Open mike 12/09/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 12th, 2011 - 84 comments
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84 comments on “Open mike 12/09/2011 ”

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  1. tc 1
    12 September 2011 at 7:18 am

    Interesting to watch the akl transport blame game. Akl council had no say in the tournament, the number of games etc and has to pay toward refurbishing (with temporary structures!) a ground in a suburb when Mallard was right in the needs for a waterfront stadium close to every transport element, bus, rail, motorways.

    RWC, tourism, transport ministers and tournament CEO all akl residents whom are paid to manage and lead so this should be very entertaining as a poorly constructed supercity, yet another NACT piece of crap, is probably left holding the baby.

    • Pascal's bookie 1.1
      12 September 2011 at 8:24 am

      Important research on this very topic here: http://bit.ly/pL1hsu

      • Tigger 1.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 8:57 am

        Can someone explain who will be paying for those people who didn’t get to game? Because as a ratepayer I figure two things (a) the company that owns the failed transport pays or (b) in any other situation if I missed an event due to a transport failure no way in hell would anyone think of paying me back. Certainly I ain’t shelling out for people who missed out.

        • aerobubble 1.1.1.1
          12 September 2011 at 9:25 am

          The government signed a contract to supply the Rugby World Cup, and said
          people would not be shortchanged, now they have been, its necessary for
          the standing of NZ to pay them compensation least we get slated as a
          nation of welchers. The blame should lie with the government and all
          government MPs should put their hands in their pocket personally, they
          admit openly to hate public service, hate public transport, hate governing
          effectively as its ‘too complex’.

  2. mickysavage 2
    12 September 2011 at 7:29 am

    So Simon Power is proposing to leave the decision on whether to do away with the centuries old right to silence to a panel of Judges.

    He is obviously having problems getting the numbers to get through Parliament proposed changes to the Criminal Law and is having to go to the likes of Hillary Calvert to get the numbers.  She must be relishing the prospect of being relevant.  Rodney Hide to his credit is sticking to his guns and showing his libertarian nature by condemning the proposed changes as an affront to long held constitutional rights.

    Power’s proposal, that Parliament leaves it up to the Rules Committee to make the final decision, will politicise Judiciary in a way that no previous Government has done.  As a citizen surely it will be my right to lobby the decision makers, the Judges, to persuade them to do what is right and veto the proposed changes.

    It also blurs the roles.  Parliament is meant to determine the law and Judges are meant only to interpret it.

    Surely Power should acknowledge defeat and withdraw the pernicious provisions.  As Charles Chauvel noted does he really want to be the Justice Minister to be remembered as the one who did away with the right to silence?

    • aerobubble 2.1
      12 September 2011 at 9:42 am

      America has a closed court, grand jury system where silence is not a option but anything
      said cannot be used in further courts (unless they lie) I believe and could be wrong.
      It plugs a hole before trials where the merit of the case itself is discussed.
      Such serious court processes cannot be suddenly revamped by one ideologically
      driven party and one silly justice ‘power’ seeking minisiter.

      Our parliament is corrupt, it does not fear its decisions will ever come back to harm
      them.

  3. logie97 3
    12 September 2011 at 7:32 am

    Apparently supporters of most rugby teams broke into spontaneous national anthem singing, in stations, in the bars and wherever there was a group of them, possibly because they had a tuneful anthem that they were comfortable in singing.

    • Pete george 3.1
      12 September 2011 at 7:48 am

      It would be nice to have one like that for New Zealand.

      At Otago Stadium on Saturday night it was the first time I’ve experienced God Save The Queen and thought it felt appropriate. It always seemed odd when we had to stand to it at movies.

      • Morrissey 3.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 9:10 am

        This is the only appropriate version of the English national anthem….
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtUH2YSFlVU

        Listening to Prince Charles’ hypocritical cant a few hours ago during the 9/11 memorial service only underlines the necessity of getting rid of these useless bloodsuckers.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.1.2
        12 September 2011 at 12:16 pm

        I can’t think of any time when I though God Save the Queen was appropriate. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid the cringing POS.

