Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance

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  • Tom Beard,

    Tom? Were you on W3 & was Lockwood asking the questions?

    Guilty as charged. It's amazing how low an information-crazed young geek would sink for a set of encyclopaedias in thos distant pre-Interweb days.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    __That's almost one quarter of parliament.__

    Just out of interest - how does that compare to Labour's last parliament?

    Slightly better.

    The overhang is now two, so it's 28 out of 122, instead of 28 out of 121 :-)

    appointments like McCully in Foreign Affairs...

    Russell - before you despair too much, consider this interview on Agenda, from August last year. The choice of McCully (made to goad Winston, I suspect) made a more sense to me long-term after that.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Reading The Hive and Roar Prawn, it is clear how much buy-in Tim Selwyn got for his political blog rankings -- although I'm still not sure exactly what they're measuring.

    I know that The Standard does less traffic than us, but they've overtaken us in Tim's rankings. Whatever.

    We had a truly boffo week (Weds to Tues) for the two elections, though: on the biggest day, Nov 10, 4700 people made 7500 visits and loaded 33,000 pages.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Josh Addison,

    I'm reading the list of ministers and mentally adding "Garthim Master" to the list of portfolios.

    If it meant that their leaderhsip was determined via Trial by Stone, I'd call that a good thing.

    Onehunga, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Caleb D'Anvers,

    Feel at ease with our latest product, 24/7 Bodyguard Hire! As endorsed by students of Auckland Grammar!

    LOL. When I was an AGS student, we didn't get any of this namby-pamby 24/7 bodyguard protection business. Back then, it was just mud, rugby, and the constant, low-frequency whine of bored masters telling caning anecdotes. Kids today have it way too easy.

    London SE16 • Since Mar 2008 • 482 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    on the biggest day, Nov 10, 4700 people made 7500 visits and loaded 33,000 pages...

    whilst shedding 4,000 litres of tears.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Reading The Hive and Roar Prawn, it is clear how much buy-in Tim Selwyn got for his political blog rankings -- although I'm still not sure exactly what they're measuring.

    I'll not pretend any technological insights, but it's clear in the amateur blogosphere, Tumeke's rating carry some weight. Whether they convert to real influence, merit or profit is another matter.

    Apparently a few journos are influenced by the 'sphere and the Hive claims to have been behind a number of stories in the MSM. This could be little more than vainglory, however I'd like to know whether the Hive was just another front for the National Party and whether their writers' connections were disclosed to the media?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Deborah,

    whilst shedding 4,000 litres of tears

    ...which is equivalent to 0.4% of an Olympic sized swimming pool

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    TABOR the Burninator - burninating peasants, thatch-roofed cottages and necessary public expenditure...

    Add majestic lines... for majesty.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Rodney Hide has now told journalists that bulk funding of schools will be investigated by the Leadership Council.

    Anne Tolley's first act as Education minister has been to have to deny emphatically that a return to bulk funding is an option.

    Hide seems to be somewhat out of control.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I would think that in general terms the truth or not of people causing Global warming would be overshadowed by the action to make the planet more sustainable and a nicer place to be in/on. Let's clean up the act (Act) anyway.

    I think that's wrong, sorry. If it is not true that humans are causing Global Warming, or it's not true that we can reverse it, then that matters a great deal. It will not be 'overshadowed', quite the opposite. Our actions will be overshadowed by their failure to have an effect.

    That is why it will always remain an experiment in my mind (if we can actually ever succeed in doing something to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions). It will also be a massive experiment in humanity's ability to cooperate on the issue. I'll be pleasantly surprised if we actually manage to perform it. I really don't think we will in my lifetime, but then I never thought I'd see America elect a black president either, so maybe times they are a changin'. Let's hope.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay,

    Mr Speaker:
    When my youngest son was 5 we had a tour through Parliament. He asked the guide which was the seat of the most important person. She said The Speaker was the top man.
    "Right!" 5 year-old said. "That's what I am going to get."
    We all laughed but now he is just completing his degree in Political Science and not so funny given John Key's aim as a kid to be PM so.....

