There must be a pony!

"OF-EFnice , ignorant, innocent, whence ME nice foolish, whence shy, hence discriminating...hence agreeable,pleasant-"

In Legal System, I was taught that 'a nice point' was a fine (discriminating) point, appropriately made.But that certainly isnt its original meaning.

I think Key played the whole thing very nicely

Nicely isn't quite the word I would have used.

It's been a pretty heated situation for many these past few weeks, and passions have been high. Which can be a very positive thing as it shakes people out of apathy, but can…

I'm glad for the sake of people whose livelihoods depend on it that the films will be made here.

I think Key played the whole thing very nicely (although I don't…

I am a CL Clark.

I remember working at Crown Crystal Glass in
the '70s in Chch, aaah, nights on the lehr,
sunrise from the ladder on the chimney stack
above the hot end... and then I went down
the road and worked for…

But perhaps I was being a bit hyperbolic in attributing fanaticism to your own hyperbole. *shrug*

Happens to the best of us... I had to do a double take before the irony in Rich's comment appeared to me, then I was mightily impressed.

You seem to be implying that I am a one-eyed bitter idealogue. Would you care to explain to me why?

It was the impression that I got from this post:

So let's recap...

But especially this bit:

Wil you be celebrating with a few good old working class beers tonight?…

And you don't think unleashing a zombie Michael Savage on the beehive would be a good thing?

While I hold Grannyman Savage to be the greatest Prime Minister this country has ever had, no amount of whiskey would induce me to disinter and dry-hump his dessicated carcass. Let the poor…

Trollshevism

Genius +1

We will proceed as usual, in our parliamentary democracy. If that is unacceptable to you, I'm sorry. But that's how laws are passed.

But excessive use of urgency *is* how this government operates.

Some time ago, Idiot/Savant had a thorough comparison of not only the numbers but the types of…

Screaming because your effete, atrophied, office-softened hands can no longer wield a shovel?

Well, yeah, obviously. Not rich enough to be one of the Boss Class and buy my own serfs, but too office bound and downtrodden to have the powerful physique of the true working man.

Guess I'm just…

They were not anti-union rallies

Indeed not. I would have worded that better if I'd had more than two minutes to write the post.

But they were marching at least in part as a direct reaction to union actions.

The countries that…

Trollshevism

Genius.

With respect, your analogous tale while dripping with sarcasm and a fair degree of erudite noddery to the history and heritage of the Labour movement, is only reflective of the pompous fluff that has been passed off as serious political debate over the last month.

Would Helen Clark…

Govt saves Wānanga from going overseas

After two days and nights of negotiations the Prime Minister John Key has convinced senior officials at the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa not to move its business offshore. The deal follows protests and public outcry that wānanga education was special…

Presumably ACT have said yes. Wonder what Rodney wanted in exchange?

I'd imagine he was very happy. Corporate tax cut, changes to employment laws going in the rightwards direction.

Really – the left needs to take this one on the chin, and make sure it doesn't screw up this unbelievably…

Peter Jackson: "Build me a Hobbit House"

Samuel Parnell: "I will do my best, but I must make this condition, Mr. Jackson, that on the job the hours shall only be eight for the day … There are twenty-four hours per day given us; eight of…

A visual representation to cheer or annoy (depending on your situated perspective)

FFS, Trevor, don't you have any work to do?

...corporatistic dystopia. I mean, have you tried calling your bank or power company recently?

Ahh, yes. The result of that 80's corporate mantra, "lean and mean". An awful corporate culture meme if there ever was one. Fuckers.

I put it to you, Andre, that the capability for dysfunctionality within corporations is the only reason they are at all tolerable. A truly efficient corporation would be terrifying to behold.

As much as I can agree with the point you're making, I honestly don't believe that poorly managed corporations…

http://publicaddress.net/6921

James Cameron has started writing 2 sequels to Avatar, WSJ reports here http://bit.ly/aXqWlK Will we have the Hobbit fight again?

I'd not only pay to see Simon Whipp trying to play hardball with an infamously cold-blooded, hot-tempered SOB like James Cameron – I'd…

See, no social sector has been forgotten.

A truly efficient corporation would be terrifying to behold.

Such as Toyota, particularly in the 1970s & 80s?

