Island Life by David Slack

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Island Life: What it don't get, I can't use.

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  • Tom Semmens,

    George W. Bush seemed to mainly want to be president because his daddy was and because he could be as well. The result? A weak & lazy president, out of his depth, with no fixed views and a huge policy vacuum at the top. That vacuum was filled by a batshit crazy Dick Cheney determined to re-litigate the Nixon administration and rampant corporate corruption. I really worry John Key could turn out to be a similar sort of stuffed shirt at the top of the National Party.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Super yacht for me.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Rickai,

    I admit to having some reservations about a former currency trader running the country. In fact any former investment banker. But what makes a good former career for a PM?

    Clark - Political Studies Lecturer
    Shipley - Primary School Teacher
    Bolger - Farmer
    Moore - Printer/Trade Unionist
    Palmer - Administrative Lawyer/Lecturer
    Lange - Barrister
    Muldoon - cost accountant
    Rowling - Primary School Teacher/Army Education
    Kirk - Kaiapoi Mayor
    Marshall - Laywer
    Holyoake - Farmer
    Nash - Owned a Tailor/Salesman
    Holland - Father's haulage business
    Fraser - Carpenter/Wharfie
    Savage - Various/Trade Unionist

    Lawyers, Lecturers, Teachers, Farmers and Unionists. What a surprise...

    Since Jan 2007 • 47 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    If I had a billion I'd have to give it away ...

    I know someone with more money than God (well more than a billion) - he can't travel like the rest of us - too much danger of kidnap for ransom (a few million ransome is pocket change but the chances of actually getting out alive are very low) - his movements have to randomised, body guards/men in black float around him ... nice as it looks from a distance - all the stuff - it's not the life I'd want to live, no chance to walk down the street anonymously

    I'm with Helen - give it to people who really need it ...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Mikaere Curtis,

    a box of crystallised fruit

    If only Key had said "bag of jet planes"...

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    Rickai: The level of current global economic integration is now at a level that was last seen in the decades immediately prior to the First World War.

    So here is good pub debate: I wonder if we are not seeing the emergence of the same sort of undemocratic globalised ruling elites as marked that last era of free-trade & laissez-faire dogma? Would not John Key fit nicely into that category, in the same way the Vanderbilts, the Churchills, the Rockerfellers and a host of lesser mercantilists did in the period up to 1914?

    The same sort of decadent, undemocratic, trans-national elites who presided over the catastrophe of the Great War?

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    In the same Tearaway interviews for da yoof, the leaders were asked about their favourite songs.

    Key was back on mainstream message, and chose "Anchor Me", hoping the kids' parents were reading (whatever happened to Coldplay?). Clark chose some poncey foreign opera song.

    Today's PA quiz (prize: a ride in David Slack's jet):

    Which politician chose "I am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel?

    I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Nice one, Mikaere

    Actually giving away money is not as easy as it looks

    Of course you can give it to"development agencies offering education and opportunity and campaigns against HIV and AIDS in developing countries"

    Which sounds good but if that is really short hand for the UN I think that really means you could just go out and piss it against the wall for all the good the UN will do and has done with the billions they have consumed

    Mind you the Bill gates Foundation has offeres Rotary International 100 million US dollars if they can match that amount with the resulting monies to be used to try and end world polio
    That strikes me as getting the maximium bang for your donated buck

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson,

    If you suddenly had a billion dollars, what would you spend it on?

    A consulship to Monaco.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    spend his money on a private jet and of course we have the right to decide for ourselves whether we would like that in a Prime Minister.

    New Zealand 1 anyone? I think we should have a flying vehicle of some sort to transport our PM & other dignitaries, so that they do not have to speed at 167 kph (or whatever it was) to the rugby (because I think it IS important they attend the rugby - but maybe they should leave a little earlier on their trip... on NZ 1! - WHich probably should be a Jetranger helicopter or something.)

    But can someone please followup next time on whether Mr Key intends to purchase carbon credits to run his private jet?

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    What with oil prices soaring, a private jet might be a dumb purchase. Also where's the adventure? Go for a jetpack and maybe you get my vote.

    "Thanks for the vote Citizens" (waves to crowd) Whhoooosshhh!!!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    A private jet? He didn't even pay lip service to the underprivileged peeps? Tut!

    (This reminds me of one of our favourite TV-watching rituals: during any programme showcasing particularly ridiculous examples of conspicuous consumption (MTV Cribs, Grand Designs, etc), my husband and I, in the character of the person on screen, flip the bird to an array of imaginary huddled masses and say 'fuck you, poor people!' Well, we amuse ourselves, anyway. :) )

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    A private jet? He didn't even pay lip service to the underprivileged peeps? Tut!

    they'll be proud that our PM has a racy private jet. It'll make them think they're part of the first world. Or something.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Go for a jetpack and maybe you get my vote.

    The entourage follow with their jet packs. I'm looking forward to the Foreign Minister testing his.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Thomas Johnson,

    I'm with Helen - give it to people who really need it ...

    Like the Labour Party?

    Wellington • Since Oct 2007 • 98 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I admit to having some reservations about a former currency trader running the country. In fact any former investment banker. But what makes a good former career for a PM?

    To be honest, for some of these people it was so long since they did a 'real job' that it's not as relevant as others.

    Shipley finished teaching in 1976, and got into parliament in 1987. I think between she was raising her kids, and involved in some organisations such as plunket, which is probably as influential a job as anything else.

    Muldoon entered parliament in 1960, elected to PM in 1975. In between he was a pretty influential Minister. That's around the same time as an MP, as he was as an accountant.

    Helen Clark was a lecturer for most of 1973 - 1981, though much of that time she was either studying for her PhD, or overseas on scholarship. Then 18 years as an MP, including a minister in the 4th Labour govt.

    Key is relatively new to parliament, so it's more relevant. Also his previous career seems to be pushed more than some of the above, as a positive in his favour.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Idiot Savant,

    I'm looking forward to the Foreign Minister testing his.

    Don't those things explode?

    (Jet packs or foreign ministers - take your pick)

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Muldoon entered parliament in 1960, elected to PM in 1975. In between he was a pretty influential Minister.

    According to Brian Easton, Muldoon was the lowest ranked member of Holyoake's cabinet in the late 60s. (Easton is/was a terrific lecturer and a terrible name-dropper)

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall,

    Today's PA quiz (prize: a ride in David Slack's jet):

    Which politician chose "I am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel?

    My money's on Prebble. Palmer was more of a light-jazz man.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Which politician chose "I am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel?

    Winston Peters? He's a rock, he's an island (with no immigrants).

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Grant and Hadyn both get nice consolation prizes for taking part in my little game. Thank you very much. Well done. It's not the winning that matters. And you didn't.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Pdogge,

    Well how about a little philosophy from one of the more interesting (sadly now late) Americans, John Kenneth Galbraith

    ¨The modern conservative is engaged in one of man´s oldest exercise in moral philosophy: that is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.¨

    Dat you John, dat you

    Tauranga • Since Feb 2008 • 15 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Grant and Hadyn both get nice consolation prizes for taking part in my little game. Thank you very much. Well done. It's not the winning that matters. And you didn't.

    Then it must be Peter Dunne, 'cos he has no friends.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Congratulations, Andrew. It's Dunne.

    http://www.tearaway.co.nz/interview-with-peter-dunne

    Add jokes here about 'Sound of Silence', 'Homeward Bound', etc.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    'It's laughter and it's loving I disdain', huh? Nice sentiment for the Families Commission guy...

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

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