tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59362106738360345992024-02-20T03:45:24.778+13:00NX-Filesnx-files.blogspot.comNickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09058030258777647333noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-29892136159736792222013-07-25T16:17:00.001+12:002013-07-25T16:17:38.888+12:00"As Opposition leader in 2006, Rudd preached that "the parable of the good Samaritan is but one of many which deal …..<div dir='ltr'>... with the matter of how we should respond to a vulnerable stranger in our midst. That is why the Government's proposal to . . . rely almost exclusively on the so-called Pacific Solution should be the cause of great ethical concern to all the Christian churches".<BR> <BR>This same man now has Labor backing a Pacific Solution on steroids. Labor promises to send all boat people - mainly Muslim - to a poor, corrupt and violent country that bans homosexuality and unanimously passed a motion in Parliament to consider banning non-Christian faiths, too.<BR>Could any Labor MP backing Rudd's plan today berate Abbott for being mean tomorrow to the "stranger in our midst"?<BR> <BR>That Rudd's plan is already in tatters, less than a week later, will make Labor's objections to Abbott's plans seem even emptier."<BR> <BR><a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/kevin-rudd-a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-for-tony-abbott/story-fni0ffxg-1226684602347">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/kevin-rudd-a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-for-tony-abbott/story-fni0ffxg-1226684602347</a><BR> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-65743126683559642362012-09-12T16:59:00.000+12:002012-09-12T16:59:35.748+12:00My political values are closest to those of an Independent. Take the @pewresearch @newshour quiz http://pewrsr.ch/OAdpc3<br />
<br />
This is where I usually fall in these kind of quizzes. <br />
On the American spectrum I fall on the democrat side of the spectrum. But that's only because issues such as abortion and religion are political in the USA. <br />
From a New Zealand perspective I'm usually on the centre-right.<br />
<br />
John Key is near to being my perfect PM in terms of his political views. He's socially liberal, economically conservative, doesn't want to ditch the monarchy or the flag, and runs a pretty unintrusive government. He has a good sense of humour & isn't afraid to laugh at himself. I really hope he's in power for at least another term. <br />
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NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-81005420179481515452012-08-21T13:45:00.001+12:002012-08-21T13:45:55.224+12:00"In a previous life Cunliffe was one of capitalism's handmaidens. He spent time with Boston Consulting; his wife is a top environment lawyer; they live at a very nice address in Auckland's Herne Bay."<div dir='ltr'> <font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> </p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> </p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> </p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p> </p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="http://mobile.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.php?c_id=280&objectid=10827742">NZHerald</a></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal">I really don't get why hard-core leftard activists support David Cunliffe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leftards are kidding themselves if they think this Harvard Business school graduate shares their economic philosophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet they seem to be susceptible to David's deliberate attempts to woo them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal">Just like when David C. stood on the bus to rant about John Key with custom messages for the audience he does the same thing with leftard activists - tells them what they want to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal">David C. maybe draping himself red these days but I still reckon he could comfortably sit on the National Party benches. <o:p></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><BR> <BR> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-14069302844637663722012-08-17T16:45:00.001+12:002012-08-17T16:48:38.608+12:00“Labor's internal dysfunction has served not only to drive a stake through the heart of the Rudd-Gillard government, but has revealed just how good a national leader John Howard was.”<div dir="ltr">
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<br />
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<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-pm-and-gg-howard-will-restore-the-golden-days-20120816-24bk1.html">~shm.com.au</a></blockquote>
<br />
Indeed. The reserve situation is true here. John Key has put paid to the illusion propagated by the left-wing commentators that Helen Clark was some kind of great leader. <br />
John Key has simply pwned Helen Clark as a leader on all fronts. This includes managing an MMP government and representing NZ on the world stage; things often perceived as Helen Clark's strengths. Helen Clark's legacy would be looking a whole lot better if it weren't for the fact National achieved 47% at the last election & if the country wasn't still paying for her election commitments from 2005. <br />