My own anecdata is somewhat similar to yours. Worked for a small flower shop in Double Bay, and the boss's wife was such a bitch, I ended up walking out her on…

Now, anecdata is anecdata, but it's left me not misty-eyed with love for small businesses, you know?

I've been working in the corporate world for several years now, and while I appreciate the fact that I'm paid good money for what I do (never mind the benefits, which are where…

If anyone needs me, I'll be up at his memorial with a bottle of scotch, screaming at the wind.

Beat you to it. Monday was a particularly hard day for me. Found staying at home for the day not celebrating left a sour taste in my mouth.
As simong…

Lovely to see the middle class celebrating our descent into feudalism. Still, it is all good as long as the noblisse oblige of Lord Jackson ensures there are presents for Timmy this Christmas, eh?

[Deleted – not worth the bother]

Hmmm...whats the difference between Hobbit tax break and a US beef subsidy. From over here? Not a lot. And here we have the Free Market playing the game that totally abhors them. Sheesh. Goosed and Gandered.

And how well did the free-market fundamentalism of 1984-1999 work for most Kiwis? How…

I'm not very good at this whole "hindsight in advance" thing.

Personally, I'd like to see The Warehouse, Rebel Sport, Briscoes, McDonalds, etc, fuck off and die.

T-shirt.

It would have been every bit as wrong. Rushing the CERRA through in a day was wrong, and this is wrong for…

We do get to elect the people that make the decision on what is getting passed under extreme urgency.

BTW Vote McCarten if you get the chance.

I did really say that. They can do it under extreme urgency if the Speaker of the House consents – it is not as if coup d'etat assisted by a hobbit and elf army has taken over the house.

No, but I don't back down from my view that…

Hey we humans have been doing this shit [bartering, doing deals] for millenia cant change now, its in our DNA.

And the alternative is..?

Personally, I'd like to see The Warehouse, Rebel Sport, Briscoes, McDonalds, etc, fuck off and die. I'd love to see small businesses thrive in local communities…

Simon g – I did really say that. They can do it under extreme urgency if the Speaker of the House consents – it is…

Sorry – need to be clear – I'm aware there was much handwringing here on PA about the earthquake legislation. And I'm of the opinion that it was bad process.

But I don't recall Labour doing much handwringing – in fact they supported the bill, with Phil Goff stating…

- Caused anti-union demos on Labour Day.

They were not anti-union rallies.

weak soft socialists

The countries that rate highest highest on "happiness" and "prosperity" and "great places to live" ranking thingies, are those that have a good, balanced mix of socialism and capitalism. Now why is that, I wonder?…

Hobbit Amendment Act

HAA haa haa haa!! Nah nah nah nah yah.

I remember the cries of anguish from the (any) NZ Gummint over countries (eg USA) we export to having subsidies (arghhhh...sound of choking on the word) put in place to protect their (eg) beef farmers.

Hmmm...whats the difference…

Lovely to see the middle class...

Hey! I take offence to that. I'm not "middle class" *sniff*, I'm filthy dirty rich!

(Well, I am in spirit, anyway.)

..put a digital lid on it, and viola!
...fiddling about in the cellos...
I plead the fifth!

lol. You have an eagle eye, Mr. Dalziel.

And I must go back to schoolroom basics: o before i, except in an orchestra. :)

It is ugly but it is a solution that works.

Did you really just say that?

What was the alternative?

PM says to WB: "Gov't will introduce legislation. I'm confident we have the numbers. ACT will support us. We will proceed as usual, in our parliamentary democracy. If that is…

It is NZ that wanted the…

It's almost amusing to me that the people worrying about ceding New Zealand sovereignty to an American film company were quite relaxed about ceding it to an Australian union.

Irony double down: Fretting from the powned serfs who were perfectly happy to cede their "sovereignty" to Sydney and Dublin --…

What's that buzzing I hear? Oh yeah, it's Michael Joseph Savage spinniing in his grave.
If anyone needs me, I'll be up at his memorial with a bottle of scotch, screaming at the wind.

Screaming because your effete, atrophied, office-softened hands can no longer wield a shovel?

A frustrated political…

It's almost amusing to me that the people worrying about ceding New Zealand sovereignty to an American film company were quite relaxed about ceding it to an Australian union. Ah, doublethink...

Single think for me. Laws being written in one day and passed on the next = very bad.

