Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Politics of Absence

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  • Sam F, in reply to Kracklite,

    I wish so very much that we had our equivalent of the Buffalo Beast’s list of the 50 Most Loathsome Americans. Of course it’s ad hominem, but that’s the point, and it’s done with such fire it’s admirable – something to stir the fretful sleepers, one hopes.

    I helped put one together for Craccum back in 2007, but yeah, it's tough to replicate the punch of the original American version.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Just for the record, I didn't hack Russell's account or force him to type that while holding a shotgun to Colin's adorable wee head. :)

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    S&P calls John Key on his b*llsh*t Time to lose this Government of liars…

    So, more of what we had 3 years ago huh?
    Nice to see Audrey Young (phone press photographer on the naughty step) not letting a wee ban get in the way of a bit of truth.

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

  • merc,

    I like that Mr Key also cleared up why he increased GST (to stop spending!), and adjusted tax levels (to increase saving!).
    That would seem illogical Captain.
    I would also really like to know who paid for that Yutub moment.
    Ouch, from the Herald article above,
    "getting back to what New Zealand was actually doing not three years ago," Mr Curry said.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    S&P calls John Key on his b*llsh*t

    Says exactly the opposite, indeed.

    Mr Key claimed Standard and Poor's had said at a meeting last month that "if there was a change of Government, that downgrade would be much more likely".
    ...

    Standard and Poor's sovereign rating analyst Kyran Curry, who attended the meeting in Auckland, said that would not have happened.
    ...

    "It is something we just don't do," Mr Curry said. "We don't rate political parties. We rate Governments."

    Asked what New Zealand needed to do to have its higher ratings restored, he said it would require a sustained improvement in New Zealand's external position first.

    This would come through stronger export performance and an improvement in public savings - "getting back to what New Zealand was actually doing not three years ago," Mr Curry said.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    So, more of what we had 3 years ago huh?

    snap

    getting back to what New Zealand was actually doing

    snappity snap

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Just for the record, I

    Craig, a long time ago when the Earth was born, back on an Island Lifetime, I believed we could bring you forth into the light. And I do believe even an ol' scratched record will turn once more. Slowly slowly. Also, could I imagine you influencing RB commenting on his own post, Double D doubt it ;)

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

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    Says exactly the opposite, indeed.

    I totally believe ratings agencies have no opinion whatsoever on the possible impact of the announced policies of opposition parties, and have no problems with being dragged into electoral politics. In other news: I've been lying about being gay and am a total vag-a-holic.

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

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Time to lose this Government of liars…

    But the public likes being lied to, the polls prove that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    the possible impact of the announced policies of opposition parties

    Pretty explicit. Unfortunately not what John-boy wanted to hear, so let's pretend the agency said the opposite instead. Karl Rove would not be amused at the hamfistedness even if he admired the intent.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    Hah, me not self-serving grinning mindless backward throat slashing gesticulator – me straight up guy, Credit Agency say one thing I say another that is how it is - What I say is what I want you hear - best for me best for you.

    GST increase stop people spending – great idea for economic recovery. People no more spending, some people no more job, so they no more spend, some people, no more business – no problem get another job get another business – no problem for me, no problem for you.

    OK, OK I hear some allegations, alligators saying NZ economy thing not good – OK, OK, NZ economy thing an anchorless rudderless little big ship – anchorless rudderless ship not going to go crash in to reef doing 18 knots.

    Hey oil spill no problem, me have a batch in Hawaii, no problem for me, no problem – no worries. - every NZ people happy smiling peoples they vote for much excellent people, me.