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Paula Bennett just came off very well in a 3 News report.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Rodney Hide has now told journalists that bulk funding of schools

    Perhaps we could also propose bulk funding of bulky politicians--Brownlee would lead the pack.

    A prime imperative is to prevent ACT getting their paws anywhere near education. What, for example, is Heather Roy's agenda?

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Perhaps we could also propose bulk funding of bulky politicians--Brownlee would lead the pack.

    Fat jokes? But seriously, I wonder if there's not something in bulk funding electorate MPs and then they can apportion it is they see fit -- because I funny feeling that Rahui Katene (whose electorate is basically the whole South Island) might want to allocate a bit more on staff and office space that an urban MP who could walk from on end of their electorate to the other in a couple of hours.

    Paula Bennett just came off very well in a 3 News report.

    No eating babies, yet? :)

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

  • Russell Brown,

    No eating babies, yet? :)

    Quite the contrary.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • dc_red,

    Didn't Alan Peachey enter politics (as a Nat) for the sole purpose of re-instituting bulk funding? Would be interesting to hear his views on Hide vs Tolley.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report Reply

  • dc_red,

    Allan Peachey won Tamaki with 15,000 votes to spare, I see.

    Maurice "12,000 vote majority" Williamson should be another one to watch.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report Reply

  • Goodoh,

    Lockwood Smith will struggle as speaker. He'll puff up that little chest of his and make grand, thoughtful decisions in a very loud, deep TV quizz host voice and everyone will fall about laughing. Maybe he should wear his speedos.

    Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Didn't Alan Peachey enter politics (as a Nat) for the sole purpose of re-instituting bulk funding? Would be interesting to hear his views on Hide vs Tolley.

    That's my memory of things. Bulk funding and greater funding for private schools were once the major points of difference between the parties in the compulsory sector. The significance of bulk-funding was, IMO, always a little overplayed. NZ school principals have far more autonomy and personal responsibility than is the case in many other countries including Australia.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    How would the public service get supervised? I know they are all consumatte professionals

    Or would that be "consummating" professionals? After all, the public service is a favour target of, err, colourful language.
    And would it be fair to assume that, if Rodders has his way, they'll be "consummated" professionals?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Glenn Pearce,

    Apparently a few journos are influenced by the 'sphere and the Hive claims to have been behind a number of stories in the MSM. This could be little more than vainglory, however I'd like to know whether the Hive was just another front for the National Party and whether their writers' connections were disclosed to the media?

    If Kiwiblog ever closed down what on earth would Larry Williams and Leighton Smith do for material for their shows ?

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew E,

    In terms of all these private sector led panels that are reviewing this that and the other, it'll be important to be clear whether they're inside the scope of the OIA, or if they're going to try for a Cheney-like claim that the review is not part of the work of government.

    174.77 x 41.28 • Since Sep 2008 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Andrew, even if the panels themselves are outside the OIA their recommendations and other material that's given over to the Crown is absolutely OIA-worthy. And the Ombudsmen have shown themselves quite willing to tell pollies to hand over reports that originated outside their departments.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    In terms of all these private sector led panels that are reviewing this that and the other, it'll be important to be clear whether they're inside the scope of the OIA, or if they're going to try for a Cheney-like claim that the review is not part of the work of government.

    Well, thanks the Gods we actually have a politically independent Chief Ombudsman who has more balls most men. Ably backed up by David McGee, the irritatingly clever and well-respected former Clerk of the House.

    Then again, playing silly buggers with the OIA is hardly unknown among those who think Yes, Minister is a training film rather than satire, but you keep beavering away. I hope Wakem is going to follow through on her predecessors' warning that Ministers and Minister's Offices that drag the chain on OIA requests -- and decline them on spurious grounds -- aren't beyond a little old-fashioned naming and shaming.

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

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