Posts by Bart Janssen
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Hard News: Footpaths, not manifest destiny, in reply to Nick Kearney,
rather than sitting back and throwing rocks.
Contrast that with question time
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Hard News: Footpaths, not manifest destiny, in reply to Joshua Arbury,
local government decisions often don’t fall neatly into a left/right dichotomy
THIS so much this.
Except that it is also true of national government. We have been conned into the belief that a left or right ideology leads to a better government whereas the fact is getting the right things done based on the best possible evidence and being willing to change when you get things wrong is what is needed.
Sometimes that will fit a right leaning ideology and sometimes it will fit a left leaning ideology. In essence the ideology is the bullshit part.
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When National looks at those numbers, it asks itself, “If we’re so popular, why the hell can’t we win the council?”
Maybe just maybe the answer is less that Auckland voters actually like National but rather that in the council elections there is a functional, reasonable alternative. In stark contrast to the national elections where there is very little evidence of a functional alternative.
The alternative to centre-right candidates in Auckland have a track record of making Auckland a pretty decent place, with a clear coherent vision that fits with what most Aucklanders want.
The argument could in fact be turned on its head. The council elections are evidence that the Auckland population actually do want a centre-left leadership and IF the opposition could get their shit together and offer a decent centre-left platform they could cruise into the Beehive with ease.
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Hard News: Kia kaha, Helen Kelly, in reply to Russell Brown,
There is also the aspect that most cannabis use is still smoking - which given the problems with tobacco seems daft.
Prohibition has a long history of failure - yet the flip side is that we don't really want smoking normalised in any way. Bizarrely at the moment cannabis use appears to be a gateway drug for tobacco :(.
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A couple of random thoughts.
For those people poking fun at the flags that lost this vote and at those people who voted for them I have nothing but contempt. The people that voted are all New Zealanders, that they have an opinion about a flag that differs from the one that won this vote is not a reason to point at them and shout losers. That says more about the person shouting than anything else.
I was disappointed that we had this flag vote now and even more disappointed at the process. I'm left feeling it is all some kind of giant pissing post for our PM built with our taxes.
I was disappointed with the lack of imagination shown by the flag panel, not surprised given their set of skills. It's hard to imagine a group of people with fewer credentials in creating design or visual art.
I was disappointed that we are still focused on a flag in the style of the 17th century. Back then brightly coloured and distinctively patterned pennants had a purpose and were designed for that purpose. A 21st century flag has a different purpose and should be designed for this century with this century's technology and needs.
I am deeply saddened by how divisive this process has been allowed to become. There will be people angry about the result no matter which way it goes, mostly because the process was never designed to try and be inclusive.
And yes finally I'm disappointed that we have a choice between a clipart logo and a colonial remnant - see that's me deriding the choice of a whole bunch of people - that's how badly this process was managed.
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Hard News: Public Address Word of the…, in reply to Ian Dalziel,
We really do need a like button - even if it is only there just for Ian's posts.
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I don't normally comment on the music post because, well officially my taste in music is crap. But what the hell.
Several years ago we ditched our living room TV and got a big screen (hanging from hooks in the ceiling) and a projector. It means we don't have to go to the movie theatre and be around people.
But a side effect is we now run our sound through our stereo, which is a very good setup ... even though my taste in music is crap.
At some point we discovered concerts on Blu-Ray, they are great. And one of the best is Adele live at the Royal Albert Fucking Hall! It's not the best concert we have but it's close - we do sometimes feel guilty about how loud it gets though.
Her voice is at its best and the transition to her speaking voice is hilarious, she smiles, she kicks off her heels, she waves to people in the audience and she so very much communicates her sheer joy at being there. And the audience love her. You simply can't watch that concert without feeling that joy.
And despite the fact my taste is crap I really like it anyway so there!
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Hard News: Public Address Word of the…, in reply to Joe Wylie,
Joe, he was being facetious.
Me too.
We need one of the ladies here to explain humour
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Feed: Feast, in reply to Gareth,
You do realise, Bart, that now we will require pictures of your whole piggishness…
hmmmm They might have to be the early pictures, since roasting pig requires a constant supply of apple cider - some of which is used to spray onto and baste the pig.
It's not my fault they were the instructions on the internet and I always follow instructions.
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Really? No love for CampbellLive?
Given huge support here and throughout NZ I thought it was a good suggestion