Open mike 22/03/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 22nd, 2012 - 66 comments
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66 comments on “Open mike 22/03/2012 ”

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  1. Kotahi Tane Huna 1
    22 March 2012 at 6:11 am

    Nick Smith wants an inquiry to “clear his name”.

    I guess that’s a majority of one for an inquiry then… 🙂

    • hateatea 1.1
      22 March 2012 at 6:41 am

      You have to wonder if the man is playing with a full deck at the moment? (No disrespect to anyone else intended)

      • Kotahi Tane Huna 1.1.1
        22 March 2012 at 6:55 am

        Oh come on, he’s had a full twelve hours to realise how badly he’s been treated. Being forced to apologise like that and then dismissed by a banker. Group hug for Dr. Nick.

    • Uturn 1.2
      22 March 2012 at 6:50 am

      What he wants is for an enquiry to reveal how he was removed by his “friends”. And what a twisted mess of joined dots that would be. John Key has spent the last few days saying it’s not the letters, per se, that got him dumped and Boag saying she would naturally help a 15 year old friend – but just out of the blue, a person who she hadn’t seen for so long – and Puller just by chance getting sent those “leaked” ACC files and then targetting Smith with a barrage of email requests. It was a plan that had a large helping of luck, I’d say, drawing in morons from far and wide, like a cyber vortex . The Nats just aren’t smart enough to set it up from scratch.

      I guess Smith got to be too much of a liability, owed too much, and politicians being what they are, would have had to remove him in unusual ways if he were not the kind to go quietly. It’s the first sign that Nick Smith may be the unnamed MP so many predicted would end this government’s marginal hold on power.

      • logie97 1.2.1
        22 March 2012 at 7:29 am

        Some peoples’ names crop up at odd times, don’t they?
        Wine box, Recruitment for Auckland Super Council. ACC issues.

        And how much closer are we to discovering the source of the “Hollow Men” emails?

        • Uturn 1.2.1.1
          22 March 2012 at 7:36 am

          All the work of “close friends” in the National Party, even if “just at an electoral level”.

        • Kevin Welsh 1.2.1.2
          22 March 2012 at 7:53 am

          And how much closer are we to discovering the source of the “Hollow Men” emails?

          Ahhhh, yes, speaking of Bill English, whats his relationship with Dr Nick these days?

    • Carol 1.3
      22 March 2012 at 7:51 am

      A thorough independent enquiry of the whole issue would be a good thing to clear up some unanswered questions. But Smith should be careful of what he wishes for.

      Smacks of a born-to-rule attitude that he can’t believe he’s fallen from grace.

      • Kotahi Tane Huna 1.3.1
        22 March 2012 at 8:18 am

        That struck me too: this is completely consistent with the stereotype.

        • Pete George 1.3.1.1
          22 March 2012 at 8:44 am

          He seemed to openly accept responsibility and he emotionally displayed some remorse don’t you think?

          His downfall does seem to have been due to an arrogant in-power carelessness, but from what I’ve seen he realises that to an extent at least.

          Compare that to say Winston Peters who still denies past wrongdoing. I can’t remember if his sign said No or Yes but that doesn’t really matter.

          • muzza 1.3.1.1.1
            22 March 2012 at 9:06 am

            “He seemed to openly accept responsibility and he emotionally displayed some remorse don’t you think”

            It does not matter if he or any of them show remorse, they are crocodile tears, of a pathetic man. He may have problems himself, but he has had a negative impact on the lives of thousands of people in this country, and in no way does he deserve a shred of emotion. Quite simply, he is getting a little of what he deserves! Natural Justice will sort out the difference at some stage IMO!

            You take take your sad attempt at fellating the flacid Mr Smith, and run along Pete, the eternal fluffer!

          • prism 1.3.1.1.2
            22 March 2012 at 10:47 am

            @PG
            Winston is more amusing than Nick Smith – his misdemeanours are judged with that in mind. Also he appears to puts forward the case for ordinary people, though mostly senior age, and doesn’t seem so focussed on neo lib economics.

            • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1.2.1
              22 March 2012 at 11:10 am

              Winston’s an old school National economic conservative, from the early 80’s era. Hence his permanent opposition to asset sales. He’s not a rogernome neoliberal.

