Posts by George Darroch
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You've reminded me to patronise my local grocer - similar prices to the chain store grocery* but with this store you know exactly who grew what, that it's fresh and local, and that most of the time it tastes better too. Choku Bai Jo, in North Lyneham, if you happen to be round here. I'm a member of an organic co-op store, but never shop there as everything is freakishly expensive apart from tea.
I like to think that I'm price sensitive, but willing to pay a little more to get a better experience.
Anyone have an opinion on cleanskins? They're very common in Australia (as their export industry is much larger than ours), and I know that what they're selling for is pretty much their production cost. Once you take out the retail margin, they're a loss for the winemaker. I try and take a middle path by buying cleanskins direct from the unnamed winemakers at the local farmers market...
*apart from their loss leaders, but I'll take those by themselves thank you very much.
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That isn't to say that the Government of Sri Lanka are anything but fuckin terrible themselves. Both sides have plenty of people who should be pulled up for crimes against humanity. Again from HRW, this photo essay is worth a watch.
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Human Rights Watch put out a very informative report last year on how the LTTE suppresses dissent outside Sri Lanka. Extortion, violence, assassination, and other forms of intimidation and 'fundraising' are rife.
These tactics are very well known inside Sri Lanka. The LTTE can legitimately claim to be the only organisation representing Tamils, for the simple reason that every other organisation has been systematically annihilated, and publicly calling for peace or other forms of resolution that do not result in a Tamil state, is a very bad move if you value your life. A Sri Lankan Tamil friend of mine would love to go back and help bring peace, but that simply isn't an option. She isn't suicidal.
I was very disturbed recently to see Maire Leadbeater of the Indonesian Human Rights Commission on stage at a LTTE-supporting rally, wearing a "Tamil Eelam" t-shirt. She didn't seem to realise that the rally wasn't calling for peace, it was calling for a cessation of hostilities on the part of the Govt of Sri Lanka. There is a very big difference.
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George, you make a fair point, however I feel Dr Norman's drawn attention to his claim to be candidate when challenging Shearer's. But I've made my point, I'll move on.
Well, given Norman's lack of connection with the electorate, the Greens are in no position to attack other candidates as carpetbaggers, certainly. If they do, they deserve to be on the receiving end of some pretty sharp criticism.
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Still, enough of attacking Norman for his place of birth. He's a citizen, so just as much a New Zealander as any other.
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<quote>
It also occurs to me that although he's talked of as the Leader's candidate, Phil's Leader and also the MP for Mt Roskill (at least 27 years as a Jafa) and might just have a few insights into Auckland matters that the Queenslander doesnt?
</blockquote>They also have the advantage of being able to talk to the last member for Mt Albert, who was member for 27 years, and still very popular as a local member when she left. I'm sure she has more than a few insights.
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Gordon Campbell makes some compelling points.
I'm not hopeful for the Greens in this election. Given that Russell Norman's spell as campaign manager for the Greens saw them lose 30% of their vote, I can't see him leading them to much in Mt Albert.
More than likely this is an opportunity to grandstand on motorways. All well and good, but they'll need more than that to be competitive and be taken seriously by the electorate.
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He's not the kind of man to accept your limits.
Try this site for a laugh.
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Garth George could not be further from the truth. The bicycle is one of the most efficient machines ever invented. Up to 98.6% of energy applied at the pedal is converted to forward motion.
Not only curmudgeonly, but utterly wrong.