Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance

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  • Paul Williams,

    I'm not sure why it's so. I think the Club-ness lends itself to fanaticism far more than regionally based teams can. Because a club really doesn't represent anything, it's much easier to become irrationally attached to it.

    I'm not sure either and the play/movie The Club could be about almost any code really. Still, the fierce sense of local identity is another thing I like about Melbourne.

    Having moved to Sydney in 2002 and being a Union fan, I initially followed the Waratahs. This was unsustainable. Firstly, I could never support them against an NZ team. Secondly, their supporters are a bunch of northern and eastern suburbs plutocrats who, to use the local parlance, gave me the shits.

    I switched to AFL and the Swans in 2004 - we/they won the flag in 2005 and were narrowly beaten in '06. It's actually a damn good game to watch, particularly if you see it live. Plus, and this is particularly important now, it's a good family environment with far fewer boof-head supporters or mysogynist players than other codes (there are exceptions).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Looks like a bunch of her supporters turning up to farewell her officially leaving her job and the building.

    Kyle: Clark was hardly John Howard-ed back into the private sector, and while you're quite right that it's hardly a scandal for the ages, it is a rather undignified stunt while the new Cabinet is being sworn in. And I'm saying this as someone who says Clark earned herself some serious class snaps on Election Night.

    But I guess it's a matter of taste. I rather liked John Major, who when he announced he had handed in the seals of office, and would be resigning as Leader of the Opposition, announced that we was going to a cricket match. And until his resignation in 2001 kept a very low profile.

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

  • Jan Farr,

    And talking about pomp and circumstance, am I the only person who thinks this is just a wee bit OTT:

    You won Craig. Now you can afford to be gracious.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    it is a rather undignified stunt while the new Cabinet is being sworn in.

    It's not possible that it doesn't have anything to do with the new government?

    Given that she stops being Prime Minister when the new one is sworn in, that's when she leaves. No doubt the Labour party spread the message around the staff and the media when she'd be doing this, but isn't it just possible that the reason they did it is that they respect her, are sad that she quit, and wanted to show their support for her?

    And no speech, someone gave her flowers, and she went straight to her car and drove off. Some stunt.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Hosking,

    it is a rather undignified stunt while the new Cabinet is being sworn in.

    Craig, it happened before the swearing in: the media call for that was from 10.30am. This was earlier, sometime between 9.30 and 10-ish.

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Paul, AFL definitely reaches out to women more. The tight short pants and shirts are deliberately kept that way for a reason. It's also a game involving a lot less brawn than either rugby code. The rules are simple, and the play fast. It's a good game all right. It's just not my game.

    Curiously my ozzie friends also think it's more dangerous than rugby, on account of the fact there's no offside. You have no idea which direction you will be tackled from, and you're usually flying through the air at the time.

    Surely as a Union fan, it's allowed for you to just support a Kiwi team? Or, to use some more local parlance, will people crack the shits about that?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    From stuff:

    Two of his 20-strong Cabinet, Murray McCully and Tim Groser, were not at the ceremony as they have already left for Peru.

    I wonder how that works. Were they pre-sworn in? Or have they gone over there not as official ministers?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    am I the only person who thinks this is just a wee bit OTT:

    So far, yes.Perhaps a cuppa tea? Seriously Craig get a grip, can she not do anything right? People leave, they have a send off . Some go out to dinner, others go to the pub, Helen just happened to walk to her car.FFS

    but isn't it just possible that the reason they did it is that they respect her, are sad that she quit, and wanted to show their support for her?

    Which is what Harold reported. I awaited an email last week from a friend in Wellington, who used to work for Helen a long while back. When I finally got it, her apology for tardiness was because she was still upset at Helen's resignation. Even her past employees are already missing her .

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    So far, yes.Perhaps a cuppa tea? Seriously Craig get a grip, can she not do anything right?

    Sofie: Quite a lot, so perhaps you could get the fangs out of my damn throat. As I said, Clark richly deserved every plaudit she got for her gracious performance on election night, and it's not as if people haven't exactly been shy about paying tribute to her over the last week and a half.

    I have a sneaking suspicion that John Key is probably not going to leave the Ninth Floor of his own volition -- and one or two people are going to rather upset about that. But if that is marked by that kind of royal progress down the front steps of Parliament to a waiting crown car, I'll be rolling my eyes just the same.

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

  • Jackie Clark,

    But if that is marked by that kind of royal progress down the front steps of Parliament to a waiting crown car, I'll be rolling my eyes just the same.

