Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Politics of Absence

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  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Remember, never for evil:

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to BenWilson,

    I guess it just seems weird to me that never once in my life have I spoken to anyone who is poor, elderly or disabled who has actually got anything useful from approaching the local MP

    I have and have mentioned it somewhere here before. Goff gave me personal legal advice saving this poor ailing woman lots of money. he educated me about our legal system and gave me differing scenarios if I took different stances with my court case. He will answer my emails if I have queries and include other (read inclusive Leader, not only person in Party Leader) spokespeople from Labour who can best help with any queries I have. An example of a forwarded email of mine has enabled me to be in communication via email with Charles Chauvel this last week because he has been up through the night trying to sort out the surveillance bullshit that National tried to roll out. And, that has led to people of intelligence (Professor Geddis is one) commenting on Red Alert and being listened to and whose knowledge has been considered as an important part of redrafting the horribilis bill in order for Labour to support any of it
    .Well, there is a drop a suggestion box in the door of Jackie Blue's office (in Mt Roskill shops) of which I have never seen open since it was opened, when she was supposed to be in Onehunga sharing with Peseta Sam Whattsit.

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

  • Hilary Stace,

    Yesterday I overheard a young person say, 'I don't know how FPP works'. It was as if it was just strange system from the past.

    I guess it just seems weird to me that never once in my life have I spoken to anyone who is poor, elderly or disabled who has actually got anything useful from approaching the local MP

    I think there would be a few people in Wellington Central who would challenge that, including me. I have personally approached Grant and before him Marian Hobbs about assorted disability issues and they have always been helpful. The staff in the Labour electorate office are flat out helping people with hundreds of different issues but many poverty, disability and age related covering problems around housing, immigration, employment, Work and Income, disability services, educational support etc.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Rich Lock,

    That childish eye-rolling clip yesterday should be repeated rather a lot.
    Yes. When the carefully crafted mask does slip, it's not a pleasant sight.

    Whilst nonchalantly massaging the Dan Carter like "Groin Strain" our esteemed sub-prime minister slouches like a drunk in a semi stupor, great look... NOT!

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Except this wouldn’t be just to run the campaign, it would have to run the whole party.

    And what a party it would be, Russ has been known to organise piss-ups in Town Halls let alone breweries.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    Wouldn't it be great for the NZLP to have summer camps for hundreds of young people, or for the National Party ball to be the highlight of the social calendar in places like Gore and Howick?

    No it likely wouldn't..

    Any less than being the ACT party with 501 members and mega-rich funders,

    Just saw Dr Brash standing on a conrer in his summer casual gear - really should have had his sleeves and trousers legs rolled up, woolen vest and hanky on his head with all four corners tied. a bit like this:

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to DexterX,

    Just saw Dr Brash standing on a conrer in his summer casual gear - really shoudl have had his sleeves and trousers legs rolled up, woolen vest and hanky on his head with all four corners tied. a bit like this:

    That is *soooo* fucking pommy and anti-ANZ!

    Which is possibly what you meant....but he is actually from here-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Islander,

    It's not what I meant - though he is not from my version of "here".

    The good Doctor was waiting on the corner of Stoke Road and Mt Eden Road - likely waiting on John Banks - maybe they are going to start making an effort to become visible and no doubt discuss how much their brains hurt.

    Comparing the inner workings of the Act party to the Gumbys in surgery (Doctor, Doctor - and the line from the nurse, "he is brilliant you know") is what I meant.

    The Act implosion earlier this year - I meant to say selection process and restructuring - perhaps looked a bit like this:

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to DexterX,

    hough he is not from my version of "here".

    Dexter =- I dont know where you come from but the risisble version of Brash as a typical Pom doesnt actually fit with who he is. Or who we are.

    And after-stuff - gumbies? et al - doesnt actually add to your case.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Islander,

    I don’t consider “gumby” type behavior idiosyncratic to the English as such - it is pretty universal and I don't see the sketch or my enjoying it as anti ANZ.

    I see it as funny in the same way as I see the new version of Act's pitch for Epsom as hilarious and should they win the seat it will be a rather bad joke played upon Auckland with John Banks perhaps becoming the minister of Local Governemnt or a Minister for Auckland Issues.

    BTW I come from here.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Steve Parks, in reply to Sacha,

    That childish eye-rolling clip yesterday should be repeated rather a lot.

    Cameron Slater has put this image of the Key eye-roll on his blog, and has been using it as a reply on twitter. Oddly, he seems to think it’s some kind of clever response.

    Wellington • Since May 2007 • 1165 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Islander,

    but the risisble version of Brash as a typical Pom doesnt actually fit with who he is. Or who we are.

    The best fit I can think of is 'try-hard'.

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

  • DexterX, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Apple Polishing Ninny

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Steve Parks,

    Really how lucky can Key get, the focus has moved away from the problem - the double credit rating downgrade - to how he behaved - the eye rolling churlishness?

    The left are making too much of this – the problem really is the problem the way the economy has been abandoned and not managed at all well.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to DexterX,

    Apple Polishing Ninny

    We're usually kind to people with cognitive disabilities, at least that's kind of the house style around here. Because whatever afflicts Brash has been publicly misinterpreted to the point where he's been accorded shaman-like status, along with material rewards far beyond any ability he's demonstrated, we call him names.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • merc,

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    I know it's slightly incongruent with the previous debate, can I recommend Simon Power's valedictory speech, it's very good and shows we've lost a very good parliamentarian.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Paul Williams,

    Simon Power's valedictory speech,

    Paul, all 14 of them are up at Red Alert . If nothing else it shows who is leaving.

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

  • DexterX,

    A belated response to the credit rating downgrade from First Citizen John Key:

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Paul Williams,

    it's very good and shows we've lost a very good parliamentarian.

    Perhaps, but while I like Simon a lot I don't think his legacy as Justice Minister is that much to be proud of. The right to silence should never have been under threat. Ever.

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Perhaps, but while I like Simon a lot I don’t think his legacy as Justice Minister is that much to be proud of. The right to silence should never have been under threat. Ever.

    Can’t all be perfect Craig ;)
    I’ll give him his ability to actually use Select Committees for the purpose they were intended, and being respectful enough to listen and be swayed enough to change his view on the right to silence. If I had a choice, Simon would remain, Joyce would be gone. Oh, and Key and Bennett and …. and Anne Tolley, too cruel for skool!

    And Gerry Brownlee .
    And Coleman.
    And Collins (hells Kitchen)
    And The nodding head behind Key
    And the nodding head beside Key
    And Henare can take a stroll too :)

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

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Ballot terms - Party, der...

    Joyce would be gone.
    Oh, and Key and Bennett and ….
    and Anne Tolley, too cruel for skool!

    Ya putsch ya ducks in a row...
    Yes National, this vote doesn't have your name on it!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Yes National, this vote doesn't have your name on it!

    NEVER!

    And McCully
    And that bloody Speaker. Dictator Smith. Actually both Smiths can take a hike. Get some fresh air. Clean out those puny brains of theirs :)

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

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    I’ll give him his ability to actually use Select Committees for the purpose they were intended, and being respectful enough to listen and be swayed enough to change his view on the right to silence.

    I don’t mean to be Grinch-y, but I think it had more to do with Power simply not being able to get the numbers. ACT + Labour + the Maori Party + Greens opposed > National + Peter Dunne in favour. Which is Parliamentary calculus in action (and thank the Gods for that!), but I wouldn’t confuse it with an attack of principle.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Power simply not being able to get the numbers

    Totally. 'Principle' is the shape of the original Bill, which wasn't.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

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