        • felix 3.1.2.1
          12 September 2011 at 12:56 pm

          I dunno, I thought Morrissey’s example above was pretty appropriate.

          • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 3.1.2.1.1
            12 September 2011 at 1:02 pm

            I loved the English cricket supporters singing “God save YOUR gracious Queen/ Long live YOUR noble Queen etc.” during last year’s Ashes in Australia. Change one word and it becomes a clever Geo-political put down.

  4. freedom 4
    12 September 2011 at 7:39 am

    last chance to share the Toronto Hearings Q&A
    final session in 5 minutes
    http://www.ustream.tv/channel/thetorontohearings

  5. Campbell Larsen 5
    12 September 2011 at 8:00 am

    Great piece by Roger Brooking over at Pundit on our culture of imprisionment and irrational climate of fear
    http://pundit.co.nz/content/new-zealands-strange-relationship-with-prisons

  6. Carol 6
    12 September 2011 at 9:27 am

    So Key and relevant ministers were silent about Auckland’s RWC opening rail fail, while their proxies were busy putting the blame on Brown and Auckland Council. Yet behind the scenes they were working to ensure it doesn’t happen again – surely this shows the buck stops with Key, Joyce, McCully et al….

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5606408/Govt-Auckland-council-work-to-avoid-new-cup-rail-fail

    Prime Minister John Key says Cabinet ministers have been working with the Auckland Council over the weekend to avoid a repeat of Friday night when transport failures resulted in some ticket-holders missing the opening game of the Rugby World Cup.
    […]

    The Council had said it was working to resolve the problems and there would be more back-up by buses for future games, he said.

    Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully and Transport Minister Steven Joyce had been in talks with the Council over the weekend.

    Yet Key is still trying to blame the council:
    Key told Newstalk ZB there had been an “operational failure” and the council had not considered every potential problem.

    “They had the back up for the back ups but obviously they hadn’t thought through every single contingency or hadn’t acted

    Meanwhile, there are criticisms from a Labour MP Key et als premiere endeavour known as Party Central:

    Labour’s tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis said Party Central could be best described as “Party Shambles”.

    “It was an embarrassment. This was our big opportunity to promote New Zealand to overseas visitors.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1
      12 September 2011 at 12:26 pm

      Labour’s tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis said Party Central could be best described as “Party Shambles”. “It was an embarrassment.

      It was always going to be – didn’t matter who was in government. And the reason why it was going to be a shambles is because NZ always tries to do things on the cheap, we never seem to be willing to put in the necessary effort to get things right. We wanted lower taxes, lower prices and then, when things turn to custard, we complain about it but we don’t change how we do things still demanding lower taxes and prices. At some point lower pricing costs more and NZ is well into that area of the price spectrum.

  7. joe90 7
    12 September 2011 at 10:18 am

    Looks like the German’s are going to throw in the towel and let Greece default.

    After almost two years of fighting to contain the region’s debt crisis and providing the biggest share of three European bailouts, Chancellor Angela Merkel is laying the ground for what markets say is almost a sure thing: a Greek default.
    “It feels like Germany is preparing itself for a debt default,” Jacques Cailloux, chief European economist at Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc in London, said in an interview. “Fatigue is setting in. Germany could be a first mover or other countries could be preparing too.”

  8. Anne 8
    12 September 2011 at 11:38 am

    Good to hear John Pagani on Radio NZ’s political spot (just finished) refusing to let Matthew Hooton dominate the debate. He even managed to shut him down a few times and without adopting Hooton’s favourite trick – shouting his opponent down. Well done.

    • Morrissey 8.1
      12 September 2011 at 12:03 pm

      Good to hear John Pagani on Radio NZ’s political spot (just finished) refusing to let Matthew Hooton dominate the debate.

      Hooton did not need to say anything. Pagani’s positions on everything were more extreme than Hooton’s. I don’t think even Hooton would be crass enough to say, as Pagani did, that the U.S. and U.K. are countries that “stand for decency and human values”.