However while Helen Clark's abilities were often overhyped by the media, the opposite is true for John Key. But he is all the better for it. <br />
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NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-46779270578018361852012-05-31T17:23:00.000+12:002012-05-31T17:22:53.613+12:00An Idea for Shane Jones.<div><div style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Become the new leader of the Maori Party. Both the Maori Party co-leaders are retiring at the end of this parliamentary term.<br><br>That's if the rumour is true that he's contemplating quitting the Labour Party. <br><br>http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2012/05/jones-to-leave-beaumont-packing-her-bags-ctd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhaleOilBeefHookedGotcha+%28Whale+Oil+Beef+Hooked%29<br><br></div></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-32468473561503322602012-05-28T14:56:00.001+12:002012-08-17T17:35:21.267+12:00Labour's Leadership Options<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thinking back a few years ago Labour had plenty of seemingly able contenders for the top job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fast forward to 2012 & it's amazing how many of these candidates are now under a cloud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shane Jones; porn & 'cash for citizenship' scandal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Cunliffe; ABC (Anyone But Cunliffe).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that's the Labour party caucus's feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's the Kevin Rudd of NZ politics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andrew Little;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently being sued for defamation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Shearer; The current Labour leader who's performing with mixed results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some on the left have already called for his head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phil Goff; Had his day - Mr. 27%. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IMO the likely untarnished successors for the Labour Party leadership, ranked in order, are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grant Robertson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jacinda Ardern<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Parker</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grant may have been a lacklustre shadow health spokesperson, but he's really proving his worth in his role as the new deputy Labour leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He communicates his lines very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When listening to David Shearer's clumsy Budget reply speech you could not help but think that Grant would be doing a far superior job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of the 'tainted' potential candidates I reckon Shane Jones would've made a strong Labour leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with the current 'cash for citizenship' scandal he's beyond approach right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-70090319060351679952012-05-28T13:22:00.000+12:002012-05-28T13:21:48.058+12:00Mallard served by Old Lady<div><div style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br>This made me angry; Trevor not only posted a photo of the lady who served him his court papers but also tries to demonize her for doing so. What was Trevor thinking? That it would garner him public support? <br><br><br>The NZ Labour party would be better off without Mallard. <br><br>http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2012/05/mallard-served-by-old-lady/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhaleOilBeefHookedGotcha+%28Whale+Oil+Beef+Hooked%29<br><br><br></div></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-63589705076369413502012-03-26T16:56:00.000+13:002012-03-26T16:58:01.892+13:00Classic 5th Labour Govt Lines<div><div style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">http://m.kiwiblog.co.nz/2012/03/paul_buchanan_on_kings_claims.html<br><br>If you ever wanted a reminder of how the 5th Labour Govt operated, read the Kiwiblog link above. <br>Apparently no one in the government knew about the Tuhoe raids. <br><br><br></div></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-33461091470060786962012-03-21T23:27:00.001+13:002012-03-21T23:27:27.738+13:00Gower on Shearer<div dir='ltr'><a href='http://www.3news.co.nz/Politics/Goweronpolitics.aspx'>http://www.3news.co.nz/Politics/Goweronpolitics.aspx</a><br><br>"Shearer is trying to be different to Phil Goff.<br>There's some spin going around that Shearer not wading into this is part of this image. <br>Yes, Goff would have jumped right in on this and got into the gutter if need be.<br>And like I said, I've got a bit of time for Shearer's anti-politician image."