Voting Local 2010

499 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 Newer→ Last

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Jon Johansson on Q&A (again worth checking when they post the clip) gave Key an unusually firm spanking over his abetting of Paul Henry rather than sticking up for the diverse people he is supposedly the leader of (and not "regretting" the matter only because it became a diplomatic incident)

    I really thought Johansson needs a big spanking with the two-faced fuck-wit stick. He's done a certain amount of cringe-inducing "abetting" of a certain cheeky whitey on Q&A. But I guess the acceptable face of racism and xenophobia in this country is always going to be sports-related.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'm thinking your deciding the amalgamation has turned out well are a little premature.... I might have an idea of whether it was good or bad in maybe five years time at the earliest?

    Oh, but whatever happened to the brutal [ETA: original redacted for extreme bad taste] death of democracy that was supposed to happen yesterday?

    You have to wonder why it's so scary to some folk to honour our nation's Treaty partnership at local level where decisions are made deeply affecting both people and land, tangata and whenua. It offers tremendous opportunities for us all.

    You know something, I'm not even going to bother with a discussion where it's presumed I'm a racist because I think reserved Maori representation is a very bad idea indeed.

    Meanwhile, could I respectfully suggest to anyone to claims to give a shit about diversity in local government -- put your time, money, shoe leather and (most importantly) votes where your mouth is. (I'm certainly not entirely happy at the monochromatic Devonport-Takapuna Community Board, when according to the last census it represents a community where 32.4% of residents identify as other than European and a whacking 26.5% were not born in NZ. Not convinced ethnically reserved representation for "Asians", Maori and PIs is the way to address the diversity defect though.)

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

  • Russell Brown,

    I really thought Johansson needs a big spanking with the two-faced fuck-wit stick. He's done a certain amount of cringe-inducing "abetting" of a certain cheeky whitey on Q&A. But I guess the acceptable face of racism and xenophobia in this country is always going to be sports-related.

    Has he sat there and chuckled along while Holmes has made racist comments? I don't recall it.

    Craig, isn't reasonable to say that Key didn't deal with it as firmly as he should have? Isn't that simply a matter of fact?

    Johansson is there as a commentator and I think he has every right to make that commentary without being called two-faced or a fuck-stick.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I was struck by how forceful Johansson was.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I'm not even going to bother with a discussion where it's presumed I'm a racist because I think reserved Maori representation is a very bad idea indeed.

    I believe the word I used was "scared". Feel free to address that one instead.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    You know something, I'm not even going to bother with a discussion where it's presumed I'm a racist because I think reserved Maori representation is a very bad idea indeed.

    Why would anyone think you were racist? That's your opinion, Craig. You aren't the only person who would think that, although why you think that may be for different reasons than many other people.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    And while you're at it, please don't conflate the Treaty with ethnic representation - you should know better, Craig.

    I'm quite open to arguments about reserved seats vs other methods.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Why would anyone think you were racist? That's your opinion, Craig.

    No it's not -- it's the opinion of people who say shit like "of course you'd say that, you're a racist"; it just seems to rapidly turn into one of those things where you can play merry hell with your blood pressure or just move along. It's the electoral equivalent of abortion.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Has he sat there and chuckled along while Holmes has made racist comments? I don't recall it.

    No he didn't -- but where the fuck was the panel challenging Paul on this kind of crap?

    PAUL They should have gone about Mrs Dikshit.

    MATT And, yeah, and they should have understood that right from the start.

    PAUL That's her name.

    MATT Yeah.

    FRAN Sheila has a great name.

    PAUL Sheila Dikshit.

    'Fran' and 'Matt' are Fran O'Sullivan and Matt McCarten, BTW. And I did have to turn it off, because I'd like a senior journalist and a union leader to do a little better than sniggering over silly foreign names.

    The same day, Holmes had this patronising little Woger of The Raj swill run in the Herald on Sunday:

    Last Friday, I ran into my friend Peter, who was just back from a business trip to India. He couldn't stop shaking his head about the place.

    Certainly, the hygiene aspect seems to be challenging. People there seem to do their number twos anywhere, as far as I can work out. But while he spent a good deal of time laughing about this, he couldn't get the wonderment out of his voice.

    At least Mediawatch did an excellent take down on Delhi belly hysteria (and ask some questions about the nasty subtexts some folks put in play). But it would be nice if the "experts" on Q&A occasionally called Holmes out on his sniggering crap. You know, like Johansson expects the Prime Minister to do.

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

  • Islander,

    Craig, your link did NOT give us 'Wodger of the Waj."

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

  • Just thinking,

    Digesting the Christchurch results isn't all bad.

    There have been a few changes around the place that might be good.

    The Health Board will be interesting. I'm aware they looking at the same position Wellington has = no money.

    I just hope the council can control Sideshow and his radio flunkies.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Craig, your link did NOT give us 'Wodger of the Waj."

    Oh, buggery snot. Here.

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

  • Neil Morrison,

    I might have an idea of whether it was good or bad in maybe five years time at the earliest?

    I think Auckland has a better chance at least of solving some long standing problems with the greater co-ordination now possible across the region.