      He even managed to shut him down a few times

      When? He certainly did not have the spine to challenge Hooton when Hooton lied about the intent of the Electoral Finance Act.

      I think you need to listen to it again. Pagani’s performance (or failure to perform) was a disgrace.

      • mik e 8.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 5:21 pm

        Pagani is not up to it he is a damp squib. Hooton is a slippery piece of work you need an abrasive type to hold him to account.

    • felix 8.2
      12 September 2011 at 12:54 pm

      Indeed, Anne. Makes a nice change from Williams and Bradford who both – in spite of their considerable abilities – let Hooton get away with framing every issue however he likes and proceed to argue the issues on his terms.

  9. Morrissey 9
    12 September 2011 at 11:55 am

    Further evidence of the decline of National Radio
    From the Left and From the Right
    Matthew Hooton (“Right”), John Pagani (“Left”) and Kathryn Ryan
    National Radio, Monday 12 September 2011

    Some dyspeptic, wandery and ill-informed extreme right-wing comments on the show this morning: “We needed to stand with the Americans in Afghanistan”, the U.S. and U.K. are countries that “stand for decency and human values” and “we were right to go in to Afghanistan because they shot some of our boys.”

    No, it was not Matthew Hooton speaking. It was John Pagani, who must have had a brain fade and thought he was on NewstalkZB, trying to impress Paul Holmes by talking tough on his Saturday morning slot.

    To compound Pagani’s shallow ranting, he sat impotently while Hooton claimed that the Electoral Finance Bill was “to stop criticism of the Clark government”.

    When someone strong and intelligent enough to counter Hooton’s nonsense (Sue Bradford, Lila Harre, Mike Williams) is on, this programme is excellent and entertaining. But with someone like Pagani representing “the Left”, it’s about as balanced, and as interesting, as the egregious “Huddle” on Larry Williams Drive on NewstalkZB.

    I presume the show will now be called “From the Right and from the Bewildered”. At least when John Pagani is on.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      12 September 2011 at 12:30 pm

      Isn’t John Pagani the advisor that told Labour to be more like National?

      • Bill 9.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 1:45 pm

        Guess he really did mean it too. Nice to see someone take their own bullshit to heart. Now if he would just fuck off…

    • big bruv 9.2
      12 September 2011 at 8:54 pm

      That might be because that was exactly what Clark had in mind when she created the EFA.

      It remains a shocking piece of legislation and the biggest attack on free speech this nation has ever seen.

    • Vicky32 9.3
      13 September 2011 at 1:35 pm

      But with someone like Pagani representing “the Left”, it’s about as balanced, and as interesting, as the egregious “Huddle” on Larry Williams Drive on NewstalkZB.
      I presume the show will now be called “From the Right and from the Bewildered”. At least when John Pagani is on.

      Agreed! I haven’t been able to listen for some weeks until yesterday, and then when I did, I was shocked! It’s already two against one, as Ryan appears to be solidly pro-NACT…

  10. Anne 10
    12 September 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Morrissey, I didn’t hear Pagani talk specifically about the US and UK… standing for decency and human values. Actually, the majority of the British and American citizenry do stand for such values. That aspects of their respective governments let them down from time to time is hardly evidence of over-all amoral and evil behaviour. I didn’t say I agreed with what Pagani said, I simply pointed out that he didn’t let Hooton dominate the show – something Sue Bradford in particular allows him to do.

  11. Rijab 11
    12 September 2011 at 1:02 pm

    Has anyone seen Farrar’s latest spin attempt at justifying inequality?

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/09/an_essay_in_favour_of_income_inequality.html

    Honestly sometimes this guy strikes me as a spoilt 12 year old kid who’s arrogant parents (NATS) drill a sense of entitlement from birth. I’d even question whether he knows the definition of inequality after reading this post ….

    • Jum 11.1
      12 September 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Rijab,

      My question would be: Why does anyone have to be POOR? There will always be inequality but everyone should be able to have a comfortable life.

      • Rijab 11.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 5:54 pm

        Follow the link and you’ll find many answers in the comments … unfortunately not many are well thought out.