          • Rosemary 1.3.1.1.3
            22 March 2012 at 9:30 pm

            Another wholly enlightening expose from the deep thinking Wormtongue.

      • Bored 1.3.2
        22 March 2012 at 8:55 am

        Smacks of a born-to-rule attitude thanks Carol….as the minutiae of the Smith case disappears into the mists of time we will be left with another cypher born to rule nonentity taking his place. Another neo lib jerk intent on foisting the nasty agenda of privatisation, kill the poor etc.

        Does not really matter who the fresh face of plutocracy is, or who the next ideologically driven newbie is, we will still suffer. We are no further ahead.

        • prism 1.3.2.1
          22 March 2012 at 10:43 am

          @ Bored
          Please please stop being so realistic, give us some PR feel-good hope for the future won’t cha.

          • Bored 1.3.2.1.1
            22 March 2012 at 12:32 pm

            Bugger, a bit of realism hurts. Might use my spade to hit some “optimistic hope” into myself rather than call it a spade……

  2. james 111 2
    22 March 2012 at 8:19 am

    I see the Wharfies are trying to look like the good guys now ,and the Maritime Union has done acomplete uturn ,and asked please if it workers can go back to work this afternoon.

    Mr Parsloe must be feeling very foolish now as his 1951 approach hasnt worked, and he has weakened their bargaining position. Any disruption at all will give POAL the justification to carry on down their path of contracted workers without union involvement

    • North 2.1
      22 March 2012 at 9:53 am

      Alternatively James 111, they might from the get-go have simply tugged the collective forelock to their “superiors”, and reacted not at all.

      Beats me how idiots like you think it’s the paramount obligation of anyone being raped to maintain at all costs a “polite” demeanour.

    • Pascal's bookie 2.2
      22 March 2012 at 10:29 am

      “We have always been at war with Eastasia”.

      Doubleplusgood doublethinking James. Top marks.

  3. Pete George 3
    22 March 2012 at 8:38 am

    David Shearer has made it clear what standard he expects – as soon as a scandal blows up demand a immediate resignation.

    No long winded justice process over years as for a few bomb throwers.
    No waiting a day or two to make sure all the facts are known.
    No giving the accused reasonable time to fully explain themselves.

    Presumably this will apply to his own leadership. The odds are he will get a chance to demonstrate his commitment to instant justice.

    I wonder if he will apply it to accusations of undermining leadership.

  4. james 111 4
    22 March 2012 at 8:40 am

    Mods
    My time is up sanity, pragmatism, realism has returned please free up my name for posting

    [lprent: we agree on the date this time. Removed from auto moderation. ]

    • Kotahi Tane Huna 4.1
      22 March 2012 at 8:41 am

      Yay, fresh meat! Well, not exactly fresh, but you know what I mean.

      Yay! Month old meat!

  5. Pete George 5
    22 March 2012 at 8:57 am

    The day of the jackals?

    Did anyone else see the media pack swoop on Nick Smith at Wellington Airport yesterday and feel just a little nauseated?

    No, I’ve avoided it, but the thrill of the chase was apparent elsewhere as well. Political blood sport. Our equivalent of a Muslim stoning or a Middle Age witch burning.

    I hope that the journalists involved watch the tape again, and reflect


    I doubt it. The story of the moment overrules any emotional quotient.

    And while it’s probably not necessary here I did feel sadness for the manner that other MPs have fallen from grace very publicly, like Hughes and Carter. We all make mistakes, some make big career changing ones, but it shouldn’t be an excuse for modern day stocks with maximum public humiliation. We don’t do that in our justice system.

    And the political attempts to put the boot into everything around the demise of Smith’s ministerial career, to try and inflict maximum damage on the Government of New Zealand, is also a piss poor abuse.

    • Pete George 5.1
      22 March 2012 at 9:06 am

      On Backbenches last night Hone Harawira didn’t say much that stood up to scrutiny, but at least he did show real empathy for Nick Smith’s fall from grace.

      Unlike Phil Goff who made a sympathetic stament but followed it up by kicking Smith in the guts. He may be more relaxed on the back benches but he retains some political vindictiveness.

      • felix 5.1.1
        22 March 2012 at 9:30 am

        Dr Nick deserves some sympathy, I agree. Imagine being knifed in the back by your own team like that.

