Thanks, fellas. Now about being wrong about everything else ... :)

I'd admit you were right about that, but I worry about universe-swallowing paradoxes...

. . . an astonishingly widespread and incredibly awful advert for downloadable IM smileys.

I knowthe one you mean – and every time I stumble across it I think of Sarah Palin.

What the hell was that site, Sophie??

My browser windows started yelling "Hel-loooo!" when i minimised them, until I killed the window with the site in it. Nasty.

:) See, theyr'e coming to take you awaaay uhuh!

Actually, Grant, I'm grateful to you for bothering to go and do the research to answer the question. Seriously.

Seconded – thanks from me for specifically chasing up the stuff I was asking about. I still disagree wholeheartedly, but can now do so on a slightly more informed basis... :)

More like non-partisan hysteria that actually obscures and negates doing something useful or causes over-reaction with unintended consequences, much as is happening over web filtering in Australia at present.

I take your point, Mark, and it's mostly a fair one. Mine is that I think it's fair comment to say…

It's fascinating how the Right have used the "Nanny state" line over not being allowed to beat their children, but have no qualms in dictating to others on sexuality.

Well, Steve, I'd like to think there's a pretty non-partisan consensus that we "dictate to others on sexuality" when their sexuality…

We wear our ponytails on the inside ...

I hear you brother. My external one went west when I had the op on the right hand. One thing you cannot do with one hand, and I tried hard, is tie up your hair. The nice girls in the hairdressers (outer…

I know of a much simpler and cheaper solution. When there's a video about to be played in a public hall, secretly switch the real DVD for something like this.

What do you think would kill the average Winston Firster — the Japanese dialogue or the shokushu goukan? I know…

I say we nuke Tauranga from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

I know of a much simpler and cheaper solution. When there's a video about to be played in a public hall, secretly switch the real DVD for something like this. And sit back and count the…

http://www.hbo.com/conchords/

I'm always going to picture you as Paul Reiser wearing a cardigan

I thought Reiser did always wear a cardie..

My browser windows started yelling "Hel-loooo!" when i minimised them, until I killed the window with the site in it. Nasty.

So, forgive my scepticism of your analysis, Russell. I guess you will not be overly concerned that the pro-life movement is compromised though :)

Actually, Grant, I'm grateful to you for bothering to go and do the research to answer the question. Seriously.

I hope one day we shall meet, Craig. But until that day, I'm always going to picture you as Paul Reiser wearing a cardigan.

As long as you don't picture me as Paul Reiser in that ghastly sit-com he was in with Helen Hunt, reaching new frontiers in irritating Noo…

No, Lucy, the Company wants us to capture a sample.

I hope one day we shall meet, Craig. But until that day, I'm always going to picture you as Paul Reiser wearing a cardigan.

I say we nuke Tauranga from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

No, Lucy, the Company wants us to capture a sample. The potential profits for the bio-weapons division are astronomical, and the civilians are expendable.

Wait .. I already said that .. I was RIGHT! :)

hmm .. :(

Family First's policies by themselves do look comprehensively against abortion:

Amend the law to protect the unborn children from conception (18,000 abortions per year represents the worst of child abuse)

Parental notification automatically of teenage pregnancy and abortion except in exceptional circumstances approved…

Family First seems genuine in their desire to be seen as 100% pro-life. Yet Bob seemed totally unaware that both The Family Party and Kiwi Party are unashamedly pro-choice. He also quoted Taito’s NZ Pacific Party as having adopted their policy, but…

I say we nuke Tauranga from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

It's good to see that all that higher education hasn't dulled your finer sensibilities, Lucy ;-)

a wooden stake, it's the only way I tell you

I say we nuke Tauranga from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Now that that's over with, how bout we focus on the election tomorrow for the next 36 hours, then shift back to NZ?

Eh. but that's not the point of that policy; it's pure dog whistle.

True. Perhaps hanging out with Green MPs (as well as campaigning) has left me feeling that the pay rate isn't that high once actual hours are factored in. Plus the nights and weekends away from whanau...

I'm…

Apologies for the slightly tricky question, but attempting to get inside the minds of NZ1st voters has been a bit of a hobby of mind for the last 15 years. And I’m…

a wooden stake, it's the only way I tell you

No, that's for Bram Stoker's Dunne.

