Open mike 11/03/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 11th, 2012 - 43 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

43 comments on “Open mike 11/03/2012 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    11 March 2012 at 6:38 am

    Len Brown defines the issue:

    “The issue is……”

    “…..throw myself into the middle of this, and I could.”

    (but I won’t)

    “I’ve got a mandate and we certainly have the power”

    (But, I will ignore that mandate, and not use that power)

    “I could get in amongst that”,

    (But, I won’t.)

    http://static.stuff.co.nz/files/Counciltranscript.pdf

  2. Jenny 2
    11 March 2012 at 6:44 am

    The question for us who put him there; Does Len Brown’s definition of “The issue” meet the needs of the situation?

    I am guessing, not. What do others think?

    • rosy 2.1
      11 March 2012 at 7:08 am

      I think Matt McCarten says it well in the herald…

      Brown’s actions, or lack of them, over the port fiasco are perplexing.

      His officials set an impossible 12 per cent return for his port’s directors.

      When they ran into trouble I’m told the board offered the mayor their resignations. If true it was a master stroke. Because once he assured them of his support he was their puppet.

      No experienced politician who knows what they stand for would have been manoeuvred like this…

      …Anyone can be a leader when the going is easy. Leaders are judged by how they respond in a crisis.

      Our mayor built his career on the backs of the working class and the poor. He is now being tested whether he deserves their past loyalty or whether he was just another slick opportunist.

      In the next few weeks the real character and calibre of our mayor will be revealed. All of Auckland is watching. His chances of re-election and his legacy teeters.

  3. Jenny 3
    11 March 2012 at 6:56 am

    “The real challenge if I step into this, we have six other companies that we own that manage Auckland assets, like Watercare and Auckland Transport.
    Every time they have a problem, do I step myself into that?”

    In answer to Len’s question;

    Every time they have a problem, I step myself out-a that

    • Kotahi Tane Huna 3.1
      11 March 2012 at 7:08 am

      Translation: “The real challenge if I step into this stand up for them, we have six other companies that we own that manage Auckland assets, like Watercare and Auckland Transport.
      Every time they have a problem are attacked by unelected right-wing extremists, do I step myself into that stand up for them too?”

      • Jenny 3.1.1
        11 March 2012 at 9:38 pm

        What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours.

        Today on current affairs programme Q+A the Mayor said he wanted to step in to the dispute between the parties to find a solution.

        MUNZ press release 11/03/12

        The leader of the Maritime Union, Gary Parsloe has warmly greeted the Mayor’s offer to step into the dispute to find a solution. And has offered to meet at any time on any day.

  4. Carol 4
    11 March 2012 at 8:35 am

    Go Penny!

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6555638/Petition-stalks-Banks-Brash

    Labour MP Phil Twyford has tabled a petition calling for an investigation into the decision not to proceed with charges against John Banks and Don Brash as directors of the Huljich KiwiSaver scheme.

    Twyford won’t comment on the petition, which is the work of former Auckland mayoral candidate Penny Bright who is incensed that Banks, the minister for regulatory reform, escaped having to defend himself in court for signing a prospectus that contained false and misleading statements.

  5. Pete George 5
    11 March 2012 at 9:36 am

    A very good interview with David Shearer on Q+A. I’d prefer he didn’t try and talk for “New Zealanders”as much (something Goff did too much) but he generally came across well. Still early days for him.

    His (and Labour’s) biggest challenge is to reform their thinking and to take on board Shearer’s ideals. So far there’s been scant sign the Labour tropps are getting in behind their leader and helping promote his way.

    Shearer: “I’m not going to be a politician who takes petty snipes.”

    If he’s going to prove true to that he needs support from his MPs, and it would also help substantially if he got support from “The Standard” – posters and commenters here. There’s an opportunity to promote the new Shearer way rather than keep repeating past failures.

    • marty mars 5.1
      11 March 2012 at 9:57 am

      would you support peter dunne if you didn’t agree with him pete?