And…

I just don't see all business – even big business – as some great evil.

But it seems to now occupy so much of our time. But anyway, you fail to make the distinction between "business" and the people who are in it.
Sure a big corporation just sitting there…

Really – the left needs to take this one on the chin, and make sure it doesn't screw up this unbelievably badly again.

Ideology doesn't…

Lovely to see the middle class celebrating our descent into feudalism.

You see, this is why no-one takes the Left seriously anymore. I mean, really, feudalism? I get that you don't like what has happened and consider it "wrong" in some way, i.e. a perceived loss of sovereignty by selling…

John Armstrong gets to the heart of the matter (and then backs off):

Perhaps getting to the "heart of the matter" would require asking uncomfortable questions about the "corporate hospitality" (and aggressive lobbying) of foreign-owned media "mega-money" like Fairfax and APN's corporate parent. Can't be biting the hand that signs…

The union has:

– managed to make Jon '90 days' Key look like a hero for saving the hobbit.

– Caused anti-union demos on Labour Day.

– given the government an excuse to weaken our labour laws under urgency.

– is giving lots of tax money to…

She is spinning so fast her brain must have fallen out of her head.

Mark Hadlow made a good point – "When was the last time NZAE were ever involved in your…

Parliamentary democracy, for sale.

What depresses me is not just that this is being rushed through, but that there are so few voices like Armstrong's being raised. A principled defence of the democratic process is hard enough in…

Or you can bugger off back to your bridge before the Three Billy Goats Gruff arrive...

Not that you care less, Tom, but my disdain for abuse of urgency to pass…

And no, Helen, Mad Max 4 is NOT about to go intro production — that probably…

Quite frankly, Trotter is right about you guys.

Chris Trotter loves racism and thinks democracy is an optional extra, to be discarded when it gets in the way of what he wants. I have a hard time taking hom, or anyone who considers him a moral compass seriously.

I also…

A spokesman for Gerry Brownlee said the Earthquake Recovery Minister had been busy with negotiations for The Hobbit and had not been told of the proposal.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4279596/Moore-joins-debate

Likely to weaken the role of organised labur – unions – they bought it on themselves.

There will liikely be no right…

And is it me, or does Millsy remind me of the Peoples' Front of Judea? Fight the real enemy, not your potential allies.

Roflnui about the…

Happy that the film will stay. Unhappy about everything else. Is there a word for this?

Life....

So part of the deal is Jackson and Warners produce promotional material for NZ.

Looking forward to the scene were Bilbo battles the giant salmon near Rakaia...

Lonely Mountain, It's the only thing…

(and defended)

and now I feel a bit bad for being so vehement about it.

Fair enough – anyway, I have found this to be a much more pleasant a place than the the rest of the blog sites.

Grand, please avoid calling, or quoting, people round here as scabs, otherwise, opine away.

Fair enough – anyway, I have found this to be a much more pleasant a place than the the rest of the blog sites.

"given that I've been loudly critical (and roundly rubbished for being so) of the…

But, hey, funny how you're a Grinch-i-licious right wing buzz-kill one day, and then... Anything much changed besides the Government?

C'mon Craig, you've never killed a buzz; amplified, diverted, perverted... never killed.

You know this thread has had almost 1600 posts?

Is that some sort of record on here?

Not nearly and it's because the participants give a damn and listen... it's a feature of this community that's highly valued (and defended). You have a view, please convey it, but please also…

And I say that as an NZEI member, who's off to a paid union meeting tomorrow to find out what we're getting offered, by the government.

@Tim: I'm sure you're going to be damn pleased to belong to a union competent to run a gang-bang in a brothel on your…

But I guess employment law changes means that the Not-the-Warner Brethren will still be pretty happy.

Is that some sort of record on here?

I just don't see…

So THAT was what all the bitterness with the Sackville-Bagginses was about.

the then there's the tales of those whacky Sackville-Wests
fortune smiles on the brave
and the outrageously fortunate

In Spring one navigates the vigil alone...

To make that movie work you'd need a Peter Jackson.…

marching to destory the union movement

Brendon, you really haven't listened well, have you? It's politically illiterate fucktards like your good self who "de-story" a proud movement of folk who were far smarter and big of heart than you'll ever be. Now fuck off back to the abbatoir you see…

You bastard – I jumped forward a few pages just to read that :)

Discretion is the better part of courtesy. Sometimes I have to/should bite my tongue.

