That's true, and I found your stats above interesting – I didn't know the numbers myself. (And in hindsight "some" is better as it's clearer.)

You'll notice the difference between saying "many" in your original post and "some" in the one above. I heard "many" as closer to "most", when perhaps…

Steve, you're correctly reflecting the stereotype that disabled people couldn't possibly run their own lives.

…that’s just not what I said. I didn’t say all disabled people couldn’t possibly run their own lives, or even that most disabled people can’t…

National surveys linked to the Census show that of the one in five New Zealanders who are disabled (yes, 20%), about half use no support services or equipment at all. Only about one in forty…

I'm interested to see the voting age discussion has gone on. I'd still like to see it at 12 years by 2020.

Stop saying that, Hilary! One more utterance about allowing 12-year-olds to vote, and John Amiria will drop dead of sheer gobsmackitude

Honestly, though, there is zero chance of…

I…

But McCain's response to her was little better...why are Arabs not 'decent family men' by implication?

Well spotted.

Sorry Steve, thats not the median

Well bugger me.
I've been doing it that way for years with massive data sets, admittedly with relatively small standard deviations. I seem to remember being taught do do it that way in physics and it had something to do with divide and conquer. I…

She didn't get a chance, to McCain's credit

She, Gayle Quinnell, was interviewed afterwords and said:

I don’t trust Barack Obama because he’s an Arab,” she said. “He’s a Muslim. I’m afraid if he ever got to be president what would happen to this country

But McCain's response to her…

And I think 18 is the right age to have the responsibility to vote. By then most people have some perspective.

Some at 18, none at 17?
Also, again, I know of people who are over 18 and who take virtually no interest in the news, current affairs etc. They…

Police have hired one of the country's top lawyers to investigate a former officer's stunning confession that he lied in court – and wrongfully sent at least 150 people to prison.

It is exactly what some of us…

New Zealand Income Survey: June 2008 quarter – Media Release

Income growth moderate

In the June 2008 quarter, the median (half receive more, and half receive less than this amount) weekly income for all people from all sources was $537, Statistics New Zealand said today. This information comes from the…

there is nothing wrong with that statement.

Agree. Median vs average. Journos not challenging quite deliberate mis-use of it or of subsequent lying that a certain tax/Kiwisaver change package "benefits everyone".

the median is the value of the middle sample .... 10, 10, 100 gives a median of 10... because it's the middle sample.

IF there were an even number of samples, then you could average the middle two samples only... 10, 10, 20, 100…

Person 1 salary = $10,000
Person 2 salary = $10,000
Person 3 salary = $100,000
Average salary = $120,000 / 3 = $40,000
2 out of 3 people are below the average = two thirds of the population.

In that scenario the median is $45,000
Highest = 100,000
Lowest = 10,000…

I read somewhere recently that two thirds of the population earn below that "average" income, but sorry no time to find reference.

I'm not sure if you are using this as an indictment of the maths ability of journalists, but there is nothing wrong with that statement.
Scenario:

Person…

2) If it actually uses the words 'arab terrorist', who authorised it (how far up the tree can that one be traced)?

"I'm John McCain and I approve this message"

Rich, I didn't get the impression from the clip that he was expecting it – but given how low these guys will stoop for power, you're probably right.

I should probably make it clear that i haven't seen the clip or read the commentary – all I was doing was…

So the campaign office distributes flyers containing the smears, and McCain gets to rebut them and look like a decent and honourable chap who's above all of that dirty low-blow fighting.

Rich, I didn't get the impression from the clip that he was expecting it – but given how low…

Has no-one understood the difference between average and median in journalism-land?

I read somewhere recently that two thirds of the population earn below that "average" income, but sorry no time to find reference.

A great band who were never really documented.

Bloody fantastic live performers.

If you're going to mention "The Great Schlep" you have to include Sarah Silverman's promo.

I posted that already – page 7.

But I thought it might not have been prominent enough, so good to see it drawn attention to again. Silverman's show is back on again, too. It's pretty…

Seriously, if you think a 12 year old has the mental capacity to vote responsibly then it follows that they also have the mental capacity to drink responsibly and make a responsible choice as to whether they have sex or not.