      • big bruv 11.1.2
        12 September 2011 at 8:57 pm

        Jum

        Yes, everybody should be “able” to have a comfortable life.

        Just as long as they are happy to work for it.

        That is the difference, you lot want to give everybody a comfortable life by stealing my money from me that I earn by working hard and giving it to parasites and DPB slappers who do not want to work.

        • Campbell Larsen 11.1.2.1
          12 September 2011 at 9:33 pm

          Clearly you should spend less time ‘working hard’ for money and a lot more time ‘working hard’ on your Emotional Quotient – that money is never gonna love you back buddy, and you will never have enough of it to fill that knawing hole in your chest where your heart should be.

          • Ianupnorth 11.1.2.1.1
            12 September 2011 at 9:41 pm

            Some of those slappers and parasites will have given birth to children who will care for you when you are old and grey. Nobody survives without the influence of others.
             
            Karma BB, it will come back and bite you on the arse, and when it does, when you have a disabled family member, or your house falls down like ChCh, or any other type of thing that you are unprepared for, you’ll be the first in the queue demanding the state sorts it out – because you mate are simply precious, greedy and self serving, like the other tory trolls on here (except several of them actually can see the other side of the coin and provide rigorous debate).

            • big bruv 11.1.2.1.1.1
              12 September 2011 at 9:49 pm

              Ian

              How can a bunch of benefit stealing bludgers care for me in my old age?

              I take it that this grand plan of yours does not include making sure that people work for a living?

              Or are you really just wanting to use my money to buy votes from the so called poor to enable your corrupt party to regain power?

              What you fail to admit is that you know your way (social welfare) has not worked, throwing money at people to do nothing is destroying this country yet you steadfastly refuse to look at alternatives.
              The more the “state” interferes with our day to day affairs the more we go backward, get the ‘state’ out of our lives and things will improve.

              • Frank Macskasy …
                13 September 2011 at 12:46 am

                .What you fail to admit is that you know your way (social welfare) has not worked, throwing money at people to do nothing is destroying this country yet you steadfastly refuse to look at alternatives

                Actually, what isn’t working is the economic system that, in 2008, created all those people now relying on social welfare to survive. That was your free market system, Bruv.

                And you’re right: neo-liberalism isn’t working Any system that can double unemployment from 3.8% to 7% in just under two years is an economic bomb that Al Qaida would dearly love to get their hands on.

                Hmmmm… whose side did you say you were on?

        • mik e 11.1.2.2
          12 September 2011 at 10:07 pm

          BB theirs 24,000 more on the dpb since Key National got elected and his mother was one of those parasites that lived in a state house.The Dpb is so partners can get away from ignorant abusers like you.So have you got any ideas on the creation of around 400,000 full time jobs or can you only keep repeating your Act mantra of abuse!

        • Frank Macskasy 11.1.2.3
          13 September 2011 at 12:53 am

          Oh, cry us a river, Bruv. So ytou want a free ride and not pay your taxes? If you want a Libertarian Nirvana, Somalia is that-a-way.

          Here in NZ, pay your taxes and be grateful that you have a road to drive on; a hospital to care for you when you bump your brain cell; and a welfare system that keeps the hungry and desperate from your door.

          Jeez, you National/ACT lot can whinge…

  12. randal 12
    12 September 2011 at 1:02 pm

    What about the outrageous assertion from mathew hooton that because the rail system failed once then Aucklanders will never use it again. What a load of garbage. And john pagani got it right about the board of Auckland Transport. Hand picked by National to cock everything up. When the Aussie had the Olympics in 2000 the Sydney trains were free for a week before hand. Why didnt the numbskulls try that here instead of trying to create a riot. why is new zealand in the grip of pinheads and ignoramusses at the moment. oh I forgot. national is inpower and their voters like their mp’s to be like them. dull and stupid and mercenary.

