Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Madness in Mt Albert

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  • Paul Williams,

    Would it be nice if the left avoided the Monty Python redux?

    Lee doesn't seem the strongest of candidates but that's hardly surprising given the history of the seat. I'm sure there'll be a few more awkward moments for Shearer but I'm impressed that of the three candidates, he's had the least to input into all the silliness.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I'm sure there'll be a few more awkward moments for Shearer but I'm impressed that of the three candidates, he's had the least to input into all the silliness.

    I suspect that will be the plan: don't say anything silly. It's not a particularly sophisticated plan, but it just might work.

    I do think Norman hurt himself a bit with his cracks about Shearer.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    If anyone is tempted to brush off the Wansy Pong cracks, don't.

    Nah. She's not remotely like Pansy Wong. She sounds to my ear like a commercial radio host.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I wasn't overly impressed with her grasp of local issues.

    My first impression of throwing this talking head up for Mt Albert was because of her Asian ties and Mt Albert has a fast growing Asian population into the area. Then thinking about it I believe there are many Chinese and fewer Korean in the area,so I suspect throwing this (spanish poll) world's most beautiful politician into the mix is because her face is a familiar talking head. I believe that,s how shallow it is. Jus' sayin'

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

  • giovanni tiso,

    If anyone is tempted to brush off the Wansy Pong cracks, don't.

    Sometimes, Craig, I genuinely wonder whether you need us in your conversations at all.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    Would it be nice if the left avoided the Monty Python redux?

    As in this Monty Python redux?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Sometimes, Craig, I genuinely wonder whether you need us in your conversations at all.

    Gio: And I quite often don't have to form an opinion of my own, become some charming person has done it all for me. But one digresses...

    I'd love to be wrong about this, but I'm fairly confident some rancid bigot bukkake is going to come from somewhere.. Just because.

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

  • Rich of Observationz,

    That's certainly how the Nazis did it

    What, the actual, German, Nazis? I thought that their methods for dealing with recalcitrant party factions were a bit more agressive than stacking meetings?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    To be fair, Rich, one way of stacking a meeting is to cause a riot so the quorum is basically in a coma.

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

  • Sacha,

    Yes, "the night of the cutting words" has a different ring to it.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    To be fair, Rich, one way of stacking a meeting is to cause a riot so the quorum is basically in a coma.

    Another way could be to charge everyone $1000 to get in and say it's for a good cause. Init what National did at Sky City on Election night?

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

  • Jan Farr,

    Can we get back to Rich o O's brilliant idea of one person one vote, ad infinitum. Please demonstrate - or give examples its successful operation.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Another way could be to charge everyone $1000 to get in and say it's for a good cause. Init what National did at Sky City on Election night?

    No. Next question?

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

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Reasonably successful OMOV systems in political parties:
    - the US primary system, where you don't even need to be a financial member to vote. It's about the only democratic thing in the US system.

    - the UK Lib Dems elect their leader by a postal ballot of all members. They also select candidates by a ballot of local party members (albeit from a shortlist generated with national involvement).

    - here in NZ, the Greens give each party member a vote on list positions and a delegated vote on the leader.

    Maybe NZ is different because parties are too small for mass membership?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Jan Farr,

    Thanks Rich. I'm not sure how democratic the US primaries are really - the candidates are a thin bunch - pretty much self-selected by wealth or their ability to raise it. Candidates like Jesse Jackson, or Obama, for example, are rare and dynasties are relatively common.

    UK Lib Dems and Greens - OK - but how effective are their systems? People voting for people they may not have the faintest clue about. In my opinion the danger is - although the Greens website says this isn't so - that you end up with pretty faces, smooth talkers and stars.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    No. Next question?

    So, how much did they charge? :)

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Nothing. If I'm going to shell out for that kind of nonsense, I expect to see Bouncy Knowles waterboarding Etta James' back catalogue at the very least.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Nothing.

    Good to see they know their value then eh?:)

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

  • Sacha,

    pretty faces, smooth talkers and stars

    Future Mayors of Auckland, you mean?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Bouncy Knowles waterboarding Etta James' back catalogue

    Fabulous. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Jan Farr,

    pretty faces, smooth talkers and stars

    Future Mayors of Auckland, you mean?

    I'd say you could bank on that.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Don't really want to say toldja! but bigot bukkake anyone?

    White-haired Mt Albert pharmacist David Baird met his first living, breathing politician yesterday - and gave her an earful.

    "Hi, I'm Melissa Lee, National candidate for Mt Albert," said the politician.

    "Well you won't be getting my vote because I don't think we need any Asians in Parliament," the pharmacist shot back tartly.

    I think Shearer can have that one...

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

  • Sam F,

    Sorry, just busy trying to work out at exactly which pharmacy I won't be spending any of my personal health budget at any point in the future. Until David moves on and Titus (awesome choice of name!) is running the joint.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    That is an interesting story you've linked to there Craig, not the leas because you have to wade through three quarters of the story - wholly sympathetic to Melisa Lee - before you get to hear about the ront running candidate, who is of course introduced with a National Party attack line - "a reputation as a grey United Nations bureaucrat".


    Typical of the Herald's pro-National propaganda.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Good thing red is the lucky colour for Asians .:)

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

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