Posts by Paul Williams
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That's the second flattering shoulder-tap I've had today! But, er, no. I like my current job.
I can understand your or anyone's reluctance. I suspect it's a pretty crappy job, however it's vitally important job that needs desparately fresh talent.
You'll make up your own mind, all I'm saying is that absent an alternative, the usual crowd will get in, one side or t'other, and bugger all will change.
The structure of the city is one element in need of attention, the people leading it are the other. Major symbolic changes like this can achieve little if they're not well led. In all seriousness, I hope you give it consideration and if you don't wish to run, get behind someone who's not a retread of one sort or another.
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Ahem, I said, Rusty Brown for Mayor... do I hear a seconder?
I've not lived in Auckland since 1989, but I visited regularly from then until 2002 when I left Wgtn for Sydney. I get back at least once a year now.
It occurs to me that the merits of a supercity city can't really be assessed relative to others since they're all located within a specific set of other government arrangements. Someone up-threads noted that Brivegas is largely funded by the State, Sydney is the same.
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What a paucity of choice! You can't compare with Sydney, the federal political system changes the equation, but the Lord Mayor's pretty damn significant as a service provider etc here. I'd be bloody worried if I was a voter and that spread was my choice. When was the last decent mayor of Akl? Meyer-Robinson?
Ok, I'll be the first to say it, Rusty Brown for Mayor... I'm not kidding.
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I like Michael. I remember him getting bumped up when Caygill stepped aside to quell the leadership challenge to Helen. That they went on to be such a strong leadership partnership probably wasn't thought possible at the time. Key's done well to appoint him to Post. Hope the renewal of Labour doesn't involve too many retreads!
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Wow. Check out Garrett on last night's Backbenches.
NZ viewers only... will it appear anywhere else?
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What is it about Bob Clarkson that makes you think he should be and David Garrett belong in the same category?
Bob found out early on that Parliament really wasn't the place for him, he had a colourful vernacular, but in short he was a good honest kiwi bloke (but one who was a teetotaller). He had political disagreements with others in the House, but had a good relationship with Nándor Tánczos etc. etc.
Ok, I take that back. I guess my point was that Clarkson seemed to think his job was to be a clown. Perhaps I'm being unkind, I'll plead the ignorance of distance.
Please substitute Clarkson for Michael Laws... I give fair warning but, I'll not roll over so easily on the Laws comparison..
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What a disgraceful little man.
Yup. This parliament's Bob Clarkson's been found early?
Key impressed, again, with what appeared to be genuine respect.
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Just to be clear, I hope you've noted that I'm not comparing Clark with Bush, but people who can't get over Clark with people who can't get over Bush.
Well I guess I've still got a quibble. I think elected officials deserve a measure of respect, if not for the person, then for the office and responsibilities they discharge. Though I'd not likely vote for them, I'd not begrudge Bolger, Upton, McClay or McKinnon their dues as they ascended international offices. For a NZ parliamentarian to grandstand as Garret's done is just chulish. His claimed justification is a contrivance; recall this is the bloke who suggested repealing the Bill of Rights if it slowed the progress of the three strikes law, claiming to be a man of any principal just isn't credible.
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I was thinking about this yesteday. It does seem a little churlish, but I think a valid comparison is with people who can't get over Bush.
No it's not. That's a ludicrous false equivalence.
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David Garrett is a complete arsehole. And that is about all that can be said of the man's actions.
What a publicity hound! I guess he's keen to corner the class clown position absented by the departure of others? It amazes me how some MPs so desparately covert coverage that they'll try anthing even if it means they're typecast as oafs. Still, if all you've got is the capacity to be a prat...