      • Pete George 5.1.1
        11 March 2012 at 11:15 am

        would you support peter dunne if you didn’t agree with him pete?

        Depends on how big a disagreement. I mostly agree with most of what he says and stands for, and there’s nothing (political) relationship breaking.

        I don’t have strong feelings on asset sales, I don’t think they are anywhere near as big a deal as some people seem to think. I think it’s fair enough that National should promote one of their key policies, but my personal preference is for them to only proceed with about a half of their proposals – this could yet happen due to ‘market conditions”.

        Would those campaigning against asset sales accept a halfway compromise? Or is it an ideological all or nothing contest?

      • David H 5.1.2
        11 March 2012 at 1:26 pm

        Of course he would, he’d sell his soul to get his snout in the trough, as Dunne’s personal Comb Carrier. But as he missed out, he now has to work for a living and that must grate. As his usual drivel shows…. And the fact that he has NO strong feelings on Asset sales tells us that he would be yet another rubber stamper, for what ever crap bills /policies that The ‘Hair’ dreams up, or supports.

      • David H 5.1.3
        11 March 2012 at 2:00 pm

        It comes under the heading of blind obedience.

    • KJT 5.2
      11 March 2012 at 10:08 am

      What makes you think everyone on the Standard supports Labour.
       
      In fact, this last election is the first time Labour have had any vote from me since 1987. I voted for a Labour electorate candidate.
       
      If Labour are veering again towards the right wing of the party, which it looks like they are, they are doomed to irrelevance. Getting in only because they are slightly less damaging than National.
       
      In that case I suspect the Greens will be the future opposition to National.
       
      Labour has abdicated that role! They have been AWOL for the last 3 years apart from Goff’s effort (Which briefly, was rather good) just before the election.

      • Pete George 5.2.1
        11 March 2012 at 10:21 am

        I didn’t claim everyone here supports Labour, obviously there are quite a few that don’t. But those that do have to decide if they want to get on board with their leader, or promote factional infighting and act against their leader’s principles.

        If they do the latter I agree, Greens may become the credible opposition.

        • KJT 5.2.1.1
          11 March 2012 at 10:26 am

          Still waiting to see what Shearer’s principles are!
           
          Are we going to find out before the next election?
           
           
          Or that he has none like Dunne!

          • Pete George 5.2.1.1.1
            11 March 2012 at 10:36 am

            It’s been widely reported that Shearer is going to start announcing this week, and I presume he did the Q+A interview as a part of this communication process.

            I think David Shearer would get on well with Peter Dunne, they are the sort of people that would have mutual respect and be prepared to work together on policies of common interest.

            • KJT 5.2.1.1.1.1
              11 March 2012 at 10:39 am

              If you wanted me to be even more dubious about Shearer, you have just done so!

              • Anne …
                11 March 2012 at 11:25 am

                Lol.

                To be fair. Shearer’s interviewee personna has improved. Still some way to go, but he’ll get there.

                • shorts …
                  11 March 2012 at 1:07 pm

                  he avoids giving answers like our current PM – do they share the same trainer?

                  disappointing

    • Draco T Bastard 5.3
      11 March 2012 at 2:17 pm

      …and it would also help substantially if he got support from “The Standard” – posters and commenters here.

      Why? The people here at The Standard don’t necessarily support him.

      There’s an opportunity to promote the new Shearer way rather than keep repeating past failures.

      Says the person who’s part of a party that is supporting repeated failure.

  6. marsman 6
    11 March 2012 at 9:44 am

    A two page fluff piece by Andrea Vance on Judith Collins in the National Party Dominion Post yesterday to distract the masses from Key’s plummeting popularity.

  7. Adele 7
    11 March 2012 at 9:51 am

    Peter

    I thought that Shearer came across too dithering and while he was full of touchy feely platitudes there was little substance to the rhetoric. Admittedly my preference for labour leader has always been David Cunliffe.