:)

Actually I went to support the rally in Wellington on Monday, to support my partner who works in the film industry, and to support an industry that has helped feed and cloth my child, and pay our mortgage. An industry made up of good people, who work damn hard…

One question intrigues me: would Helen Clark have done anything different?

Don't mention the Rugby World Cup, or Trev's going to re-purpose a beer bottle as a butt plug.

Not a phrase I often use but I entirely resent your cartoon views on this. I don't want to see the NZ prostituted for no sustainable benefit but that simply hasn't happened here and it's ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

This isn't a forum…

But you guys support them because you want your precious film.

Would there be any point in speaking for myself, or have your mad psychic skillz got it all sorted out?

But, like I said, you don't know shit about the film business.

He doesn't know shit about dick, I think you'll find.

Or should that be poppyfeathers and horsecock? Bugger, I'll have to consult my neocon handbook....

$600 million dollars – you know, with that Jackson could have quite easily employed all of his workers, and given them things like sick leave, breaks, overtime, etc..

Your precious little film is going to be made here ...

I think you'll find, Brendon, it is two of the Very Biggest Films Ever Made.

And if you think wages are going down in the film biz, you should have seen what they would have done when __almost everyone…

It's buying WB. That is a bit suck.

That's just normal trade negotiations. The journey to this sucked, because a few months ago it was all so unnecessary. But that's business – something changes, and you finding that you have to discount your product or throw in a "free gift"…

I would have thought you PA members to be better than that, support…

[Deleted]

You bastard – I jumped forward a few pages just to read that :)

I'd very much like to add something but I've just read Kracklite's contribution and can't possibly say it better... any of it. Thanks.

Hear, hear.

(Hand-wringing teachers don't carry much weight at the moment I'm afraid.)

Oh hang on now... I'm pretty critical of teacher unions but that's quite unfair. In my…

We also get to pay $10 mil to WB to advertise our own country as a destination. Found that a bit suck.

It's actually not suck though. I used to sell advertising, and NZ would spend that very easily in a very short space of time to market itself as…

With Employment Law changes some reforms were likely on the way and this has bought them forward with a wider emphasis. We will wait and see.

The solutions make sense.

I will look forward to introducing the kids to the Hobbit in book and then in…

The people's flag is coloured pink
It's so much nicer don't you think

How is this good law-making?

We also get to pay $10 mil to WB to advertise our own country as a destination. Found that a bit suck.
Is the $15 mil rebate the difference that Ireland could offer or is our high dollar that difference? If so, it's predictable. Just…

Dead right there. Nothing like laying a bit of groundwork for the next hit at the teachers. Joe Public will then see all unions as heretics and oblige our Lords and Masters with cheering, the stacking of wood and waving of torches.

And teachers are behind the 8-ball with so…

unparalleled in their unique beauty.

you either get that or you don't. You can go through the world clapping landscapes for sure, but this land is unique,travel down the north island and look hard, it sure doesn't look like france, it looks better.

Fucked off with the whole thing is my reaction.
There is no increase in funds for the Arts bodies – but Nats/Nacts have never been interested in those except if it has been/is a throroughly capitalist structure.

Deeply sympathetic to the union cause, but deeply disturbed too by the polarisation.…

And, of course, AE's mess has managed to shaft the taxpayer (concessions), but the CTU's campaigns for teacher pay and the opposition to the 90-day at-will sacking law. But, hey, I'm informed it was worth it so some people could express their feelings...

Dead right there. Nothing like laying a…

No they don't – not from a government that sees education as a cost rather than an investment.

Oh, man. I really feel for you guys. You have your battles cut out for all on all sides – "damaged" (not quite the right word, but I hope you know what…

I am relieved that when home-troubled kids throw their anger and frustration in my face tomorrow, I can…

not really the kind of place you mine.

That's where the CG comes in – put a digital lid on it, and viola!

(Hand-wringing teachers don't carry much weight at the moment I'm afraid.)

No they don't – not from a government that sees education as a cost rather than an investment.

"Roman Polanski announces plans to film in NZ – John Key agrees to lower the age of consent to 12."

ooooh, burn!