I look forward to your campaign to have the…

She didn't get a chance, to McCain's credit.

So the campaign office distributes flyers containing the smears, and McCain gets to rebut them and look like a decent and honourable chap who's above all of that dirty low-blow fighting.

Why o why did Mesh never release anything, even a poxy EP?

We were actually quite a long way towards doing just that, when Paddy left to form Pitch Black. There were, I think, about 6 or 7 tracks recorded. It all got a bit complicated.

A great band who…

The 12 year old's of 2020 (those babies born this year) will probably be as sophisticated as the 18 year old new voters of 1975.

So…

Getting back to Kiwisaver and tax cuts, did anyone notice the sloppy journalism in The Herald (why am I surprised),…

My 14 year old niece just wants the latest cell-phone ... I'm not sure if she's ready to select the next government.

Ask her. I think you'll find the only reason she wouldn't know all about income tax, budgeting, and employment law is that no one's taken the time to…

That outburst on Willie's Eye to Eye this morning just lends sympathy to Peters.

And Mr Jackson even ended the show with a sympathetic rendering of this (much funnier) plea from Lyndon Hood: Satirists Urge Winston Not To Resign.

I salute you. You are a natural provocation to ridicule, you…

Did you just make that up?

I was quoting the woman at that McCain rally. She said Obama is an "Arab", but I'm fairly sure she didn't say "Arab terrorist".
:)

That Limbaugh piece is terrible, verbwrangle, talk about double-speak

No, that's what I heard too when they screened the clip on telly last night – "Arab".

Perhaps it comes from here.

Did you just make that up?

No, that's what I heard too when they screened the clip on telly last night – "Arab".

once submitted a movie review of "Goodbye Pork Pie" to IMDb using the term hoon to describe Gerry [...] The yankee editors changed it to goon

And it's still there!
In defense of IMDB, however, the movie does contain this exchange [on the streets of Wellington]:…

How so?
"Arab", yes; "Arab terrorist", no.

Did you just make that up? According to this article Obama had a white mother, a Kenyan father, an Indonesian step father and he was brought up in Hawaii.

"Arab terrorist" (it appears that is what she said)

How so?
"Arab", yes; "Arab terrorist", no.

Compared to some of her Act colleagues, Coddingtonswallop was positively gifted.

Currently driving down the National Party electoral vote in Wellington Central for example.

The woman who stood up at the McCain rally and told him she was scared because Obama is an "Arab terrorist" (it appears that is what she said) is a McCain-Palin volunteer who got her knowledge from a pamphlet given to her by…

What is it about Hooten? When you say Winston Peters, he comes out barking mad with the widely reported "you're a fking c*".

I wonder if that will make it to youtube?

That outburst on Willies Eye to eye this morning just lends sympathy to Peters.

On the positive side it shows National has its fair share of loons.…

Compared to some of her Act colleagues, Coddingtonswallop was positively gifted.

I had forgotten. The horror.

Was she really this stupid as an MP?

Compared to some of her Act colleagues, Coddingtonswallop was positively gifted.

If you're going to mention "The Great Schlep" you have to include Sarah Silverman's promo

Thanks for posting, Paul, I got distracted by real life.

couldn't stop my crap loving mouse from clicking on the link

Story of my online life.. :)

Anyway, if you want a relaxing day, don't feel compelled to read her delusional ramblings. Although they are a fascinating study of immature entitlement in the pampered boomer.

Too late. I somehow couldn't stop my crap loving mouse from clicking on the link! You have to admire her though for…

TEENAGER #2: I'm sixteen, right? I can join the Army, the Air Force and the Navy...…

She goes on about how hardy farming types respond to a downturn, without making any connection with what Cullen for all his faults has been doing. Was she really this stupid as an…

The Great Schlep

Only available on CD: boo :( I dont have a CD player, and we have 3 ipods (Well, my Mac is, but what use do I have for a plastic disk?)

