Open mike 01/10/2010

44 comments on “Open mike 01/10/2010 ”

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1. luva 1

   1 October 2010 at 7:57 am

   Hasn’t the UK Labour Party conference been an interesting and refreshing watch over the past week. There has been all the drama of the two Milliband brothers fighting it out for the leadership. The older more experienced David pipped by his younger, lefter brother Ed. Ed has the backing of the Unions and one can only expect that Labour will now move left from where Blair/Brown had them.

   What I found refreshing and in huge contrast to New Zealand Labour was the party’s abilty to recognise why the electorate had kicked them out of office. Ed’s speech did not blame the media, or dirty tricks from a Tory PR company, or the stupidity of voters. He acknowledged they had got things wrong it the past few years.

   He went on to say he was the new face of Labour and would represnt a new generation and new approach to politics. It will be refreshing for the centre left to know there is a different approach being taken.

   These two points have gained huge favour in the UK. They can be contrasted with the tired old New Zealand Labour party where we have a leader who was on the frontline of the last two Labour goverments. New face, new approach…not in New Zealand. And coupled with that is Labours belief that the electorate was duped by Crosby Textor and sooner or later the ignorant foolish voters will come home to Goff. The new fresh Labour of the UK is worlds apart from the dreary unpopular tired New Zealand equivalent.
2. Tigger 2

   1 October 2010 at 8:27 am

   From NZPA about the Hobbit standoff:
   “An actor, who is not a union member, but was invited to vote, said he was against the union’s action because of the threat to the industry as a whole.
   He said the move not only would affect actors, but also writers, assistant directors, and other local producers.
   “This affects the industry as a whole. I agree with the ideas that the union is trying to put forward. They want a baseline contract for actors. There are things in play within the industry already that have some of those criteria.” ”

   Well yes and they’re crap. They’re all that the actors have been able to negotiate based on their powerless negotiating position.

   By the way, any coincidence that the head of SPADA, Penelope Borland, is good friends with a certain Chris Finlayson…? More National puppet strings being pulled…? Or just SPADA being the nasty, boorish bully they’ve always been? Or both?
   • Carol 2.1

     1 October 2010 at 8:34 am

     And this morning we had Gerrry Brownlee on Morning Report talking on the Hobbit employers/producers’ side and dismissing the union’s case. Shouldn’t the government stand back more and allow for some arbitration, takinga more neutral position? But what a surprise that the NACT government skews the playing field in favour of the multinatinal corporate employers!
     • Tigger 2.1.1

       1 October 2010 at 9:32 am

       New Zealand film workers will likely never get an opportunity like this again to negotiate fair rates and fair conditions.

       What Jackson, SPADA and the govt know is that once actors get a fair deal, writer will be next in line. Directors after them (they’re not a union though). And everyone else. This is about the film and TV industry finally growing up here and acting like a professional industry rather than a bunch of hobbyists.

       Do not forget, NZ On Air and the NZ Film Commission have a behind the scenes role in keeping rates low also. They’ll be quietly siding with Jackson and the govt.

       Actors Equity are utterly alone here and up against vast forces with considerable clout. I’m really proud of their stance. It’s not easy – but its just.
       • Joe Bloggs 2.1.1.1

         1 October 2010 at 10:30 am

         What a load of crap Tigger.

         You’ve obviously missed the NZ Actor’s Equity President praising the film producers for their goodwill towards the union.

         In all this hysteria you’ve also missed the fact that local actors in local productions already earn more than their US counterparts: an actor contracted to appear in a small supporting role receives around NZ$5,000 per week, whereas the Screen Actor’s Guild of America’s published current minimum weekly rates for the same role is NZ$3,800.
         • Tigger 2.1.1.1.1

           1 October 2010 at 11:09 am

           Minimum rates JB, not actuals. Do you understand that means they can negotiate on top of that? And then there’s all the other issues, health benefits, licensing etc etc.
3. prism 3

   1 October 2010 at 10:35 am

   When Peter Jackson et al fronted up to talk to the union meeting it followed a regular pattern of locking out the bosses from discussions with members. They could have questioned him face to face and reach an understanding but no.

   It’s too easy for unions to get steamed up over their right to higher pay and better conditions. It’s The Little Red Hen syndrome. That’s the children’s cautionary tale about how everyone wants to share in all the food after the little hen had grown and harvested it as an individual.

   Did you love the Strawbs when they sang their version of ‘I’m a Union Man’
   Before the union did appear
   My life was half as clear
   Now I’ve got the power
   To the working hour
   And every other day of the year.