I think with Winnie it's a silver bullet. Which he'll then pull out of his own corpse and swear he's never been given silver by anyone in exchange for his death or anyone else's…

Also, when I pointed out that their "MPs should get paid the average wage" policy would result on largely really rich people being in parliament, the nice young volunteer ventured that he didn't really understand all the policies...

Eh. but that's not the point of that policy; it's pure dog…

Unless English calls Obama a "raghead nigger", I suspect the…

Feck me, Rasputin was easier to kill.

And just as expensive a date...

Meanwhile, Winston rides again! Ariba!

Meh, he's still Dog Tucker.

He'll lose Tauranga by more than 3000 votes, and if NZF can break 3.5% of the part vote I'd be surprised.

"No Immigration Control Whatsoever" policy. Also, when I pointed out that their "MPs should get paid the average wage" policy would result on largely really rich people being in parliament,

I think these policies are reasonable if you assume that full-on socialism is also implemented, which is the doctrine of…

Meanwhile, Winston rides again! Ariba!

Feck me, Rasputin was easier to kill.

Feck me, Rasputin was easier to kill.

I took a look at Family First. No doubt they are the first to talk about 'nanny state' but Conservatives are the actual control freaks – and I doubt that nanny would have much say in their rule making.

I'm glad somebody besides me has thought this as well. Conservatives…

The Press Council has rejected a complaint against the Herald brought under fast-track procedures during the election campaign.

Rejecting a complaint about the Herald's coverage last week of Labour's just-announced Job Search Allowance, the council…

I'll wait until six, and if Duncan Garner runs true to form the Trump of Doom is going to sound a lot like a wet fart.

You're probably right.

The shit stirrer in me would enjoy the entertainment of a genuine nucular strike against someone though. Anyone.

With even more due respect, I remember when it was the shit-stir de jour to say Michael Cullen was doing the numbers to roll Helen Clark, and that had the plausibility factor of a real live coup attempt.

I'll wait until six, and if Duncan Garner runs true…

Bills Gate

Quick, give this man a Pulitzer!

One rumour (and it is only that) I heard is that it’s proof that English leaked the Hollow Men emails

I'd actually thought all along that this, if anything, would be the bomb: there has been chatter to such effect since the book was published.

I said that – and…

'If it had been John Key going arse-up' the tape would have disappeared like the 'we would love to see wages drop' tape disappeared.

Like the tape of Garner and Espiner Jr. on their knees giving Key's cock and balls a literal licking to go with the figurative one? With…

I took a look at Family First. No doubt they are the first to talk about 'nanny state' but Conservatives are the actual control freaks – and I doubt that nanny would have much say in their rule making.

Meanwhile, Tumeke says it's English on the tape.

And assuming it is, well, do you really think votes are going to flip at the revelation that (say) English doesn't actually totally agree with every line of policy? I rather doubt Michael Cullen does either. Or the stunning revelation that he's…

Slightly more pertinently, Giovanni, my spelling may be shit but I know when to leave the dead horse alone.

Sorry, I wasn't actively trying to be an arsehole... I thought your bit was very funny and was clumsily trying to add to the mirth.

The Trojans would have been well…

'If it had been John Key going arse-up' the tape would have disappeared like the 'we would love to see wages drop' tape disappeared.

English-Gate perhaps – here's someone who thinks they're in the know.

And the entry was ...

One rumour (and it is only that) I heard is that it’s proof that English leaked the Hollow Men emails

I'd actually thought all along that this, if anything, would be the bomb: there…

I met some FF members at Otara Markets on Saturday when I was campaigning. They were very pleasant, but that was perhaps because I made point of discussing our…

. . . no one gives a so much as a droplet of a fuck about young boys getting their foreskins cut off and thrown out for the dogs

Oh yes they do – see here for Israeli production of Interferon (is that still good for anything?) from foreskins:
http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/site/en/weizman.asp?pi=369&doc_id=4822…

And good guess with the Trojan War Craig!

But, I've been leaked a copy of this neutronic bomb, and here are exclusive extracts I shared with Kiwiblog readers earlier today:

LOL.

Ithica

Key's poor spelling is what makes it believable.

fucking funny don't you think how everyone has a bandwidth of an opinion about what happens to unborn babies and womens' uterus and no one gives a so much as a droplet of a fuck about young boys getting their foreskins cut off and thrown out for the dogs

Hey,…

Fact: In 1990 Bill Birch ran over student protester Felix Geiringer at Otago University.

Resulted in a conviction too.

For Felix.