I guess I have to wait for the MP3s on amplifier, or until…

I've met 14 year olds whose judgement I trust and 64 year olds I wouldn't. Fortunately most people are in between.

However, some of the denizens of the foaming…

Good point, 16 & 17 year olds wouldn't be the *only* voters.

Actually, Rich, I think it was an objection to 12-year-olds voting that got the latest exchange going. But otherwise, yeah – if "brain too young to make decision in own interests" flys as a reason for not letting someone…

Is anyone suggesting a voting system that allows only your niece to select the next government?

Good point, 16 & 17 year olds wouldn't be the *only* voters.

We allow people whose brains have atrophied from old age to vote – mostly for NZ First.

With all due respect: WTF, dude? It's eighteen for alcohol and voting, and has been for quite some time now.

Oops!… Good point. But importantly, we (“we” being society) didn’t automatically assume being old enough to vote and being old enough to buy booze…

Should we take away the right to vote when we consider Gran has got just too dottery?

Good point. While she (or Grandpa) may be denied a drivers licence on account of being certified as a dotard, they retain the right to vote.

I have a 40-year-old uncle who’s a…

Again, 15 year olds also have interests, and also need representation. Where do you draw the line?

As low as I can get away with. That relentless downward pressure, you see…

Don’t dodge, I/S. I’m not asking what you think you can get away with; I’m asking where do you…

Then close it by changing the law, if that's a valid concern. We don’t allow people to buy alcohol at the same age as they can vote. Separate issue

With all due respect: WTF, dude? It's eighteen for alcohol and voting, and has been for quite some time now.

The…

so your hormones play a role in your voting habits?

Actually, yes. But so do a lot of other factors. So you're right, it ain’t a strong argument in the “who should vote” debate.

Lucy:

Do remember: jurors are drawn from the electoral rolls of the area…

For my part – as a Year 7&8 teacher (Form 1&2) – adding political discussion and electoral participation into your daily…

I don't deny the dangers of political marketing to children, but we've coped with that in other areas. with a good education program I think it could work.

Do remember: jurors are drawn from the electoral rolls of the area surrounding the court requiring a jury. That's a *big* can…

Isn't it a fact that their brains aren't fully formed at that age? Aren't they hormonally confused at that age?

so your hormones play a role in your voting habits?

I think including young people in the electoral process would have nothing but positive effects in terms of increasing electoral…

The Troopergate report just dropped.

Key finding: Palin "abused her power" and violated the public trust.

Funnily- half an hour ago the New York Times had the headline Palin abused her 'authority' but have now changed to the actual words in the finding, abused her 'power'.

http://www.nytimes.com/

There are some…

In the end the answer lies with Motivation, Motivation,Motivation

I agree 100% with that. Our own daughter has been in the Discovery/Unlimited self-directed learning schools here in Christchurch and her motivation has never wavered. But these schools operate on basic principles far distant from the standard state school where my…

John, you be right there.
I teach teenagers and many of them simply do not have a critical thinking component operating in their brain.

A technology teacher was telling me about the frustration he has in preparing boys for level I NCEA.

He said that 15 year old girls know…

Key finding: Palin "abused her power" and violated the public trust.

We have to face facts – our…

That aside, though, we should be encouraging more companies that do the kinds of things that Tait do. Losing the Motorola…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEucdhf4Us

This seems to be the character of every rally at the moment. These people are almost incoherent.

It occurred to me that I wouldn't want to be black around this sort of gathering.

I teach teenagers and many of them simply do not have a critical thinking component operating in their brain.

I could basically tell most of them who to vote for and they'd take my word for it and do it. While that might be true…

if the world economy crashes then being a producer of foodstuffs and NOT consumer electronics will turn out to be a good thing to be. Provided we can afford to ship them to market that is. How good is Pinus radiata at being turned into tea clipper style ships?

And,…

What exactly is the justification for making it harder for technology businesses to stay in NZ?

Tax cuts are the healing crystals economies need to calm their troubled chakras. They don't pay for themselves you know.

I'm really rather pissed off at this R&D move. What exactly is the justification for making it harder for technology businesses to stay in NZ?

