Posts by Paul Williams
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Happy Birthday also.
I saw Gilson Lavis recently as part of Jools Holland's band; unbelievably cool drummer who looks effortless (shit-hot band and gig too).
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Dinah, that's hilarious, thanks. I particularly like the faux-quote:
According to the Time reporter, work on the profile was often harder than he had anticipated, with Obama at times dodging questions about whether or not he played a musical instrument, and about what Monopoly piece he thought best represented his candidacy and why.
Which makes me wonder; did John Key play Poleconomy as a kid - the simple or hard version - and how'd he go?
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the auto-da-fé as an instrument of mortification and edification for young and old
Hah! Classy as ever Mr Ranapia.
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And Doug wasn't prone to unilaterally writing policy on the fly at cottage meetings either.
Ahhh but that's not the point Craig, the point is that Franks was asked about a question of policy and couldn't answer because there is none.
Instead of simply noting the obvious, he pretends this is some new virtue - don't ask me what I'll do, ask me about what I am.
Well in the case of Franks, it appears the answer is whatever his party/ies require so long as he's high on the list.
To put it a little crudely, a five hundred page policy paper is just arse wipe if there isn't a hope in hell that it's either affordable or workable
Agreed. However, when it's in fact fixed and available and more than just a vague notion like we'll investigate selling off the Employers' Account, this is a conclusion people might draw... which takes us full circle to the question about when National might release policy?
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It's not about the answers, but about the questions. I don't care what he eats or listens to, but I do care about his political philosophy and policies. Oh, wait: we might be scared off by the former and there are none of the latter. So let's ask about the movies.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
In fact, Stephen Franks previewed a variation of this approach recently in a post, called Policy or Character, where he detailed a discussion with Wellington Central constiuents where he was asked about <shudder>policy</shudder>. Franks offers this view:
At this particular meeting a sceptic was pressing for specific National policy on matters not familiar to me. Another guest intervened with the view that the last thing citizens should be doing is falling into the trap of encouraging political parties to develop detailed policies. I supported one of his reasons with some personal experience
FFS. I don't know the provenance of the tactic, Crosby or Textor or Murry McCully, but it's clear that the approach is to contrast crazy-old-Helen and her obession with policy and us; people of character and substance. Bollocks to that, I didn't care for Doug Graham's character but he was a bloody good Minister who actually, like, had policies.
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Well, I actually find glib knee-jerk cynicism equally worrisome. If you come in assuming that anyone in public life must be a liar, a cheat and an all around shitbag then don't be surprised when you get it.
I don't accept that criticism Craig and I don't think Key's significantly less honest than any other politician. My criticisms are primarily aimed at the role of the Herald ~ I simply find it extremely odd that the Herald have so clearly hitched their wagon so early in the process.
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But he's such a cypher, Paul. A Hollow Man who is nothing and nobody! I thought that was the consensus regarding John Key - or have I missed something?
If that were true, would that make it ok?
A (self-proclaimed) national daily newspaper spruiking a politician is always worrisome regardless of that person's merits. Surely, if we abstract from the personalities, the risks of this situation are clearly apparent; this isn't a partisan blog, this is an established part of the NZ journalistic fraternity.
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Mark Taslow said:
it's like discussing a ship's figurehead. This guy is an uninspiring drone and H. Clark is the biggerst control freak since Graham Henry...
yup, with you to this point but then:
...neither has what it takes to give NZ economic policy the necessary kick up the pants it needs to have relevance in the 21st century.
Which aspiring PM can do this and how? It's not like Helen, Cullen and co. have a whole lot of extra switches and dials they've been avoiding but which Key will expertly manipulate.
Can anyone tell me when last a newspaper undertook to produce a biography of a current politician, let alone an aspiring PM. It's bizarre. One of the smartest commentators at the short-lived kiwiblogblog, redlogix, said this of the Herald's position on Key:
Besides, however frustrating it is to have a Tory rag like the Herald indulging in hysteric campaigns to change the govt, more worrisome is that if they get their desire in September this year, and having committed themselves to a such a partisan position, they will have gelded themselves in terms of holding a National govt to account.
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Heh. Missed out by a minute.
Both pretty funny really.... even the sewer isnt 100% septic.
That struck me too.
Good luck. I've known a few people through the PMs office, it's not without challenges but Heather's not nearly so scarey as she's made out to be (not always anyway).
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Kia ora Paul- is 'this arrangement' the Authors' Fund?
The Authors Fund. Don't want you to feel in any way uncomfortable. Just curious.