    • mik e 12.1
      12 September 2011 at 5:23 pm

      ITS the brain drain

    • prism 12.2
      12 September 2011 at 5:45 pm

      @randal – What was that towards the end about guns, I think after they had discussed the Tuhoe thing? Matthew Hooton seemed about to say that everybody should be able to carry a gun, for a minute sounding like some redneck USA person, then Kathryn Ryan moved right along as time was running out.

      • Matthew Hooton 12.2.1
        12 September 2011 at 7:01 pm

        Prism – no, I wasn’t making a pro-gun statement, I was making a free-speech one. John was saying you shouldn’t be able to be using a gun and talk about politics. I think that if people are hunting or shooting targets or something else that is legal, they should be able to do that thing while talking about politics. It’s just one of those strange free-speech ideas I hold, like that Helen Clark shouldn’t have tried to make it illegal to criticise her government in election year, that most people here at The Standard don’t understand.

        • The Voice of Reason 12.2.1.1
          12 September 2011 at 7:30 pm

          I thought at the time you misunderstood what Pagani said, nice to have it confirmed! He was saying that political arguments should not be settled with guns, not that duck hunting and politics were mutually incompatible. D’oh!

          • felix 12.2.1.1.1
            12 September 2011 at 8:53 pm

            Actually I’m pretty sure John did say people shouldn’t be playing with guns while talking politics.

            The little toad Holmes said much the same thing several times this weekend on q+a. I hate agreeing with Matthew but I don’t care much for this new rule either.

            • The Voice of Reason 12.2.1.1.1.1
              12 September 2011 at 9:22 pm

              I had another listen and it still makes sense to me, felix.


              “If we want to live in a free society, free from political violence, we cannot have people running around with guns when they are talking politics.”
               
              I took that as a reference to Norway, not knocking off Bambi.

        • Anne 12.2.1.2
          12 September 2011 at 8:02 pm

          It’s just one of those strange free-speech ideas I hold, like that Helen Clark shouldn’t have tried to make it illegal to criticise her government in election year.

          That’s a load of crap Hooton and you know it! Helen Clark and her govt. were responding to the Exclusive Brethren revelations and related Nat Party Trust skulduggery. Ok, the legislation had holes in it because it was hastily thrown together. That was the result of electoral cycle time constraints and you know that too. Stop telling lies Hooton and some of us might start treating you with more respect!

          • logie97 12.2.1.2.1
            12 September 2011 at 8:26 pm

            So Hooten does sniff around this site. Thought he just liked to be the first entry on Open mike from time to time.

            • mik e 12.2.1.2.1.1
              12 September 2011 at 10:14 pm

              He’s more prevalent around Holloween time Logie 97. he always looking for new ideas as he has none of his own.At duck shooting time we should aim high and shoot low and you’ll get that slippery little hollow eel hooton with a little shooten

        • prism 12.2.1.3
          12 September 2011 at 10:08 pm

          Thanks Matthew that clears that up for me. But I do think the argument sounds a bit fuzzy and general. Looking at an example – for instance taking a gun to a political meeting. That would not be an encouragement of freedom or free-speech because the playing field isn’t equal then – angry words are often wounding but don’t break flesh usually!

          I think that having a loaded gun and at the same time talking politics could backfire. These are two ‘loaded’ activities, it would be better to do them separately I think.

          • prism 12.2.1.4.1
            13 September 2011 at 10:25 am

            @ kriswgtn – Quite good web site page. Promises, no fibs, new, blah blah blah though. Just what would be expected of a proper clone of USA Tea Party.

            • rosy 12.2.1.4.1.1
              13 September 2011 at 10:35 am

              “Just what would be expected of a proper clone of USA Tea Party.
              It’s telling fibs, if it’s Tea Party there must be religion there somewhere, but it hasn’t mentioned it….

              btw the design is terrible.

  13. Jum 13
    12 September 2011 at 1:23 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvF1Q3UidWM&feature=related

    right to life, anti-abortion, sanctity of life with George Carlin – hysterically funny take on hugely controversial subjects.

    Do not watch if you hate rude language or can’t face the fact that there is little consistency amongst right to lifers, anti-abortionists or the sanctity of life followers.