    • Pete George 7.1
      11 March 2012 at 10:06 am

      Yes, there was a bit of that, but if he’s given good support he will grow into the job and come across stronger, in his own style.

      • phillip ure.. 7.1.1
        11 March 2012 at 11:07 am

        do any of you ever read what ‘mr reasonable’ pete george says about you all on rightwing blogs..?

        he has as many faces as his leader..dunne..

        ..with each of them as meaningless as the other..

        phil-at-whoar.

        • rosy 7.1.1.1
          11 March 2012 at 11:36 am

          lol I can imagine, but I’ve no intention of giving that bog more page views.

        • Pete George 7.1.1.2
          11 March 2012 at 11:50 am

          I’ve been consistently hopeful that Shearer can against the odds turn Labour around.
          I’ve consistently said that New Zealand politics would benefit from a stronger Labour Party.

          And I’ve often promoted the sort of positive politics that Shearer that proposes – I could easily work with Shearer and his approach.

          And as usual all Ure does is attack with little more than dots.

          • phillip ure.. 7.1.1.2.1
            11 March 2012 at 1:05 pm

            do you really want me to start digging out some recent quotes..there..p.g..?

            ..i do have more in my arsenal than dots..eh..?

            phil-at-whoar.

        • Kotahi Tane Huna 7.1.1.3
          11 March 2012 at 5:41 pm

          There once was a chap called Pete George
          Who learned to use a keyboard
          With waffling phrases
          And multiple faces
          And a guarantee that you’ll be bored.

          Only kidding Pete – love your work, no, really…am I going on too much?

  8. phillip ure.. 8
    11 March 2012 at 10:10 am

    http://whoar.co.nz/2012/commentwhoar-q-a-a-review-shearer-refuses-to-answer/

    first the good bits…

    i am glad to see the arrival of shane taurima as key interviewer..

    ..(i have long admired taurimas’ interview-work…he refuses to be brushed off..as so many other interviewers allow…and he bores down..)

    ..and this is what taurima does to shearer…

    cont..

    phil-at-whoar.

  9. TERRY NAKI 9
    11 March 2012 at 10:55 am

    Shearer wasnt a stumbling as usual on Q&A so it was better,but he seems to stall at times,still lots of work to do.

  10. just saying 10
    11 March 2012 at 12:27 pm

    ‘We Travel and Equals or Not at All’ Joseph Arthur 2011
    Class-conscious music:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK_c4ne8fU8

    In the dark of grave yard chatter
    In the light of freedoms call
    In the heat of any matter
    We travel as equals or not at all
    Bloom disgust and class divide
    I saw it written on the wall
    The only way we can survive
    We travel as equals or not at all
    You can’t be in greater comfort
    As my pain prevents your fall
    The truth will come and tell us brother
    We travel as equals or not at all
    And when we get to where we’re going
    Past the divide past the stall
    Past the wind that’s always blowing
    Travel as equals or not at all
    You might have a greater income
    Or you might be dumb and dull
    But either way I won’t leave you
    Travel as equals or not at all
    So help me too in my slumber
    If I’m blind in madness hall
    If I’m deaf amongst the thunder
    Travel as equals or not at all
    Lift the way forget the ransom
    Free the chain and kick the ball
    Let our love take us higher
    Travel as equals or not at all
    And down the road
    And thru the sky
    And on the tracks
    Hear the gull
    Fly above us
    Without worry
    Travel as equals or not at all
    I hope your road takes you homeward
    And may you always outrun the law
    If I’m with you we will always
    Travel as equals or not at all
    I will catch you if your lost
    I will catch you if you fall
    Yes if I’m with you
    We will always
    Travel as equals or not at all
    Yes if I’m with you
    We will always
    Travel as equals or not at all

    • prism 10.1
      11 March 2012 at 9:18 pm

      Very inspiring words. I don’t remember hearing another aspirational song about moving together upwards since He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother in the 70’s.