The Kaths and the Kims, I wager.

Kyle: Charles E Wilson may very well have believed that what was good for General Motors was good for the country (or, to be strictly accurate, "What’s good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa"). That doesn't make it any more excusable.

Umm. What Stephen said…

Firstly, the Corner, in-as-much as it is representative of movement conservatism, shows that Obama is driving them crazy. And not really in the metaphor sense. They is gettin their Birch on. woot. etc.

Jaysus. They certainly are.

Still, at least we get to use the phrase [[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/09/AR2008100903169.html?sid=ST2008100903556&s_pos=|fear and loathing on…

A bit like if I took on…

"John Key's rich mates" does not imply that anyone rich is John Key's mate.

I/S deserves better than today's responses.

I think the rest of us deserve a little better than Idiot's bourgois class war bullshit. And just for the record, not that it's actually anyone else's bloody business, any…

That should wind the Americans (and British) up.

Charles E Wilson may very well have believed that what was good for General Motors was good for the country (or, to be strictly accurate, "What’s good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa"). That doesn't make it any more excusable.

But it does, unless motivations…

New Link : Now with extra sense.

Two posts from the very reasonable Hilzoy.

Firstly , the Corner, in-as-much as it is representative of movement conservatism, shows that Obama is driving them crazy. And not really in the metaphor sense. They is gettin their Birch on. woot. etc.

Secondly,…

I've seen [the PAS Women's First XV] mentioned and have been intrigued as to what it would involve. I'm sure I'd enjoy being included

Actually, I'm not sure what it involves either, other than being a member... I think Danielle's captain. I'm a prop. I can't even recall when it…

By the way I am a long time lurker, but have always felt that others put my point of view rather more eloquently. And some of the response can be a little scary.

Barbara, do you fancy joining the PAS Women's First XV? It's a very inclusive team.

thanks for the welcome!! It is actually quite reassuring

@ Mark

well that is your opinion...

I see you are learning fast there Barbara ;)

I/S deserves better than today's responses.

By the way I am a long time lurker, but have always felt that others put my point of view rather more eloquently. And some of the response can be a little scary.

Couldn't agree more Barbara. I think you might be speaking for quite a few women. It…

The Icelandic government is refusing to guarantee British deposits and in response Gordon Brown is threatening to use anti-terrorism legislation to freeze Icelandic assets in Britain. It does make things here seem quite sedate.

Cod wars !

well that is your opinion... and I appreciate the tongue firmly in your cheek

I was pleasantly surprised to see a Stuff poll yesterday with most respondents (3000+) rejecting the bribe (yes, I know teh online polls are unreliable – but the bias usually seems to go the other way, much like the rabid comments).

So, Sacha, I look forward to a tsunami of…

Indeed it is. But that's not what I'm doing. Meanwhile your (and others) preciousness is obscuring rather than aiding the discussion.

*cough* Project much, Idiot? And, yes, that's exactly what you're doing — but if it gets you through the night, fine. Just pardon me if I take you about…

National 45
Labour 39
Greens 6.8%

Maori Party chooses the government.

Golly.

Isn't that what ACT's about – too bad if Telecom was a ruthless and somewhat shonky monopoly – "Let no mere mortal put asunder what St. Roger hath created" ?

Yeah, pretty much. "Free market uber alles", says Sir Roger, and his faithful "Act-olytes" bow, and scrape, and fellate the…

if the maori can have maori seats, how about a seperate electorate for youth interests? that could make the political landscape really interesting. say 3 or 4 MPs representing those aged 12 to…

Yes, that is certainly one of Rodders' pet ideologies. Never mind that Telecom's shareholders have been thoroughly reimbursed for the purchase cost at least twice over by way of monopoly rents. Never mind that we were demonstrably being held back by the stranglehold over the market that Telecom enjoyed.

Isn't…

Again, 15 year olds also have interests, and also need representation. Where do you draw the line?

As low as I can get away with. That relentless downward pressure, you see...