<br><br>I couldn't stand the way Phil Goff use to over-egg pretty much any issue he could use to his advantage complete with his simulated rage. More often or not it would blow-up in his face. <br>And given Gower is known as a grade-A arsehole who's natural instincts are that of a political mongrel, I therefore think Shearer's response has been rather good. But I suspect his colleagues maybe less than impressed. <br><br>I was a fan of Dr Brash's mild manner apolitical style. So if Shearer managers to emulate that then at least I'll like his style, if not his policies. <br><br> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-14278907850256487982012-03-17T19:53:00.001+13:002012-03-17T19:53:44.203+13:00Shearer wants to change the flag & for NZ to become a republic<div dir='ltr'> <blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"> <BR><br><br> <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=33oi9ud" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" src="http://i42.tinypic.com/33oi9ud.jpg"></a> <BR> <BR><em>"New Labour leader David Shearer is a </em><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10773745"><em>republican who supports a new national flag</em></a><em>".</em><BR> <BR> <BR></blockquote><p dir="ltr">David Shearer said this on the 17t of Dec 2011. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">He could hot have got off on a worse foot for me. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">For reasons I find hard to explain, but I like the flag & NZ's connection to the monarchy. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr"> </p> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-41629457280176108142011-11-22T17:34:00.001+13:002011-11-22T17:34:51.288+13:00Who do I vote for? #voteNZ<div dir='ltr'> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; ">Only three days until the election. I've made a pros and cons list of my top 5 choices but I've already narrowed it down to either Key or Brash.</span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; "><b>John Key</b></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#17365d">Pros:</font> the best PM in my life time. Superb response to the earthquakes. Good demeanor & style of government (not as intrusive as Labour). Good policy mix from the left & the right. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#c00000">Cons: </font> the easy choice </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>Don Brash </b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#17365d">Pros:</font> my personal political hero. Not a natural politician & all the better for it. Cuts through leftie spin with clear explanations of economics and policies. Good humour & demeanor. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#c00000">Cons</font>: 2005 was Don's Waterloo - has his time past? He aggravates the left for some reason. Needs to embrace his social liberal side more. John Banks.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; "><b>Phil Goff</b></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#17365d">Pros:</font> Some surprisingly bold policies with CGT & raising the age of retirement. $5K tax free income threshold. Would probably run a less intrusive govt than Clark's administration. Hard working & a decent guy. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#c00000">Cons:</font> A politican in every sense of the word. Simulated. Presents a totally unbelievable fiscal picture for NZ given spending commitments and spendthrifty Labour team from the Clark years. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>Russel Norman</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#17365d">Pros:</font> Modernised the Greens with minimal blood letting. Good response to 'sticker-gate' - perhaps trying to fill Rod Donalds shoes as the honorable parliamentarian. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#c00000">Cons:</font> at the end of the day he's a luddite and a ginga. Wants to ban everything. Every Greenie is ultimately a hypocrite. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>Winston Peters</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#17365d">Pros:</font> articulates a point well. Really socks it to the arrogant media. Good in opposition when on your side.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#c00000">Cons:</font> a liar. Untrustworthy. Full of bull. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; "><u>Key vs. Brash</u></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">I'm torn between wanting to get Brash back into parliament & getting National a majority. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">Reasons to vote Brash:</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- Would make an excellent finance minister</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- The nonconformist option</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- Supporting my person political hero</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- Probably my last ever opportunity to vote for Brash.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">Reasons to vote Key:</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- Best PM in my life time. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- A National majority govt would be good for NZ.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">- A majority govt would stick it to Helen Clark and her legacy (political utu)</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2">After much deliberation I have decided to vote for <b>Key</b>. I was very proud of Key during the Chch Earthquakes & the Pike River Mine tragedy and feel I should award him accordingly. I just hope Brash makes it back into Parliament without my vote.