  11. Rose 11
    11 March 2012 at 12:44 pm

    We are more likely to win the next election if we are a united party.

  12. Robert Glennie 12
    11 March 2012 at 1:29 pm

    We all remember those moments in time, where we were when some major event happened – it might be when we won a World Cup or were told of a major disaster (or found ourselves in one).
    On 22 February 2011, Christchurch had its moment for a lot of us that moment in time will be forever with us.

    Now it is 11 March 2012, one year to the day since we switched on our TV’s or had coverage interrupted by news of a major earthquake inducing a tsunami off the coast of Japan.We recall the footage of Japanese taking cover under whatever they could during the quake, the hasty evacuations as news of an impending tsunami spread and then the horror as the waves turned a strip of coastal Japan into one of the worlds biggest rubbish tips. Just as many Japanese did for Christchurch, lets give them the respect they deserve on this first anniversary.

    • Pete George 12.1
      11 March 2012 at 1:42 pm

      That was the most horrifying TV coverage I have seen, watching the tsunami disaster unfold live. The victims and all involved deserve our utmost respects.

    • Vicky32 12.2
      11 March 2012 at 5:35 pm

       Just as many Japanese did for Christchurch, lets give them the respect they deserve on this first anniversary.

      Absolutely yes! They are still suffering. The BBC WS has a programme about it that I am listening to right now…

  13. Dave Kennedy 13
    11 March 2012 at 3:00 pm

    I haven’t tested this out, but I have just become aware that the public may be able to name more Green MPs than Labour ones, such is the standard of opposition coming from the older party. http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/greens-leading-opposition.html

    • Salsy 13.1
      11 March 2012 at 10:25 pm

      Hi David, Im an active green party member, and ive noticed lately there is a swelling of anti-labour sentiment within the greens, particularly in the younger, urban new entrant range… Your comment above and your quip on TVNZ tonight about how Labours stance on foreign ownership is “stealing green policy” are also examples. I wonder what is the point is of the left attacking the left, its not constructive and its also a missed opportunity to support that policy. I hope that the greens instead focus on how to demand a far better deal with Labour next election and save the public criticism for the right.

      • Dave Kennedy 13.1.1
        12 March 2012 at 12:44 am

        Salsy, I hope my post didn’t come across as anti-Labour but more disappointment that they weren’t doing the work.

        Down in the Deep South we have huge issues with water pollution, the proposed lignite mining, the attack on our national parks by business interests and some shocking industrial situations, yet we have had little attention from Labour regarding any of these outside the election campaign. But we have had a continual flow of Green MPs personally visiting to learn about the issues, meeting with important stakeholders and genuinely attempting to find solutions.

        At the Matuara festival in January that was organized to look at the lignite issue we had one ex Green MP and four current ones attending, not one Labour MP even made an appearance. If the Greens were to contemplate a future coalition with Labour we would prefer a party that stood true to its values, not one still trying to have a bet each way.

  14. Treetop 14
    11 March 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Can you imagine if Len Brown was an overseas share holder of energy assets and he wanted 12% more productivity or profit?

    This is the sort of scenario which will occur with the loss of control over the energy asset shares.

  15. phillip ure.. 15
    11 March 2012 at 6:22 pm

    bloody hell..!..over 300,000 people gobble sleeping pills each night…?

    ..taking this highly addictive crap peddled to them by unscrupulous drug companies…

    ..and their willing/well-paid minions/pushers..doctors..

    ..why don’t they just smoke a bloody joint..?

    ..non-addictive..

    ..and they will sleep like babies…

    ..(‘it’s an upside down world..alice’…)

    phil-at-whoar.

  16. johnm 16
    11 March 2012 at 11:54 pm

    Yes that’s right! For the standards animal lovers including me here’s is some light relief from the tedium of political life:

    15st man mugged by a fox !!!!!

    Link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4179342/15st-man-mugged-by-a-fox-Beasts-alley-attack-for-food.html

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