Austria lets 16 year olds vote. In Iran, the voting age is 12. There's no principled reason why we…

The terror-raids contempt charges against Fairfax have been dismissed.

he went off about the property rights of Telecom and its investors

Yes, that is certainly one of Rodders' pet ideologies. Never mind that Telecom's shareholders have been thoroughly reimbursed for the purchase cost at least twice over by way of monopoly rents. Never mind that we were demonstrably being…

Might she have had an inkling that the SFO would find that while there could be breaches of electoral law, NZ First did not commit fraud?

Steve: I agree entirely

And it would be interesting to know how today's children feel about John Key saddling them with debt so he can give a great stonking tax cut to his rich mates.

Actually, I was being a bit facetious. But now you mention it, I would be…

I thought Roy Morgan was a nasty foreign organisation with dodgy methodology and a long run of rogue polls?

I wouldn't say "rogue", but the odd one has provided false comfort to Labour in the past, for sure.

Still, does show that not releasing any policy and sticking to headline-grabbing…

Sorry – I am wrong. It looks as though WFF, superannuitants and others on government benefits who earn under $40,000 miss out in 2009 and 2010 and are about $15 behind by 2011.

However, if you earn over $48,000 and are receiving a government benefit…

In our neck of the woods, substitute "GM" for "Telecom", and "Charles E Wilson" for "Rod Deane".

In the recent TVNZ 7 Internet Debate, the only time that Rodney Hide really stopped clowning and became passionately serious was when I pointed out that since the telecommunications reforms, my neighbourhood had…

Kyle: Charles E Wilson may very well have believed that what was good for General Motors was good for the country (or, to be strictly accurate, "What’s good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa"). That doesn't make it any more excusable.

In our neck of…

From it I learned that the 22% of wage earners who earn more than the average wage (I rounded to $50k to fit with the chart bands ) actually pay 66% of the total tax take... Cool!

That's a trick question, under Labour's scheme John Key doesn't get to be Prime Minister.

Point. And yet because Labour has focused on changing thresholds rather than rates, he'd get exactly the same amount. And the difference between the two schemes is money that helps people further down the income…

Evan:

The trick to doing this is to hoodwink the masses into THINKING that they are being looked after.

Hence the constant talk about "average" kiwis, which simply ignores the reality of income distribution in this country.…

BTW, for the curious, based on the current PM's salary of $375,000, John Key's tax cut would be $7,660. Under Labour's scheme, he would get only $1,410.

That's a trick question, under Labour's scheme John Key doesn't get to be Prime Minister.

Meanwhile your (and others) preciousness is obscuring rather than aiding the discussion.

As is your overly emotive, negatively-loaded comments like "John Key's rich mates"...

NZInstitute and the NZX have just put out this interesting document. I see a few flaws in a number of the proposals (and particularly on how/when…

don't think that word means what they think it means.

Use anti-terrorism powers for an unintended purpose? Inconceivable!

And when a party proposes policies with the primary aim of enriching its supporters at the expense of the majority of New Zealanders or of future generations, that's not something we should politely look the other way on.

And if sufficient people were adversely affected then that party would not…

It's actually a great question for ALL the leaders in a debate – "how much more will you personally be earning if…

The Icelandic government is refusing to guarantee British deposits and in response Gordon Brown is threatening to use anti-terrorism legislation to freeze Icelandic assets in Britain. It does make things here seem quite sedate.

I don't think that word means what they think it means.

Passing character judgements on real people on the basis of what you think they earn is extremely hazardous, whether you're talking about beneficiaries or highly-paid knowledge-workers.

Indeed it is. But that's not what I'm doing. Meanwhile your (and others) preciousness is obscuring rather than aiding the discussion.

BTW, for the…

And when a party proposes policies with the primary aim of enriching its supporters at the expense of the majority of New Zealanders or of future generations, that's not something we should politiely look the other way on.

See, I doubt 'primary aim' there. That might be a side effect…

The Icelandic government is refusing to guarantee British deposits and in response Gordon Brown is threatening to use anti-terrorism legislation to freeze Icelandic assets in Britain. It does make things here seem quite sedate.