Extract One:
BILL ENGLISH: “Forsooth, Mary, you’re a hot piece of trim. I’d love to drag you into that broom closet rip off your [inaudible], and [expletive omitted]…

]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:13:11 +1300 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-gods-squads/?p=77675#post77675 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-gods-squads/?p=77675#post77675

How big it would have to be to swing the election now?

I think the more pertinent questions is, will this neutron bomb end up killing everything except the target again. I really think Duncan Garner and Labour have really used up their line of credit on these increasingly meh-some…

I wonder if they mean "protect from contraception", since they occasionally seem to want to protect the rest of us from that too. But I think the meta-meaning is that they're against logic and plain language.

Helen was called into a meeting at TV 3 this afternoon. A new Secret Tape apparently tonight on TV3.

How big it would have to be to swing the election now?

Amend the law to protect the unborn children from conception

Whoa... we're protecting unborn children from conception? Why would they need to be protected from conception, and isn't it, well, a bit late for that?

The Grey Lynn tribe is made up of intellectuals who value ideas more than things. They are well-educated, highly principled, socially aware, culturally sophisticated people. They believe in collective social responsibility, and that individuals should make a difference by making the world a better place.

I haven't lived in Grey…

Family First are "comprehensively" against abortion?

That's what i took from this bit ...

Amend the law to protect the unborn children from conception (18,000 abortions per year represents the worst of child abuse)

Which does, I will grant you, appear to contradict the part you quoted.

He flies straight back to the US today, and on return will go directly to a campaign office and join his wife, working the phones for Obama.

Amazing.

I can report that Felix suffered no lasting damage to anything except his left wing credentials... he's currently an evil banking lawyer in London.

Where he's probably standing in front of a much better class of car.

"Parental notification automatically of teenage pregnancy and abortion except in exceptional circumstances approved by the court"

I wonder what an "exceptional circumstance" is and why anyone would call it an abortion (but I won't be wondering for long if they respond to my email:).…

Not to mention confused here's Phil Best predicting the Dems will refuse to concede

Until Mr. Best get a grip on the fine art of (linky) love — rather than posting ten thousand word screeds — I just scroll past anything that has his name on it. And anyone who…

I was at a canddiates' meeting on Waiheke Island and Kaye *constantly* leafed through her folder, not just when she had lost interest.

I had a meeting with Rodney Hide once at the students association down here. He spent all the time that he wasn't talking (and some of the…

Fact: In 1990 Bill Birch ran over student protester Felix Geiringer at Otago University. I know, as I was at the same protest. I wouldn't be surprised if Kyle Matthews had been in the vicinity, either.

Actually, I was going to high school in Auckland at the time.

Though, events…

give your name, address and occupation

You mean like: Russell Brown, high priest, Grey-Lynn-on-Chevalier. :)

because the likes of D4J/Redbaiter really are crepuscular cunny-slapping cretins

Not to mention confused here's Phil Best predicting the Dems will refuse to concede

I bet they won't either, but not for the same reasons as Phil.

crepuscular cunny-slapping cretins

Fuck, talk about your undesired mental images. I know that one of them has actually managed to breed, against all rules of logic and divine justice, but I'd rather not be reminded of it...

Te Papa should have an exhibition of political t-shirts sometime. That would be…

Lotu-liga, innit?

Damn right. My incompetent proof-reading is truly diverse — I can screw up absolutely anything. :)

And there is the alliterative cadence leftist, liberal, lickspittle provides to D4J's rants

Aw, harden up. I just get my alliteration on right back, because the likes of D4J/Redbaiter really are crepuscular…

To be fair, "lickspittle" is a much better word.

And there is the alliterative cadence leftist, liberal, lickspittle provides to D4J's rants

So is The Standard alleging National MPs try to run protesters down with their cars.

Fact: In 1990 Bill Birch ran over student protester Felix Geiringer at Otago University. I know, as I was at the same protest. I wouldn't be surprised if Kyle Matthews had been in the vicinity,…

Can someone clarify The Law on this? I thought we weren't obliged to give our name unless we were arrested? I would have declined politely and walked away. Would I have then been arrested?

My understanding is you are required to give your name, address and occupation and nothing else,…

No, Laidlaw was Labour, beating Denis Welsh (ex-Listener) of the Alliance in the by-election.

Ken Grey won the nomination for a safe Labour seat, so it’s reasonable to count him too.

Doh! You are entirely correct.

It is a welcome sign of progress since the era of dawn raids when those like Su'a William Sio or Mr Lotu-liga find success anywhere on the…

So why don't they call him an arse-kisser then...?

