Posts by Don Christie

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  • Speaker: Seven Good Reasons,

    Made it for a short time only.

    Bill English was brilliant.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    In the meantime, power companies are still cutting people off accidentally. This time communication skills and lack of money are not to blame.

    My point, Craig, is that society as represented by these sort of companies and people Russell quoted is uncaring and vicious. We should not be surprised at some of the results.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Feckless Solutions,

    We hear a lot about breaking the cycle of violence. But when it comes to beneficiary bashing by pollies and pundits it seems that anything goes. Basically if we all agree a nurturing loving family environment is a good way to bring up kids, why would a nurturing loving society not have similar effects?

    Oh, wait, there's "no such thing as society", is there?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Some things you may not know,

    But I admit that I probably just don't get the subtlety of being a coder in a big shop.

    "You start coding, I'll find out what they want" is always entertaining. But is it art?

    Code comments - now those can be art.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Some things you may not know,

    Congratulations are due to Brian Opie and all the others involved in the project, which began with a meeting at the National Library exactly a year ago.

    The New Zealand Open Source Society would like to second that emotion.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Idiotic and lamentable behaviour,

    Danyl, just how many PA posts are required on any one subject?

    Anyway, feel free to add to this discussion if it hasn't been covered enough for your liking.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Idiotic and lamentable behaviour,

    Lyndon, are you sure that Copeland press release is not the generator thing you had on Scoop the other day?

    Surely he is not so stupid as to say this:

    "I did agree to consider such a proposal - in fact I made such a proposal to Annette King - but in the end made a firm decision against it," said Mr Copeland.

    He made the proposal and then made a firm decision against it. That's what I like, decisive politicians. At least you know where you stand with Gordon.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Idiotic and lamentable behaviour,

    I haven't read it either. But I hope you're not suggesting there's a conflict of interest.

    No of course not. As DPB found out to his cost, that sort of thing just doesn't happen.

    If it did, Clifton would no doubt have reported the call from the PM.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Idiotic and lamentable behaviour,

    Why on earth would the PM, who needs the support of National to pass this bill, not invite John Key to the briefing? Truly ming boggling.

    "What do you mean, Flash Gordon approaching"? (sorry, I was thinking of Ming boggles).

    Well, I dunno. Maybe Key was overseas or just out of cell phone coverage or in a meeting. But if the PM of any hue makes and effort to pick up the phone and initiate direct contact I would at least expect that Key would have heard about it.

    Here's what McCully wrote a couple of weeks ago:

    The answer is simple: Annette King is really, really arrogant. And at the sharp end of politics, really serious arrogance, mixed with a solid dose of real stupidity, can yield some very unfortunate consequences.

    That is pretty toxic stuff. Talk about personality attacks.

    He goes on:

    Concerned at the outcome of the select committee report, Helen Clark asked for a meeting with then Leader of the National Party Don Brash and invited her Ministers to state their case. On 7 July 2004 Dr Brash wrote to the Prime Minister in response, restating the concerns outlined in the National Party’s minority report

    Don Juan refuses a meeting, maybe Helen's no match for his superior intellect. Just a letter to her in which Brash states:

    “if there is a significantly greater level of consultation by your Minister of my relevant colleagues.” And nothing happened.

    So what, after being invited to join consultation by Helen Clark National didn't show up? WTF?

    About the recent mess he says:

    At the very last minute, an alleged NZ First amendment was trumpeted in the media as a solution to the issue of complementaries. From media reports it appears ineffective anyway. But neither King nor New Zealand First has even given the National Party the courtesy of a copy of the proposal, much less engaged in consultation.

    McCully must have forgotten that the PM gave him a call on the blower. Sure, it wasn't Annette King (who, need I remind you, is really really arrogant and stupid, let's remember). Not as bad as forgetting about offering to give away our nuke free status, but up would rate high in my "just how forgetful are ya" meter.

    By the way, I haven't read Jane Clifton's article, but does it in anyway reflect McCully's version of events? ron?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Hard News: Idiotic and lamentable behaviour,

    Certainly is, then again do you think perhaps Labour has made a rod for their own back

    For sure and of course. But this goes beyond that. In fact, I really doubt this bill appeals to Labour's constituency. Must people in NZ probably don't really care even though it is quite important. It was being pushed through for pretty non-political reasons, wasn't it? How many extra votes for the parties that pass this bill?

    This was an opportunity for that overworked word, statesmanship. Keys had his example set by Peters.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

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