   So though I’m a working man
   I can ruin the government’s plan
   Though I’m not too hard
   The sight of my card
   Makes me some kind of superman.
   All of this clever song which both satirises and honours unions – http://www.dkrenton.co.uk/you_can't_get_me.html
   • Tigger 3.1

     1 October 2010 at 11:27 am

     Was that the purpose of the meeting? Or was it a private meeting for them to discuss their issues? Why should an employer be able to barge in on a private meeting where collective positions are still being negotiated? Jackson fronting was a photo op, nothing else. I notice industry grand dame John Barnett from South Pacific Pictures also turned up. Why? Would you have actors barge in on a SPADA meeting John? This is the trouble with these guys – they are paternalistic towards the industry – be happy with what I’ve given you, I’ve treated you so good blah blah…as soon as you question the company line it all goes south.
     • prism 3.1.1

       1 October 2010 at 12:14 pm

       Indeed Tigger – why should union members want to discuss their wants with their employer face to face? Better filter everything through somebody who can have mucho status being the king (or queen) pin in the whole shenanigans, sort of like a church priest who channels the masses to God and explains his/her reply back to the faithful. Union negotiators want to control and dramatise the immediate situation and ‘make a statement’ for the future – and gain a name for as a gun negotiator, they hope.
       • RedLogix 3.1.1.1

         1 October 2010 at 6:05 pm

         Let’s see how it goes down if the actors barge into one of Jackson’s private business meetings.
4. Tigger 4

   1 October 2010 at 12:10 pm

   Vile attack on beneficiaries by Deborah Hill-Cone. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10677342 Apparently it’s just a case of bad attitude! She gets my award for ‘wankiest sounding columnist of the year so far’ though…
   • the pink postman 4.1

     1 October 2010 at 1:34 pm

     Wait till you hear her on the Jim Mora show Tigger.
     I can’t believe that people get paid for talking such twaddle .And they have her on a regular basis. I agree with you although there are better words than whacky to describe her rambling nonsense.
   • ianmac 4.2

     1 October 2010 at 2:16 pm

     Yeh. And of course people on the DPB are just lazy.
     “But if only we could somehow give all the downtrodden, morbidly obese solo mothers living in squalor their own Les Mills personal trainer we could transform their lives.” Obvious in’nt?
   • Vicky32 4.3

     1 October 2010 at 6:25 pm

     Yep, she’s a crazy lady all right! I used to read her self-loving column in the Listener years back, and noted her hysterical dislike of feminists, and that it often extended to a loathing of her fellow women… I just commented on her column, but I am not sanguine about my comment appearing..
     Deb
     • Logie97 4.3.1

       1 October 2010 at 6:29 pm

       Appearances can be deceiving but in her case her rantings match the photograph that appears next to her columns – she looks manic and as for the one with the big glasses…
   • Anne 4.4

     1 October 2010 at 6:36 pm

     @ Tigger
     Should have heard her on ZB late this afternoon attacking the teachers! Had to switch off. The host (sounded like that female called Susan somebody or another – used to front Close-up) ganged up with Hill-Cone and they bullied Tim Watkins who was trying to defend the teachers. Cone was “vile”. The huge irony: they were calling the teachers the bullies. Unbelievable!!!
5. prism 5

   1 October 2010 at 12:23 pm

   Germany has just made the last payment on the reparations of the First World War – I think they were ordered to pay 6.6 billion pounds in the 1920’s. That had an interesting effect on that country!

   Jung probably said that it is in human nature to find a scapegoat, other than oneself, when in a nasty bind – the Nazis chose the Jews. The Jews were given someone else’s land as reparation and now we all pay for the continuing unwillingness of governments to do the right and pragmatic thing in eternal victimhood from Israel and intransigent anger from Palestine (or reverse that, they both argue from the same premise when it suits them). We should never have punished Germany like that – other methods would have worked well as after World War 2 and the USA rebuilding program.
6. True Blue 6

   1 October 2010 at 12:47 pm

   Ah, I see Labour is at it again!!!

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4187791/Labour-MPs-email-abuse-of-resources-Hide

   [lprent: How about changing your e-mail from being all capitals so I don’t have to keep rescuing it from spam. The anti-spam engine (like me) has a poor opinion of shouters even in hidden fields. ]
7. gobsmacked 7

   1 October 2010 at 2:01 pm

   So Hide has got in a smear on Phil Twyford, and it’s now getting media traction.

   *sigh*

   FFS, why are Labour so SLOW? (and yes, I am shouting, because I’m sick of this incompetence, repeated regularly). A professional campaigning orgnaisation (whether a party or lobby group or whatever) should have a media unit on permanent duty, 24/7. In today’s media you need Instant Rebuttal. Not a detailed explanation that nobody reads, hours after the damage is done.