    I'm a little confused, Craig. Yes, I am. And no, not permanently. Surely a PM leaving office would be a completely appropriate time for some pomp and ceremony? That she walked down the steps to her car is surely okay? Are you exercised that people came to farewell her? That she gave a wave to them? I'm really not sure why you find it objectionable. A lot of people, including me, thought she was a great leader. A lot of people love her to bits. You do not, obviously. And that's fine. But like it or not, she was the leader of our country for nine years, and in alot of peoples' minds, she did us a power of good. If some of them had the chance to turn out and say goodbye to her, good for them. I wish I had been there.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Were they pre-sworn in? Or have they gone over there not as official ministers?

    I think it was said they would go as "non sworn ministers"

    I have a sneaking suspicion that John Key is probably not going to leave the Ninth Floor of his own volition -- and one or two people are going to rather upset about that. But if that is marked by that kind of royal progress down the front steps of Parliament to a waiting crown car, I'll be rolling my eyes just the same.

    And, as you said, if so, you will push. The difference I'd like to point out is Helen was popular and Nat leaders weren't as you know, and consequently left without choice. However I look forward to the day a Nat Cat will leave via the front door and to see as much popularity for him or her,that Helen received today. Now I must go and sharpen my claws ;)

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Now that the claws are sharpened , what I do think is OTT pomp is the opening line on Sunday in Harold Editorial " on the Eighth day, he created History.....

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

  • Jan Farr,

    Sofie: You go girl!

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Jan Farr,

    Sofie: That was in response to sharpening your claws.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    I'm with you Jackie.

    I think it was perfectly appropriate. She was a great Prime Minister and as a non-resident, did us proud over and over again. From this far away from the homeland it gave me tingles. Sorry if that's OTT but fuck it..

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Jan Farr,

    Sorry if that's OTT but fuck it..

    There's really no need to apologise, Simon. We're (nearly) all with you!

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Susan Snowdon,

    Re Helen's leaving.
    I don't think it's OTT either. If I lived in Wellington I'd have been there waving and crying too. Can't people say goodbye? All she did was walk down the steps and drive away.

    Since Mar 2008 • 110 posts Report Reply

  • Elizabeth,

    A lot of people, including me, thought she was a great leader. A lot of people love her to bits. You do not, obviously. And that's fine. But like it or not, she was the leader of our country for nine years, and in alot of peoples' minds, she did us a power of good. If some of them had the chance to turn out and say goodbye to her, good for them

    what she said

    <quote>However I look forward to the day a Nat Cat will leave via the front door and to see as much popularity for him or her,that Helen received today. Now I must go and sharpen my claws ;)/quote>

    And also what she said. Awesome Sofie, you go girlfriend, with you all the way. I'll go and sharpen mine too if that's what it takes

    Kapiti • Since Nov 2008 • 20 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Craig, that's a pissy little comment and it does you no favours. I was going to respond in more depth, but it's not worth the effort.

    Key is more likely to be thrown down those stairs than applauded down them.

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    I'm with Craig on this. Nine years in office, how dare she enter a car? accept flowers? wave to so called "people"? I hope a commission of inquiry is swiftly launched to look into this and, more importantly, establish why nobody told me about it in time for me to hop on the number 1 bus.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    The hordes of press-ganged schoolkids tossing floral tributes, the strike arm of the air force, de-mothballed just for the occasion, lighting their afterburners overhead in unison, the massive ermine-trimmed train rented from the estate of the late Freddy Mercury - great acid Craig.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    The difference I'd like to point out is Helen was popular and Nat leaders weren't as you know, and consequently left without choice.

    Sofie: I'm sorry if this comes across as graceless, but statements of fact often are: If she was that popular, she wouldn't have been going to Government House to formally resign her minister's warrants. It's the last constitutional duty of any outgoing Prime Minister, not Catherine of Aragon being forced into exile at Kimbolton Castle.

    And perhaps I'm a wee bit old fashioned, but genuine affection doesn't get turned into a cheap and silly photo op. The Clark I respect -- the one who served with honour and dignity, whether I agreed with her or not -- deserved better.

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

  • giovanni tiso,

    And perhaps I'm a wee bit old fashioned, but genuine affection doesn't get turned into a cheap and silly photo op.

    Week two of Craig jumping the shark over the NZ election. It's going to be an extenuating three years, friends.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    Quite a lot, so perhaps you could get the fangs out of my damn throat.

    Stop gargling with venom and that might happen. Seriously, you really need to dial it back - you're looking more like an escapee from Kiwiblog as each day passes.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    And perhaps I'm a wee bit old fashioned, but genuine affection doesn't get turned into a cheap and silly photo op. The Clark I respect -- the one who served with honour and dignity, whether I agreed with her or not -- deserved better.

    Sorry Craig, that's just sour..I expect better of you too.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

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