Posts by Russell Brown
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And Guyon Espiner has responded to the criticism.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Keir Leslie,
I don’t think it’s true that this is a contest aimed at the Labour Party membership. It’s a contest decided by the Party, but it’s also a consciously designed exercise in political theatre.
Fair point.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Hilary Stace,
On the rare occasions I have done work paid for by a ministry it is very clear. Food is covered, but never alcohol.
Oh yes. I've been in situations with public servants where in the private sector it would be considered entirely appropriate to buy a bottle of wine -- ie, we're all only there because of our jobs, and I've put a drink on my business Mastercard -- and they're required to reach into their own pockets.
The gravy train is a real disappointment.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Sam M,
I don’t remember all the details at the time, but do remember feeling a little sorry for these people who are expected to serve SIGNIFICANT time away from their families and the public thought it outrageous for them to be bought a drink.
I know what you mean. Idiot/Savant tends to fly into a rage when it emerges that a travelling minister has a wine with dinner, or entertains relevant contacts in a fairly standard fashion. For better or worse, this is how most of the world does business.
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Hard News: This time it's Syria, in reply to Alex Coleman,
So maybe (big maybe), that mission creep *is* the plan, and a much bigger involvement is planned than what is being talked about now.
I get the impression that regime change was the price of Republican support in Congress. Lord knows hey they think they're going to achieve it.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Carol Stewart,
Oh wait, I see Craig said the same thing more colourfully..
As ever :-)
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Tim Darlington,
a Leader of the party having been implicated in a highly dodgy immigration scandal
Good point.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Rob Stowell,
Can someone please point to evidence of Jones being a/ a really good speaker b/ amusing/witty/funny c/ in good command of all aspects of a complex situation?
It's worth watching the 3rd Degree report for that. He's certainly at home on the marae. But there have been a number of reports from the leadership meetings that have noted his performance.
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to George Darroch,
That’s what’s so harmful about the way in which Jones has sought to flout the soft conventions established by his counterparts and the membership. It isn’t strongly offensive, but it’s sufficiently so to drive membership against him.
He seems to run the risk of being a popular but powerless caucus rebel, which I don't think is what he was aiming for.
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Hard News: This time it's Syria, in reply to Stephen R,
I’m still having difficulty with the end-goal of airstrikes. What can they do that’s useful?
Oh, me too. What's the achievable goal?