    Carlin speaks many truths. Also, he’s dead and he’s not an abortion doctor so nobody can shoot him.

    • Vicky32 13.1
      13 September 2011 at 3:41 pm

      Do not watch if you hate rude language or can’t face the fact that there is little consistency amongst right to lifers, anti-abortionists or the sanctity of life followers.

      I can’t watch vids (can’t afford broadband) but I have to comment – first, well, people like that just can’t help themselves with the effing and blinding, can they? Some juvenile people think swearing is “grown up” and oh-so-clever!
      Also, what consistency do you want? If you want pro-life people to oppose war and capital punishment, well, surprise, we do! (The non-Protestants among us, anyway.)

      • The Voice of Reason 13.1.1
        13 September 2011 at 4:24 pm

        Hi, Vicky32. I don’t want to pry, but if you’ve got dial up, I presume you are paying $50-60 per month to get that service. I’ve seen some broadband packages which include the landline starting at around $70. That might still be out of reach, but keep an eye out for specials at Telecom or the other providers. They often do deals that might just be affordable. It will definitely change your life if you get broadband and not just in terms of blogging. It’s like switching from black and white to colour TV. A whole new way of seeing the world.

        • Vicky32 13.1.1.1
          13 September 2011 at 5:50 pm

          but if you’ve got dial up, I presume you are paying $50-60 per month to get that service.

          Thanks for the advice, but I am lucky – I am paying only $9.95 a month! It’s rubbish service, but it will do for the time being… 🙂 My son sent me a pre-loaded Vodafone stick, but I am eking that out (don’t tell him!) and use it only for vital things, although you’re right, it is like getting colour TV….

          • The Voice of Reason 13.1.1.1.1
            13 September 2011 at 5:59 pm

            Good on ya, I look forward to the political party that puts broadband for all up as an election promise. I think one of the Nordic countries is already talking about enshrining it in human rights legislation along with water supply, education and the other basics of life.

            Edit: it’s Finland.

            http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10374831-2.html

            • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1.1.1.1
              13 September 2011 at 7:02 pm

              That’s been talked about over on Red Alert here and there. Not sure about what the Greens say about it but it’s certainly at the point where broadband is becoming an essential part of society (ie, should be supplied free through taxation).

    • prism 13.2
      13 September 2011 at 6:50 pm

      @Jum Thanks for that – very funny. You are veryfunny and pithy too “Carlin speaks many truths. Also, he’s dead and he’s not an abortion doctor so nobody can shoot him.” Pity to lose Carlin, he’s outstanding.

  14. thejackal 14
    12 September 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Radiation Spike in San Diego

    It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that a major power cut shut down a couple of San Onofre nuclear reactors in San Diego last week. But what is really interesting is that a spike in radiation levels was registered on a background radiation monitor I happen to keep an eye on, at exactly the same time…

  15. AAMC 15
    12 September 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Good to see David Parker up the frOnt having a dance at the Drab Doo Riffs gig on Friday night.

    As it was good to see Jacinda front and centre watching Shane Carter a while back.

    Can’t imagine a single Nat MP lowering themselves to the level of rubbing shoulders with the primes like that.

    • mik e 15.1
      12 September 2011 at 5:26 pm

      They are using the feelers music in their campaign follow on from rwc if the abs loose they might have to change bands mid election.

      • Adele 15.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 6:40 pm

        A band that comes to mind is the ‘Headless Chickens.’

        • AAMC 15.1.1.1
          12 September 2011 at 7:33 pm

          That name, not the band, perfectly describes the current bunch.

          Shame not to see a single headless chicken front up to answer questions about the RWC fail today, at least Len Brown has the courage to front up.

  16. prism 16
    12 September 2011 at 5:29 pm

    Joky Hen on Auckland – We are not too interested in finger pointing….
    Radio interviews with two women, one caught up in the crush at Quay Street and the other in the unbearable heat and crowds on her train, was a scary story. They were real cool survivors and helpers.