        Just awful.

        I’m also a bit hurt that you’d say such nasty, cruel things about Phil Goff. A ‘gut-kicker’? What a horrible thing to say, Pete.

        You certainly seem to have some political animosity stored up there.

  6. Herodotus 6
    22 March 2012 at 9:04 am

    NZ still losing our best asset – and for me the other form of a no confidence vote against the govt. NZ has low wages, high cost of living, prohibitative housing costs, and no ability to save. And No political ideas how to overcome these fundamental issues
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10793720

  7. Anne 7
    22 March 2012 at 9:47 am

    Does anyone know exactly what this woman Bronwyn Pullar is demanding from ACC? We know she wants a benefit but how much per week?

    We do know she has a branding and marketing job so she’s not unemployed.

    She lives in a $700,000 apartment with her accountant boyfriend who is sure to be on a good financial wicket.

    She comes from a very good South Island family. Translated: they have pots of dough?

    The mind boggles when you consider the harrowing circumstances of some ACC victims.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10793724

    • Uturn 7.1
      22 March 2012 at 10:00 am

      Great fortunes, great crimes, and all that. I’d just be happy to see section 237 of the Crimes Act enforced. Dreams are free.

    • Colonial Viper 7.2
      23 March 2012 at 12:01 am

      Born to rule wealthy Tories love their state entitlements. Even willing to involve Tory Ministers to get what they think they are due.

      Hypocritical, isn’t it.

  8. ianmac 8
    22 March 2012 at 10:38 am

    That reminds me. Where is the decision on Tea-gate?

  9. Anne 9
    22 March 2012 at 11:08 am

    Interesting that one Ianmac. I heard a top cop (might have been the Commissioner) saying about 10-12 days ago on Radio NZ that the decision would be made public in a matter of days rather than weeks.

    As far as I know, its normal practice to advise the complainant of any decision – in this case John Key – in advance of publication.

    We’re still waiting!

  10. Campbell Larsen 10
    22 March 2012 at 11:20 am

    Obviously some significant offending was involved but is this kind of bravado necessary?

    If you choose to involve yourself with drugs, we will find out and we will come for you.

    – Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan

    It seems someone has been watching too many Rambo movies

    It is high time (forgive the pun) that we had a rational approach to drug laws in this country – the war on drugs is a total failure – attitudes of people like Sheridan need to change.

  11. prism 11
    22 March 2012 at 11:25 am

    The weakness of central government and our lack of reasonable and necessary measures from it is illustrated by the statement of the coroner on the death of the fireman in a coolstore fire. He is recommending licensing and closer controls which are long overdue. This is just another example to place alongside Pike River, leaky homes and….

    The abandonment of regulation is a response to annoyance at the difficulties imposed by excessive bureaucracy, but is an example of taking an extreme position, a sort of puritan approach, which rejects the faulty system instead of problem-solving improvements.

    While central government is so prone to this change and reorganising with diminishment of the nation’s services, we must not allow central government to strangle local government.

    • Bored 11.1
      22 March 2012 at 1:20 pm

      The abandonment of regulation is a response to annoyance at the difficulties imposed by excessive bureaucracy… Prism, I am not sure that it really is a response to annoyance at red tape, probably more a case of follow the money. I always see the “red tape” argument as one of “we don’t want to pay”.

      One might say that if the ********s could be trusted with the welfare of employees, customers, users etc they could self regulate, no cost, no bureaucracy. We would not need ACC etc. Its a bit of a sad commentary on human nature…it is always someone else’s fault……and cost.

      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1
        22 March 2012 at 2:00 pm

        I always see the “red tape” argument as one of “we don’t want to pay”.

        I see it as We want to do whatever we want and not have to ask even though it will affect everyone else. In other words, the people agitating to get rid of regulation want to impose themselves upon everyone else with no come back which is oppression.

  12. KeepOurAssetsDon'tSell. 12
    22 March 2012 at 12:39 pm

    The NeoLiberal free market cult has to sacrifice people to the God Free Market!
    Extending humanitarian assistance unless this enables free markets is verboten. This is the Cult Ideology the Nats and hangers on adhere to.

    Let’s go to the bankrupt U$$$ to see one of God market’s successes!

