Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Some Monday Things

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  • Mark Harris,

    And if you look at NZ's post-war history the governments that tend to get chucked out after one term are the Labour ones.

    Ah, but that was back when there was some measurable ideological difference between the major parties. Now, not so much.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Ah, but that was back when there was some measurable ideological difference between the major parties. Now, not so much.

    On the evidence of the Bolger-Cullen dance of the chairmanships, it's hard to argue with you.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    Who owns the universities?
    Who chooses the vice-chancellor?

    Universities are bodies corporate, governed by councils, comprising a minimum of 12 members, of which the Minister appoints 4 members. The council appoints the chief executive (the chancellor of vice?). I don't know how you might define ownership, but that appears a very long leash.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    Hee hee hee

    Kiwiblog is FOAMING!

    My favourite (so far):

    # big bruv (3279) Vote: Add rating 8 Subtract rating 2 Says:
    April 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Righto Neville Key, that is it as far as I am concerned.

    Your time as leader of the National party has come and gone

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    In the 32nd year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria,
    An Ordinance to incorporate the University of Otago

    WHEREAS it is expedient to promote sound learning in the Province of Otago in the Dominion of New Zealand and with that intent to establish and incorporate a University at Dunedin in the said Province of Otago open to all classes and denominations of Her Majesty's subjects.

    University of Otago Ordinance 1869, Provincial Act.

    _____________

    That's rather cool. I think I might put that on my door.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    Kiwiblog is FOAMING!

    Now, while we can hardly regard the wingnuts at Kiwiblog as wholly representative of National's support base, they and the parties have done their damnedest to dumb down politics to their level of left/right simplicity. Sadly, the public have picked up on that (not helped by a lack of real ideology) so they (the Kiwibloggers) might just find themselves hoist on their own non-nuanced petard.

    National do not have a history of polite leadership transitions (neither do Labour, to be fair), and English has been a major player in the last 3 or 4.

    The reason Helen-and-Michael lasted 9 years was that Michael didn't really want the top job, so she never really had to worry about a coup while overseas. I just can't see John-and-Bill lasting 3.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Bruce Thorpe,

    At best a paraphrase of Nick Cave "I do not believe in an interventionist God, but believe in prayer."

    I can get a very special feel about nature in a very quiet bit of native forest, or near the top of a range of mountains, but for me, desert does it best.

    I experience a strong moral urgency, the morning after drinking large amounts of alcohol. As I got older these times of moral sensitivity seem to be stimulated by rather lesser amounts of alcohol.

    When spooked in the dark, I have learned to walk steadily and not look over my shoulder.

    When things have been truly ghastly, in those long dark nights, thinking on acceptance and humility can finally bring a sense of peace. The I Ching on "sitting still" works a trick.

    Hokianga • Since May 2007 • 52 posts Report Reply

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