As well, anyone presently receiving Working for Families tax cuts (or any government assistance) will not qualify for the Nats tax cuts.

Are you 100% sure on that?

My reading suggests the Nat tax package is made up of two elements....
1) changes to rates and thresholds
2) the "independant…

We have debated whether a before and after photo of a hoarding would constitute enough proof for convictions. We reckon it may, so will limit ourselves to just taking photos of ones already altered.

It's worse than you think. National plans to cut employer contributions to 2 per cent and abolish the employer tax credit and it will also cut the government contribution (member tax credit) to 2 per cent.

And, I get the impression, let your employer count their contribution against your wages…

You run counter to the demographic trend. Whoopee for you.

I think Russell hints that many of us here may run counter to the prevailing pattern. That's a whole lotta whoopee..

Dismiss this as "eat the rich" if you want – but its being willfully blind to a serious threat to our way of life, and one of our most powerful long-term political dynamics.

Passing character judgements on real people on the basis of what you think they earn is extremely…

Does anybody have any idea if they match whatever I put into it (up to say 4% like now) ? or if they will chuck in 2% and leave me to take my pick with how much I put in?

It's worse than you think. National plans to cut…

I didn't notice Key saying he had a different plan for encouraging R&D other than a head-in-sand moment where he claimed that business will just magically do that (like they've been doing for so long).

I'd…

I'm with Lucy that R&D is an obvious exception where I'd like to see far more co-investment so we benefit from shifting rapidly to a high-value economy.

Sure, but the big question is how to deliver it. Why are you assuming that a tax credit is the better way to go?

I, and many others over the average wage, benefit from National's proposed tax cuts.

I, and many others over the average wage, do not vote for National.

Dismissing all in the above group as evil right wingers who are out only for themselves and…

We all love and respect I/S and we strive to forgive him his "eat the rich" moments.

There is a serious point here: politics, particularly around tax and employment relations policy, is fundamentally about distribution, about who gets what. And when a party proposes policies with the primary aim of…

ask the business lobbyists why the only form of welfare they never have any problem with is corporate

Yes, I'm tired of the constant bleating from business reps about red tape in the face of consistent evidence that we have less of it than nearly every other country they could…

But: run it through the MMP calculator and see the results: Nat 52, Lab 48, Greens 11, Maori 4-7, ACT 4, Progs and UF 1 each. Its a three-way coalition either way, with the Maori Party as kingmakers (and ACT as the other partner in their menage a trois).

Really…

...so he can give a great stonking tax cut to his rich mates.

Is that sort of rhetoric really helpful? I earn somewhere close to the top tax bracket and yet...

We all love and respect I/S and we strive to forgive him his "eat the rich" moments.

Nat 52, Lab 48, Greens 11, Maori 4-7, ACT 4, Progs and UF 1

Now if Hide loses Epsom that would put a further complexion on things:
Lab 48 / Green 11 / Prog 1 = 60 votes.

Maybe she'd had a heads-up on the new Roy Morgan poll.

Um, wow.

I thought Roy Morgan was a nasty foreign organisation with dodgy methodology and a long run of rogue polls? Still, does show that not releasing any policy and sticking to headline-grabbing 'reallocations' is doing the trick. Perhaps.…

Maybe we could…

It appears that ACT have a new weapon in the electoral battle for hearts and minds.

All hope is lost.

...so he can give a great stonking tax cut to his rich mates.

Is that sort of rhetoric really helpful? I earn somewhere close to the top tax bracket and yet...

I didn't ask for a tax cut. I don't need a tax cut. I'd be happy to pay…

And it would be interesting to know how today's children feel about John Key saddling them with debt so he can give a great stonking tax cut to his rich mates.

But seriously: stupid people have interests to, and they are just as deserving of representation.

People under 18 years of age have interests too, and are deseving of representation.

the hoons (a venerable kiwi word sadly fallen on tough times)

I once submitted a movie review of "Goodbye Pork Pie" to IMDb using the term hoon to describe Gerry (Blondini 1).
The yankee editors changed it to goon, and there didn't seem to be any way to get it…

Are there any punters expecting Green to get past 6% – maybe even higher if it gets too hard to vote L but want some alternative to the lack of insight or leadership from Nats?