    And the elections certainly were not the end of democracy as was predicted by the opponents of amalgamation. Much like the Electoral Finance Act was never going to be the end of democracy either.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    What happens next is going to depend quite a lot on central government, but I don't think government can afford to ignore the wishes of the people entirely. Steven Joyce will be taking account of the vote, I'm sure.

    So in other words, doing the Greater London Council thing would do the Govt no favours? Then again, Len Brown doesn't seem to come across as the bolshie 'Red Ken' Livingstone type.

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Much like the Electoral Finance Act was never going to be the end of democracy either.

    That's actually a pretty good comparison, Neil. Did I think the EFA was an appalling piece of legislation? Yes -- but New Zealand's own Ermächtigungsgesetz? Well... no.

    What happens next is going to depend quite a lot on central government, but I don't think government can afford to ignore the wishes of the people entirely.

    Certainly not, Sacha. But central government isn't a no-limit ATM either, and it seems to me that Greater Auckland is going to have to cash that reality cheque like everyone else.

    ETA: Or not, as the case may be.

    Mr Brown says his strong win means the Government is obliged to adhere to his vision for the region. He has said one of his priorities is a fast, efficient rail service that can be used as a springboard for economic growth.

    New councillor Penny Hulse, the former deputy mayor of Waitakere, says a lot of people didn't want the super city so the Government must now do what it promised and give them what they need.

    Hum...

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

  • Russell Brown,

    'Fran' and 'Matt' are Fran O'Sullivan and Matt McCarten, BTW. And I did have to turn it off, because I'd like a senior journalist and a union leader to do a little better than sniggering over silly foreign names.

    Perhaps I'm missing something, but I can't see what McCarten's crime was in that exchange. And I can't see how it means that another commentator, Jon Johansson, has no right to pass comment on the Prime Minister's performance.

    Craig, John Key isn't going to die if someone says that his handling of that interview with Paul Henry was poor.

    What did you personally think of his handling of the offensive comments from Henry?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Certainly not, Sacha. But central government isn't a no-limit ATM either, and it seems to me that Greater Auckland is going to have to cash that reality cheque like everyone else.

    That was me, actually.

    And it's evident that neither central or local government has unlimited resources. But there has been a democratic election that will help shape spending priorities for the next five or 10 years.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Craig, John Key isn't going to die if someone says that his handling of that interview with Paul Henry was poor.

    Quite right, Miss Key is a big girl and had worse said about her.

    But I kind of hope that one positive that will come out of this is a little honest self-examination on the part of media folks and outlets who don't have a lot of moral high ground to posture on. The next time Paul Holmes thinks it's witty to make fun of foreigners with rude names and rant about shit in the streets on Q&A, I hope the panel will suggest he STFU and grow up rather than play along.

    That was me, actually.

    I apologise to both you and Sacha for the misattribution. I just think Penny Hulse -- who is smart enough to know better and widely tipped to become Brown's deputy -- should take a deep breath. The Dorkland vs. Wellywood posturing might be inevitable, but not that useful.

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

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Perhaps I'm missing something, but I can't see what McCarten's crime was in that exchange.

    And if one were to be quoted what John Key said, the same response would apply.

    If John Key's crime was not objecting strenuously enough, can't others be guilty of that in similar situations?

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

  • Sam F,

    This is pretty funny.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    If John Key's crime was not objecting strenuously enough, can't others be guilty of that in similar situations?

    Indeed - and Matt's not only had a lot to say about racism over the years, but I hope Unite -- a union that represents a lot of low-income minority workers -- would be a little more proactive about petty workplace bullying. I know plenty of people who find Maori names (including mine) hard to pronounce correctly, but at least they make the effort. It's a small but genuine act of respect.

    And it took me all of five seconds on Google to find out the correct pronunciation of the surname of the Chief Minister of Delhi. Dix-it not Dick-shit. Doesn't TVNZ have internet access on Sunday morning?

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    And just for fun, Russell: you've been Kiwibuggered! (h/t Danyl)

    OECD rank 22 kiwi (2,290) Says:
    October 10th, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    big bruv says at 8:01 pm:

    We on the right should really start to fight fire with fire, we should pick a left wing media target and flood their employer with complaints.

    How about Russell Brown? There’s an easy target if ever there was one.

    No need for a public campaign though. Just one call from a well conected National party supporter to Murray McCully will set the wheels in motion. Murray talks to Jonathan Coleman, Jonathan talks to Rick Ellis, Rick talks to the production company about the future direction of TVNZ and formating issues. Hey presto, Russell Brown effectively blacklisted from TVNZ and all done from the shadows. A job well done and the Right’s desire for blood over this issue is sated by the removal of this token Leftist.

    Someone needs to be slapped around with a rolled up copy of the Broadcasting Act. Hard. And often.

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

  • Neil Morrison,

    did any politician react to Henry's comments about the Chief Minister of Delhi's name at the time?

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    did any politician react to Henry's comments about the Chief Minister of Delhi's name at the time?

    Don't think so, but would be ecstatic to be proved wrong.

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

  • Sam F,

    Craig: snap

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

First ←Older Page 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

This topic is closed.