Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: A voice of reason and authority

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  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    And could we at least get rid of Mr 1% from Auckland?

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

  • ScottY,

    Meanwhile Glenn Beck's sponsors desert him in droves.

    Financial pain is probably the only thing that would make Fox News reel him in.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And could we at least get rid of Mr 1% from Auckland?

    When did Jim Anderton move back to Auckland, Sofie?

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

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Financial pain is probably the only thing that would make Fox News reel him in.

    Based on the figures that were on the Daily Show last night, Fox is probably feeling OK about things financially at the moment. CNN is apparently burning however.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    After spending a few hours surfing popular comment forums, such as youtube, Digg and various news site comment areas I have come to the conclusion that the rabid right are a small but vocal segment. If you look at these and many other, sites you will find all the nutters and weirdos you could wish for, most are one time posters who have their little rant and move on. Not so with the Republican trolls who post over and over the same talking points. This gives the impression to the casual observer that there are a lot of these people out there, there are not. It is just a few blubbering noise makers whom nobody seems to take seriously. Thank goodness.

    @Craig. I think you will find that Sofie was referring to Mr Hide, he used to be Mr 3% but it would appear he has lost two thirds of his supporters. Cool. :-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    @Craig. I think you will find that Sofie was referring to Mr Hide, he used to be Mr 3% but it would appear he has lost two thirds of his supporters. Cool.

    I got that -- but if you want to throw that kind of snark around, it can be turned around. What is keeping Anderton and his meta-fictional party in Parliament besides a little over four thousand folks in Wigram?

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

  • Sacha,

    One is a Minister threatening significant disruption to many. The other has no power whatsoever. However I will be more than happy for your equivalence to become reality, Craig.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Littlewood,

    I got that -- but if you want to throw that kind of snark around, it can be turned around. What is keeping Anderton and his meta-fictional party in Parliament besides a little over four thousand folks in Wigram?

    True, but it's the way that Hide's willing to risk his role over this issue, and how seemingly unaware that the reform pass without his party's vote. It's politically tone-deaf and oddly megalomaniacal. And that's even allowing for the fact I disagree with Hide here.


    As I/S says on his blog "National also has confidence and supply from the Maori Party, which gives them the freedom to tell Rodney to go take a hike (and they'd probably gain public support by doing so). After all, what is ACT going to do - vote against right-wing policy purely out of spite?"

    And I don't remember Anderton behaving like this in his ministerial roles during the fifth Labour Government.

    But maybe we're talking about different issues here.

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    I don't remember Anderton behaving like this in his ministerial roles during the fifth Labour Government.

    It's different of course, but Helen Clark took New Zealand to war in Afghanistan in the knowledge that it would split the Alliance, and then used the opportunity to declare an early election (despite having the confidence of the House).

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Littlewood,

    It's different of course, but Helen Clark took New Zealand to war in Afghanistan in the knowledge that it would split the Alliance, and then used the opportunity to declare an early election (despite having the confidence of the House).

    Fair point- I was thinking about that as soon as I posted my comment. I must admit, I was very disappointed to see Alliance collapse in the way they did, not least because parliament lost Laila Harre as a result.

    (Although, to be fair, her and McCarten have done well for themselves since then. Still, like the late Rod Donald, she was one of those politicians that genuinely seemed in it for the greater good).

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Hide said he would resign his position as Ministerd for Auckalnd governance if Maori had a say. Jim didn't. Hide has gone down in the polls to 1% for Auckland governance. Jim didnt. I asked Rodney, he said thanks but no thanks, gloves off. What makes him better than Sharples ? Statistically he is no better.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    One is a Minister threatening significant disruption to many.

    Really? I'm sure this is going to wound a few politician's egos, but I don't recall the ship of state grinding to a halt on the occasions Helen re-shuffled, stood down, or "reluctantly accepted the resignations" (aka flat out sacked) Ministers.

    Dude, please feel free to bring the schadenfreude or stir the shit pot until it comes to a merry boil. I'd sure love to play poker with Hide -- because he seems to be bluffing off a terribly weak hand. But there seems to be a bit of hyperbole entering the room...

    It's different of course, but Helen Clark took New Zealand to war in Afghanistan in the knowledge that it would split the Alliance, and then used the opportunity to declare an early election (despite having the confidence of the House).

    To be fair, Matthew, Clark's rationale for calling the '02 snap election was that rowdy and lengthy Question Times were rendering the country unmanageable.

    Which was, in my view, complete bullshit even she wasn't trying to sell with any conviction. National's historically shithouse polling at the time had nothing to do with it...

    Hide said he would resign his position as Ministerd for Auckalnd governance if Maori had a say. Jim didn't. Hide has gone down in the polls to 1% for Auckland governance. Jim didnt.

    Jim flounced out of the Labour Party because... well, he thought it had turned into something he couldn't in good conscious support. When he came back in all but name, Helen Clark was quite happy to keep handing ministerial warrants to someone who is "Mr 0.002%" in polls. Still a rather cheap put down, Sofie.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Still a rather cheap put down, Sofie.

    Actually Craig, it was Rodney himself who said it. At !% he felt it necessary to tell the PM of his staunch position of Maori seats on the Auckland Council being unacceptable to The Act party and he would step down if that was to be. He also confirmed in the House yesterday.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Actually Craig, it was Rodney himself who said it. At !% he felt it necessary to tell the PM of his staunch position of Maori seats on the Auckland Council being unacceptable to The Act party and he would step down if that was to be. He also confirmed in the House yesterday.

    And if you want to keep citing poll numbers as a political mark of Cain, I'm going to keep suggesting that card can can be dealt out to a lot of people.

    And if I may, could I respectfully suggest that Tariana Turia isn't exactly the most credible person to be calling Hide "infantile and destructive".