To be fair, "lickspittle" is a much better word.

When in doubt, choose the word without a hyphen.

So why don't they call him an arse-kisser then...?

Dad4justice is too PC.

These are weasel terms. What do they mean? From whose standpoint are we to assess awareness and sophistication? I think we can guess which tribe the authors assign themselves to...

The whole "tribes" thing rubs me up the wrong way. Even the word "tribe", with its…

What’s a lickspittle?

An arse-kisser in polite society.

So why don't they call him an arse-kisser then...?

What’s a lickspittle?

An arse-kisser in polite society.

and not a pony tail in sight.

We wear our ponytails on the inside ...

For short: rich hippies.

as short hand for Grey Lynn is like a venn diagram for one…

Joe (the plumber)

Mack (The Knife)
Atilla (The Hun)
Ludwig (The Mad)
Hat (The Cat in The)
Hannibal (The Cannibal)

Yegads, Dr. Seuss has been writing John McCain and Sarah Palin's speeches from beyond the grave!

They obviously need to be introduced to Nick Smith and Tony Ryall.

Perhaps they also need to be introduced to Phil Goff, and reminded what the presumptive next leader of the Labour Party did when he was Minister of Education. Since you went there...

Craig, anything he did while he…

parenthesized to the nines

you missed one – Joe (the plumber).

“If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.”

Is that more palatable?

He was plagiarising GB Shaw and aside from that I'd say it's just as unapalatable and not nearly as insidiuosly clever.

Actually on further…

firmly and forcefully bracketed

Michael Jones and Inga Tuigamala (very conservative Christians)
PIs (led by faith)
all the Christians (too busy with their PhDs)
Craig Young (GayNZ)
David Farrar…

1. An abject parasite or sycophant; a toady.

[1629 DAVENANT Albovine III. Gib, Lick her spittle From the ground. This disguiz'd humilitie Is both the swift, and safest way to pride.] 1825 J. WILSON Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855 I. 40 To hear his lickspittles speak you would think that…

For some reason this makes me irrationally furious.

Irrationally?

My mum's 77 and lives in a Berlusconi stronghold. When she goes out for a walk, people have learned to cross the street for fear of being harangued by her on what's wrong with the way the country is going. She…

What’s a lickspittle?

Fucked if I know, but Ms. Manners sez: One wipes up one's own spittle with a clean handkerchief or napkin. Licking it up is not only rude (unless you've brought enough for everyone) and unhygenic, but may constitute assault if done in a crowded room.

Well it's just as untrue and condescending. The Grey Lynn tribe is really made up of childless young people? I don't think so.

The author of 8 Tribes says this:

The Grey Lynn tribe is made up of intellectuals who value ideas more than things. They are well-educated, highly principled,…

What’s a lickspittle?

Christ knows. Prehaps "filthy, lying socialist lickspittle" is a phrase dreamt up by someone who loved the episode of Sesame Street brought to them by the letter "i". Or a closet Jonathon Ives enthusiast. :)

The sitting MP has refused to take part in the 2 debates held there.

And I think that really stinks (not saying it wouldn’t happen the other way around the country either)

“If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.”

Is that more palatable?

He was plagiarising GB Shaw and aside from that I'd say it's just as unapalatable and not nearly as insidiuosly clever.

Well it's just…

Who was it that said the difference between a liberal and a conservative is having a daughter ?

Aha thaaaat explains a lot ...

having your details taken by a plainclothes policeman because you asked the candidate a question is just creepy.

Can someone clarify The Law on this? I thought we…

Watch out for Broadcasting and Communications.

Oooh – who, who?

I understand this has been going on for Labour activists in most of…

I'm struggling to even see a comparison between the two, to be honest.

Just that The Standard is a source any prudent person should treat with extreme caution.

John Campbell nailed Key last night about the lack of "fresh" anything on his front bench.

But while Campbell (tiried) to nail…

BTW, I don’t think the venom around the blogosphere will die down until after the next election in May 09.

“If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.”

Is that more palatable?

He was plagiarising GB Shaw and aside from that I'd say it's just as unapalatable and not nearly as insidiuosly clever.

Respect to David for fronting up here tho.

I'd pop over to Kiwiblog more often, but being reminded that I am a filthy, lying socialist lickspittle gets old quite quickly :-)

“If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.”

Is that more palatable?

