that's the kind of racist bastardry I wish just a little of the flowing moral outrage around these parts could be directed at.

sure. but do you seriously expect to see that from me?

Being without sin before you cast stones is a fine doctrine for Christianity but a lousy one for politics.

And with that, I call 'bullshit' right back at you. Harawira can be as full of sin as he likes – I'd just prefer that he and his party stop telling…

I don't need standing to deliver criticism

Heh – by the same token, I don't need the validation of anyone else in order to decide what to think of the Rodent. He's already given me plenty of reasons to think he's a grasping, conniving, amoral, ruthlessly pragmatic, and divisive prick.

Oh Craig, that's bullshit. I don't need standing to deliver criticism. I don't need approval, and I don't…

someone like Pita Sharples – who I genuinely respect, and has the charm of the devil – willing to do the media wash-and-spin on their behalf.

I dont think he had an option really. Clearing up the crap dumped by the others in his party seems to be his lot…

on that, my opinions are my on.

stating that i agree with harawira about howard is not an affirmation of all his statements. so spare me the wee dig. k thx bai.

Then again, I guess sickly…

Otherwise I don't believe the Pacific should act as a moat across which criticism may not pass.

Certainly not, but I sure hope the traffic goes both ways — because I don't think New Zealand has a great history of welcoming megaphone diplomacy from Canberra. Or Washington. Or Westminster.

man, i'm so past angry when it comes to howard it alarms me..

the next thing to read after that crikey article is this article in the sydney morning herald.

you'll note that howard is accused of holding the removal of the permit system as an objective in this…

I think he/she/it would be perfectly entitled to do that. Or for any politician, anywhere, to…

Aboriginal coalition's alternative plan

They have concerns about the 5 year leases and permits but it seems more to do with the pragmatics of whether these measures…

If this was Vaucluse there might be some sort of case.

Vaucluse was sorted out around 200 years ago.
It's a big continent, these things take time.

Kyle Chapman got 5th in the last Christchurch Mayoral race and is running again – anyone wanna bet he gets on council?

Minerals on Aboriginal land?

Let's not play with statistics here.
The biggest child abuse in OZ is urban and white.

Pumping the cost of a military occupation into rehabilitating the communities he suddenly gives a dam about is a good start.

Hone & the Maori party talk on racism is from the expert position of experience & they're not radical, they're really quite reasonable.

Michael: Sorry, but 'racist' is exactly what I'd called the anti-immigrant bullshit brown neckery I've heard flow from the Maori Party – especially when there's no MSM reporters around.…

Which would be fine if Howard had acted according to the report's recommendations. Instead he's attacked the problem as if it's a purely aboriginal issue, inferring that they're the authors of their own misfortune. Refugees throw their kids overboard, aboriginals abuse their kids.

Howard may be a racist twat -…

Hone & the Maori party talk on racism is from the expert position of experience & they're not radical, they're really quite reasonable.

I differ on a few issues but not too much.

Let's not be destracted by smoke screens – this is about mineral rights. If some kids are helped…

Instead he's attacked the problem as if it's a purely aboriginal issue, inferring that they're the authors of their own misfortune.

Maybe. I can't see into his mind. But the study that he is responding to is as far as I can tell free of any racist agenda.

I see…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_and_Hobbes#Cardboard_boxes
http://progressiveboink.com/archive/calvinhobbes.htm
http://calvinandhobbes.awardspace.com/

Yes it would be but the Wild/Anderson report details all sexual abuse no matter the ethnicity of the offender . . .

Which would be fine if Howard had acted according to the report's recommendations. Instead he's attacked the problem as if it's a purely aboriginal issue, inferring that they're…

So Banks ... does have an opening via the indifferent performance – and, in some cases, obsession with pet issues – of the current council.

Yeah, I was another of the…

Whatever I think of her and her government, I must admit my immediate reaction would…

And Banks vs. Hubbard. Well, I guess a campaign season that's going to resemble nothing more than Dumb and Dumber, Part Deux should…

I love the unedited truth of Hone Harawira.

His statements about Howard would have been a little more powerful if the Maori Party didn't already have a proud tradition of throwing the racist charge around like confetti.

It's racist when you make it clear that you're only interested in black abusers, and paint the problem as being entirely aboriginals abusing their own.

Yes it would be but the Wild/Anderson report details all sexual abuse no matter the ethnicity of the offender and providing security in aboriginal communities…

There is an old Yiddish saying, that even a blind chicken can peck some corn now and then.

In the 2004 elections here in Dunedin former mayor Richard Walls (like Banks a one-time National MP) stood, claiming that people were feed up with excessive spending, wanted strong leadership, had changed his ways, private…

Yes, Dick Hubbard may be socially conservative, but he's prepared to look past his own background and beliefs. After his gaff with the letter he co-signed on the Civil Unions issue in 2004, he accepted an invitation to visit The Big Gay Out, where…

in palmerston north.

nobody envy me...

I'm sure John Cleese is turning green as we speak.

you might want to read this interesting article.

Thanks Che – that Crikey piece is extraordinary. Anyone inclined to give Howard the benefit of the doubt should be sat down and forced to read it.

calling everyone they disagree with a racist when the central issue is of men preying on women and children.

It's racist when you make it clear that you're only interested in black abusers, and paint the problem as being entirely aboriginals abusing their own.
Non-indigenous abusers have been a feature…

I'd like the album but surely someone has heard it?

nobody envy me...

>>last three posters.

sorry guys, wrong. the central issue is not "men preying on women and children".

the central issue is howard alternately ignoring and undermining aboriginal people and cultures, then declaring war on them to win an election.

you might want to read…

Yes, but I think the real problem is the shops. They're mostly dodgy internet cafes, dodgy fast food joints and the odd chainstore. The bit around Aotea Square is a bit better in that respect.

I…

I wonder how Hone would take it if everyone just referred to him as “Mummy’s Boy”?

Meanwhile, he was on the radio this morning accusing Hone Harawira of belonging to a "racist" organisation: ie, the Maori Party.

Definitely the same Banksie who, back in his days as an MP, saw high Maori incarceration rates as an economic opportunity to be exploited by setting up an in-gulag…

Did an interview with him on my show on George a few weeks ago – nothing's changed...Banks Interview

Queen St. has been dug up. I'm not sure if it will be so nice when finished that it justifies making it a building site for two years.

The portion from Mayoral Drive to Wellesley Street is complete and looking really nice. I'm willing to put up with those awful…

Then again – I'd be putting my vote firmly behind steve crow.. :-)

But what has he achieved?
– Rates have gone up a lot, *as well* as water charges (which are basically an extra stealth rate).
– Queen St. has been dug…