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

  • James Bremner,

    A Rasmussen poll showing people really don't feel good about the healthcare proposals being offered by Obama and the Dems

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/august_2009/voters_skeptical_about_health_care_reform_claims_made_by_pelosi_and_hoyer

    Article describing how Obama got himself into the pickle he is now in. Not very skillful one has to say.

    http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/20/news/economy/obama_health_care_miscalculate.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009082009

    In other words, no matter what legislative package Congress passes, a radical restructuring of the nation's health-care delivery system threatens a status quo in which eight out of 10 people are perfectly happy with their own situations.

    So that puts me right in the majority position with 80% of Americans. I am happy with my healthcare, but I see the need for changes to make things better for me and for others. But first things first, I must be satisfied that the changes proposed will makes thing better, not worse, and I and don't see Obamacare meeting that basic standard. Hardly an unreasonable position.

    The thought of bureaucrats and politicians, like those at the Army Corp of Engineers who can’t design a simple levy, the City and State govts of LA, and FEMA who all screwed up so badly getting more involved in the healthcare system through more involvement or a Government plan leaves me cold to say the least. Again, hardly unreasonable.

    A rather tougher article on Obama's competence and the fact that those who run the House and Senate are far to the left of the average American, which is a big part of the current healthcare circus. These schmucks just can't understand why Americans aren't buying what they are selling.

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2009/08/amateur_hour_at_the_white_hous_1.html

    The potential cost of the Dems’ proposals is also a major issue. This builds on top of the major concerns about the spending of Bush and the Repubs when they controlled the purse strings that have only been compounded by the cost of TARP, the "Stimulus bill", the GM & Chrysler bailouts, Obama's budget etc. No one believes Obama's claim that his package will be deficit neutral (even after massive tax increases).

    Obama's budget projections have massive trillion dollar deficits off into the future, Medicare and Social Security are going bankrupt fast (much sooner after the recent market downturn) and we need another massive Govt program that will only cost much more than budgeted? Sure, what a good idea.

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/july_2009/cost_not_universal_coverage_is_top_health_care_concern_for_voters

    Be very interesting to watch how it all pans out.

    As for coming along and posting every now and again, and then disappearing for a while, I don’t have an interest in many of the topics, and I don't have the time to post that many of you apparently do!! I have wondered from time to time; what the many frequent posters do for jobs, because whatever they do apparently allows them a lot of time for non-work related activities!!

    NOLA • Since Nov 2006 • 353 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    I wonder if members of the public are concerned about the healthcare proposals because they're believing the unreconstructed falsehoods being circulated by a lot of unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies and their bought-and-paid-for lackeys in the Congress and Senate? (Aided and abetted by a news media apparently incapable of doing some basic analysis to go along with their endless punditry.)

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

  • James Green,

    So from a random spammy twitter request I got to this person yesterday.

    http://twitter.com/blonderaider21

    Feel free to discuss the semiotic, religious and political madness.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    As for coming along and posting every now and again, and then disappearing for a while, I don’t have an interest in many of the topics, and I don't have the time to post that many of you apparently do!! I have wondered from time to time; what the many frequent posters do for jobs, because whatever they do apparently allows them a lot of time for non-work related activities!!

    Re: the Pratchett discussion on the other thread, another quote comes prominently to mind.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I have wondered from time to time; what the many frequent posters do for jobs, because whatever they do apparently allows them a lot of time for non-work related activities!!

    James: I pay my bills with the sweat of my own brow, and how I do it (or how long it takes) is seriously in the MYourOFB file.

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

  • Matthew Littlewood,

    I wonder if members of the public are concerned about the healthcare proposals because they're believing the unreconstructed falsehoods being circulated by a lot of unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies and their bought-and-paid-for lackeys in the Congress and Senate? (Aided and abetted by a news media apparently incapable of doing some basic analysis to go along with their endless punditry.)

    Quite.

    I think this Tom Tomorrow cartoon sums up the insanity of their current of system pretty nicely.

    The other thing that many of the opponents are doing is deliberately conflating anger towards the bailouts (passed under Bush) towards the general public's desire for proper health reform.

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    As usual Craig valiantly grasps the wrong end of any stick that's going. Rodney is threatening disruption if he stays, not if he goes.

    That doesn't mean he will succeed but I still believe Rodney out of any portfoliios would be a good thing for this country. Feel free to disagree with that premise, or offer one of your own.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    As usual Craig valiantly grasps the wrong end of any stick that's going. Rodney is threatening disruption if he stays, not if he goes.

    Well, might have been nice if you'd said that at the time because, as usual, my mind-reading skills are kind of crap. And how exactly is he "threatening disruption" -- planning to bring down the Government? Is there legislation that ACT (shock! horror!) might not support -- well, I thought that was part and parcel of MMP. And not exactly the end of the world, despite what FPP fetishists would like you to think. (FWIW, I didn't support MMP but was on the wrong side of that argument. I've gotten over it.)

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

  • Sacha,

    FFS, disruption to real Aucklanders, not some beltway political process. Lift your eyes, man.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Littlewood,

    The other thing that many of the opponents are doing is deliberately conflating anger towards the bailouts (passed under Bush) towards the general public's desire for proper health reform.

    Erm, just to clarify something here, what I'm saying is that the GOP talking points seem to suggest the public's anger at how sloppily the bank bailouts were handled (and how little regulatory reform was actually passed) somehow has led to opposition towards healthcare reform and the stimulus plan.

    I've gotta admit, it's quite impressive how they've managed to pass the GOP's failings onto the current administration as if they're one and the same thing.

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    FFS, disruption to real Aucklanders, not some beltway political process. Lift your eyes, man.

    Tell me exactly what "disruption" would go down if Hide handed in his ministerial warrant. Can you do that without pissing yourself?

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

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