Posts by Paul Williams
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Oh come on Paul, stay bitter. We were promised universal student allowances in 1996. You're not soft on Lockwood now too are you?
Hah! Not at all, although in my work with the industry training mob, I had did say to Lockwood that his implementation of Bill Birch's reinterpretation of Phil Goff's review was not too bad. I thought my, qualified, compliment was pleasant enough but Lockwood was as smug as ever... now he's a git.
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Then again, I'd be happy to swap the Maori seats for a workable political model the encompasses Tino Rangatiratanga.
Mikaere, I support your argument in favour of retaining the Maori seats until such a time as Maori and non-Maori agree otherwise, but I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a "workable model of Tino Rangatiratanga"? In my opinion fairly and reasonably settling grievances, albeit for a fraction of their real worth, and promoting/supporting the development of commerically-viable Maori owned and led-business is heading in the right direction.
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Oh, I don't know -- Lange was something of an experiential lightweight when he became leader of the Opposition, certainly compared to Robert Muldoon.
Well, that's certainly the obvious comparison but somehow I don't think we'll see a repeat of the famous "I love you" interview, more likely a NZ variation on Bentsen v Quayle.
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Kyle, sure; he's a git most of the time and he's also capable of thoroughly vile politics. He's not, however, charmless or overly contrived (anymore). His character is his character rather than being some pretense contrived around . Key might have had some casual familiarity that appealed, clearly that's what Crosby Textor latched onto, however it's not nearly enough to obscure the fact that he is still unbelievably short on experience.
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Kerry said:
The message I get from parliament and the bureaucrats is that they hold the rest of us in contempt.
I agreed with most of your comment Kerry, but I don't agree with this, particularly with regards bureaucrats (but I would say that).
The spin and polish does tend to obscure the individual and the tendency to avoid questions in preference for being on message is unbelievably frustrating, but I don't think the motivation is contempt (I'm sure there's a fair amount of avarice however). Outside the studio and press conference, I've found most politicians are actually pretty reasonable people. It's only when they've got a microphone stuffed under their noses that they revert to sound-bite automatons; I think that's why so many people have a begrudging regard for the renegades e.g. Winston.
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Tom said:
and i think The Standard has achieved its goal of leveling the research playing field and bringing the bracing breeze of competition (doesn't everyone love competition?) to the blogsphere.
I pretty much agree. The Standard has succeeded as the obvious alternative; a clearly left-leaning blog. However, it's also avoided the worst trolls and partisan hacks who exist only to bag the other team; sadly this is the majority at kiwiblog used to be a forum for debate but is no more (IMHO).
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Lydon, thanks for providing proof for my long held suspicion. You can never know, nowadays, whether refrigeration is responsible for the sad and pathetic fruit that pretends to be a tomato but I've guessed it didn't help (hence, I'll be grow'n my own from now on).
Incidentally, I heard this tip as part of an eulogy for a British broadcaster, Miles Kington:
Knowledge is knowing that tomatoes are a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put them in a fruit-salad.
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Like this, Tom? You've really arrived when you've got your very own attack blog, but as I've said here before the running blog feud between Kiwiblog and The Standard (which seems to have abated quite a bit) is boring as only blog-feuds can be.
I have come to share your view on this Craig which is why I've stopped my involvement in kiwiblogblog...
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The privilege of setting the election date is a relic of First Past the Post absolutism. Give it to the electoral commission, with the option of invoking the Governor General should the Government not have the confidence of the house.
Is there something that could be done in NSW first - fixed terms is going to prove a nightmare here!
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By the way, I think Southland is the nicest part of NZ by a very long way. I'd be interested if anyone can anyone nominate anywhere (in NZ) nicer?
I fear my reporting of any alternative won't compare with your's however, I'll nominate the Golden Bay area as my particular favourite. I know it can be insanely popular, however I've had too many wonderful weeks floating about the bays of the Able Tasman National Park to not recommend it for special mention. Waikoropupu Springs, just out of Takaka, is delightful.