Posts by Sacha
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There will be extensive liquor industry involvement either way, is what you're telling us. :)
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And McCully joins in the character assassination against Mike Lee like a bitchy twihard.
"I'm not sure what Mike Lee was smoking," the World Cup Minister told 3 News.
The Herald and others keep claiming the ARC have "changed their tune" - comparing their decision with one earlier utterance by Lee about the sheds (which Key and co are quoting consistently). The ARC resolution said all along that it was subject to Historic Places Trust approval. The unravelling of some of the dodgy internal ARC process (remember Joel Cayford writing about that) has certainly meant the final decision reflects more respect for heritage expertise.
But the irony of this government accusing anyone else of flip-flops is pretty obvious. And the problem here as usual is central govt priorities ("I know, let's have a party on a grey windswept wharf with a massive cruise ship tied up alongside to promote the city on international telly") being out of line with local ones ("what can we do with this rare public waterfront space and these rare un-demolished old buildings?"). Remember the region's mayors unanimously resolved not to approve demolition of the sheds before the amalagamation kicks in on 1 November.
However it's central govt that holds the purse strings and the ultimate regulatory power - and this is played out constantly in transport projects and anything else requiring major investment. The current bunch being crass bullies just makes it more obvious. And watch for the handpicked ATA's role if this twists and turns in ways that require any new money to change hands (say, to buy out the govt's share of the wharf).
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Mayor Banks offers to help gummint choose another party venue. What happened to Aotea Square with its big screen?
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Tasers? Oh great. Who would get them?
McCully deserves it.
It's time Prime Minister John Key popped the dummy back in Murray McCully's mouth and sent him off to the Chris Carter home for over-stressed politicians.
Threatening to take all his toys back to Wellington if Aucklanders don't kowtow to his "giant slug" proposal for the "party central" venue on Queens Wharf is just infantile. If this is what passes for negotiation in Foreign Minister McCully's world, the whales are surely doomed.
Warning - comments after that story plumb new lows of duncehood, even for Herald readers.
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What's the story about short films? Can they be promoted more?
You'd expect a public television broadcaster to screen them, surely? Especially if they're already paid for with public money.
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Oh, you said huge anchors!
roflnui
on form today, sir
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In siders Guide
Doh
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Excess baggage fees are still cheaper than any other mechanism for moving large amounts of your stuff quickly to where you want it.
Uh, that was also true locally. So I'm told. No tears involved.
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Much better to go and see and talk and leave and tell honestly
I believe the point in the case of Fiji's military dictatorship is that you will be beaten, locked up or expelled if you try that while you are there. Especially if you are a journalist.
The amount of informed and honest talking in our media about this is far from impressive, so I guess there's an argument for more of it.
What's the current status of Fiji military participation in UN peacekeeping missions, a major source of income (and probably mana for the impotent little bullies)?
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Outsiders Guide was another example of a writer-centred series, wouldn't you say?
The value of good writing is evident when comparing with others from around the same time, including the lamentable Orange Roughies.