Posts by Paul Williams
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The tactics may have been misguided - these people aren't professional negotiators. Nor do they necessarily have a strong understanding of the ins and outs of the production industry. But they know they're not happy with the way some things are done in NZ, and want to see changes happen.
Which is why, again, I'm pleased that the NZCTU are involved.
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Does this mean that Peter Jackson's "tirade" against the Aussie Union might well have been well founded?
I live and work in a highly unionised industry in Australia, all I'm going to say is that I think it's to everyone's advantage that Kelly and Conway from the NZCTU are involved. IR in Australia is far far more combative, on both parts I should add.
Russell, I've also wondered if there's not an ulterior motive. Guess we should be pleased that John O'Neill's not involved.
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Someone revoke this man's kiwi passport.
I bought it for the remix of Can't Get You Out of My Head with Blue Monday - well cool (unless you're a die-hard Joy Division fan in which case... I'll get my hat).
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And of course the mainstay of every eight or nine year old's library: the graphic novels, especially Calvin & Hobbes, which he has entirely from memory, chapter and verse, like a good evangelist, and reads daily for inspiration and consolation.
I love Calvin and Hobbes. I really chuckled at the idea that the fictionalised gems of wisdom of an imagined eight year appeal to a real one. I took similar pleasure from reading my five year old Winnie the Pooh and watching her process Pooh's genius.
Does anyone else compulsively (but discreetly) go to parties check out their host's bookshelves, records and DVD collections?
Of course. One of the things I notice is how frequently my close friends read very similar stuff to me. I guess that confirms the notion of cultural homogeneity?
I once read an article that suggested our books provide others with insights into who we aspire to be whereas our music collection tells who we really are. Kinda makes sense though I'm not sure anything on my book shelf balances my remixed CD of Kylie </shamefacedadmission>
Gee thanks Geoff, much appreciated. A very handsomely done PDF it is too.
I'll add to that - fantastic that such a stunning publication is free, thanks to all - it's worth it to completely run dry my home printer's ink.
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Upthread, re benefits, Ben said:
And yet if you collect a pension you must not be out of NZ for more than 6 months, otherwise you lose it. Whether you spent your life earning it or not.
I wonder if that's not a very crude form of means testing? Absent individual accounts, the value of any entitlement is hard to fix. Still, rude.
It's a classic case of our need to invest in civics education and ongoing broad publicity campaigns, when a smart voter doesn't have basic information about what different bodies even do, let alone their influence over time or how different political potiions might shape that.
Sacha, I agree but also wonder if the arrangements aren't unduly complex? Certainly that's true in Australia where I am of the view there's simply too much government.
Stick a no. 1 up against Sandra Coney. Got a responable amount of respect for her, based on what I've read of her writings, and my wife has had some direct dealings with her and reckons she's alright.
Agreed, a real substantive character well suited to local politics.
Apropos the discussion of whether party politics is/isn't or should/shouldn't be part of the local scene, it very much is in NSW and it's a major problem
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Then again, If you already hate her guts -- or Brian Neeson's -- any cudgel will do, I guess.
Brian Neeson? He must be raging at Garrett's fate since he was the original proponent of the three-strikes law. Unlike Garrett, he was only ever an idiot.
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It leaves the blemished book in the historical record, rather than giving everyone concerned a chance to scrub up and redeem themselves. Sad.
Ah well. Perhaps we all see the moment of our greatness flicker; most of us, luckily, in private.
This is a very generous comment Jolisa. Whatever the impact on Ihimaera's reputation, your measured comments throughout surely enhance yours.
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Am I the only expat who can/is voting in these elections? I confess it's a little odd, more so than voting in the General Election. My understanding is that to retain voting rights as an expat citizen, you need only visit NZ for two weeks (contiguous I think) once every two years.
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Everybody in the Capital and Coast DHB region - please vote for David Choat of the Policy Progress blog and the 'Care Not Cuts ticket.
Declaration; David's a close friend of mine I've known since Uni.
I'm really happy Hilary's encouraged people to support David. His statements speak for themselves so I'll not paraphrase. I will add that he's an incredibly experienced and well regarded advocate who has extensive experience in health policy. He's not given to bullshit and is up front about his beliefs and his priorities. His statements about community consultation and engagement are a genuine reflection of his approach which is inclusive and transparent.
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Incidentally, Ms Jenny Morris can still belt out a tune. Saw her last night in Sydney. I'd hoped she'd sing Tears, no luck, but she did a bloody great version of Under the Milky Way.