    “Feeding The Homeless BANNED In Major Cities All Over America”

    Link: http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/feeding-the-homeless-banned-in-major-cities-all-over-america

    However these hungry homeless could even now obtain a career and commit an offence where they will be redeemed as part of the U$$$ economy again in a privately run prison: Adding to the GDP and GOD PROFIT’s margin with job opportunities for guards and caterers plus maintenance and prison construction. HALELUJAH!!! SAVED AT LAST!!!

    They have no assets BUT! They can help in the construction of other’s wealth and assets!

    • Bored 12.1
      22 March 2012 at 1:27 pm

      “Charge the bastards for the air they breath! Kill the poor (and send them at state expense to my private funeral service…), privatise bloody everything to which there is a real human need and no alternative and make me profit….”

      We are dealing with a sick psychopathic theology that does not even believe in the thing they espouse most.. the “free market”. Oligarchic / monopolistic corporate business hates “free markets”. They love regulation for their benefit.

  13. Pete George 13
    22 March 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Ignore where this is and have a good laugh: West Auckland Give Way rules from this weekend.

    Some of you have a sense of humour don’t you?

    • freedom 13.1
      22 March 2012 at 1:13 pm

      this may be the one and only time you visit the Whale
      without needing a decontamination shower afterwards

  14. Jackal 14
    22 March 2012 at 1:08 pm

    Tame Iti – Hero of the Week

    Moari aspirations, which are based on equality, accountability and fairness, are New Zealand’s aspirations. Read our founding document Te Tiriti o Waitangi (PDF), if you think otherwise.

    • Pete George 14.1
      22 March 2012 at 1:23 pm

      I doubt many people will view hamming around with weapons playing at being terrorists as being heroic.

      • Bored 14.1.1
        22 March 2012 at 1:33 pm

        Per normal PG you lack the intellectual breadth of thought to understand. Read the article and concentrate your meager intellect on the following statement They (some Maori) say the real revolutionaries of Maori aspirations are in suits, carrying law or business degrees, and storming the walls of Pakeha capitalism with no time for distracting sideshows. If you want to find terrorists go to the banks, forex floors etc where financial crime wrecks lives daily. Tama is tame comparatively.

  15. Pete George 15
    22 March 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Bore @14.1.1 – I agree that some aspects of the financial world are obscene., but are you suggesting we do away with finance and banks? If so perhaps you should try and argue how that will not wreck any lives.

    I agree that Tama is relatively tame.

    • felix 15.1
      22 March 2012 at 2:02 pm

      “are you suggesting we do away with finance and banks?”

      What the fuck are you on about?

      Do you know what the word “crime” means?

    • Draco T Bastard 15.2
      22 March 2012 at 2:10 pm

      Work with the real economy rather than the delusional one created by the banks and economists and we’ll fulfil lives and not wreck them the way the present banking system is.

  16. felix 16
    22 March 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Tried the Northern Gateway Tollroad for the first time the other day.

    On the way up it was quite awesome. The spectacular views, the grand feats of engineering, the long, wide, luxurious empty lanes. I felt like a Randian superhero in a futuristic free world and I liked it.

    On the way back it was full of commoners.

    • Bored 16.1
      22 March 2012 at 3:00 pm

      Ditto on the Randian thing….I summited a “minor” Rimutaka hill recently, shrugged momentarily, did an Eros impression…shooting invisible arrows at the unloved spirit of St Ayn….so cool (that she died loveless).

  17. Draco T Bastard 17
    22 March 2012 at 3:12 pm

    And another example of corporate welfare:-

    Unconfirmed media reports in Australia suggest the Federal and South Australian governments are expected to announce an $A200 million assistance package for the General Motors brand.

    Holden, which has been seeking government support to keep its Australian operations open, will also promise to stay in the country for another 10 years.

    The car manufacturing industry has been suffering the effects of the high Australian dollar and faltering domestic sales.

    I suppose that one day the politicians (and everyone else) will wake up to the fact that capitalism doesn’t – but I’m not holding my breath.

  18. ianmac 18
    22 March 2012 at 3:53 pm

    An interesting line of questioning in the House today from Winston. The PM says he only found out about certain letters yesterday. Winston’s questions met with evasion from English on behalf of Key.
    If Key knew earlier than he said then he mislead the house and the country.