    Both said it was noticeable that there was no crowd control, no security at either place. On the train they were stopped for about an hour and there was no report from the captain etc. Aren’t ground travelling people on trains entitled to any information through speakers installed in the carriages? Are the trains being run by remote control as all the time they were stationary (unintended pun) they didn’t see a rail worker?
    At the Quay there weren’t obvious signs giving directions to the various venues and not a policeman in sight except some telling some people not to sit on a roof ignoring the crowds milling below.

  17. big bruv 17
    12 September 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Ha ha, another day and another Labour staffer has been caught stealing.

    At least I will no longer have to pay this thief’s wages, I wonder if Sonny will make it in the real world?

  18. randal 18
    12 September 2011 at 7:13 pm

    Hooton is ful of “strange” ideas that dont stand up to any logical scrutiny whatsoever. i.e. technically they are not valid. he just makes it up. He is just a small person who wants to get even with the world and thinks money counts for everything. In short he is a neanderthal tory party drongo flack who does what he is told by the “BIG BOYS”.

  19. randal 19
    12 September 2011 at 7:15 pm

    BTW Helen Clark only trtied to make it harder to buy elections. But National went ahead and bought it anyway.

    • big bruv 19.1
      12 September 2011 at 7:47 pm

      Lol…you forget the 850k she stole from the tax payer to win the 05 election.

      • Ianupnorth 19.1.1
        12 September 2011 at 8:13 pm

        So dishing jobs out to your unqualified brother is OK according to your ethical code BB?
        Why not comment on that instead of being your usual tolling self?

        • big bruv 19.1.1.1
          12 September 2011 at 8:51 pm

          Ianupnorth

          I know this will be hard for you to understand given that all of you left wing types slavishly support anybody (regardless of how corrupt they are) on your team but if this means that Bill English is sacked or forced to resign then nobody will be happier than me.

          English is an idiot, a sopping wet liberal idiot with a strong socialist streak.

          As for appointing an unqualified person to a government appointed job….well does the name Diane Yates not ring any bells with you?

          I am not saying it is right, what I am saying is that in typical fashion the left make a song and dance about something that they have done themselves many, many times, the display of faux outrage is hilarious.

      • mik e 19.1.2
        12 September 2011 at 10:19 pm

        little pesk Pails into insignificance Media works dirty2007-8 campaign was rewarded with $43 million hand up from key dipton and joyce.Every DJ at media works set out to bring down clark!

      • Frank Macskasy 19.1.3
        13 September 2011 at 12:49 am

        Nah, the people voted for her cos she was better than Bill from Dipstick…

  21. logie97 21
    12 September 2011 at 8:55 pm

    He was a political animal in 1981 and had some pretty strong opinions – his mother leaves us in no doubt about that … gotcha Joky Hen

  22. logie97 22
    12 September 2011 at 10:04 pm

    When a publicly owned monopoly is privatised (management replaced by a profit motivated group) who monitors their performance?
    Take, for example, Auckland airport.
    When the amenities become foul and stinking, as they did after this weekends influx of tourists, who checks that those running the place are meeting acceptable standards.

  23. mik e 23
    12 September 2011 at 10:26 pm

    The turists they never come back.John banks sold Auckland airport shares for $350 million they are now worth 1.5 billion that saved the Auckland rate payer millions in debt. Why don’t epsom voters reward him for being such a hopeless politician they will cut of their noses to spite their faces a Big Bruv or is that big girls blouse.Or more likely in a new game we should play here is who’s the tory blogger my guess is tau.

    • Ianupnorth 23.1
      12 September 2011 at 10:31 pm

      The morale of the story lies with the current bright idea of selling other assets before their price peaks, regardless of the fact they are returning a profit and are of strategic importance.
       

    • logie97 23.2
      12 September 2011 at 11:21 pm

      … would be interesting to know who the “Mums and Dads” investors are who have shares in the airport company acshully – how would one find out?

  24. randal 24
    13 September 2011 at 6:26 pm

    I bet the mums and dads are not the chosen 12,000 who had no trouble at Queens Wharf on Friday night.