John Campbell nailed Key last night about the lack of "fresh" anything on his front bench. Interestingly, his response suggested that the rankings may not count for much after the election.

I hear this too. Watch out for Broadcasting and Communications.

I accept the police have a duty to proactively maintain security — but having your details taken by a plainclothes policeman because you asked the candidate a question is just creepy.

So is The Standard alleging National MPs try to run protesters down with their cars.

I'm struggling to even…

Could it simply be that Labour and National have rightly cottoned on to the fact that electorates just don't matter squat to them?

I suspect they think they're quite important. Manning's article was interesting in how he linked an active and good electorate MP to bringing out a strong vote…

Only four more sleeps to go, and then the troll bloggers might fuck off back under their bridges for a bit.

Though having said that, I expect the bog-o-sphere to be alive with the sound of exploding blood vessels and unmentionable human waste products and bodily fluids hitting fans for…

I haven't seen a single candidate here at the door in Dunedin North

Me neither in Dunedin South,Paul. I did nearly run over some Labour people hanging around the Oval where the motorway ends...

And I wouldn't recognise Claire Curren to run over.

They obviously need to be introduced to Nick Smith and Tony Ryall.

Perhaps they also need to be introduced to Phil Goff, and reminded what the presumptive next leader of the Labour Party did when he was Minister of Education. Since you went there...

I accept the police have a duty to proactively maintain security — but having your details taken by a plainclothes policeman because you asked the candidate a question is just creepy.

So is The Standard alleging National MPs try to run protesters down with their cars. Only four more sleeps…

They obviously need to be introduced…

I really almost wish that candidates still did the doorknocking thing

Well, I sure wish Phil Twyford would — I've met him a couple of times, and he's a perfectly decent and personable chap. A damn sight more appealing than his faux-personal computer generated snail-spam.

I guess it depends whose daughter it is.

It'd better not be mine. But, irrespective of daughters... what a tremendous, evil line.

I really almost wish that candidates still did the doorknocking thing

Nikki Kaye's been round our way, no sign of Judith Tizard, or anyone else for that matter.

Who was it that said the difference between a liberal and a conservative is having a daughter ?

Somebody who was wrong.

Agreed, but what a tremendous line.

I guess it depends whose daughter it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohRmCq1KAc

I accept the police have a duty to proactively maintain security — but having your details taken by a plainclothes policeman because you asked the candidate a question is just creepy.

Who was it that said the difference between a liberal and a conservative is having a daughter ?

Somebody who was wrong.

Agreed, but what a tremendous line.

Who was it that said the difference between a liberal and a conservative is having a daughter

Hmm. I preferred the commenter on Pandagon who said "Liberals think a meritocratic society would be a good idea, conservatives think we already have one."

I am restraining myself from ranting about the deification of All Blacks. They play Rugby Football very well, that is all. Their political opinion ought not to matter.

Hasn't the AK central boundary changed slightly too, or was that last election ?

Pt Chev now in Mt Albert instead of Ak Central.

Yup. As of this election, we're no longer Auckland Central, which will have somewhat altered the demographics of that electorate.

Who was it that said the difference between a liberal and a conservative is having a daughter ?

Somebody who was wrong.

Who was it that said the difference between a…

Also if I recall correctly, this isn't Jones's first foray into politics. Didn't he back one of the christian parties for a while?

Yup; can’t remember which one though (and there have been so many)

Pretty sure this is the first time he’s endorsed a mainstream party though.

Also if I recall correctly, this isn't Jones's first foray into politics. Didn't he back one of the christian parties for a while?

When did this become police proceedure?

A fair call Russell and others. Unlike the PM, I do do regrets, and I should have left the video alone.

Fair enough, David. I respect you saying so.

In my defence I would have done an identical video of John key slipping up, and probably run a caption contest on it. But I should have known that…

Any group that gets involved in the political arena has to be treated like a political action committee," said Hansen, 61, a Mormon who lives in Cedar City, Utah, and has stopped going to church. "You can't get involved in politics and say, 'Treat me as a church.

Someone tell…

I was told that she drove down Ponsonby Rd on Saturday "waving like the…

I've been out of Auckland for a year, so what are Aucklanders' views on this? A result of gentrification — the Herne Bay effect — or dissatisfaction with Tizard? Or both?

Putting up a serious candidate never hurts — and unless Nikki Kaye had had a total personality transplant since…

Infected by too much time together lately in their cosy lil "blogmobile", surely. The tone of the pimply sniggering teen who fears the girls is coming through loud and clear.