   “Perk-rorter Rodney Hide wins the Gold medal for breathtaking hypocrisy, the Labour Party said today. His latest stunt will be seen by Kiwis for what it is – a laughable attempt to distract from the civil war in the ACT Party. The only e-mail New Zealanders want to receive from him is Mr Hide’s letter of resignation.”

   There you go, a press release. Issued by me – a guy in Auckland on a lunch break, paid nothing by the party, and it took five minutes. That’s what any half-decent media unit would do, in any organisation with its act together. Instead we get silence – and the enemy is happy to fill it.

   Still, it’s Friday. I suppose Labour’s team were enjoying a liquid lunch or something. They’ll be onto it first thing Monday morning. … *sigh*.

   Concrete feet = defeat.
   • gingercrush 7.1

     1 October 2010 at 2:18 pm

     Labour MP Phil Twyford says he should not have used his parliamentary email to endorse candidates in the local body elections and he is sorry.

     Mr Twyford, Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesman, met Parliamentary Service officials today following an accusation from ACT leader Rodney Hide about improper use of parliamentary resources.

     Mr Twyford sent emails – including one to endorse Auckland super city mayoralty candidate Len Brown.

     “Parliamentary Services have told me that there is a case to answer and that it has been referred to the Speaker’s Office. This was a genuine mistake. I am now aware of the rules and I won’t be making this mistake again.

     “It wasn’t my intention to break the rules and I apologise.”

     – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10677427
     • gobsmacked 7.1.1

       1 October 2010 at 2:30 pm

       “This was a genuine mistake. I am now aware of the rules and I won’t be making this mistake again.”

       Sounds familiar … Rodney was not aware of the rules, and promised not to make this mistake again …

       http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/2987917/Minister-stands-by-45-a-head-breakfast

       Again, it took seconds to find that story. It – along with numerous other Hide abuses – should have been included in any Labour comment on the issue. Hide has no credibility, nobody in voter-land cares about use of the parliamentary server. The only people interested in this will be “Stiffies For Rodney” (membership: half a dozen).
       • mickysavage 7.1.1.1

         1 October 2010 at 4:02 pm

         Twyford perhaps went a bit over the top with an apology but I prefer them to apologise rather than do what NACT does and deny.

         He should also refund the state the cost of sending the emails out.

         5c should cover electricity and depreciation and server time easily. We are talking about some emails.

         It is a real storm in a teacup.
         • Blue Boy 7.1.1.1.1

           1 October 2010 at 6:09 pm

           Chris Carter has never offered an apology.
           • BLiP 7.1.1.1.1.1

             1 October 2010 at 6:18 pm

             More bullshit from BB.

             http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3853508/Chris-Carter-apologises-for-excessive-travel
             • Blue Boy …

               1 October 2010 at 6:50 pm

               I’m talking about trying to roll Philgap, jumping out windows, and generally being a fuckwit.
               • BLiP …

                 1 October 2010 at 10:45 pm

                 Of course you are.
   • BLiP 7.2

     1 October 2010 at 2:21 pm

     Frustrating, isn’t it? There seems to be this air of tired resignation about the Labour Party as it goes through the motions waiting for 2011 to come and go.
8. BLiP 8

   1 October 2010 at 2:32 pm

   And the 2010 Ig Noble Award for Economics goes to . . . .

   The executives and directors of Goldman Sachs, AIG, Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, and Magnetar for creating and promoting new ways to invest money that maximize financial gain and minimize financial risk.

   Apparently no one from the companies will be there to collect the award.
9. Kim Hutchinson 9

   1 October 2010 at 4:04 pm

   Labour MP Phil Twyford. Photo / Natalie Slade
   Labour MP Phil Twyford says he should not have used his parliamentary email to endorse candidates in the local body elections and he is sorry.

   Mr Twyford, Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesman, met Parliamentary Service officials today following an accusation from ACT leader Rodney Hide about improper use of parliamentary resources.

   Mr Twyford sent emails – including one to endorse Auckland super city mayoralty candidate Len Brown.

   “Parliamentary Services have told me that there is a case to answer and that it has been referred to the Speaker’s Office. This was a genuine mistake. I am now aware of the rules and I won’t be making this mistake again.

   “It wasn’t my intention to break the rules and I apologise.”

   …Yeah, right!
   
   [lprent: Off topic. Moved to OpenMike. ]
   • gobsmacked 9.1

     1 October 2010 at 4:09 pm

     “It wasn’t my intention to break the rules and I apologise.”