The bottom line is that the government are spending US$10M to keep that spending here (the US$15M tax breaks don't really cost them anything as that tax money would have been gone if the production left anyway).

This seems to be a point that gets missed – this isn't like…

Some CG will still be needed, but not too much, I'd have thought.

Please. This is jingoistic nonsense. We don't have a lock on spectacular and moving scenary.

Sure don't. I'm still stymied as to where The Lonely Mountain will be. I hope it's not a CG effort.

Anyway, I am still smiling ear-to-ear :-)

That's good.
Glad the recession didn't hurt the filmos.:)

The Cinema of Unease was great and all, but if Muldoonism is the price to be paid to get it, I'm don't want it.

The Piano, An Angel at My Table, Once Were Warriors – all made after Muldoon. (And I saw all of them in Italy, to quite some…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdtsJlZG1Ss

Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are clearly international movies made in NZ. Boy and Whalerider are NZ films. There's a big area in between.

Yeah. One of them had Billy Crystal on stage cracking jokes about New Zealanders monopolising the Oscars. That made me feel pretty good, actually. It's…

Did the PM sell-out to foreign interests? I think he made a very pragmatic decision and reckoned that the benefits far-outweighed…

We are chasing the market of people who watch the extra content on DVDs. The all important have-no-life demographic.

When the US mid term are over we will be inundated with Teaparty Tourists who will have watched them.

Cue the left wing outrage.

Jesus Pat. So we won't hear you the next time Labour spends some of the hard earned taxpayers money on what the right would call "frivolous" activities then eh?

That was my left toe outrage.

Thanks Pat for the input. Now its a done deal…

But that's the problem with politics and democracy: long term goals take a back seat to instant gratification.

Well that's pretty fucking shallow then. Teachers and Radiographers have been trying to get their terms and conditions sorted for months well before hobomania. Back seat? No, gutter more likely. Let's just…

Can I just say that teachers are amongst our best exporters? At least judging by all the brochures I get to translate for schools chasing foreign students.

Heh, you'll never sell that to the Right. That's "feeding the brain drain".

He went on to add that the government and Warner Bros have also agreed to work together in a long-term strategic partnership to promote New Zealand as both a film production and tourism destination.

But that will come at…

Sort of glad for the people who have expressed support for MEAA(NZ)Inc, who have just dodged a bullet, to a large extent. I think they were wrong, but many of them are friends, so...

Well, give them a hug from a stranger in Rotorua, and then kick their bums and…

Yes. I guess I'm just remembering 31.10.85, found a clipping a while ago & plan to blog it this week. From another lifetime. xx

But that's the problem with politics and democracy: long term goals take a back seat to instant gratification.

Teaching also doesn't bring in hundreds of millions in foreign spending.

...and so said the Romans.

Surely this windfall, these hundreds of millions in foreign spending can now be used to help boost the teachers'/ radiographers' salaries?

Weeeeell, you could argue that tertiary brings foreign money. But what teachers can't really do is jeopardize that much.

That's true.

I'm going to break my usual distrust of the Nats by saying "Well done, John".

I'm saying "Well done, John, wish it hadn't been necessary".

The quarter century actually happened in 2009 – USA has celebrated with a new edition at their 25yr (which was 1985.)

There was nothing in ANZ.

Teaching also doesn't bring in hundreds of millions in foreign spending.

Weeeeell, you could argue that tertiary brings foreign money. But what teachers can't really do is jeopardize that much.

the US$15M tax breaks don't really cost them anything as that tax money would have been gone if the production…

My hope will be that The Hobbit gives a nice kick start to the economy again, and we can work on what needs to be done for our education…

Tony Parker. I sympathize with all of you along with Radiographers. You are all sexy in my book and don't give up the good fight. Remember to vote for those that understand. Keep believing, but I am really sorry for all of you.

Goes for me too. And for the…

Cant access that url Marian (you are the Marian arnt you?)

Take the trailing "." off: http://tinyurl.com/27fguro

Autoschadenfreude

Definitely not: Joy at other people's car breakdowns. I suggest Selbstschadenfreude, but I'm only a first year german dropout.

So....no money to pay teachers more but money for Warner Bros. I guess my profession that does more for this country than making movies does doesn't count. Teaching's not sexy but making movies is.

Teaching also doesn't bring in hundreds of millions in foreign spending. The bottom line is that…