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-83128246130287375652011-11-09T15:45:00.000+13:002011-11-09T15:48:57.317+13:00Differences between 2002 & 2011<div><div style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">http://m.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/11/will_it_be_2002_reversed.html<br><br>In my opinion the key difference is no Winston Peters. <br>When it became apparent National didn't have a hope of winning in 2002, many national voters changed horse to Winston because it seemed like he'd be a stronger voice in opposition to Helen Clark's Labour than Bill English. <br>There was the Peter Dunne worm-riding effect which turned a few voters from both National & Labour.<br>Helen Clark also faced a scandal with the whole 'corn-gate' thing where she called John Campbell a 'creep' (can't imagine John Key saying something like that). <br><br>And to top it off MMP was still pretty new so people were experimenting. It was a perfect storm of factors which lead to Nation's lowest election result ever. <br><br>Fast forward to 2011 - the election date has been known for most of the year thanks to John Key (2002 was a snap election). Winston Peters & Peter Dunne are irrelevant. There are no significant new players. The leaders debates are only between John Key & Phil Goff - minor parties don't get a look in. The public have wised up to the workings of MMP. <br><br>And the most significant factor of them all - John Key is not Helen Clark. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br></div></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-89744481930616672011-11-08T15:44:00.000+13:002011-11-08T15:47:46.541+13:00JK's response to Goff's Top Ten List<div><div style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/campaign-trail/5925786/Goff-needs-to-get-with-reality-Key<br><br>"When it was suggested to him that Goff labelled him smug, Key responded: "I don't really care what Phil Goff thinks....I work 19 hours a day, seven days a week to try and make New Zealand a better country.""<br><br>I don't particularly like this response. It sounds like something Helen Clark would've said. <br><br>There's no question JK works damn hard - but it's important he maintains a work-life balance. Especially for a family man. <br><br>A good manager shouldn't need to work 19 hours per day. <br><br>After all the last thing I want is for JK to burn himself out - he's the best PM this country has ever had. <br><br><br></div></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-74204632606429596672011-11-03T17:05:00.001+13:002011-11-03T17:05:28.207+13:00The Left seek to distort social media<div dir='ltr'> <div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma"><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">As we get closer to the general election #votenz all of a sudden you see a whole lot of anti-National stuff in all forms of social media which will quickly abate after the election. I'm talking about Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and comments sections on Herald and Stuff. It's apparent to me because I follow politics all year round. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">No doubt Labour activities, unionists, & paid lap-bloggers are working over time trying to foster the perception that Labour is on a come back. That Phil Goff is winning the debates. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">Two prominent examples is John Pagani stating Goff "absolutely smashed" Key in The Press debate. And today 'Eddie' at The Standard stated the "Polls are good for Left". </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">But a cursory look at the polls show there hasn't been much movement at all!</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">There's something deeply dishonest about flooding social media with essentially lies. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">While I find such distortions a bit of a morale sapper it is worth remembering that 'the right' tend to be the silent majority. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">Take for example the 2005 election. Dr Brash achieved 39.1% (2% shy of Labour) of the vote in the face of unprecedented vitriol. And in 2008 John Key had to deal with leftie protests on the campaign trail just because he was ahead in the polls. </font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">So - Keep calm, carry on, trust the voters. </font></div><div style="font-size: small; "><br></div></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Tahoma" size="2"><br></font></div> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-84401060196488726852011-09-26T21:37:00.001+13:002011-09-26T21:37:35.589+13:00What did IV2 say to be banned and censored on Labour's Red Alert?