. Tony had many years of frustration leading to this and needed help. Now it's too late. He needs to take his medicine and that may be jail. I find it interesting though, because usually the media try to make us feel sorry for the victim, but that's usually in the case of abused animals. Kinda cock-eyed really, the whole slant by TV One.