Posts by Kyle Matthews

  • Hard News: Windows 7: Actually Not Bad,

    Although I'm starting to wonder if what I want is the new Dell 11z.

    I've stayed away from Dell since I recommended my parents get one as a cheap computer, and they didn't even get four years out of it.

    I've been reasonably happy with Vista for over a year now. Minor buggering around, but I don't abuse my home machine too much. My work machine is a Mac 10.5, and that's been well and truly put through the ringer (still works very well, apart from speed opening applications).

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • MMP: This Time It's Binding,

    Can it be? A parliament can't bind it's successor.

    By 'binding' it means that the referendum will cause the change to take place, unless parliament intervenes.

    Not much parliament does is truly binding, unless governed by some constitution or higher power (GG etc). It can always change its mind.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Speaker: How to Look Good as a Nazi,

    What a devastating piece.

    It's amazing isn't it. As good a piece of performance (the technical skill to make such good art out of sand and a light box) mixed with expression of a topic as I've ever seen.

    I understand it was an entry on "Ukraine's got talent" or some similar show. Those shows obviously sometimes have some amazing gems.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • MMP: This Time It's Binding,

    Oh no. Just Bill.

    No I meant the party. Very confusing having a party name the same as the potential MPs. We should ban Jim Anderton from doing that.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • MMP: This Time It's Binding,

    Seeing as people are talking about threshold changes, you may want to look at some numbers DPF ran last month, on the effect of thresholds from 4% to 0% would have had on MMP elections from 1996 - 2008.

    Bill and Ben party holding the balance of power after the 2008 election (assuming the lack of threshold didn't affect voting patterns).

    Fuck it. I'm all in I/S with this no threshold thing. That sounds like way too much fun.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Speaker: How to Look Good as a Nazi,

    The GDP of Germany rose under the bombing, so the impact on industry, which was mostly dispersed and/oe underground by 1944, from bombing, was negligible.

    The German GDP rose about 11% over 1939 - 1944. USA GDP increased by about 50% over the same period. UK 20%. There's no way you can use German GDP to claim that bombing didn't have a significant impact on the war, too many other variables in play.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • MMP: This Time It's Binding,

    People who think there should be greater restrictions on representation need to explain why they are deserving and others are not.

    It's not automatic that people who think there should be restrictions on representation are 'in' arguing against those that are 'out'. A Libertarian or an Alliance voter might argue for a threshold which would exclude their party depending on the votes.

    There will always be restrictions on representation. The number of MPs in parliament always sets a minimum barrier, of about 0.8%. Anyone who gets below that won't make it under any system you set up.

    I think most people would like to see the threshold reduced. I suspect NZ could handle if it went down to 'enough to get one MP', but like others, I'd be happy with 2 - 3%. The less minor parties the more stable a government I think. I'm happy to balance that with a couple of minor parties missing out as a result.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Hard News: Of swine and cows,

    Rather than having a piss-up a with a blogger to prematurely celebrate a "political victory"

    Who goes to a bar, makes a bad joke at someone else's expense, high fives around the table, and then hurries home to post it on their blog? Is this common in Wellington these days?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Hard News: Getting Across,

    Depends if Labour can get the message through

    Currently I don't have much faith in labour to get much of a message through. Flailing, badly.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Speaker: How to Look Good as a Nazi,

    Don't forget Maresyev's PhD! Those aren't easy to get.

    I think the examination could have been slightly less strenuous for a war hero and high up in the communist party.

    Searching questions as part of the examination process might have been hazardous for the health of the examiner.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

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