<div dir='ltr'> <br> <a href="http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2011/09/25/nek-minute/" target="_blank">This</a>: <br><br><blockquote class="webkit-indent-blockquote" style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"><i> "Phil Goff sold $9b worth of assets in the 1980's; nek minnit..." </i></blockquote><br> I think I know why she deleted this comment & banned <a href="http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2011/09/nek-minnit-were-banned.html" target="_blank">Inventory2</a>. It's because Labour have based their entire election campaign on opposing the partial sell-off of assets. They have a slogan 'own your future' which they're repeating ad nauseum. <div>They are terrified that the truth about Phil Goff's 'asset selling' past will undermine their big dollar advertising campaign - no doubt booked to flood the air wave when the RWC is over. <br><br> The irony is that by deleting IV2's comment Clare Curren has achieved the exact opposition of her intention & drawn attention to it. <br><br> </div> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-91238139631599415802011-08-30T19:50:00.001+12:002011-08-30T19:50:21.592+12:00When did it start to unravel for Labour?<div dir='ltr'> <br><br> Phil Goff reckon's that Labour's poor polling is because people aren't focusing on the issues. But Labour's been on the ropes in terms of polling for over five years now. <br><br>Even if Phil Goff is right & the public have been distracted for over half a decade then surely Labour must take some of the blame for this.<br><br>In my opinion the real reason Labour are in the doldrums is because of failed dirty attacks. <br><br>It started off with Clark & Clayton Cosgrove's attempt to link John Key to the leaky homes fiasco. It flopped big time. I recall John Key ripping into Clayton on live radio. <br><br>Then there was the Labour Party President Mike William's much hyped 'H-bomb' attack. With help from William's contacts in Aussie Labor he brought back 24kg of documents from Australia but failed to incriminate John Key. Massive, massive fail. <br><br>Then Phil Goff himself continued the meme with his failed attempt to trap John Key over the Richard Worth affair. <br><br>The only thing worse than Machiavellian political games is fouling them up.<br><br>Perhaps if Labour focused on the issues they'd be in a strong position today. <br><br> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-45935733967479341542011-08-24T20:57:00.001+12:002011-08-24T20:57:57.155+12:00GUYON - "OK, David Cunliffe, this isn't a Labour Party speech."<div dir='ltr'> I watched David Cunliffe face-off against Dr Brash on <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/don-brash-david-cunliffe-interview-transcript-4361392">TVNZ Q&A.</a> <br><br> I thought Guyon summed up Mr Cunliffe's performance pretty well with the following quote: <br><br> <blockquote><i>"OK, David Cunliffe, this isn't a Labour Party speech."</i></blockquote> <br><br> Mr Cunliffe had the easy sell - playing on the emotion of keeping the assets state owned. Yet he over egged it & sounded like a Party Political Broadcast - hence Guyon's comment. <br><br> Dr Brash delivered a fairly solid performance. <br><br> I think Mr Cunliffe would make a fairly good Labour Party leader if he managed to dial back his ego. But based on David's performance on Q&A, John Key is as safe as houses. <br><br> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-69077556125073274622011-08-22T03:22:00.002+12:002011-08-22T03:53:24.519+12:00An unparliamentary comment on Red Alert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_I-hBk13WECTQ0S_WG9XSLQi4naTyu8CElJP2kUWzCHa3e13lknaR7xXPGuV0JsPilq2w18KoY7fn2qReh44WFy7n2Q9IMayWWwIHW_NYMCqc_qbQScmD1raaMXaWoSsuFQIJNrXrv8/s1600/kklk.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643330220231168898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_I-hBk13WECTQ0S_WG9XSLQi4naTyu8CElJP2kUWzCHa3e13lknaR7xXPGuV0JsPilq2w18KoY7fn2qReh44WFy7n2Q9IMayWWwIHW_NYMCqc_qbQScmD1raaMXaWoSsuFQIJNrXrv8/s400/kklk.JPG" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2011/08/21/the-polls-that-matter/comment-page-1/">My reply</a>: "I appreciate that you publicly advocate the payment of taxes, but I do take exception to the Kiwiblog comment.
<br />Many ordinary New Zealanders read Kiwiblog & your comments could sting anyone of us (including your own supporters).
<br />Perhaps you could be more specific about who you were referring to. "
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<br />Hopefully my comment makes it through moderation.
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<br />NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-80060077389864925342011-08-22T00:38:00.000+12:002011-08-22T00:39:55.424+12:00Polls: 3 News, TVNZ & The Most Popular Left-wing Blog
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<br /><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>TVNZ</strong></span> vs <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>3News
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<br /></strong></span>Nats <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>56%</strong></span> - <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>54%</strong></span>
<br />Lab <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>30%</strong></span> - <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>28.8%
<br /></strong></span>Greens <strong><span style="color:#660000;">6%</span></strong> - <strong><span style="color:#000099;">9.3%
<br /></span></strong>NZ 1st <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>2.3%</strong></span> - <strong><span style="color:#000099;">2</span></strong><strong><span style="color:#000099;">.2%
<br /></span></strong>Act <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>1.7%</strong></span> - <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>2.2%