     Cut and paste from Rodney Hide’s press conferences, about once a month for the past two years.
   • come get some 9.2

     1 October 2010 at 4:16 pm

     just like Boag right?

     http://www.nzherald.co.nz/super-city/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501110&objectid=10675468

     Edit: Except she actually has a conflict of interest, in that she’s recruiting our new overlords. Carter’s just some washed up boring MP
     • Kim Hutchinson 9.2.1

       1 October 2010 at 4:20 pm

       Is Boag an MP?
       • Logie97 9.2.1.1

         1 October 2010 at 6:04 pm

         Anyone else hear Boag opining on Jim Mora’s Afternoon Panel today. Boy she covered a lot… she maintains that South Auckland families depend on takeaways, don’t cook for themselves and don’t sit around the table to eat and this is a cause for breakdown in families. She lamented children’s inability to cook. She wants it introduced into the curriculum. Apparently it should be included in the Social Sciences curriculum. She then went on to say that she was particularly concerned that we don’t have a good balance in the curriculum these days. Perhaps she needs to talk to Anne Tolley. The demands of the focus on National Standards is marginalizing any balancing of the curriculum.
         • Carol 9.2.1.1.1

           1 October 2010 at 6:13 pm

           Yes I heard Boag’s excessive stereotyping nonsense. She said learning to cook will mean people will enjoy cooking for others and it’ll all be very social and healthy. My response was, “Nah, didn’t wortk for me.”

           Way back I had cooking classes at Intermediate school, and my Mum kept teaching me how to cook. To this day I don’t like cooking for others, though I do cook quite simple meals for myself whenever I’m on my own. Usually I let others do the cooking for shared meals and/or by in ready cooked food.
           • Vicky32 9.2.1.1.1.1

             1 October 2010 at 6:38 pm

             I am with you there, Carol! (Had cooking at school, and I hate to cook, though there’s no connection… My mother hated cooking, and I have in common with her having to do it for kids!)
             Boag knows she’s right, how? (The South Auckland families I knew were far more domestically capable than I am!)
             Deb
             • the pink postman …

               2 October 2010 at 3:39 pm

               My wife taught our two,sons to cook .They also had cooking lessons at Cambridge High School.When I hear Right-Wingers like Boag attacking working mothers about making ends meet I’m reminded of the time at the start of WW2 when the Tory government sent old Blue Rinses around the East End to show working people how to make a large joint of meat last longer. The crowd of working mother split their sides with laughter and all walked out. Lady Stanhope was left on the stage with her great big mouth open . What an insult to working people who had most likely never seen such a large lump,of meat outside the butcher. My auntie who bought me up would have made such a large joint last the wek and it would have all been tasty. Im sick of these bits of old mutton telling excellent managing housewife
               how to cope.
   • Draco T Bastard 9.3

     1 October 2010 at 10:39 pm

     Wonder how many of these RWNJs realise that you can have your email client set up to use more than one email address? Which could put Phil Twyford’s mistake into the “oops, forgot to change email servers in the client” category.
10. Shane 10

    1 October 2010 at 6:47 pm

    Does anyone know of some website that collates the statistics from the various local authorities on the percentage of people that have voted etc?

    I’m in Palmerston North, the city council doesn’t seem to have this info on it’s website.
11. Carol 11

    1 October 2010 at 6:48 pm

    There’s a full report now on Nat Rad Checkpoint by Brent Edwards on CERRA. there’s comments from Andrew Geddis, Brownlee, a Green MP Graham, Clayton Cosgrove and some earthquake victims in Christchurch. IMO Brownlee may have said enough for people to be able to check in future whether he’s right in that the law hasn’t been abused.

    Cosgrove says he’s already complained about 2 OICs that shouldn’t have happened.
12. Vicky32 12

    1 October 2010 at 7:07 pm

    Listening to Jenifer Ward-Lealand and Robyn Malcolm talking about the Peter Jackson/Union issue on Clive – I was reminded that SPADA is of course Italian for sword! Relevant, or what?
    Deb
13. Jum 13

    1 October 2010 at 11:19 pm

    http://www.eds.org.nz

    Key’s given the go-ahead for cubicle farming in the Mackenzie country again; King Brownlee must have promised the application will be approved this year instead of next year.
14. cardassian 14

    2 October 2010 at 7:06 am

    Good news in UK politics as the tories drop in the latest poll, am picking bigger drops to come as more cuts are made.

    Is a shame kiwi’s don’t seem to be as quick on the uptake 🙁

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/sep/30/ed-miliband-labour-icm-poll
    • Colonial Viper 14.1

      2 October 2010 at 3:57 pm

      NZ labour hasn’t been making the same kind of dynamic noises as UK Labour has. However, there has been a hard fought and competitive leadership battle in the UK which has kept the wheels turning fast.

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