Arrested adolescence is pretty much endemic in those parts.

And in a shameless plug, I've written about an Act blogger being a total dick at the TVNZ7 Epsom debate

Act really is a magnet for damaged personalities, isn't it?

I'll never forget being at a public meeting where Michael Cullen spoke in 1999, and a small Act contingent's heckling…

At the Suffrage Eve debate she started off being very canny but when she realised that the audience was pretty left she completely lost interest and sat there flipping through her policy folder.

Julie, she was looking for a policy.

I too am worried about Auckland Central. The Labour campaign…

I think the campaign against repeal of Section 59 did for it. They became ridiculous in the eyes of mainstream New Zealanders

Oh really? There are a lot of people out there who view the s59 repeal as a case of pure social meddling, thoroughly ignorant of the kinds of…

"We don't want our people just working in factories", said Tuigamala. "We want them starting to own those factories."
Yeah, like seizing the means of production. I always knew National were closet Marxists ;-)

You is confusing seizing with starting.
National = starting things and creating wealth so we can…

Ken Grey won the nomination for a safe Labour seat, so it’s reasonable to count him too.

"We don't want our people just working in factories", said Tuigamala. "We want them starting to own those factories."
Yeah, like seizing the means of production. I always knew National were closet Marxists ;-)

Yeah, I had the same thought when I read that this morning. Absolutely classic Freudian slip.

At the Suffrage Eve debate she started off being very…

I don't pretend to understand the culture, but a blanket ban on abortion, as per Family First policy, wouldn't seem to tally with the relatively abortion rate of PI women.

I assume there's meant to be a "high" in there?

It's entirely understandable. In conservative cultures where there's a social…

Would love to get a chance to question her on what she'd change about the National Party if she could...

Ha – just searched Facebook to see if I could find her in order to do this. FB responded with:
__There are no results for national party. Did you mean…

And Labour had Chris Laidlaw and the late Ken Grey (sadly never got to make it to parliament)

And NZ First had Tu Wylie.

Ex rugby players reasonably evenly distributed I’d have thought.

Laidlaw was briefly an Alliance MP after winning a by-election, then lost at the following general election.…

I've been out of Auckland for a year, so what are Aucklanders' views on this? A result of gentrification — the Herne Bay effect — or dissatisfaction with Tizard? Or both?

Well it's my seat and think it's probably a bit of both. I'm considering Kaye solely because for the…

It's really not as easy to put christians in the same boxes that you could put US christians. I spent a week recently with conservative christians in North Carolina. You would think by listening to them that Obama had horns.

And don't they make good unchallenging copy? Then you might…

It makes sense they'd elect Mr. Flat Tax.

But, take a look at the party vote – even the Greens got more votes: 1,941 votes, while ACT got 1,237. Labour got about 10k while National was miles ahead with about 20k.
http://tinyurl.com/5anj28

I can't see Jones accepting that.

And I wouldn't want to tear down his credentials either: Wikipedia says he has earned himself a B.A., an M.A., and a BPlan from Auckland University, and his community service has been officially honored.

Unfortunately he also has what I would regard as extreme,…

I've been out of Auckland…

I'm amazed that anyone's amazed about Michael Jones

Didn't Jones come out in support of National in a previous election?

Talking about previous elections, didn't National try and form a Government in 2005 despite not being the "largest party"?

Where was their "moral mandate" then and where were the damming…

all they do is make up the numbers on the back-benches for one or two terms, then get the boot. If Jones or Tuigamala ever become National Party MPs, exactly the same will happen to them.

I can't see Jones accepting that.

And NZ First had Tu Wylie.

Ex rugby players reasonably evenly distributed I’d have thought.

Rather off-topic, but can anyone explain why the people of Epsom look set to re-elect Rodney Hide?

It's the 2nd-richest electorate in the country. The percentage of the electorate which earns > 100K is higher than any other. It makes sense they'd elect Mr. Flat Tax.

Rather off-topic, but can anyone explain why the people of Epsom look set to re-elect Rodney Hide?

I had a long conversation about this with an Epsom voter on Sunday while I was campaigning for the Greens. He said that Rodney does a lot of local campaigning, and that Richard…

Groan. How exactly do either of these things undermine anyone's moral values? Are all strongly-held values suddenly out the window when they are no longer enforced in/through law?

Because pretty clearly, they let other people sin without punishment.

The post-enlightenment view that that's between you and whatever spiritual entities you…