<br /></strong></span>Maori <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>1.4%</strong></span> - <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>1.5%
<br /></strong></span>Mana <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>0.9% </strong></span>- <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>0.9%
<br /></strong></span>UF <span style="color:#660000;"><strong>0.5%</strong></span> - <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>0.0%</strong></span>
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<br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">As we get closer to the election, political journalists become more important. On that note:</span></div>
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<br /><div><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>Guyon </strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">vs </span><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Duncan</strong></span></div>
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<br /><div>+1 for Guyon. I preferred his style & his story. </div>
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<br /><div>In spite of both Guyon & Duncan's tendency to sensationalise the gap between Labour & National, the polls haven't moved much sense the last 2008 election. The Clark govt. had a brief 'winter of discontent' in their first term. Nation has had nothing like that.</div>
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<br /><div>Another observation - since when did both networks start ignoring Jim Anderton's Progressive party? Is Peter Dunne next? Given how low they both poll, they get a disproportionate amount of air-time relative to their support. Kind of ridiculous really. </div>
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<br /><div>A poll that has surprised me recently is Kiwiblog's "Which Left-Wing Blogs do you read regularly"? I always assumed The Standard was the number one leftie blog, but it barely makes it to third place! With this in mind I'll attach even less significance to their smear enriched blog posts than I did before. </div>
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<br /><div>I really need to check out the other leftie blogs more often. I like trying to see issues from another perspective. </div>
<br /><div>In my RSS reader every now and then I mistakenly read a leftie blog post thinking it's Kiwiblog. With in a couple of sentences I wonder 'what's up with Farrar today' before realising the error. </div>
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<br />NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-72058554094096307712011-08-10T21:44:00.005+12:002011-08-10T22:18:14.784+12:00Table: Nats vs. Lab<div>
<br /></div><div>Further to Whale Oil's Post titled <a href="http://whaleoil.gotcha.co.nz/index.php/2011/08/can-national-win-50-of-the-vote/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhaleOilBeefHookedGotcha+%28Whale+Oil+Beef+Hooked+|+Gotcha%21%29&utm_content=Netvibes">"Can National win 50% of the Vote?"</a>, I was curious about the percentage difference between the two main parties for each election victory.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Djad5KQOVLyFaURi2hYIGRw2NguNTIfyAuIakYOyHNTkGyxKlgBr0S9CztcSkOX2V4XvBdU9l_nZzP-aKhBkt_6ZZBZ-knQJSN4OpLxn3xzqb0s3K35SQmUQRv4U6AuYdzlXNSACkw/s1600/graph.TIF" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Djad5KQOVLyFaURi2hYIGRw2NguNTIfyAuIakYOyHNTkGyxKlgBr0S9CztcSkOX2V4XvBdU9l_nZzP-aKhBkt_6ZZBZ-knQJSN4OpLxn3xzqb0s3K35SQmUQRv4U6AuYdzlXNSACkw/s400/graph.TIF" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639161417062504706" /></a>Ignoring 2002, which I consider the public's experiment with MMP, at the last election National defeated the Clark Labour govt by a huge 10.9%. That is only second to Jim Bolger's 'landslide' victory in 1990. <div>
<br /></div><div>From about 2004 to 2005 Labour were level pegging with National in the opinion polls. After John Key become leader in 2006 Labour were consistently behind. In fact, it's probably been over five year since they were anywhere near being ahead in the opinion polls.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>If that's not a rejection of the Clark'n Cullen brand of politics, then I don't what is. </div><div>
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<br /></div></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-5805947008958270612011-08-04T22:04:00.002+12:002011-08-04T22:09:18.366+12:00Carmel Sepuloni<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1Rq3KcHpq73WSCiaLs5a-78FRmU-dC_aMeeAlkRiefklA1P3r_lgwXz-WtJmdSrCVR74gIvjiQ6xK1GxdRtZV-kbBLVDCUywB6zslatfOHfVWpg3_K0QzMpNCw2fOg6t17SC0fz-rEU/s1600/carmel.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1Rq3KcHpq73WSCiaLs5a-78FRmU-dC_aMeeAlkRiefklA1P3r_lgwXz-WtJmdSrCVR74gIvjiQ6xK1GxdRtZV-kbBLVDCUywB6zslatfOHfVWpg3_K0QzMpNCw2fOg6t17SC0fz-rEU/s400/carmel.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636939696344679490" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/08/petulance.html">When Labour MPs behave badly. </a></div><div><br /></div><div>Carmel is new to the house, but that's no excuse really. After all as a back bench MP she earns </div><div>over $120,000 a year. How depressing is that. </div><div><br /></div><div>This really calls into question the caliber of some of Labour MPs. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-77159931582248338872011-08-04T15:41:00.001+12:002011-08-04T15:41:30.557+12:00More political irony - Phil Goff & Officials - what comes around goes around<div dir='ltr'> <br> When Phil Goff was minister for foreign affairs, one of his most memorable & brazen attacks on Dr Brash (then leader of the opposition) was the release of confidential MFAT minutes. The minutes were from a meeting between Dr Brash, Lockwood Smith, & a prominent US senator. This is when the so-called 'gone by lunchtime' phrase was uttered. Dr Brash didn't recall saying the phrase and it may have been Dr Smith, or the MFAT official may have been in error.Regardless, the minutes should never have been released for a political attack & Mr Goff set a very bad precedent. <br>So just like with the Darren Hughes/Richard Worth affairs where Mr Goff was caught out saying one thing and doing another, Goff is again reaping what he sowed. But the key difference with Goff's dispute with SIS officials is that it's all of his own making. <br>The statement from Goff below is particularly ironic when contrasted with Goff's political attack on Dr Brash. <br><blockquote>"In future, I will only meet with Warren Tucker or representatives of the SIS if there is someone independent in the room to keep a true and accurate record of what is discussed."</blockquote><br>Goff is really on the back-foot over the SIS dispute. For one thing John Key brought it up in the house and The Standard have been usually quiet on this issue (whenever they're quiet it means Labour are in trouble). <br><br> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-9110406019786850452011-08-04T15:39:00.001+12:002011-08-04T15:39:42.302+12:00Question Time - Darien Fenton & the Speaker<div dir='ltr'> <br>Darien Fenton is a Labour MP. <br>Lockwood Smith is the Speaker of the House.<br>I was particularly annoyed to hear her give him cheek during Tuesday's question time. <br>Lockwood is a great Speaker. He's absolutely neutral & fair. He is light years ahead of the last speaker Margaret Wilson. Lockwood actullay makes government ministers answer questions (even kicked out Bill English on Wednesday). What more could an opposition want. What I would've given to have him as speaker during the Clark government. <br><br> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-26240117102090975532011-08-01T18:45:00.001+12:002011-08-01T18:45:44.187+12:00Labour's bossy boots persona<div dir='ltr'> <blockquote><i><br></i></blockquote><blockquote><i>"Put a camera on him or a microphone and you get the lecture from the old party machine man, or the university man. And people don't want to be lectured. They had a <b>decade</b> of it and they don't want it again."</i></blockquote><blockquote><i><br></i></blockquote> Good <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10741691" target="_blank">column</a> by Paul Holmes in the Herald. He pretty much hits the nail on the head with his description of the problem with Phil Goff. <div><br></div><div>When Goff speaks he does remind me a lot of Helen Clark - no doubt a consequence of sitting around the cabinet table with her for so long. </div><div><br></div><div>It's amazing that Labour has retained it's 'bossy boots' persona in site of being in opposition. National with John Key at the helm seems relaxed & happy to let New Zealander's run their own affairs. A fact Bill English often reminds the house during Question Time (which starts up again tomorrow at 2pm). </div><div><br></div><div> The only Labour MP I reckon could sell their meddling policies without sounding bossy is Shane Jones. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5936210673836034599.post-11291561969706620802011-07-18T17:48:00.001+12:002011-07-18T17:48:58.156+12:00The Political Acumen of a mindless Zombie<div dir='ltr'> <br><a href="http://thestandard.org.nz/go-gillard/" target="_blank">'The Standard'</a> said they've been "<b>impressed with Labour parties on both sides of the ditch lately"</b>. <div><br></div><div>Both parties are advocating new taxes - a Capital Gains Tax here, & a Carbon Tax in Australia. The centre-left parties have something else in common - they're both tanking in the polls at historically low proportions. In Australia, the Governing Labor party's primary vote is <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-plumbs-new-depths-as-carbon-tax-bites-20110717-1hkbr.html#ixzz1SOX07q8T" target="_blank">at 26%</a>. In New Zealand the Labour party in opposition is <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/david-farrar-by-the-numbers/5299785/Labours-sudden-poll-drop" target="_blank">at 27%</a>. <div><br></div><div> You've only got to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcfATNBSnFU&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">watch this video</a> of Julia Gillard on the beat to understand why she's tanking. <br><br></div><div> Obviously The Standard is bias to the left (if not a Labour party mouthpiece), but this really calls into question The Standard's political acumen or lack of & their ability to make any sort of reasoned political analyses. </div><div><br></div><div><br> </div></div> </div>NXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02985680491206675775noreply@blogger.com0