    First Citizen John Key The First.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to DexterX,

    lol :)

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

  • Sacha, in reply to DexterX,

    Very good. Low margin, high turnover, customer allways happy.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Well I just released, er received a email , from a friend who I've dealt with and I trust and I can't name cos I never reveal my sauces, that CERA gave a meeting and they said that more buildings would have been damaged in Christchurch under a Labour Government and I know because he is my friend and I trust him. And also I heard, in a email from a friend that I trust cos I've dealt with him at a major New Zealand Bank, about a boat that got stuck on a reef off Tauranga and it has leaked more oil since Winston Peters woke up this morning and my friend should know cos he works in a Major New Zealand Bank and I trust him.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Flying sources...

    And also I heard, in a email from a friend that I trust cos
    I’ve dealt with him at a major New Zealand Bank

    ...and seeing it's you, I got an email from a friend in Nigeria,
    who can help with our cash flow problems, I'll forward it to
    you, happy times ahead!
    ;- /

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Forward it to First Citizen he is very good with these things - he will give it to Second Citizen Joyce.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I got an email from a friend in Nigeria,

    You must have been going through JK's eMails. That one was going to be an election booster for National.
    "We've had a dream..."
    or, I suppose...
    "We don't choose to go to the Moon because it's hard, we choose to go to the Moon because Deborah Coddington says there are people there."

    Who knows what webs they will spin to keep that nice Mr Key's bum warm on that BMW seat?.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Seaking of absence, can I just ask - somewhat off-topic -

    How the FUCK did we get to this???

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    . . . we choose to go to the Moon because Deborah Coddington says there are people there.

    Just as we'd almost forgotten the Yellow Peril brainfart she dry-humps the Glorious Dead.
    A timely reminder that she'll never be house-trained.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to 3410,

    Seaking of absence, can I just ask – somewhat off-topic –

    How the FUCK did we get to this???

    "A marathon, not a sprint" - Prostetnic Vogon Joyce's own words. Memo to the Prostetnic Vogon himself: You can't polish a turd.

    Liberian-flagged, mostly Filipino crewed, Greek-owned - the Int'l Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) was raising awareness of the issue a bit over 10 years ago, with the Global Mariner boat museum. Now the oil-stained chickens are coming home to roost. Sadly, the site I linked to went offline after the vessel sank in a collision.

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

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Russell Brown,

    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.

    Amen to that.

    I know of some good lawyers and law students who have a very, very poor opinion of Power. He's viewed as a provincial conveyancing lawyer out of his depth in the portfolio.

    I think I'm suffering from not being the country as I'm not sure what this refers too?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • 3410,

    "A marathon, not a sprint" - Prostetnic Vogon Joyce's own words.

    Sure, now it's a marathon. That ship grounded five days before the leakage got above 20 tonnes. Now, it's hundreds of tonnes. At least three of those five days had fine, calm weather. What happened?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Paul Williams,

    I know of some good lawyers and law students who have a very, very poor opinion of Power. He’s viewed as a provincial conveyancing lawyer out of his depth . . .

    I think I’m suffering from not being the country as I’m not sure what this refers too?

    While it probably doesn't help, I heard almost exactly the same description used of John Howard in Australia in the 90s.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to 3410,

    "Nothing', sorry I must correct myself - "nothing much".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to 3410,

    The “Local Word” is - The vessel stuck on the reef had made four ports in the last five days (to load and unload), they were on their way to Tauranga/Mount Maunganui and had two ships in front of them - so they took a risk and went full throttle to get ahead of them so they would be first in the que and not have to wait around ofr a berth.

    This involved taking a route, a shortcut, that was outside shipping lanes and hence they ended up in the position they did.

    It is a disaster economically for the region and NZ as a whole as NZ biggest export port is effectively closed; the Tauranga/Western BOP, which has been, reasonably releient (as regards building consents and other activity) may suffer.

    The environmental impact is likely unfathomable at this juncture.

    The scorn being heaped on the govt is a trifling matter in the wider impact of the issue, and it would not have been so invited if they had not behaved so churlishly in the house in response to the “jumper” last week.

    If it goes badly for the Nats it is not as if Labour, in its current form, would be able to govern competently. They just don’t appear as a government in waiting IMHO.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

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