    Trevor also has some questions about the Attorney General Findlayson since he wrote a letter of support for Fisher during that hoohar over the Judge’s conflict of interest.
    So Dr Smith – resigned for writing in support for a person known to him..
    Chris Findlayson- writing in support for a person known to him. Result?
    Next week should be funny?

    • Jackal 18.1
      22 March 2012 at 11:23 pm

      I thought it was very interesting that Lockwood Smith jumped up to protect Bill English and informed the house that John Key had answered the question… but when Winston Peters asserted that the question was not previously answered, he quickly backed off and then got petulant!

      That’s a pretty big oops for the speaker… to reiterate English misleading the house of representatives. How long will Key remain in hiding I wonder and who else is going to stick their neck out onto the chopping block?

      • alwyn 18.1.1
        23 March 2012 at 12:32 pm

        I suggest that you read the Hansard transcript for question time on the 21st March.
        John Key DID give the dates and Winston is pretty clearly wrong.
        I think you will find that Lockwood didn’t have the transcript immediately to hand and didn’t really want to accuse WP of lying without the proof in front of him.
        What Key said, in answer to Shearer’s question, was
        “The first letter … I was made aware of on Monday evening … second letter .. I was made aware of this morning”.
        Seems to be a pretty definite answer to me.
        It’s available on the Parliamentary website but my trying to create a link doesn’t seem to be working.

  19. Draco T Bastard 19
    22 March 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Slip Sliding Awaaaay

    “Statistics New Zealand’s latest GDP release shows growth was just 0.3 per cent in the December quarter. That is just a third of what the government predicted six months ago in the PREFU.

    Well, I suppose the investors in SCF got an aggressive recovery


  20. logie97 20
    22 March 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Where has the cetacean been lately in his one-man-crusade for “the-citizen’s-right-to-know” in name suppression cases? Perhaps he is selective when it comes to people close to his political mates.

    • Lanthanide 20.1
      22 March 2012 at 5:39 pm

      I think he gave up when he worked out the publicity wasn’t worth the court costs and probably got a contempt of court warning if he kept up with it, too.

  21. Draco T Bastard 21
    22 March 2012 at 6:01 pm

    StatsNZ Yearbooks

    The New Zealand Official Yearbook has provided a comprehensive statistical picture of life in New Zealand since 1893.

  22. Rosemary 22
    22 March 2012 at 9:40 pm

    This has to be the funniest things to come out of the Smith saga, Odgers getting annoyed because she thinks she’s been linked to the National Party.

    http://asianinvasion2006.blogspot.com/2012/03/nz-herald-gutter-reporting.html

    There’s a comment on the Jackal saying the Herald would’ve got it right if they’d linked her to the National Front instead of the National Party. I reckon it was a mistake and that’s precisely what the Herald meant to say.

    • Cactus Kate 22.1
      23 March 2012 at 12:56 am

      Rosemary

      “thinks”? Goodness gracious Rosemary if the front page of the paper with diagram in blue with the title for the subjected lady “National party links and roles” isn’t clear enough for you to see what they did I don’t know what else is.

      I liken it to a staunch Green party member at present being stuck on a red diagram among a group of Labour activists and disgraced MPs. They would go ballistic too.

      Given I have voted for and have joined the National Party precisely equal to the number of times the National Front, that sounds however to be the most accurate thing ever published on the Crackal’s blog. A step in a positive direction at least.

      CK

      • Pascal's bookie 22.1.1
        23 March 2012 at 6:03 am

        CK, it can be tough when a group one is associated with is gobbled, digested and subsumed within a larger group.

        Particularly if the self-identity of that smaller, now assimilated group, has always been at least partly defined, in the minds of it’s members at least, in distinction to that larger group.

        But it’s a dinnimik environment, change is good, you can’t stop progress, the market has its realities. You’ll just have to get on and carry on. Chin up, it’s not as bad as you think.

  23. Jackal 23
    22 March 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Shane Ardern’s conflict of interest

    Along with National’s Pastoral Land (Rent for Pastoral Leases) bill, the Cold Creek Rural Water Supply Bill is designed to gift farmer’s unconditional control of our resources…