Which they so richly deserve. It was great to see John Collie (not to be confused with John Kelcher ;) ) wearing a "Brockville Brotherhood" t-shirt (said location being the working-class Dunedin suburb he and Carter grew up in).

As immortalised in R.E.M.'s little-known Dunedin music tribute 'Don't Go Back…

I've even tried to make sense of the finance thing myself
new paradigm needed

The best analysis has come from Robin Blackburn over at NewLeft

subprime history and analysis

Despite all that I must say for once I agree with the experts…

...the Straitjacket Fits guys after they received the Legacy Award...

Which they so richly deserve. It was great to see John Collie (not to be confused with John Kelcher ;) ) wearing a "Brockville Brotherhood" t-shirt (said location being the working-class Dunedin suburb he and Carter grew up in).

So many arguments for a quick intelligence/current affairs test before you are allowed to vote.

I've just read a long blog post from a friend where she analysed both candidates based on her criteria. In conclusion, McCain looks like a chipmonk, and Obama's ears and teeth are too big, ergo…

So many arguments for a quick intelligence/current affairs test before you are allowed to vote.

Yeah. Because that has worked so well in the US before (for the ignorant, it was used to stop black people from voting).

But seriously: stupid people have interests to, and they are just as…

Maybe she'd had a heads-up on the new Roy Morgan poll.

Caveats: two week polling period, systematic overstatement of the Greens blah blah blah.

But: run it through the MMP calculator and see the results: Nat 52, Lab 48, Greens 11, Maori 4-7, ACT 4, Progs and UF 1 each.…

Oh, and just for something completely different, a citizen journalist captures the bigotry and knuckle-dragging stupidity of punters at a Sarah Palin campaign rally

So many arguments for a quick intelligence/current affairs test before you are allowed to vote.

On Wednesday night, before she went to the Music Awards, she was at the Auckland Kindergarten Association's centennial celebrations, and she was happy there too.

Maybe she'd had a heads-up on the new Roy Morgan poll.

Um, wow.

is that your justice policy russel?

zero tolerance for herald editors!

Here is exclusive fly-on-the-wall coverage of Tim Murphy writing this morning's editorial:

Brilliant! Citizen journalism is getting so good these days.

And there already is a 2+2% scheme in place (2% from you, 2% from your…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ADTPYAEi80

As I've said elsewhere, I wouldn't mind the business community being told to take their begging bowls and fuck off – just once.

Unfortunately the ones now with their begging bowls out pay the salaries of a lot of the downtrodden masses.

I'm not really smart/rutheless/brave enough to go…

I'm with you on this one, Craig. The free market ain't so free anymore, but comes at a cost to taxpayers and wage earners?

OTOH: if you want to keep people with degrees here, especially science/eng/tech degrees, you've got to persuade companies to do their R&D here, rather than overseas. In…

a citizen journalist captures the bigotry and knuckle-dragging stupidity of punters at a Sarah Palin campaign rally

I can't bring myself to click on that video, and the sad thing is I don't really need to. We've been living through the results of such people's voting decisions for at least…

it has been conceived in a lonely hotel room under an accusing naked bulb.

That is my favourite sentence I have read in weeks.

As a PR man, that has me in awe. Kudos.

And having said that, have a nice weekend folks. Going to Taupo tomorrow for a family birthday party, and we're staying somewhere with no radio, no television and a five mile walk if you're mad enough to want a newspaper.

Say "hi" to Samwise Gamgee for me.

National will:
· Reduce the minimum contributions demanded of employees. From April next year, the minimum contribution rate for employees in KiwiSaver will be 2% of gross salary. Employers will also be required to make minimum contributions of 2% of gross salary, for each…

To play devil's advocate for a moment, how about someone having the balls to ask the business lobbyists why the only form of welfare they never have any problem with is corporate welfare pointed at their beneficiary-members?

I'm with you on this one, Craig. The free market ain't so free…